Heaven: Living with Eternity in Mind Lesson #9 An Introduction to Heavenly Rewards

Answers from the Question Box

The Surprising Truth about Eternal Rewards

Introductory Concepts to Consider: A. Why do you think that rewards for the believer are controversial and often ignored? B. Does working for rewards make our life self- centered? C. Is it correct to speak of meriting a reward, when salvation is by grace? D. Would eternal rewards lead to comparison and jealousy in heaven?

Eternal Rewards vs. The Gospel

TWO JUDGMENTS: FAITH AND WORKS "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out-those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned." (John 5:28-29) Scripture teaches first a judgment of faith, then a judgment of works, both for believers and unbelievers. 2. All true believers will pass the judgment of faith in Christ-their names are written in the Book of Life. All unbelievers will fail the judgment of faith at the Great White Throne, since their names are not written in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:11-15).

TWO JUDGMENTS: FAITH AND WORKS 4. The judgment of works follows the judgment of faith. Scripture states all men, not just unbelievers, will be judged for their works (Prov. 24:12; Eccles. 12:14). 5. The unbeliever's judgment of works comes at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:12). 6. The believer will not be condemned at the Great White Throne, but nonetheless still faces a judgment of works himself, at the "Judgment Seat of Christ."

What mental picture comes to mind for the Judgment Seat of Christ? 1. A private review of your life? 2. A slide show that will expose all of your life for all to see? 3. A time where Christ will reward your attitudes and actions? 4. A time where you will take the blame for all your sins and give God the credit for all your obedience? 5. A time of fear, guilt and embarrassment? 6. A pernicious doctrine?

The Judgment Seat of Christ: No Condemnation or Judging According to our Works? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJs8apWvxKo

THE JUDGMENT OF WORKS FOR CHRISTIANS 1. Jesus watches and evaluates the churches, keeping score, giving grades. (Revelation 2-3) 2. To Christians Jesus says, "I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds." (Revelation 2:23) 3. At the end of our lives all believers will give an account of their lives to their Lord. "We will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:10-12)

THE JUDGMENT OF WORKS FOR CHRISTIANS 4. We will be judged by Christ according to our works, both good and bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). 5. The result of this judgment will be the gain or loss of eternal rewards (1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9,10; Romans 14:10-12). The Bible treats this judgment with great sobriety. It is not a meaningless formality, but a monumental event in which things of eternal significance are brought to light and things of eternal consequence are put into effect.

We have been convinced that our obedience doesn’t matter We have been convinced that our obedience doesn’t matter.   While we are rightly told that only Christ’s obedience can secure our justification, and that he has kept the law perfectly for us, our own obedience receives far less attention in the pulpit. Justification is center stage, and sanctification is peripheral. MICHAEL J. KRUGER

A Life God Rewards Based on the book by Dr Bruce Wilkinson The 6 Main Events of our Lives You are born You die You go to either heaven or hell You receive a resurrected body You are rewarded for your life You enter eternity

What Jesus says about rewards “He will reward each one according to his works.” For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds. Matt. 16:27

What Jesus says about rewards “You will have treasure in Heaven” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me.” Matt. 19:21

What Jesus says about rewards “You will be repaid at the resurrection” You will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:14

What Jesus says about rewards “Great is your reward in Heaven” Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in Heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matt 5:12

What Jesus says about rewards “Your reward will be great” But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Luke 6:35

What Jesus says about rewards “Will receive a hundred-fold” And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. Matt. 19:29

What Jesus says about rewards “Well done good and faithful servant” His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master. Matt. 25:21

“He will reward each one according to his works.” Matt. 16:27 “You will have treasure in heaven” Matt. 19:21 “You will be repaid at the resurrection” Luke 14:14 “Great is your reward in heaven” Matt 5:12 “Your reward will be great” Luke 6:35 “Will receive a hundred-fold” Matt. 19:29 “Well done good and faithful servant” Matt. 25:21  

The Surprising Truth about Eternal Rewards Regeneration is: Past (I John 3:2) Free (Eph. 2:8-9) Can’t be lost (John 10:28-29) Same for all Christians (Rom. 3:22) For those who believe (John 3:16)

The Surprising Truth about Eternal Rewards Rewards are: Future (Rev.22:12) Earned (1 Cor. 3:8) Can be lost (2 John 8) Differ between Christians (1 Cor. 3:12-15) For those who work (1 Cor. 9:27)

Distinctions Reviewed Regeneration is: Past (I John 3:2) Free (Eph. 2:8-9) Can’t be lost (John 10:28-29) Same for all Christians (Rom. 3:22) For those who believe (John 3:16) Rewards are: Future (Rev.22:12) Earned (1 Cor. 3:8) Can be lost (2 John 8) Differ between Christians (1 Cor. 3:12-15) For those who work (1 Cor. 9:27)

Basic Clarifications: Saved by Faith Rewards for Works Ephesians 2:8-9 Romans 4:5 Romans 3:28 Revelation 22:12 Matthew 16:27 Romans 2:6; 2 Cor. 5:10

-As a sinner, …I was under condemnation for my sin until I accepted the provision of Christ, who took this condemnation on himself. -As a son, …I presently make choices that are either righteous or sinful. When they are sinful, my Father disciplines me for my own good to make me more holy and fruitful. -As a steward or servant, …My works will someday be evaluated by my Master.

The Judgment Seat of Christ for Believers - Pastor John MacArthur https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDG62xkAnjU

THE NEGATIVE ASPECT OF JUDGMENT FOR WORKS 1. Some Christians will and others will not hear Christ say, "Well done my good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21) 2. Some Christians will be ashamed when they meet Christ-"Dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming." (1 John 2:28) "Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism" (Colossians 3:25).

THE NEGATIVE ASPECT OF JUDGMENT FOR WORKS 3. Some Christians in heaven will "suffer loss" when their lives on earth are evaluated at the judgment seat of Christ. "If any man builds on this foundation [the foundation of Christ] using gold, silver, costly stones, wood hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) 4. Christians at the judgment seat will experience certain consequences of good they have failed to do and bad they have done: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10).

In Heaven, how we have lived on earth will have eternal effects.

Donald Gray Barnhouse Let us live, then, in the light of eternity. If we do not, we are weighting the scales against our eternal welfare. We must understand that 'whatsoever a man soweth' must be taken in its widest meaning, and that every thought and intent of the heart will come under the scrutiny of the Lord at His coming. We can be sure that at the Judgment Seat of Christ there will be a marked difference between the Christian who has lived his life before the Lord, clearly discerning what was for the glory of God, and another Christian who was saved in a rescue mission at the tag end of a depraved and vicious life, or a nominal Christian saved on his deathbed after a life of self-pride, self-righteousness, self-love, and self-sufficiency. All will be in heaven, but the differences will be eternal. We may be sure that the consequences of our character will survive the grave and that we shall face those consequences at the Judgment Seat of Christ."

If we really took the doctrine of eternal rewards seriously what would change in our lives? How do rewards in heaven motivate you?

Recommended Reading A Life God Rewards: Why Everything You Do Today Matters Forever by  Bruce Wilkinson Heaven Better by Far: Answers to Questions about the Believer’s Final Hope by J. Oswald Sanders Heaven: It’s not the end to the world by David Lawrence

Start an ongoing discussion about Heaven with your family and friends by doing the following.... 1. Read all you can about eternal rewards and ponder why you have not heard much about it. What are some questions you have because of this lesson? 3. Start a prayer list of people concerning their eternal salvation.

What are the judgments in heaven? What will life be like in the New Heaven and the New Earth? What are the rewards and crowns in Heaven?