Rewards
Judges 5:1-31 – How Far Would You Hike to Play on God’s Team? (March 8, 1998) – MP3 / YouTube
This passage is the song of Deborah which celebrates the victory that God gave Israel over Jabin, king of the Canaanites. Some Israelites were examples of those who willingly offered themselves for the service of the Lord. You do not need to be a seminary professor or a seminary student to serve the Lord in your church. All you need to do is to be willing to do what God wants you to do. How much sacrifice would you make to play on the Lord’s team and to do the things that God wants you to do. Does the Lord need help? No. Does the Lord want help? Yes. The Lord gives to His people the opportunity to help in His work and to be richly rewarded for it.
2 Kings 5:14-27 – That Gun Is Loaded (February 17, 2002) – MP3 / YouTube
In this sequel to Naaman’s story of leprosy, Naaman learns that the mercy and grace of God are absolutely free. One of the tragedies of the American church is that there are so many churches who teach and believe, that you cannot get into heaven unless you are willing to follow the Lord Jesus Christ or surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ. People who think that way about the God of the Bible, do not understand the God of the Bible. Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, is afflicted with the disease of greed, which is similar to playing with a loaded gun. The Lord doesn’t need our pennies, but if we are smart, we will invest everything we can into His capable hands, and He will return it with magnificent interest in the kingdom of God. Other passages: Romans 6:2-3; Ephesians 2:8-9; Revelation 22:17; John 5:24; 1 Timothy 6:10; Psalm 24:1.
2 Kings 8:1-6 – If You Lose It, Will You Find It Again? (2003) – MP3 / YouTube
In this passage, we see the contrast between Gehazi and the Shunammite woman. Gehazi’s greed causes him to lose opportunities to serve God, that he will never find again. The Shunammite woman’s obedience to God leads her to recover everything that she has lost. If you lose it, will you find it again? You will find it again, if you lose it for God. No loss in service to God or in obedience to God’s word is a real loss, but rather a gain through God’s gracious provision and reward. Other passages: Romans 12:1; Mark 8:35; 2 Kings 5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Matthew 10:39.
2 Kings 11:1-16 – Have You Stolen Power? (August 20, 2005) – MP3 / YouTube
Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and the mother of the recently deceased King Ahaziah, steals the throne of the kingdom of Judah from the sons of David. The theft of power is a widespread human sin, that also happens in the Christian church. However Jehosheba, sister of King Ahaziah, in compassion hides the baby boy Joash, a descendant of King David from Athaliah. When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for the free gift of eternal life, that gift can never be lost and it is ours forever. But, when we take power that does not belong to us, that power is sure to be lost and we must give an account at the Judgment Seat of Christ. All human power is eventually lost, and the only power that matters is the power that can be brought to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Other passages mentioned: 1 Kings 2:13-20; 1 Kings 11:11-13; Matthew 5:7; 2 Chronicles 22:11; Revelation 2:26-29.
Matthew 7:24-27 – Don’t Leave Him in the Mall (June 11, 1995) – MP3 / YouTube
Are we ready for the coming storm of death? Other passages mentioned include: Ecclesiastes 2:15-16, Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16, John 6:47, Acts 16:31.
Matthew 24:45-51 – Parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Servant (1975) – MP3 / YouTube
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has made ruler over his house? There is no greater incentive to faithful living then the realization that our Lord Jesus Christ may come back at any time. When that realization is lost, very much else may be lost also.
Matthew 25:14-30 – Parable of the Talents – Zane Hodges (1975) – MP3 / YouTube
Our Lord has committed to each Christian, responsibility in line with the capacity that He knows that each Christian’s possesses and in accordance with His knowledge of what each Christian is able to do for Him by His grace. There is a day of reckoning for every Christian, not to determine our eternal destiny, but to evaluate the kind of life and service that each Christian has lived here on earth. Faithful Christians may be commended, promoted and invited to share in their Lord’s joy in the kingdom to come. Other passage mentioned include 2 Corinthians 5:10.
Matthew 25:14-30 – Parable of the Talents; Parable of the Minas – Zane Hodges and Bob Wilkin Discussion – MP3 / YouTube
Zane Hodges and Bob Wilkin conclude their discussion the Olivet discourse with the parable of the talents. Also discussed in relation with the parable of the talents is the parable of the minas in Luke 19:12-27.
Matthew 25:31-46 – Judgment of the Sheep and the Goats – Zane Hodges (1975) – MP3 / YouTube
Zane delivers a sermon message on the judgment of the sheep and goats. Inheriting the kingdom is distinguished from entering the kingdom. The subject of eternal rewards is discussed. Other passages discussed include: Revelation 14:9-11, 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, Revelation 19:19, Psalm 2, 1 Thessalonians 4, and Revelation 20:12.
Luke 6:20-26 – Your Life: What Is It Worth? (1988) – MP3 / YouTube
What is real success all about? What is your lifestyle really worth? If you are a born again person who has received from Jesus Christ the free gift of everlasting life, and if in addition to that, you are a disciple of His by following Him, then every negative experience is a doorway to spiritual and eternal success. One of the best things that can ever happen to you as a Christian is to have somebody reject you for your Christian faith and for your commitment to Jesus Christ.
Luke 6:43-49 – Don’t Jog Around Reality (1988) – MP3 / YouTube
The words that come out of our mouth are the fruit of our inner life. The way we act in response to the Word of God decides the way we end. In eternity there are no monuments to people who live life their own way. The monuments of eternity belong to those whose good character is revealed in their words and whose commitment to Jesus Christ is revealed in their deeds of obedience.
Luke 12:29-34; Revelation 2:26-27 – Beware of the Real Estate Robbers – MP3 / YouTube
There are 3 real estate robbers in the kingdom of God, wrong priorities, greedy selfishness and thief of hearts. We all tend to pursue our material necessities first, and to give those things our basic priority. If we do that, then we are no different than the unsaved world around us. We should be different, because our Father in heaven already knows that we need these things. Seek the kingdom of God and all these material needs will be added to you. Why should we seek the kingdom of God? God wants to give His kingdom to us. Who is qualified to possess the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God is designed to be possessed by disciples of Jesus Christ who are generous, unselfish and self-sacrificing. Other passages mentioned: Matthew 6:33; Acts 4:32-5:10; 2 Timothy 2:12.
Luke 12:32-40 – Get Ready! Get Set! Go! – MP3 / YouTube
There are two sides to becoming a king in God’s kingdom. We do serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but He will also serve us. Those little acts of service that we do and the hardships, frustrations and disappointments that are part of serving God in this life, will be repaid in full by the Lord Jesus Christ, and we who are to await Him as servants will find ourselves being served by our Master. Other passages mentioned: 2 Timothy 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
Luke 12:40-48 – Big Trouble in God’s Courtroom (December 15, 1991) – MP3 / YouTube
All born-again Christians will have a day in court that they will not be able to avoid. This day in court has nothing to do with the question of whether a Christian will go to heaven or to hell. When one believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as one’s personal Savior, that person’s destiny in heaven is guaranteed. When Jesus Christ returns, all Christians must stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Are you ready for your day in court? The crucial thing about the Judgment Seat of Christ is not how we have been like as Christians days ago or years ago, but what we are like as Christians when Jesus returns. Other passages mentioned: Romans 14:10-12; Acts 16:31; John 14:21; Hebrews 4:12-13; Revelation 3:4.
Luke 14:15-27; Luke 12:31-34 – Don’t Lose Your Golden Wallet (1992) – MP3 / YouTube
Some Christians are careless with their future wallets in the kingdom of God. When I serve and follow Jesus Christ, I am depositing the valuable treasure of the kingdom to my own account in the bank of heaven. There is no good excuse for not putting Jesus Christ first in your life. When we fail to put Jesus Christ first, that is how we lose our golden wallet. What is wrong with American Christians is that we have too much money. We are too involved in our own affairs and those things take priority over Jesus Christ. Each of us as a Christian, has a divine Suitor. Someone who loves us very deeply and wants to win our love, our commitment and our lifelong dedication. Our Suitor is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Other passages mentioned: Luke 14:1-14; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25.
Luke 15:11-24 – But the Money Was Gone (December 1992) – MP3 / YouTube
There is a very good chance that the prodigal son was a teenager. In the story of the prodigal son, we learn that God is gracious and forgiving, but the days that are wasted will never come back again and the eternal rewards that could have been won have been lost forever. This message also gives insights on how to raise a prodigal son or a prodigal daughter. Note, at times the recording quality is poor.
Luke 16:10-13 – Money Is the Measure of the Man (January 24, 1993) – MP3 / YouTube
Which world do you want to rich in? The one here and now or the future kingdom. God sees the way we value the insignificant things of this world: money, taxes, and other material things which reveal our discernment, dedication, and discipline.
Luke 17:3-10 – Faith Is Not a Bingo Game (May 2, 1993) – MP3 / YouTube
Tragically, there are born again Christians, that think of God as Someone Who will give them instant gratification. They think if they play the game right, then God will reward them lavishly here and now. Is there such thing as a big faith compared to a small faith? The issue in faith is not the size of faith. The issue in faith is whether it is there. Faith is having confidence in what God says. The Bible never contrasts big faith with little faith. Faith is always contrasted with unbelief. The needs and desires of the Master come ahead of the needs and desires of the slave. All that we do in Christian service is what we have been commanded to do and we are unprofitable servants. The life of faith is lived with the recognition, that God comes first, all the time throughout the entirety of our lives, and then He will reward us graciously. Other passages mentioned: John 6:47; John 11:25-27; Matthew 5:21.
Luke 18:18-30; Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31 – Rich Young Ruler (1988) – MP3 / YouTube
Lordship salvation theology views Jesus’ interview with the rich young ruler as the very best example of personal evangelism by Jesus recorded in the New Testament. Lordship salvation fails to understand the story of the rich young ruler on two levels: (1) What is really happening in this story (the historical level)? (2) What is the role of this story in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke which were written to Christians (the literary level)? The story of the rich young ruler is pre-evangelism and not evangelism. (1) Historically, what is going on in this story is a case of pre-evangelism, where Jesus uses the call of discipleship to break through the rich young ruler’s façade of self-righteousness. (2) Literarily, the story of the rich young ruler is a warning to Christians to not allow our material possessions, to prevent our discipleship to Jesus Christ or to deprive us of heavenly treasure. Other passages: John 3:1-21, John 4:1-42; John 10:10; Galatians 6:8; Romans 3:9-20; Luke 10:25-29; Galatians 3:21; John 2:19-21; John 11:11-14; Matthew 16:5-12; Luke 8:13-17; Romans 4:5-6; Romans 3:5; Matthew 18:3; 2 Corinthians 4:6.
Luke 18:28-30 – Children Lost Yet Found (1993) – MP3 / YouTube
There are many ways that parents can lose their children. The very best way to lose a child is to lose a child to God. We are not talking about abandoning our families once and for all, but we are talking about people who are committed to Jesus Christ and their commitment sometimes takes them away from home. A life committed to Jesus is the most rewarding and satisfying life that anyone can live. Don’t expect your children to understand this unless you as a Christian parent understand it yourself. A life of dedication to Jesus Christ, pays off big here and now, but it pays off even bigger in the age to come. If you lose your children to a life of sin, that is a horrible and tragic loss, but if you lose them to God, then you really find them, for you find them as a wonderful joy both in the present time and in the age to come. Other passages: Luke 16:26; John 5:24; John 6:47; John 10:10.
Luke 22:14-30 – Reach Out for the Morning Star (November 13, 1994) – MP3 / YouTube
One of the most powerful themes in human experience is that of separation and reunion. Do you realize that whenever we pass through suffering that is caused by separation, no matter what that separation may be, Jesus knows what that is all about, has experienced it, and prays for us in that kind of suffering. The purpose of the Lord’s Supper is not just to remember what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us, but to keep Him close to our hearts, to be moved each week by the magnificent sacrifice that Jesus has made for us. Despite the fact, that we are all so full of failures, if we stick it out in the Christian life, if we hold fast the profession of faith and if we don’t forsake the assembling of ourselves together, when Jesus has His reunion with His disciples, we will also have fellowship with Him and we will share in His reign and the morning star will be ours. Other passages: Hebrews 4:15; Acts 16:31; Revelation 2:26-28; 2 Timothy 2:12.
Luke 23:39-43 – Be Impossible to Forget (December 17, 1995) – MP3 / YouTube
One of the deepest felt needs of the human heart is the need to be remembered. However, all of us have the capacity to forget people. Was the thief on the cross asking Jesus to save him or take him into the kingdom? Nobody in the New Testament has ever asked Jesus to save them from eternal punishment. We are not saved by asking Jesus to save us. We are saved by believing that Jesus keeps His promise to save us when we trust Him to do that. We do not need to pray or ask to be saved. We just need to believe in Jesus for the free gift of everlasting life. By the thief’s faithfulness to Jesus Christ when Jesus was dying alone, the thief on the cross became impossible to forget and was rewarded in the kingdom. The question is whether Jesus will remember us in the same way.
Hebrews 1:1-4, 13 – Hebrews Part 1 – Never Give Up (July 10, 1983, Morning) – MP3 / YouTube
Why we should never give up on the Christian life? In the person of Jesus Christ, we meet true celebrity and true greatness. The final victory belongs to Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 1:6-9; 3:1,14; 12:28 – Hebrews Part 2 – Partners of the King (July 10, 1983, Evening) – MP3 / YouTube
Christians are invited into partnership with their Lord Jesus Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.
Hebrews 2:5-13,18; 12:1-2 – Hebrews Part 3 – Suffering for the World to Come (July 11, 1983) – MP3 / YouTube
Are you morally and spiritually soft? The world of the future belongs to those who endure in suffering. Since Jesus suffered, He is exactly the kind of leader we need, to lead us to glory. Psalm 8:3-6 is also mentioned.
Hebrews 3:7-19; 4:9-11 – Hebrews Part 4 – Entering God’s Rest (July 12, 1983) – MP3 / YouTube
One of the surest signs of spiritual danger is the loss of spiritual sensitivity. Deep down in the inner recesses of our heart, there lies the potential for doubting God and the latent capacity for unbelief, especially during times of stress and trouble. For those who work for God right up to the end, God has a special kind of rest, the experience of kingship with Jesus Christ our Lord. Other passages mentioned include: Deuteronomy 12:8-11, Psalms 95:7-11; Numbers 13-14; Ephesians 2:8-9; and Romans 4:5.
Hebrews 1:13-14; 4:14-16; 5:5-10; 7:24-25 – Hebrews Part 5 – Saving the Saved (July 13, 1983) – MP3 / YouTube
We who are already saved, need to be saved. It is easy to be saved from hell, but it is not easy to live victoriously for God. The throne of victory on which Jesus is seated is also a throne of grace. When we come to God in prayer through Jesus, our great High Priest, we can get everything we need to be victorious. Other passages mentioned include: Psalms 3:5-8, 110:1-4; Romans 4:5; Titus 3:5; Psalms 22:1-21.
Hebrews 5:12-14; 6:4-9,11 – Hebrews Part 6 – The Peril of Not Growing (July 14, 1983) – MP3 / YouTube
One of the most dangerous periods in our entire Christian life and experience is the time when we are babes in Christ. One of the great tragedies in the Christian church today is that there are so many Christians who have been saved for years and years and yet they have barely grown in the Lord and are still babes. Why does it matter what we do after we are saved and what is the danger of apostasy? Hebrews 10:23 is also mentioned..
Hebrews 10:19-25, 28-31, 35-38 – Hebrews Part 7 – The Secrets of Success (July 15, 1983) – MP3 / YouTube
We have a divine prescription for spiritual victory. Let us draw near with boldness. Let us hold fast without wavering. Let us consider one another with loving exhortation.
Hebrews 11:1, 4-7 – Hebrews Part 8 – The Journey of Faith (July 17, 1983) – MP3 / YouTube
It is not easy to live by faith, but we can trust our companion, Jesus. Three men who practiced the art of living by faith: Abel – worshiped God by faith. Enoch – walked with God by faith. Noah – worked for God by faith
Co-Reigning with Christ in the Millennial Kingdom (1999) – MP3 / YouTube / Handout
What are the conditions for a Christian to have the privilege of co-reigning with Christ in the Millennial Kingdom? Passages discussed include 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 2:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 5:5; Galatians 5:19-21; Hebrews 1:8-9; and Psalms 2:8.