Our Eternal Rewards (Hebrews 6:10)
This sermon offers a clear and encouraging exploration of God's heart for rewarding His children. It unpacks the crucial difference between salvation as a gift and the rewards given for faithful service.
This sermon clarifies that salvation is a free gift of God, distinct from rewards. God faithfully rewards believers for every act of service, motivated by love, both in this life and in eternity.
Overview
The sermon begins by clearly distinguishing salvation as a free gift of God's grace, not a reward for works. It then establishes that God is deeply concerned with rewarding His children for their service, emphasizing that no amount of labor or good conduct done in His name goes unnoticed or unheeded. This assurance is rooted in God's character, particularly His justice and omniscience, which prevent Him from forgetting our actions or the love motivating them.
The message then explores the timing of rewards, noting that some rewards come in the present life, while others are reserved for the future. It differentiates between temporary 'rewards in full' received when actions are motivated by human praise, and lasting blessings that come from serving God with the right heart. Ultimately, believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, not for condemnation, but to be recompensed for deeds done in the body, evaluating their value in God's eyes.
The nature of these eternal rewards is then detailed, including various 'crowns' mentioned in scripture, such as the incorruptible crown for mastery over the flesh and the crown of life for enduring trials. Beyond crowns, rewards also encompass an increased capacity to enjoy heaven's glory and specific responsibilities in the afterlife. The sermon highlights that while all in heaven will be joyful, not all will have the same capacity for enjoyment or responsibility, which is shaped by our life on earth.
Finally, the sermon outlines God's method for determining rewards, which is based on the light of truth one received, the opportunities God provided, and one's response to those opportunities. It concludes with a challenge to live with eternity in mind, investing one's life, time, talents, and even trials for God's glory, rather than wasting them on short-sighted pursuits, thereby affecting one's eternal reward.
Key points
- Salvation is a free gift of God's grace through faith, not a reward for works or good behavior.
- God is just and omniscient, ensuring He never forgets our work and the love shown toward His name (Hebrews 6:10).
- Rewards can come in the present, but those sought for human praise are received 'in full' and offer no further eternal recompense (Matthew 6:5, 16).
- Future rewards are given at the resurrection of the righteous and the judgment seat of Christ for deeds done in the body (Luke 14:14, 2 Corinthians 5:10).
- Rewards include various 'crowns' for righteous living, enduring trials, loving His appearing, and feeding the flock.
- Our rewards will also determine our capacity to manifest God's glory and specific responsibilities in heaven.
- God's judgment for rewards is based on the truth we knew, opportunities given, and our response to them.
In Charles Stanley's words
“Salvation is not reward for services rendered, but rather it is the free gift of God that is given to every one of those who trust Him as their personal Savior.”
“The whole issue is motivation.”
“Wise men and women are living today with the future in mind.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: The Distinction Between Salvation and Rewards
- II. God's Character and Our Assurance of Rewards
- A. God is not unjust (Hebrews 6:10)
- B. God is omniscient
- C. God remembers all acts of service and our motives
- III. The Time of Our Rewards
- A. Rewards that come now (Matthew 6:5-16)
- 1. Rewards for seeking human praise are received 'in full'
- 2. Rewards from mankind with right motives are not wrong
- B. Future, ultimate rewards (Luke 14:14, Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10)
- 1. The judgment seat of Christ for believers
- 2. Purpose: to reward for good deeds, not to judge for evil
- IV. The Nature of Our Rewards
- A. Various crowns mentioned in scripture
- 1. Incorruptible Crown (1 Corinthians 9) for mastery over the flesh, desire for obedience
- 2. Crown of Life (James 1) for enduring trials and persecutions
- 3. Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4) for loving His appearing, godly living
- 4. Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5) for feeding the flock, sharing God's Word
- B. Capacity to manifest the glory of God
- C. Specific responsibility in heaven
- V. The Methods by Which God Determines Rewards
- A. The light of truth we had
- B. The opportunity God gave us (gifts, talents, capacities)
- C. Our response to that opportunity
- VI. Conclusion: Live with eternity in mind
Scripture references
- Hebrews 6:10
- Matthew 6:5
- Matthew 6:16
- Matthew 6:1
- Luke 14:14
- Romans 14:12
- 2 Corinthians 5:10
- 1 Corinthians 9
- James 1
- 2 Timothy 4
- 1 Peter 5
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
10 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, whether it be good or bad.
1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Insights
God's character assures every act of service is seen and valued.
Our capacity to enjoy heaven is shaped by faithful living on earth.
Genuine service flows from a heart of love for God, not human praise.
Questions & answers
What is the key difference between salvation and rewards according to this sermon?
Salvation is presented as a free gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned by works. Rewards, on the other hand, are the result of our service and good conduct as believers, given by God for what we do after we are saved.
Does God only reward us in heaven?
No, the sermon explains that while there are significant future rewards, God also blesses and rewards His children in the present life for their obedient walk and service. However, rewards sought for human praise are fully received in this life and have no eternal value.
What does the sermon mean by 'rewards in full' from Matthew 6?
When Jesus speaks of hypocrites receiving their 'reward in full,' it means they gain the praise of men, which was their primary motivation. Since they desired only human applause, they have already received all the reward they will get, lacking any lasting or eternal recompense from God.
What are some of the 'crowns' mentioned as rewards?
The sermon discusses several crowns: the incorruptible crown for mastery over the flesh, the crown of life for enduring trials, the crown of righteousness for those who love His appearing, and the crown of glory for those who feed the flock and share God's Word.
How will God determine our rewards?
God will judge us based on three factors: the light of truth we possessed, the opportunities He provided us (including spiritual gifts and talents), and our individual response to those opportunities.
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