CENTRAL THOUGHT
The believers’ labor in the LORD will not be in vain.
HYMN: WHEN JESUS COMES TO REWARD HIS SERVANTS
Text: Mark 10:23-30
Introduction:
A disciple is loyal, submissive and committed to his master. He is zealous for his master’s honor and interest at all cost. All serious-minded Christians are true disciples of Christ. There are rewards when believers are committed and consistent in their Christian faith. We have this assurance from His word that whatever a man sows that he will surely reap. We are therefore expected to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; for God is not unrighteous to forget our work and labor of love. We are never to give up in our service for the Lord. Paul described all the pains, sorrow, tears and challenges we go through as light affliction. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a fair more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”, 2 Corinthians 4:17. The Lord will reward us according to our choices and actions. Our Lord is always fair and just, He is absolutely unbiased when rewarding His children. Such rewards could be received on earth here and hereafter. The nature of such rewards and conditions to receiving them is the focus of this study.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
- To understand the meaning of Reward.
- To explain Rewards mentioned by the Lord Jesus in the text.
- To examine the basis for receiving rewards from the Lord.
- To discuss our attitudes towards the Lord’s services.
Q1. WHAT IS A REWARD?
A reward is whatever is given or received in return for doing something; compensation, for what you have done; the fruit of your labor and actions. Someone who has invested time, money, talents, etc., surely receives blessings. A child that has put up a good behavior will likely be commended and compensated. The Bible copiously states that Christians that are loyal, obedient and committed to the Lord will surely be rewarded.
Peter was not rebuked when he on behalf of the other disciples asked the Lord, “we have forsaken all and followed thee, what shall we have therefore?” Our Lord simply replied, “And every one that has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundred fold now in this time, . ..and in the world to come eternal life”, Mark 10:28-30.
In the Bible, obedience or disobedience attracts reward in line with God’s character of justice. What is certain is that our labor will be rewarded. The timing, nature and value of our reward is the prerogative of God.
Q2. IN THE LIGHT OF MARK 10:28-30, LIST AND DISCUSS THE REWARDS MENTIONED BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST? ARE THERE OTHER REWARDS?
The Lord Jesus gave us assurance that anyone who gives up something valuable for His sake shall receive hundred folds of houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, property, persecution, eternal life. Accepting Christ as Lord and personal Savior may lead to rejection or being ostracized by one’s family but he or she will gain the larger family of God. Persecution was added because it can be part of our calling. Paul writing to Timothy said, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”, 2 Timothy 3:12.
Other rewards for a true disciple of Christ in this world will include:
- God’s abiding presence, Matthew 28:20. This continuous presence of God is through His Holy Spirit.
- Forgiveness of sins. Romans 4:6-8
- Peace with God and man. Romans 5:1; Proverbs 16:7. This deep and lasting peace is different from worldly peace that is temporal and outward.
- Good health, divine healing. Exodus 15:26; Isaiah 53:5.
- Protection, deliverance, Psalm 91. Protection and deliverance from physical and spiritual attacks.
- Daily provision, Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:33. God takes care of all essentials.
- Promotion, excellence in academics, office and otherwise. Psalm 75:6-7
- Other spiritual blessings. Exodus 19:5; Acts 5:32; 1 Peter 2:9.
Some of the future glory awaiting the true disciples includes:
- To be with Christ. John 14:3
- To reign and be glorified with Christ. 2 Timothy 2:12, Romans 8:17-18
- To inherit all things. Revelation 21:7; Acts 26:18
- To shine as the stars. Daniel 12:3.
Q3. WHAT IS THE BASIS OF RECEIVING REWARDS FROM THE LORD?
1 Corinthians 3:8, 12-15; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 2:12-13; Galatians 6:7-8; Matthew 25:14-46; Titus 3:7-8
Faithfulness is one of the basics of receiving from God. Every gift or talent that you have belongs to the Lord. If you can serve God faithfully with it, you will be rewarded. “His lord said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful servant, thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy lord”, Matthew 25:21. The parable of the talent shows that, if we are faithful, our services will be rewarded. Another basis for receiving rewards from the Lord is obedience. A disciple that wants to be blessed by the Lord must live in obedience. All the blessings listed in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 are tied to obedience to God’s command. Sacrifice without obedience is a waste, for it is written: “to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams”, 1 Samuel 15:22.
Continuous work and labor of love is another basis for receiving reward from the Lord. Paul urged the Corinthian brethren to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in God’s work, 1 Corinthians 15:58. We must not give up or faint but make use of every opportunity we have to do our Father’s business in love. We must count it a great privilege to serve in the body of Christ, knowing fully well that all that we are doing is just by grace through faith.
For our work to be rewarded, it must be done in obedience to His word.
Q4. IN VIEW OF GOD’S REWARDS, WHAT SHOULD BE OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS HIS SERVICES?
In view of the fact that our services unto the Lord shall be rewarded, we are to serve with the following attitudes.
- We are to serve with sincerity of purpose and faithful commitment. It is required in stewardship, that a man be found faithful, 1 Corinthians 4:2. Our talents, resources, time, all that we are and possess, should be deployed to serve our faithful Lord. Such service should be void of eye service, dishonesty, deceits and self-glorification.
- We are to serve continuously, remain steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:35-39. Consistency to the end should be our attitude.
- We are to serve willingly and joyfully, 1 Corinthians 9:16-17. We are not to be coerced, cajoled or be forced before we can do our Father’s business.
- We are to serve in humility, love and devotion, Luke 17:10; Galatians 5:13-16; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. Any service rendered outside love will not attract reward.
- We are to follow Christ’s example in service, John 4:34, 12:26, 13:5-17. Our lord Jesus exemplifies humility, resilience, commitment and selflessness in service.
God has called every believer to serve Him in some way. The important thing is not the significance of the task from man’s perspective, but our willingness to do what we can, where we can, with an attitude of humility, love and devotion.
Daily Living Application:
Whatever service we render unto the Lord shall be rewarded either now or in eternity. He will reward us according to what we have done in our bodies. We will receive the fullness of our due. All selfless acts done in secret shall be rewarded abundantly, Matthew 6:2-18, 19:29.
Having this realization that our services unto the Lord shall be richly rewarded, let us live for God and work according to His standard, remain steadfast and unmovable.
Memory Verse:
Hebrews 6:10
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
Daily Devotional Guide:
Monday: Reward for obedient and committed Disciples of Christ.
Matthew 19:27-29
Tuesday: Divine healing for True Disciples.
Exodus 15:26; Isaiah 53:5
Wednesday: Divine protection for True Disciples.
Psalm 91
Thursday: Divine provision for True Disciples.
Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19
Friday: Future glory for True Disciples of Christ.
Romans 8:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:12
Saturday: Future glory for True Disciples of Christ.
Daniel 12:2; Acts 26:18; Revelation 21:7