Eternal Rewards Matthew 10:40-42

1. Eternal RewardsMatthew 10:40-42 Logos Bible Fellowship 4/25/07

2. A Sign of a True Believer (v.40) • To receive a disciple is to receive Christ and to receive Christ is to receive the Father • John 12:44-45 – “when he looks at me he sees the one who sent me” • 1 John 3:9-18, 4:19-5:5 – Christians will love other Christians

3. A Sign of a True Believer (v.40) • Rejecting a true believer is tantamount to rejecting God • John 15:18,21 – The world hates believers due to not knowing God • John 12:48 – Result is condemnation • John 16:1-3 – Believers will be persecuted • 3 John 1:5-10 – Even some in the church will do so

4. A Sign of a True Believer (v.40) • Both Old and New Testaments talk about false prophets (see Jude) • Jeremiah 23:17 – False prophets speak peace to unbelievers • 1 John 4:1-3 – “test the spirits” • John 7:24 – “use righteous judgment” (c.f. Matt. 7:6) • Acts 20:28-31 – “Be on guard”

5. A Prophet’s Reward (v.41) • Luke 6:20-26 – “Great is your reward in heaven” • Jeremiah 20:7-11 – What was Jeremiah’s reward? • How about John the Baptist? • Hebrews 11:24-27 – Moses looked forward to his reward • Hebrews 11:32-40 – We have something even better! • Revelation 11:16-18 – A prophet’s final reward

6. Rewarded on Works (v.42) • Salvation is by grace alone (Ro. 5:9)! • Rev 22:12 – “I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” • 2 Cor. 5:10 – Believers will have a judgment of rewards • 1 Cor. 3:8-15 – What we do for the Lord will be rewarded…notice the foundation • This is different from the white throne judgment (Rev. 20:11, John 12:48)

7. Rewarded on Works (v.42) • Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14ff) • About stewardship • God gives according to ability • No excuses • Levels of rewards based on what we do • Note: there are levels of eternal punishment too (Luke 12:47-48) What are you doing with your stewardship?

8. “Do not be worn out by the labors which you have undertaken for My sake, and do not let tribulations ever cast you down. Instead, let My promise strengthen and comfort you under every circumstance. I am well able to reward you above all measure and degree. You shall not toil here long nor always be oppressed with griefs. A time will come when all labor and trouble will cease. Labor faithfully in My vineyard; I will be thy recompense. Life everlasting is worth all these conflict, and greater than these. Are not all plentiful labors to be endured for the sake of life eternal? Lift your face therefore to heaven; behold I and all My saints with me--who in this world had great conflicts--are now comforted, now rejoicing, now secure, now at rest, and shall remain with Me everlastingly in the kingdom of My father.” Thomas a Kempis

9. Rewards to Believers (v.42) • Hebrews 11:6 – God is a rewarder • Described as: • Honor from the Father (John 12:26) • Being with Christ (John 14:3) • Beholding God’s Face (Rev 22:4) • Beholding Christ’s Glory (John 17:24) • Judging (1 Cor. 6:2), Reigning (2 Tim. 2:12), Being Heirs (Rom. 8:17), Crowns, Inheritance, Rest, Joy, Prize, Treasure, etc…..

10. “Gold, silver, precious stones” Faithfulness Reading the Word Ministry Evangelism Enduring temptation Worship Cheerful giving Service to others “Wood, hay, and stubble” Fear Reading the newspaper Worldliness Filthy speech Sinful self-indulgence Self-exaltation Wasteful living Self-centeredness Works revealed by Fire

11. Rewards Motivate to… (v.42) • Rejoice (Romans 5:2) • Be diligent (2 John 1:8) • Press forward (Phil. 3:14) • Endure suffering (2 Cor. 4:16-18) • Be faithful to death (Rev. 2:10)

12. Group Study • Which reward do you look forward to most and why? • How are you motivated by rewards? • Which “gold, silver, and precious stones” can the group pray would be added more abundantly to your life?