21 September 2003

                               Motivation for a Lifetime #2

1. Introduction:

Ephesians 2:8-10      “By Grace are you saved thru faith – not of works”.

                                   We are His workmanship created .. - unto good works.

·   Your believe determines your destination – where you will spend eternity.

i)  Your are saved from eternal judgment by faith.

ii)  Not one work you do contributes to this salvation – it is a free gift.

iii)  Personal faith in Christ and His work + results in personal salvation.

·   Your behavior (works) determines your Reward – How you will spend eternity.

i)  God's purpose for your life is that you accomplish worthwhile works.

ii)  God has planned unique works for you to accomplish – Advanced Kingdom.

iii)  This is a walk – a lifestyle of work on behalf of Christ.

iv)  Matthew 16:27  “Christ will Reward everyman according  to his work of service”.

v)  What you do now – your works determine your reward.

· Titus 3:5  Affirm constantly that they which have believed in God (Christ) be careful to                          maintain good works – profitable => heap up .

2. God is a Rewarder :

a) Jesus council to the Pharisee

Luke 14:12-14  Jesus explain how to obtain eternal reward in Heaven.

·  Advice – Invite people who are unable to repay you.

·  ie. Do activities that benefit people who cannot repay you.

·  Result:      * You will be repaid by God.

* That payment is after you are dead.

*  You will be blessed.

· There is a reward obtained in eternity that lasts for eternity.

· Recomperse = 467 to give back in return for something done.

b) Moses was moivated by Reward

· Hebrews 11:24-27 – he had respect for the recompense of the reward.

· Respect  = 578 =  apoblepõ  = to look away from everything else, intently regard.

· Recompersed  reward  = 3406 =  misthapodotace – 2 words together.

         Misthos        = wages, pay given as result of work done.

         Apodidomai  = to give back in return, recompence for something done.

· By faith – Moses trusted in the character and word of God

Hebrews 11:6   God is a rewarder 3406 – one who gives wages in return for activities done to advance His kingdom.

· Moses:       *  Refused to identify with Egypt,  it's values &  lifestyle.

*  Chose to identify with the purpose & people of God.

*  Rejected temporary riches in favor of eternal riches.

*  Endured difficulty because motivated by eternity.

3. God Rewards your Work not your intention:

a)   All believers must appear before Christ for judgment.

  Romans 14:10    We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

We shall all give account to what we have done.

· Judgment seat  = “Bema” = step, = raised place or platform reached by steps.

=  Place of justice, authority, reward.

· The issue for a Christian is not Salvation – it is Reward!

· 2 Corinthians 5:10  “Must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ”.

· Everyone => every believer, every follower of Jesus Christ.

·  Every believer will give account of works – what did you do?

· Every believer will receive based on how entitled to receive.

  b) Every believer will receive a reward according to his labor.

1 Corinthians 3:8

· Reward =  3409  =  Misthos =    pay given because work done, entitled to the person.

· Labor    =  2873  =  Kapos   =    toil that results in weariness because of it's demanding                                               and difficult nature.

· This refers to work done in partnership and relationship with God that is focused upon   extending His kingdom and interests.

· God expects every believer to contribute to the building up of people.

· This work of building believers is a “labor” - demanding and difficult.

· God will examine and reward what every believer has built.

4. Every believer's Work must be Tested – Does it qualify for a Reward?

1 Corinthians 3:13-15  Reward – or Suffer Loss

· Every mans work will be  i)  “Made manifest”- brought out in the open.

 ii)  Put to the test – what sort it is .

· Revealed =  601  =  to take of the cover, disclose,

· “Gold Standard” applied  -  what is the core value of this work.

· 3 Fold test:

      i)  Test of Relationship:

· Are these activities/work s birthed out of relationship & obedience,

· John 15:5  - Abide in Me`, bring forth much fruit.

· Matthew 7:22  Workers of iniquity => act independent, “without law”

“never knew “ => never had intimate relationship that brought forth approval.

ii) Test of Motive:

· Matthew 6:1-2  - works done to be “seen by men” = gain personal advantage.

· Why were these things done?  Honor Christ?  Gain approval?

iii) Test love:

· 1 Corinthians 13:3  - without love – profits me nothing!

· Love => acting without being selfish for best interests of others. 

·  Consequence: suffer loss (of reward) – gain reward – all eternity! Revelation 22!