Pastor Jon talked about the meaningful awards that will be given to the devoted follower of Christ — both in this age, and in the age to come.
MY STORY
Describe an award you received that was especially meaningful to you.
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
""Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. (Matthew 10:40-42; 11:1)
How did Jesus incentivize his followers to extend help and grace to those who were doing kingdom work?
Why does Jesus guarantee rewards to those who obey him out of a sense of love and compassion?
Why does Jesus believe that the prospect of reward will motivate his followers?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what "takeaways" do you think God has revealed to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
Is it wrong to be motivated by rewards? Why or why not?
Read about the judgment of Christians in 1 Corinthians 3 ...
Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
What might cause a believer to lose his or her reward in heaven – even though that person will still be saved?
What are these levels of heavenly rewards based on?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, call us to?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Paul describes the possible rewards of Christ as gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw.
Which of these materials will remain when your life in Christ is evaluated in this sacred fire?
What would have to change, if anything, for you to experience an upgrade in that final evaluation?
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
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