Your Reward Full & Great?

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Why do we spurn rewards in the Church? God has much to say about rewards. Will you be motivated by the rewards that God has in place?

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Intro

New Years Resolutions

At the start of the year we take time to consider what we fondly call New Years resolutions. This is good stuff. Last year I said stuff like this..
the unexamined life goes no where
Resolutions require strong determination.
Jesus was resolute. He set his face toward the purpose God had for Him. He let nothing distract Him from His Father’s purpose.
Seek First the Kingdom of God. the best resolutions help you to this goal and are inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Yet many of us did not succeed in our resolutions.
we will probably fail so why try - Eeyore
If you don't try you will never succeed.

n

Ben Franklin’s Resolutions

Still, as failures go, we’re in good company. Take Benjamin Franklin. As a young man, Ben composed a master list of 12 resolutions, later tacking on a killer 13th (“Imitate Jesus and Socrates”). He had particular difficulty, he notes in his Autobiography, with Resolution No. 2 (“Silence—Avoid trifling conversation”), No. 3 (“Order—Let all your things have their places”) and No. 5 (“Frugality—Waste nothing”).

Ben kept track of his performance in a small book in which he entered a black mark each day for each resolution broken. He had intended to reuse the little book, eventually erasing old black marks as his performance improved. It didn’t. So many black marks appeared on top of black marks that the little book developed holes. He had to resort to keeping his records on a piece of ivory, from which the accumulated black marks could be tactfully mopped off with a wet sponge.

“Clean Slate,” from “Harrowsmith Country Life’” by Rebecca Rupp, (VT, January ‘96), quoted in Reader’s Digest, p.

If you don't try you will never succeed.
I want to draw attention to a topic that could help as you plan your new years resolutions. “REWARDS”
Resolutions are like vows and the bible says do not make a vow, so I don't make resolutions.
This is just wrong. - God want you to set goals. But there is no need to add anything to your yes. and swear on a stack of bibles that you will do it. Ask God what he wants you to do. then ask him to help you do it. Make plans and commit yourself to the goal. no vows or swearing are involved. Make the commitment with a honest full effort to make it happen.
I think it is our motivation that needs some encouragement as we work through a longer term goal.
What motivates a teams to work hard at a goal?

Video - Winning Motivations

Robot wars. championship.
Robot Wars. - Lots of work goes into that. a full team required. rules, only one will win.
Robot wars.
What does it take to win a contest? Motivation
In ; Paul talks of Christians that building the kingdom of God by in various ways. Some as evangelists, some as prayer warriors, some as teachers, others as those who disciple others. He explains that our work is laid on the foundation of Jesus Christ. That this work will be tested by fire. And ...
1 Corinthians 3:14 NSFLB
14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
; ; ; ; ; ;
there are other awards given - Best design, Best Engineered, sportsmanship, Most original 5714.90 USD
What does it take to win? Motivation
challenging contests require a motivational reward to attract participants.
Why do we do it? Challenge, Honor, Significance, Reward. Defeat your opponents. Sure, but that alone is seldom all there is. Usually there is some reward. right?
Why do we use rewards Motivation.
Do all win?
1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NIV
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
It is Biblical.
1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Why is there are reward? Motivation. It is Biblical.
Why is there are reward? Motivation
A reward may be defined as a benefit promised or given in response to fulfilling a specified requirement. Such rewards therefore have great power to motivate actions, positively through the hope of enjoying them and negatively through the threat of their loss.
Is a reward necessary? Not always. does it help? yes. OBVIOUSLY
We use rewards all the time in our lives. In the classroom and at work.
In businesses they have total rewards package that to attract, keep and motivate top talent and incentivize certain behaviors at work. salary, retirement packages, health care, and bonuses for achieving business goals, cash awards and honor for inventions, stock intensives. Not everyone gets all the benefits. You have to stay employees by not getting fired. you have to perform better than your peers to get the best rewards. These rewards systems used by companies have been honed fr over a hundred years. and keep getting modified each year. It is an important science that is well developed.

A reward can

promote desired behavior
motivate for full effort
provide recognition
make things interesting… increase stakes
increase the stakes
increase performance
increase the playing field
help make the goals very clear
without rewards
Goals may not be clear
give honor where honor is due (justice)

Benefit of Rewards

Productivity - more focus on the goal by more people.
Satisfaction - knowing the work your doing is valuable. and important
Happiness - positive feelings in obtaining a goal, and pausing to recognize the achievement
Retention - backsliding comes from boredom and not being engaged in the goal
Loyalty - rewards increase engagement in the work of the team, and can create a team culture.
Competition - draw more people to apply and try.

Right & Wrong Rewards

Should we avoid rewards in the church?
Everyone is important.
This is not a competition we are all on the same side.
We don't want to create pride and envy.
(humble button story)
This is a War against an enemy.
Didn’t Jesus say that working for recognition & rewards was bad? isn’t that what Hypocrites do?
1“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
Matthew 6:1–4 NIV
1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Notice that the reward the hypocrite were seeking was from man, is still a reward… earthly recognition. It is the desired outcome of the good deed.
Are we seeking rewards and recognition when we help the homeless, or take care of the needy, or volunteer time with the disabled? Or share Jesus? Some of that stuff will get you earthly kudos. Recognition and rewards. That is not altogether bad, but the motivation is selfish. When the focus is about your earthly gain Honor, power and sometimes $ that is all your likely to receive.
If you do good deeds for heavenly riches is that any better?

Greedy for heavenly rewards?

isn’t that still greed? Perhaps. But is it greed to want more of God, to draw closer to Jesus, to make Him pleased?
I found that i was confused on this reward thing because of the parable Jesus tells where he judges the nations and separates the good and the bad.
In Jesus explains the separation of the sheep from the goats the ones that inherit the kingdom of God have no idea that they are serving Jesus when they feed the hungry, beverage the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and the prisoner. So apparently they were not thinking of heavenly reward. However here the contrast is not in the reward, the wicked were not doing any of those things at all! In the reward passages we are talking about those that are in the Kingdom and going to heaven. The assumption is that we are doing good to our neighbors. The question is motive. what are we expecting to get out of it?
Pastor I dot think of it like that. I don't think of my motivation at all. I think that is less greedy.
Do you loose your reward in heaven if your secret deeds are exposed and you get an earthly reward?
NO!
you received you reward in full
red badge of courage
However there is a better reward. Doing those things for God and God alone.
DOn’t take the
Note that there is a reward from your Heavenly father for this.
Should you work for that reward? is that greedy to work for God’s reward?
What does that reward look like?

Right Rewards

At HPE we have to think very carefully about how we will incentive or measure a desired behavior. There is a very real problem of motivating people to do the wrong thing.
Famous Dilbert Cartoon. Incentives reward gone wrong.
In war we give medals. Decorations. Honor for deeds of accomplishment. requires effort.
Each one is worn proudly. Is that bad? are we incentivizing war? Of course not. Most people receiving these honors will not try to create war to earn more. The ribbon is just a ribbon, it is not a bounty. Bounty hunters will kill for money. SO there is a proper kind of reward of a particular behavior. Military medals are honor and is due respect?
However cash awards may be appropriate for learning a skill or winning a contest.
In Jesus has just explained that joining Him and his kingdom will take the top spot in your life. And your loyalty to him will superseded the loyalty you have to all other things. Your father, mother and your children, all your friends and family may become your enemies when you join Jesus. Yet, to be worthy of Jesus we must take up this cross and represent him in the face of trials testing and hatred. this will not be an easy life with God on earth. Then Jesus does something surprising. he talks about rewards.
If you lay down your life and loose it for Jesus you will find your TRUE life.
And not only you, but there are rewards for those that receive you!
Matthew 10:40–42 NIV
40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
Jesus has just explained that joining Hi and his kingdom will take the top spot in your life. And your loyalty to him will superseded the loyalty you have to all other things. Your father, mother and your children
Receive Jesus, but wait — you also get God the Father who sent him!
Matthew 10:34–42 NIV
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. 40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
Note that the reward is appropriate for the action.
Receive a prophet (as a prophet), get a prophets reward.
Receive a Righteous man (as a Righteous man), get a righteous man’s reward.
NSFLB
Give a cup of cold water to a little child will not lose their reward.
That’s interesting it implies you can loose a reward!

Losing Rewards

Your work will be tested

In ; Paul talks of Christians that building the kingdom of God by in various ways. Some as evangelists, some as prayer warriors, some as teachers, others as those who disciple others. He explains that our work is laid on the foundation of Jesus Christ. That this work will be tested by fire. And then he says...

In ; Paul talks of Christians that building the kingdom of God by in various ways. Some as evangelists, some as prayer warriors, some as teachers, others as those who disciple others. He explains that our work is laid on the foundation of Jesus Christ. That this work will be tested by fire. And ...
1 Corinthians 3:14–15 NSFLB
14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
1 Corinthians 3:14 NSFLB
14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
Your works will be tested. Works done for false motives will not last. It’s not worthy of reward till it is tested
What about a participation trophy? no!
But you will enter heaven… your not earning your way to heaven.

Desire to be a Completionist

Yet you can walk out your life in such a way that you lose rewards. that your rewards are not complete. In games now they will often have a set of badges for completing a special challenge. It creates ain interesting motivation because many of us find ou sense of “completeness” and “perfection” being aroused. A gauntlet has been thrown our way and we feel we must conquer r each and every challenge. even when they are not that entertaining. there is a word for such people “completionists”. Sometimes in the game you will move past the location for obtaining the badge, and you can’t go back. you have to play the entire game all over again to get another chance at it.

Examine yourself!

Be mindful ; so you don't lose your reward.
2 John 8 NKJV
8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
There is a FULL reward set for walking this life with God.

Don’t disqualify yourself for the rewards.

Be wise and not foolish. Giving in to temptation after having climbed the peak can take you back down to the bottom requiring you to work at the challenge all over again, but now out of a place of weakness and brokenness that requires healing.
A life time of achievement can be destroyed by a single moment of temptation - Bill Cosby a family ma and a brand of integrity. destroyed.
It’s a price you don’t have to pay. As a Adopted child of God, Jesus has given you the victory over sin. you have the ways of escape and you have the power to say no to sin.

Create life boundaries with safety margin

Create margin. “safety margin” when we spec limits on our products, we create a margin of safety so that there is no accidents. In your walk with Christ Jesus tells us to have large margins when it comes to sin. Avoid the “Appearance of evil” Do not get close to it. Avoid things that lead to it. Avoid going near it. take a path around it. lot of proverbs about this.

Put Good in your Heart

Put Good in your Heart
Matthew 12:35 NIV
35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
so the trick obviously is to have good in your heart!
Now you see how important it is to eat well
you are what you eat. so eat good stuff
spiritually.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Your Full and Great Reward

full containing the maxim amount. Complete.
;

Equalizing Rewards

Life is not fair. This side of heaven it is not. AN important answer to the question of Evil in this world is that there is a life after this that makes things just.
sometimes through no fault of your own you are attacked and knocked down.
This side of heaven it is not. But that is one of the purposes for reward.
Sometimes your knocked out of the running specifically because you were doing the right thing!
;
But that is one of the purposes for reward.
Matthew 5:12 NSFLB
12 “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:12 NIV
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:12 NSFLB
12 “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Blessed are you when your persecuted! great reward in heaven.
Matthew 5:11–12 NSFLB
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Here Jesus is encouraging us to think about our reward in heaven. It will be a great help and encouragement to us to know that evil people will not succeed with unjust persecution!
This church has experienced some of this lately. A hateful and untrue material written about a previous pastor of this church. This is a badge of honor when it is unjust. and it was unjust and untrue. The person saying the lies was a valued and loved member of the church.

“Following God’s ways are boring and no fun” - the devil.

The truth is they are so much better than the instant gratification that comes at such an enormous price the devil is selling.
Look at the rewards of Following God’s way. even just here on earth. In Following God’s plan for your life has great reward.
Following God’s plan for your life has great reward.
Hebrews 10:35 NSFLB
35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
;
;
Psalm 19:11 NSFLB
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
2 John 8 NSFLB
8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
1 Corinthians 3:8 NSFLB
8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
; ; ;
Matthew 6:4 NSFLB
4 “that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Psalm 19:9–11 NSFLB
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19:7–11 NSFLB
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19:9–11 NSFLB
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.

full containing the maxim amount. Complete.

Your reward will be individualized to you and your effort.

;
1 Corinthians 3:8 NIV
8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.
The more you do the greater your reward. Don’t waste time. the days are short and the stakes are very high.
the reward is incredible. It is both now and future. A deeper more intense walk with

A Great Reward

We all love to shop for a deal. The satisfaction of getting something on sale. Black Friday insanity
We all love to shop for a deal. The satisfaction of getting something on sale. Black Friday insanity
;
Getting a $2000 software upgrade for $30. wow.
DOnt you feel good when yo get an outstanding deal?
Have I got a deal for you. limited time offer.
This life is short, the next one long, and the rewards are great.
The writer of Hebrews(Paul I think) reflected on the sufferings endured for Jesus. and for helping him.
Hebrews 10:32–37 NSFLB
32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
Do not throw away you confidence! Your confidence in God will be rewarded Richly. Greatly!

A FULL reward

Hebrews 10:35 NIV
35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
complete not lacking anything. maximized.
2 John 8 NKJV
8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
There is a FULL reward set for walking this life with God.

Demon Robot wars

we are not fighting against flesh and blood. The other team is made in Gods likeness.
but those demon robots are not. we need to tear them up!
we are not fighting against flesh and blood.
We are at war and our adversary is prowling around doing all he can to kill steal and destroy us and our loved ones.
this is not time to site on the sidelines.
what can each of you do to help with this war effort?
whatever your hand finds to do do it.
So, what sort of New Year’s resolution should a Christian make?
Here are some suggestions:
(1) pray to the Lord for wisdom () regarding what resolutions, if any, He would have you make;
(2) pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you;
• Don’t just plan to stop doing things that are holding you back. But replace it with something else.
• lead worship
• be part of prayer
be part of prayer
• daily quiet times
• read the bible through
(3) rely on God’s strength to help you;
daily quiet times
(4) find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you;
read the bible through
(5) don’t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead, allow them to motivate you further;
(6) don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory.
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