Motivation for a Lifetime #1
1. Introduction
· 1st Principal of motivation – it comes from within you
· Motivation will determine your choices, your actions, your lifestyle, benefits
· Eg. Joshua 14:10-12 “Caleb remained deeply motivated for 45 years”
· Motivation gave him endurance (v10)
· Motivation gave him strength (v11)
· Motivation was centered upon further hope (v12)-a dream of what could be
· Motivation was based on personal faith in the promise of God (v6,9)
· Every behavior needs a inner motivation to be willing to change, grow, sacrifice
· Why should I grow? Why should I change? -
2. God is a Rewarder
Hebrews 11:6 “God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him”
· The relationship of God is based upon faith – trust in who He is
· It is impossible to please Him without faith – willing to trust His word, 1 Character
· He that comes to God “must believe”
“Must” => Essential required
“Believe” => To please your trust in and entrust your well-being to this
(a) God Exists: * There is a real God who can be known personally
* Foundation step of faith to trust Christ for salvation
* John 1:12
(b) God is a Rewarder: * Rewarder = to compensate for something someone has done by paying them wages as a reward
· Here is a Key Concept for you to Understand - “Your believe determines your destination - where you spend eternity
– Ephesians 2:8 “By grace saved, through faith, not of works”
– The only work you do to ensure entrance to heaven is to Believe in Christ”. Your behavior determines your compensation – how you will spend eternity
– Hebrews 11:6 “God is a Rewarder” => Gives you reward for what you did
– Luke 6:22-23 “Your reward is great in Heaven”
6:32-35 “Your reward shall be great”
· Here is a reason we can rejoice when it is difficult, when facing pressure
Here is a reason we can be motivated to love unlovely people
“Your Reward is Great in Heaven”
· Reward = 3408 Misthos = Pay for services, wages
· NB: There is a direct connection between something you do for Him on earth and something great He will do for you in Heaven.
· NB: Jesus distinguish: Gift you receive from believing
Reward you receive for doing
· The reward is yours if you believe in a certain way – not yours if you don't
3. Jesus Thought on Reward
· Matthew 16:27 “The Son of man shall come --- then shall he reward every man according to his works”
· You receive eternal life as a gift for believing in Christ
· You receive eternal rewards as wages for behavior
· Your action on earth have consequences in eternity
Notice the statements:
* Jesus will come again * Jesus will bring rewards * Jesus will evaluate your work
* Jesus will reward your work * This is in the future
· Mark 10:28-30 “Lord we have left all to follow you – What receive?”
· Jesus identifies the people who will be rewarded – people who followed Him
– Cost them: Home; Family; Lands - Source of income
– Actions were motivated for the cause of Christ
· Jesus promises: (i) Now in this life * 100 fold return
* With persecution/opposition
(ii) In the age to come * eternal life (reward for service)
* Vll treasure in heaven
· Key issue is faith - believe and behavior
– Believing that God is good & just and will reward that which you have done
– Believing that the treasure God gives is more than compensation for any loss
– Believing in a way that qualifies you for a reward
· Luke 14:14 -- “You will be recompensed at the resurrection of the Just”
4. Key events in your History
· There is no exception in the following series of events:
1. Birth: *You enter the physical world at the time & place appointed by God. Your eternal life begins.
2. Life: * You are created by God in his image for a life of purpose
* You live in a body and have in a spirit and soul 1Thessalonians 5:23
* You make decisions how you will live your live - response to Christ
3. Death: * You die physically but not spiritually – death is a separation
* After death your spirit/soul are with God in heaven or eternity separated
from God
4. Destination: * You reach your destination - determined by what you believed
*John 3:16 Eternal destination is determined by your faith in Christ
*There are only 2 possible destinations - Heaven or Hell – Forever
*Luke 16:22,23
5. Resurrection: *You receive a resurrected body
*In eternity every person receive a resurrected body – immortal body * You can never again experience death
6. Reward *You receive reward/payment for eternity based on what you did on earth. All will be judged – all will receive
· 2 Corinthians 5:10 We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that everyone may receive the things done in his body
· Judgment seat = ”bema” = The Olympic Podium – place of acknowledgement
· The outcome will determine what reward you receive
7. Eternity * You live forever in the presence or absence of God (Matthew 25:46)
* You reap the consequences of your actions on earth
* Eternity is a real life in a real place
* Reward for what you do on earth is for eternity
· Do you live for “the now” or “eternity” in mind?
Philippians 3:13-15 I'll press towards the mark for the prize!
Prize = 1017 = a prize won for competing successfully in the public games or Olympics
Prize => a conflict, a race to be won – reward for overcoming
· “God is a Rewarder!”