Open your Bibles to Matthew 16:27.

So, what is the basis of these rewards? “he shall reward every man according to his works.”

Matthew is the first book in the New Testament. We’ll be going to the last book of the New Testament, Revelation. I’m laying out a pattern here in the scriptures, a principle that shouldn’t be ignored. I said there are at least 100 references of rewards in the New Testament. Most of you didn’t know that before I started teaching on this subject. It’s just not being taught to the masses and I don’t understand why. If this ministry accomplishes anything, it will be in teaching a solid foundation—based on the rightly divided Word—that instructs any Christian through his journey of faith as a disciple of Jesus Christ what they should or shouldn’t do, and to know with understanding, not confusion.

I have laid down the Change of Mind Series. I believe it is probably the first and foremost important work I have ever done. It gets you on the road to the Lord; salvation without any of your works; salvation without the hang-ups of being good enough once you recognize what Christ has done for you. “Well, I don’t know if I’m good enough.” No one will ever be good enough if that is the standard. The Change of Mind Series teaches that and more. It is the one series I want to complete as it is an ongoing series, but for the most part I’ve laid down a good foundation.

Other ongoing series include Spiritual Warfare and The Table of the Lord. Then there’s the Giving Series, the Last Days Series and now the Rewards Series. That’s six series. I have done other series, but those are probably the most important messages I have preached. (These messages are available in both in written and video format.) If I never preach another message after I’m done with this series on rewards, you have the tools to fight the good fight of faith, more than most— believe you me. The church world is only trying to make a better you for the here and now. I’m trying to show—in God’s Word—how God is going to make a better you for the here and now for His purposes, not for your pleasure and satisfaction in the things you want to pursue, but what is useful to Him. It is also a preparation for eternity and rewards are part of that. When He comes back “in the glory of his Father with his angels” He will reward each “according to his works.”

Revelation 2:23 is really a sad verse, but it also has a reference about rewards.

He has a message here for a church that has gone awry, off the rails. Continuing with the same theme:

Revelation 14:13, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

Why do they follow them? Because it is going to be the basis of receiving their rewards.

Revelation 22:12, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

You can’t escape the fact that He is intending to reward some and shame others. You’re probably thinking, “Oh, shame! What do you mean, shame? We have been saved.” I’ll get to it. I want to keep laying down scriptures as I preach through this series. I can’t give you all the 100 or so references at one time, but I can give it piecemeal throughout the series and you’ll see why understanding rewards in its proper context is so important. Then we can start a plan for our lives, in the here and now, so we can receive those rewards because we obeyed His commands, as I mentioned last time.

I Corinthians 3:13, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: [I have already covered this] for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

Your works will be judged. You will first be judged as to whether you have entrance into eternal life instead of the second death. That is a different judgement. You will escape that judgment and enter eternal life, but then you are going to be under the judgment seat of Christ. At that judgment seat your works will be judged and the only works that count are the works that served His purposes, not what most of the Christian world thinks are good works. That is what the Apostle Paul is saying. Just as we read in the previous verses in Matthew and Revelation, he is saying the same thing. The day will declare it because it will be revealed by fire. He is saying we won’t be burned, but our works will. I’ll have more to say about that later.

II Corinthians 5:10 [we have been here too], “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done [hath done is works done repeatedly], whether it be good or bad.”

We are talking about deeds/works that glorify Him and are useful to Him. That is the basis of our receiving rewards. I must keep repeating this because someone new will think I’m referring to works as a condition for eternal salvation. No, I’m not! Anyone who has listened to me for any length of time know that is the furthest thing from the truth. Salvation is by faith alone; the trust and confidence that you have in Jesus Christ and His redemptive work, what He did to rescue you. You had a change of mind about that redemptive work and what it provides and have come to your senses, realizing that you could never be good enough. No matter how much you try you will always stink spiritually. Only Christ can purify you where you can boldly come to the throne of God with anything. I think I have made that clear and I’ve pointed out the scriptures that make it very clear. Trust and confidence, the pisteuolevel of faith, gets you to the place where you realize that it’s the only required condition. Jesus did everything that was necessary to secure your spot in heaven and then eventually in the new earth. There is nothing we can add to it that has not already been done by Jesus Christ, which is why we can rest in His works, what He did. We are resting in the finished work of Christ. I will keep repeating verses such as Ephesians 2:8 and 9 which says, “For by grace are we saved through faith; and that not of ourselves:” Nothing we did because it is the gift of God and “Not of works, lest any one should boast.” Now let’s go to a couple of verses to nail that point down.

Romans 11:6, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

It is saying this gift cannot be earned by works. My friend, eternal life is a gift that has been given to us freely. We had to do nothing concerning works to receive it. It is an eternal gift of life that is given to us. Romans 6:23 points out that there is nothing earned by works, and that the gift of eternal life can only be received by faith.

John 3:36, “He that believeth [the Greek here is pisteuo] on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

I have said before we are not saved by good works, but because we are saved, we are going to be participating in good works. It is our discipleship that we are involved in, what we do to glorify God to get the message of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ out to the world.

One more verse and then I will move on to rewards. Some of you need to start memorizing these verses so when you share with others you will have them available. You’ll be able to clearly communicate this rightly dividing the Word, so others know exactly what you are trying to say, and you’ll be able to confirm the stance you take.

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus—What does it say? —unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Prepared is a better translation for ordained; “which God hath before prepared that we should walk in them.”

Let’s go to Titus 3:8 in the New Testament. It’s another scripture to have at hand as you build up your library of information on rewards. Paul writes again, “…those who believe in God should be careful to maintain good works” and these good works determine our rewards. You need to have that clearly in your mind. Entrance into heaven is determined by your trust and confidence that you have placed in Christ Jesus and His work, but your reward in heaven or at the judgment seat of Christ is determined by your good works. In other words, works we do while we are on this earth for the glory of God. Don’t confuse the two. Too many have, and they think because of their good deeds that somehow, they can earn their way into heaven. That has been the greatest deception that Satan has been able to pull off and it is a lie. Heaven is a gift received by the trust, confidence and faith that you put in Jesus Christ’s finished work at Calvary, the resurrection from the tomb and rising up to the throne of God placing His spilled blood on heaven’s mercy seat.

Let me also make it very clear, not everyone who enters heaven will receive the same benefits. Now I’m probably going to tick some off by the next statement, but what you receive in heaven will be decided by what you do on earth. So, when you hear preachers saying that we are in preparation for heaven, they’re right. I don’t know if they realize the importance in knowing the things that need to be practiced in order to receive these rewards, but nevertheless what you get in heaven will be determined by what you do here on earth. I just read a few verses that exactly point that out. Don’t tell me there are no consequences in this life from the things you choose to do or not do. Of course, there are. There are plenty of consequences and the choices you make will determine what you get in the hereafter. I know you don’t like to hear that because some of you think, “Well that sounds unfair. It doesn’t sound right. Christ died for our sins, didn’t He? Then that means that everybody who believes in Him and knows that their sins have been forgiven should get the same things in heaven.” I guess we could call that heaven’s socialism. One day I’m going to teach that socialism is not really part of the Christian way of life, even though some have taught that Christianity in a sense is socialism. That is the furthest thing from the truth. More deceptive lies from the pit of hell. What I have read in the verses that Jesus professed through His lips should confirm that not everyone is going to get the same kind of rewards. Paul said the same thing. If you think heaven is going to be where everybody gets the same reward, I’ve got news for you, it’s not. Give me chapter and verse because I gave you chapters and verses saying just the opposite. If there is no socialism in heaven, why would you think that Christianity in the here and now should practice some version of Christian socialism? It is stupidity and lunacy that goes beyond my imagination how people can even think that way.

Imagine having a job where everybody got the same paycheck. (First of all, tell me where that happens.) What if you received the same pay as everyone else no matter how good a job you did, how much responsibility you took on, how many extra hours you worked, or even whether you showed up day after day while others didn’t, and the production level was higher when you were there? Wouldn’t you think that if you were the kind of person who was willing to put that much effort into the job that you should get better compensation than someone who just punches the clock? The same pay, no matter the effort, wouldn’t be fair to the one who busts his rear end and goes the extra mile for the company. If I were the boss or owner of that company, I would want to reward that person more than somebody who is just there for a paycheck. That person shows he or she is behind the company and they want to see it productive, competitive and is doing what the owner really expects out of all of them. Unfortunately, the employer doesn’t get that out of everybody. Of course, the owner would want to reward them. Whether you think that is fair, it is what happens in the real world and heaven is not going to be any different. I’m sorry, scriptures do not teach that it’s unfair if we all don’t receive the same rewards in heaven. It just doesn’t and that is why we should care about rewards.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m sure some will think, “Well, isn’t it good enough if I just get to heaven? It won’t make that much difference if I don’t get any rewards. I’m going to live throughout eternity.” Some of you might know people who feel that way. You might have felt that way. “If I just get there is good enough. After all, I don’t even know what the rewards are going to be like.” Believe me, you are going to want the praise of Jesus at the judgment seat of Christ. You won’t have to be worried about being burned in the fire, but you are going to want to hear that praise. It is no different than parenting a child. If you had a good relationship with your parents as a child, you probably would do anything to hear your parents praise. Whether you got it or not, most of you wanted it, because it meant a lot to you as a child.

Now let’s look at the flip side of that. What did it feel like when they scolded you? You didn’t like that very much, did you? I sure didn’t. As I’ve said so many times, part of our reward is praise from our Savior Jesus Christ, hearing, “Well done!” That will mean everything, but I’m sorry friends, not all Christians who have eternal life will hear them. “What do you mean?” In Matthew 25 you can read the story of the talents. Three different people were given talents. Two of the three heard, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The other one didn’t. What do you think they are going to experience? At the judgment seat of Christ what some think were good works were probably no works at all and will burn in the fire. Some will experience shame. I know I’m rattling cages because you have never heard this anywhere. Like I said, I’m trying to prepare you. In the Last Days Series, I’m trying to prepare you for what is coming by looking at what has already happened and if it has already happened, we can believe what God says is going to happen for the rest of the journey. Shame doesn’t make you feel very good does it? It shakes you up. “Well where does it say that in the scriptures?” Go to I John 2:28. It reads,

Let’s read that again, “we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

Now the way to avoid that shame in the presence of Jesus Christ at the judgment seat is to be abiding in Him, living in His fellowship, being conscious of His presence, and dependent on Him and His power. Also, as I preached last week you need to obey His word and immerse your whole life in the Lord Jesus. That is the abiding in Him part and if we don’t abide in Him in everything that He has instructed us to be participating in, we are going to be ashamed or shamed. The Greek word for ashamed is aischuno. I want you to understand it means disgraced, embarrassed, humiliated. Aischuno. Being an aischuno, being an ‘ass chuno’. If you think I’m cussing I’m not, because there is going to be one big ass chewing. “Well, I thought heaven was going to be a place of rainbows and lollipops.” I don’t know what kind of version of heaven you have in mind. One of the first things we must experience somewhere along the line is the judgment seat of Christ. The Greek says that there are going to be disgraced individuals there, even the ones that will obtain eternal life. There are going to be some embarrassed and humiliated ones. That doesn’t sound like something I want to be part of. I don’t think you do either. I don’t think anyone stops and tells themselves, “Well I can’t wait until I stand before Jesus at the judgment seat of Christ because I intend to be disgraced, embarrassed, and ashamed because of my half bleep [you can fill in the bleep] Christian life. It doesn’t sound very attractive, does it? Prove me wrong in this verse; prove God’s Word wrong because that is exactly what it says here. It is like the feeling, (but a thousand times worse), of being passed over for a promotion at your job, and it’s given to someone else that you think is less worthy. Or, if somebody in a room starts passing out expensive gifts to people, people they don’t even know, but they don’t want to give you one, so they just pass over you. I’m trying to come up with any silly analogy I can to make the point.

What do you think the judgment seat of Christ is going to be like!? You probably never even gave it that much thought. Those who are faithful stewards, those who realize they are chosen in the here and now to glorify Him in all their ways by abiding in Him and serving as His instrument for His purposes, are going to receive the words, “Well done.” “Well, I don’t believe that can possibly happen in the presence of Christ.” Really! Then what bible are you reading?

In Luke 19, a mna was a large unit of money and each servant was given one to invest. The first earned ten with his one, the other earned five with his one, and the third didn’t earn anything. He didn’t do anything with what God had given him—absolutely nothing—and what did the Master say to him? Now, looking forward apply this to the judgment seat of Christ for all believers: Take the mna from the one who didn’t do anything and give it to the one with ten mnas. It sounds to me like it will be taken away from the one that did nothing with it because he doesn’t deserve it. Man, it sounds harsh and cruel. It won’t be if you start living your life as a true disciple of Jesus Christ. That is why I’m trying to make it as harsh as I can, so it makes an impact on your life. This is not a ministry that prepares you to float on marshmallow clouds throughout eternity. What do you think is going to happen in that day? Would you rather be the one that received the great reward or the one that whose mna was taken away and given to someone else because your Christian life was basically unproductive, and you didn’t deserve it? Don’t tell me you think it’s not going to matter to you. Don’t tell me you’ll be satisfied if you just get there. Quit that attitude. Of course, it is going to matter to you. It is why Jesus gave us that story to start with! I’m sure some of you will come up with rationalizations and excuses for your indifference and disobedience because you don’t think that day will matter as much as I’m making it out to be. I’m sure it is going to raise all kinds of questions that I can hopefully answer, and nothing will be overlooked.

In Luke 12, I believe, Jesus said nothing is secret that will not be revealed—nothing is hidden that will not be known and come to light, which means no good work or no good deed performed for the glory of God will be forgotten. Here is a promise.

Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shown toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

Nothing will be forgotten that deserves reward. It is going to be worth it my friends—that is what I’m trying to tell you. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work…” Oh, He is going to remember, He is going to test it and He is going to reward with inexhaustible rewards. That is why you must start preparing now! Don’t wait until I finish this series or until you think you are closer to seeing Jesus, for whatever reason. That isn’t going to work, my friend. Do it now or else you will never do it and keep doing it. Keep accumulating those good works out of obedience. It is what should motivate you so you can hear and not be shamed, embarrassed or humiliated at the judgment seat of Christ, knowing that you were His true disciple who eagerly and with passion pursued what He desired for you to participate in in the here and now. Remember, that benefits not only you, but all others who might be affiliated with those good works, so it brings glory to God. It is time that you wake up on this subject. Don’t bring your excuses or rationalizations because they too will be burned up at the judgment seat of Christ.

A great day is coming. I don’t want to make it sound gloom and doom. For the Christian ‘couch potatoes’ that don’t participate in anything—they will have eternal life, but they will have it without eternal rewards. I don’t think any of us can really imagine all the rewards that we are going to be receiving. We have some indications in the scriptures which I will get to in the future, but I think that is just the starter package. Eternity is a long time my friend.

Copyright 2019 Faith Cometh By Hearing

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In 2 Corinthians 9:7 it reads, “God loveth a cheerful giver.” The Greek word for cheerful is Hilaros which means when someone is prompt to do something, they are ready in mind, with a joyful heart. In the Septuagint it also means to cause to shine. Today I am looking for Hilaros Givers who are ready and full of joy for the opportunity to cause others to shine by hearing, learning, and growing in God’s Word. Join with us today and participate as a Hilaros Giver. If you wish to participate use the following link:http://www.teachingfaith.com/giving

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