Our Reward Comes From God

Sermon Topic 6/30/13 Elder Chris Moran Our Reward Comes From God
What things do we set our hearts on?
Have we lost our focus on the eternal reward we hope to receive one day from the Lord?
Do we turn blessings from God and rewards in this life into idols? … this life is a vapor (James 4:14 msl); we must be READY.
Earthly rewards:
Pay raise
Powerful job position (Matthew 18:1-4 … humble yourself as this little child; Luke 14:1, 7-11 … the Pharisees at the banquet, exalting themselves) …are we striving to be humble as a servant of God?
Physical objects … there is nothing wrong with trophies … i have a golf trophy; but do we worship them?
Retirement
Recognition from others (Colossians 3:22-25 … fear God, and do everything heartily, as unto the Lord)
An inheritance (Luke 12:13-21 … the young man who demanded that Christ arbitrate between him and his brother over their inheritance; the rich man who decided to hoard his wealth and take his ease)
Anything else?
“My mother used to tell me man gives the award, but God gives the reward, i don’t need another plaque.” –Denzel Washington
Is our heavenly reward more important than earthly pleasures?
Matthew 19:16-30 … the young man who had great possessions (or did the possessions have him? msl) … those who leave all they have in this life, will receive a hundred fold
Alma 10:107 … Amulek, having forsaken all his possessions and having been rejected by his family
Do we set our hearts on earthly or future treasure?
Matthew 6:19-21 … lay not up treasures for yourself on earth (see also Helaman 5:23-29 msl)
2 Kings 20:12-18 …Hezekiah boastfully showed the ambassadors from Babylon all the treasure he had; the prophet Isaiah told him that all that would be taken by the Babylonians in the future; 24:10-13 … the prophecy fulfilled
Are we like Hezekiah – do we boast of our possessions?
How do we spend our time?
Ecclesiastes 2:4-11 … Solomon boasting of his great works … There are things in life that the Lord has given us for our joy, but we need to keep everything in perspective and evaluate the use of our time (note the number of times the word “vanity” occurs in this book msl) We can have temporary joy and pleasure from the things in life, but:
We should consider the needs of the Church of Christ
Are we meeting the needs of our family?
We should always remember that things in this world will not last
Helaman 4:47-55 … the Nephites very quickly slid back into pride and wickedness … they were not focused on the Lord – they lost the vision of their eternal reward. If it can happen to the people of Nephi, it can happen to us!
One of my girls took baton lessons this year … part of their year-end performance was the song “Famous” (lyrics below msl) We need to work hard unto the Lord, not to become “famous” (Colossians 3:23 and Matthew 5:16)
The things of the earth will pass away
2 Peter 3:10 … the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
1 Corinthians 3:8-14 … we are God’s building (Strong’s G3619, oikodome … along with 3618, oikodomeo – these are the words translated “edify” in Ephesians 4:12 and all thru the New Testament) … all our works done in this life will be tried by fire – is our life worthy of rewards? http://www.amazon.com/Life-God-Rewards-Everything-Matters/dp/1576739767/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372623062&sr=1-1&keywords=Bruce+Wilkinson+A+Life+God+Rewards
God will reward the righteous
Proverbs 11:18, 13:13, and 24:19-20
Alma 1:127-129
Daniel 12:2-3
Revelation 2:7, 11,17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21 … they that overcome will receive rewards
The goal of our eternal reward requires suffering
John 12:24-26
Matthew 5:10-12 (and John 15:18-16:3 msl) … those who are persecuted for His name
After making some bad choices in high school and hanging with the wrong friends … i chose to do right. My “friends” asked me one day “why aren’t you fun anymore?”
What are we willing to put first? (picture illustration – Abraham and his family leaving Ur of the Chaldees
Matthew 10:34-42 … I did not come to bring peace, but separation
Mansions in heaven … Strong’s G3438, mone, an abode – from G3306, meno, to stay (the English word “mansion” is from Latin manere, to stay)
John 14:2-3 (also Ether 5:38)
Crowns (Strong’s G4735, stephanos – from stepho, to twine or wreathe)
1 Corinthians 9:24-5 … an incorruptible crown (as opposed to a corruptible earthly crown)
2 Timothy 4:6-8 … crown of righteousness
James 1:12 … crown of life
1 Peter … crown of glory
1 Thessalonians 2:9-20 … crown of rejoicing
Revelation 3:11 … hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown
The Joy of the Lord
Matthew 25:14-23 … we want to hear, “well done, good and faithful servant”
Revelation 21:1-8 … he that overcometh
I came up with this certificate:
God’s Kingdom
Excellence Reward
Presented to
_____________
Revelation 22:12 … I come quickly, and my reward is with Me….