ER7. Honor, Treasure and Vindication
I. Introduction
1. Jesus Taught about Eternal Rewards
· Jesus taught directly or through parables the reality of Eternal rewards, and the need to pursue them
· “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”(Mat.16:27)
2. Three Main Categories of these Many Rewards
· There are very many different rewards mentioned in the Bible, especially in the Book of Revelation
· These different rewards can be understood most easily under three different headings.
(i). Eternal Intimacy…………………… Rewards that signify much deeper intimacy with God
(ii). Eternal Authority…………………..Rewards that signify much greater responsibility and authority
(iii). Eternal Glory …………………………Rewards that signify special honor and distinction
· These different rewards correspond to God’s Sonship design for each of us
3. Sonship Design
· Sonship will be the subject of a further series of studies.
· Here are some Key Concepts of Sonship Design.
Each relates closely to a Category of Eternal Reward
· Joh 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Joh 17:4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
Joh 17:6 "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.
· Once we are born again into the Family of Our Father we have three key area of function as Sons
(i). Intimacy
Joh 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
We are called to ongoing intimacy with our Heavenly Father and with Jesus Christ who represents Him
Intimacy results in impartation of the very life of God into our spirit
(ii). Assignment
Joh 17:4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
A son in the Bible means a “ Builder of the Father’s House”
We each have a personal assignment to complete to bring honor to our Father, and to develop faithfulness, and fruitfulness
(iii). Transformation
Joh 17:6 "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world.
To “manifest your name”means to accurately represent the character and nature of God as a Son
Each Son is called to accurately represent what their Father is like, to represent Him on earth
This requires that we embrace the work of personal transformation to become like Christ (Rom.8:29)
· Each of these three functions interact with the others like interlocking circles. All are necessary for balance and maturity
II. Reward 6: Praise and Honor
1. We were Created for Great Honor
· “Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty,” (Ps.104:1)
· “The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength.” (Ps.93:1)
· We were made in the image of God who is full of Glory and Honor and Majesty and Power
· We were created to have Glory and Honor and act as Gods Sons and Representatives
· “What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,” (Ps.8:4-6)
· “Crowned”….to put upon him the royal headdress of sovereignty
· “Glory”……….The shining nature of God
· “Honor”……..splendor, majesty, beauty, magnificence, sovereign power and dignity
2. Believers will Receive Different Realms of Praise and Honor
· “Therefore the LORD God of Israel says: 'I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.' But now the LORD says: 'Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” (1Sam.2:30)
God reveals that He will honor those who honor Him
· “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God” (1Cor.4:5)
“Praise” …To commend, to approve,
God looks upon the hearts of men and not on their outward actions or appearance (1Sam.16:7)
God evaluates the heart and motives of people that are unseen by others, but are clearly visible to Him
God will praise and honor those who are worthy of it in proportion to how deserving they are
· “His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Mat.25:21)
The faithful servant receives praise and approval, as well as reward for his labor …”ruler over many things”
3. Some will Receive Great Honor
· Solomon Received Great Honor
1Ch 29:25 So the LORD exalted Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.
Solomon pleased The Lord and he bestowed upon him great royal majesty beyond what had ever been seen
God can bestow great honor upon us while we live on earth
· By far the Greatest Honors are Eternal……..reserved the the Millennial Kingdom and the ages beyond
· In that Kingdom there will be “ small and great”, “least and greatest”…ie different levels of Honor
· “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. “ (Mat.5:19)
· “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Mat.23:11)
· “Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!" ‘ (Rev.19:5)
· “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Rev.3:21)
4. Jesus Himself Received Great Honor
Jesus was Honored on Earth by His Father
· “And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased." (Lk.3:22-24)
· Jesus received Praise and Honor from His Father in the presence of people
Jesus was Honored before His Disciples
· Jesus also received majesty, honor and praise from God the Father in the presence of three disciples.
· “While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Luke9:34-35)
· This was a glimpse or preview of the Glory He would receive as a reward and honor for His sacrifice
· “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain” (2Pet.1:16-18)
· “and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” (Mat.17:2)
Jesus will return with Great Honor and Majesty
· “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil.2:8-11)
· “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” ( Heb.2:9)
5. Jesus Promised His Followers Honor
Jesus Promise of Honor to His Disciples
· "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.
And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,
that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Lk.22:28-30)
· Jesus promised a place of Intimacy, Honor and Authority in His Coming Kingdom for faithfully following Him
Jesus Promised Honor to All who Follow Him
· “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor”(Jn.12:26)
· ‘Anyone”…..Jesus also promised Honor to all who choose to follow Him
· “Serve”…….to do Acts or Works of service to Jesus and on His behalf as His representative
· “Follow”….to “follow” a Rabbi meant to accompany him, copy his teaching lifestyle, become like his Rabbi and then do the same works as his Rabbi
· It is not enough to serve Jesus, we must follow Him and embrace being transformed to be like Him
· Jesus promises two rewards for faithfully following Him
a.“With me where I am”……. Having the same place of relational intimacy that Jesus has with His Father
b. “ My Father will Honor”….. God the Father will bestow Eternal Honor upon us
· God The Father will compensate us for the suffering, loss, hardship we have endured in following Jesus by conferring great honor upon us…far beyond anything that we suffered or lost
· “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” (1Pet.1:6-7)
· “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Rev.3:21)
6. We Must All Choose Between the Honor of God or of Men
The Culture of Jesus Day was an Honor /Shame Culture
· Honor was the main commodity to be desired in the Middle East culture of Jesus day
· About 70% of all cultures in the world are driven by the pursuit of Honor and Fear of Shame or “loss of face”
· Honor was the value or level of approval that the community placed upon a person
· Honor was ascribed according to Family of Origin, Courage in Battle, Generosity to the Poor, Position or Rank
· The whole culture system, socials, religious and political, was built around the pursuit of honor of men
7. Jesus Rejected the Honor System of the Culture
· "I do not receive honor from men.” (Jn.5:41)
‘Receive”……to take or claim for yourself,
· “Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. (Jn.6:15)
· Jesus rejected their desire to exalt him and give him a place of prominence
· Jesus was motivated by love for His Father and had no agenda to seek the recognition, approval or honor of men.
· This heart purity from pride and ego, made Him free to declare the truth boldly regardless of whether men were offended or not
· Joh 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
· Joh 6:66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
8. Jesus Rejected Self Promotion, Honoring yourself
· Jesus answered, "If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God” (Jn.8:54)
· The Pharisees constantly did all their works to be seen and honored by men
· Jesus taught that creating your own honor counts for nothing eternal
· “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? (Prov.20:6)
9. Seeking Honor from Men undermines Faith and Trust in God’s Provision
· “How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” (Jn5:44)
· There is an honor that comes from men (temporary) and there is an honor that comes from God(Eternal)
· Seeking or pursuing recognition and honor from men undermines faith in God as the source
· Gal.1:10 “Am I nowN1trying to win the favor and approval of men, or of God? Or am I seeking to please someone? If I were still trying to be popular with men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ”
· Jesus taught we are to seek the honor that comes from God alone and is eternal
· This requires a life of faith…..trusting God is a “ Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”
· Heb.11:6. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”
10. Jesus Taught the Honor System of His Kingdom
· Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.
Mat 20:26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
Mat 20:27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—
Mat 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
· “Lord over”………………to hold in place of subjection
· Exercise authority”….to wield full power or privilege over,
· Jesus identified the world honor system …pride based desire for position, power, control, privilege
· He rejected that system and taught Kingdom greatness and honor is given by God and comes through through humility and serving
· Humility and sacrificial serving are core characteristics of the kingdom of God
III. REWARD #7: Treasure and Riches
1. Jesus Called us to Pursue Treasures in Heaven
Mat 6:19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
Mat 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luk 16:11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Mat 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and
you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
· “Lay up”………… (Gk. Thesaurizo)…to amass, to gather up, to accumulate, to store up
· “Treasures”…… (Gk. Thesaurus)….deposits, wealth, substance, valuable goods that can be exchanged
· Earthly treasure: Suffers corruption from nature and requires guarding from thieves i.e. No Security
(i). People seek for riches all their life and never find them.
(ii) People who become rich worry about losing their riches. (Mat.6.19)
(iii) People tend to place their trust in riches rather than God. (1Tim.6:17)
(iv) People who become rich tend to look down upon others. (1Tim.6:17)
(v) Your heart becomes preoccupied, and attached to the things that you place value upon. (Mat.6:21)
· Treasure in heaven:
· (i) Jesus directs followers to pursue “treasure in heaven”…make eternal things the focus of our heart’s pursuit
Mat 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
· (ii) Paul also directs us to set our affection and thoughts upon seeking Treasure in Heaven
Col 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your mind (affection) on things above, not on things on the earth.
· (iii) Jesus Describes Treasure in heaven as True Riches
Luk 16:8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.
Luk 16:9 "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.
Luk 16:10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
Luk 16:11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Luk 16:12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own
· “True”……real , genuine, authentic, the opposite to counterfeit, imaginary
Note Jesus teaching:
· There are riches which are true riches….eternal and reserved in heaven for us
· Faithfulness with money and resources qualifies or disqualifies us from “True Riches”
· Jesus commended the steward for acting wisely….planning ahead for his personal future
“Commended”….to applaud, approve, praise for his actions
· We are to think and plan ahead with eternity and Eternal Reward in mind…using resources to advance the Kingdom
· What then are True Riches?
2. Heaven is Full of Gold and Precious stones
· Rev 21:18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
Rev 21:19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
Rev 21:20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
Rev 21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
· Heaven abounds in gold and precious stones
The City of New Jerusalem is pure gold
The street of the city is pure gold, like transparently glass
The foundations of the city are adorned with precious stones
The gates are made of twelve pearls
· These Riches may include Gold and precious stones and dwellings
· Since gold and precious stones abound in Heaven what then are the True Riches?
3. What is Treasure in Heaven?
i.Treasure in Heaven refers to Eternal Intimacy, Eternal Authority, and Eternal Glory
· “Treasure”…….Wealth, something of great price or value, something rare or precious
· The greatest treasures are not the things that we can see and touch but things unseen in Heaven
ii.Precious stones were given as awards to honor those who offered courageous service to the community or in battle.
· Rev 2:17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." '
· “White”…(Gk. Leukosis)…...light, bright, brilliant, dazzling white, like a diamond
· This stone was like receiving the Gold Medal at the Olympics with the name recorded on it
· This white stone symbolised honor and gave them admission to special events and special privileges
· The new name symbolises our new standing and deeper relationship with Jesus
· The “Hidden Manna”…refers to being able to enter the throne room of God and receive Face to face revelation from Him
(iii) Treasure in Heaven refers to Privileged Access to Jesus Christ
Access to The Unsearchable Riches of Christ
· Eph 3:8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
· “Unsearchable”…. means “not tracked out...untraceable, past finding out, unsearchable.”3
· Given that the riches of Christ are far beyond the human brain’s ability to comprehended by reasoning, logic, and intelligence, this mystery can only be known by revelation.
· Unsearchable means you can search them out—the Bible tells us to— but you will never get to the bottom of it. You will never exhaust the fulness of the splendour and magnificence of Jesus
· Around the throne of God, the angels cover their eyes, the seraphim, the four living creatures. They see the glory of God, and they are overwhelmed. They cover their eyes and cry out, “Holy, holy, holy!”.
· We will see Him face to face but will never exhaust the glory and the beauty of our God ever.
Access to The Riches of His Glory
Rom 9:23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory.
Access to The Riches of His Mercy and Love
· Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
· The Riches of His Grace
Eph 2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Access to Riches of His Wisdom and Knowledge
· Col 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
Col 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
· Pro 3:19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens;
· Pro 3:13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;
Pro 3:14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.
Pro 3:15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Access to The Riches of Personal Revelation from Jesus
· Psa 119:72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
(iv) How do We lay up Treasures in Heaven?
· Prayer. (Mat.6:5-6)
· Fasting. ( Mat.6:16-18)
· Giving Finances. (Mat.6:1-4)
· Kindness to the Poor (Lk.14:12-14)
· Loving People without agenda. (Lk.6:27-35)
· Faithfulness. (Lk.16:10-13, 2Tim.4:7-8)
· Enduring Persecution. (Rom.8:17, Lk.6:22-23)
· Sacrifice…Laying down life to serve. (Mat.16:24-27)
· Worship Lifestyle. (Col3:22-24, Jn.4:24)
IV. Reward 8: Vindication
1. Rev.3:9 “I will make those [persecutors]...worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.”
2. Jesus will Vindicate us for Following and Obeying Him
· What does “Vindicate” Mean?
To clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting arguments or proof
To defend, maintain, or insist on the recognition of
To demonstrate or prove the value or validity of; justify
· During their life following Christ believers suffer misunderstanding, false accusations, and rejection. They are frequently ridiculed for their lifestyle and godly living
· Part of the suffering is being unable to vindicate or prove self right
· Christ will openly vindicate our godly choices and lifestyle and honor us for them
· 1Pe 4:3 For the time already past is [more than] enough for doing what the [unsaved] Gentiles like to do--N1living [unrestrained as you have done] in a course of [shameless] sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries.
1Pe 4:4 In [connection with] all this, they [the unbelievers] are resentful and surprised that you do not [think like them, value their values and] run [hand in hand] with them into the same excesses of dissipation and immoral freedom, and they criticize and abuse and ridicule you and make fun of your values.
1Pe 4:5 But they will [have to] give an account to Him who is ready to judge and pass sentence on the living and the dead. (Ampl)
3. I will make them...to know that I have loved you.
· The Father will reveal to the nations the fact that He loves His people.
· “I will make them know”…..Jesus will act on behalf of those who have loved Him to vindicate them
· 1Sa 2:30 Therefore the LORD God of Israel says…… those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.
· As we have honored Him He will honor us before those that rejected Christ
· On the last day, unbelievers will witness Jesus’ love towards the people they persecuted.
· The Father will openly manifest His love for His children before the nations.
· Jn.17:23 “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”
4. I will make them come and worship before your feet.
· Jesus will manifest His great love for those who remain faithful to Him, by vindicating them before the unbelievers who persecuted them.
· When you love someone deeply you desire to vindicate them if they are being mistreated.
· The persecutors of the saints at Philadelphia will worship Jesus at the feet of those they persecuted.
· Unbelieving false Jews, along with the unbelieving Gentiles, will bow before the true believers in the millennial kingdom
· Isa 45:14 Thus says the LORD: "The labor of Egypt and merchandise of Cush And of the Sabeans, men of stature, Shall come over to you, and they shall be yours; They shall walk behind you, They shall come over in chains; And they shall bow down to you. They will make supplication to you, saying, 'Surely God is in you, And there is no other; There is no other God.' "
· They will bow their knee to Jesus in the presence of the people they persecuted in the first century.
· Isa 60:14 Also the sons of those who afflicted you Shall come bowing to you, And all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; And they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Isa 60:15 "Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, So that no one went through you, I will make you an eternal excellence, A joy of many generation
5. Every person will bow their knee to Jesus on the last day.
· At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth...that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord... (Phil. 2:10-11)
· “Bow the Knee”….. Humble self before Jesus Kingly glory and majesty
· Psa 102:13 You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come.
Psa 102:14 For Your servants take pleasure in her stones, And show favor to her dust.
Psa 102:15 So the nations shall fear the name of the LORD, And all the kings of the earth Your glory.
Psa 102:16 For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory.
Psa 102:17 He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, And shall not despise their prayer.
Psa 102:18 This will be written for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.
Psa 102:19 For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; From heaven the LORD viewed the earth,
Psa 102:20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner, To release those appointed to death,
Psa 102:21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, And His praise in Jerusalem,
Psa 102:22 When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
· Jesus will be vindicated before all men when He appears in Glory and majesty to establish His Kingdom
V. Personal Reflection and Action
· What has the Holy Spirit spoken to you during this study?
· What response do you need to make to this revelation?
· Where do you need to let go seeking the honor of men and fearing rejection?
· Where do you need to focus on seeking the True Riches?
· Where do you need to let go seeking to vindicate yourself before men?