SHOULD WE
EXPECT A REWARD
Jer 32:40
Phil 3:12-16
Last week we
saw how Paul said that he had not yet arrived but he continues to take a hold
of that for which Christ took hold of Him. He was pressing on and it
required effort.
In the old Wild
West, you would often see posters nailed on trees and doors saying, “Wanted” –
with a sketch of a man’s face, offering a huge reward if anyone could bring
this person dead or alive to the Sheriff’s office.
Even today,
some governments offer rewards for information that is important to their
national security.
We all
like rewards. Should we look forward to it or seek it?
Let us
look at Hebrews 11 :1-
The Bible is
full of stories about God and His people. All these people in Hebrews 11
displayed faith, but they also displayed action. Their belief was
accompanied by behaving. They all did something. When faith is mixed with
obedience, blessings follow.
V25 Moses
grew up in the palace. He had everything he needed. Yet he chose to be
mistreated i.e he gave up the palace for the slum. He was eagerly looking forward
to his reward.
Their
actions were tested.
Abraham, Moses all were tested. Abraham did not know where he was going. Faith
is the foundation of our salvation but God wants to give us rewards. We all
believe god exits. So does the devil.
How do we
earnestly seek God?
Heb 11:6
Rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Matt6:5 We
can PRAY. When you pray in secret, the Father will reward you. This is a
good way to get a reward. Earthly things seem so attractive but Moses chooses to
let it go.
On Pentecost
10.000 came to faith but they were all Jews. But one day God got hold of Peter
and spoke to him in a vision in Acts 10 – about going to the gentiles as well.
So we are all included in the gospel today. Why Cornelius? v2 – He was
devout, God-fearing and generous and prayed faithfully.
Acts 10:4
your prayer and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering. If you
want to catch God’s eye be in His presence and pray. You have an opportunity to
pray through the 24/7 prayer chain we will be restarting.
Cornelius
loved God’s presence. David loved God’s presence 2Sam6.
Where the
Ark was in the OT blessings followed the Israelites. Today we have the presence
of God dwelling in our hearts.
Matt 6:1-4
Pray and GIVE in secret, and you
will be rewarded. Giving is not just money but in all areas of life.
Tithes are
not giving but bringing to God what is already His. Giving is over and above
that.
V16-18
FAST this is the 3rd area God rewards. Your faith who see what is
done is secret will reward you. If we wat to see spiritual breakthrough we need
to pray and fast. Just like Esther who prayed and fasted for a change for her
people in her nation.
Conclusion.
Without faith, we cannot please Him. He rewards when we seek Him. Let us seek
Him in prayer, giving and fasting. Jesus gives us a promise and the Father will
reward us. Amen!
Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again), Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. Word of Grace is a part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.
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