Being a Child or God, Reward?

 What are you working for? 

Today we are going to wrap up our current series, "Being a Child of God." We have talked about so very much in this series, I encourage you to go back into the archives if you missed any of it. Last time we talked about your needs here on earth being met, and you should have no fear. But it truly is so much more than that. So very much more.

Remember Jesus told us this.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10

It is God's will to give His children, not only life but a life abundant. Now please do not misunderstand what we are talking about here. This is NOT the Prosperity Gospel. God is NOT an ATM. or a Genie in a Bottle. He is the Alpha and Omega. The Begining and the End. He is the Creator of all that is, was, and ever will be. He is now your Daddy.

Look what Jesus told Peter. when Peter asked Him about all the stuff they gave up to follow Him.

"And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”"

What does He mean by this? You have been adopted into the family of God. Everyone who has is now your brother, or your sister, or your mother. Look what Jesus said on the Cross.

"When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home." John 19:26-27

This is a very deep and meaningful statement Jesus makes here. See, as a church, this is who we are. We are brothers and sisters, mothers, and even earthly fathers or father figures. We have but one Father and that is God. We are all one family. We should act like it. It is our job to take care of each other. 

Before this, when Jesus was teaching, and His mother and brothers came to see Him He said this.

"But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”" Matthew 12:48-50

When Jesus tells us if we lose even family members, for His sake, or people turn away from us, we should not worry, we will gain so many more in the family of God. If we lose a Job? Seriously? If we lose a house? We have a room in a mansion waiting for us. Money? Seriously? What are you working for? Jesus taught us in Luke 12:16-21

"And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”"

Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Oh, time may tick on for everyone else, but you? Think about 9/11. 3000 people got up on a normal, boring, Tuesday, and they never made it home. They had no idea that this was their last time waking up. Last time eating breakfast. Last time kissing a loved one goodbye.

Jesus tells us this in Matthew 6:19-21

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Have you ever thought about that? "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also?" Sounds like this. Does it not? Matthew 6:24

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

There will be a very distinct difference in rewards. But there will be a reward. Look at John 5:28-29.

"Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment."

Wait. Have you ever heard it put this way? "those who have done good to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment." There will be a resurrection for all. Some translations say "Rise" "Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment."

We will all "rise." We are all eternal beings. There IS a resurrection for every man, woman, and child. What are you working for? Are you storing up for yourselves treasures in heaven, or, are you trying to build barns?

According to 2 Corinthians 5:10

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

John gives us a sneak peek at this in Revelation 20:12-13

"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done."

Jesus promised various rewards for those who faithfully serve Him on earth You can read these in Matthew 5:12, 1 Corinthians 3:14, Revelation 22:12. Some of those rewards are in the form of Crowns as seen in James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, Revelation 3:11.

However, I really want you to think about this. Turn to Revelation 4:10–11

"the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”"

I mean, seriously think about this. What reward, or treasure, is even worthy to be compared to the sacrifice Jesus did for us? A crown will seem but an insignificant gift to present to Jesus, who gave His life for us. We are heading to heaven. God is our Daddy. Jesus is our big bro. What could even remotely possibly be of any kind of significates to that fact alone?

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He raised from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!