1. Rewards of a Faithful Steward Ray of Hope Christian Church October 25, 2011

2. Corinthians 3:10-14 “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each one be careful how he/she builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

3. Now if any builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay and straw, each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed by fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work. If any one’s work which he/she has built upon it remains, he/she shall receive a reward.”

4. Matthew 25:23 “ His master said to him. Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”

5. Every person is rewarded according to the quality of belief, obedience, and service that marked their life on earth.

6. The Lord honors and richly rewards those who have been faithful in the management of His resources—both temporal and eternal.

7. Faithful stewards can look to being rewarded both on earth and in heaven. Faithful stewards can look to being rewarded both on earth and in heaven.

8. “It’s not the duration of life, but our donation to life that counts.” John Maxwell

9. Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

10. Our attitude and action concerning servanthood and stewardship is what matters. What we do with what we have while we have time to do it is the issue that really matters according to the Word of God. That’s the essence of Lifestyle stewardship!

11. God Never Forgets Life’s Donors! God Never Forgets Life’s Donors!

12. Hebrews 6:10-12

13. Everything we do for God is recorded and eventually rewarded by the Lord! Everything we do for God is recorded and eventually rewarded by the Lord!

14. Stewards who patiently trust until the end are the ones who have every hope to “inherit the promises (receive rewards).”

15. Question: Are you personally convinced that God remembers your service and will reward you for your faithfulness?

16. Another Question: Do you have faithful service on your résumé for God to reward?

17. The next time you serve the Lord and no one seems to notice or care, stand on the word…Hebrews 6:10 The next time you serve the Lord and no one seems to notice or care, stand on the word…Hebrews 6:10

18. Biblical Basis for a Believer’s Reward: I Corinthians 3: 10-14 1. Jesus Christ is the only one true foundation on which to build spiritual works. (v. 11) 2. Every believer must be careful about how he/she builds his/her life upon Christ. (v. 10)

19. We can use two different types of materials to build our Christian lives. (v.12) 3. We can use two different types of materials to build our Christian lives. (v.12) Is your work gold, silver and precious stones or wood, hay and stubble?

20. 4. The type of materials one uses will be revealed by the test of fire. (v. 13) Your work/spiritual house is subject to fire…which will reveal whether we built it with perishable or imperishable materials.

21. 5. The purpose of the “fire” is to reveal the quality of our work (v.13) The Lord looks for the motive, the reason why people do what they do. Luke 21:1-4 When it comes to works, all believers, because of Christ can build their spiritual life on a level playing field.

22. 6. Rewards are given to those whose works remain after being tested by fire. (v. 14) Wood, hay and stubble…burn up Wood, hay and stubble…burn up Gold, silver and precious stones…purified Gold, silver and precious stones…purified

23. 7. God is committed to giving rewards to those who build their lives on the right foundation with the right materials (v.14)

24. Good works and deeds that flow from faithful servanthood and stewardship build a solid spiritual life that will stand for time and eternity. Servanthood and stewardship are “gold, sliver, and precious stones.”

25. The largest part of the faithful steward’s rewards is awarded in heaven, but there are temporal (earthly) rewards. The largest part of the faithful steward’s rewards is awarded in heaven, but there are temporal (earthly) rewards.

26. Rewards on Earth Rewards on Earth

27. Favor is the benefit of the righteous person who lives faithfully accordingly to the Word of God. Favor is the benefit of the righteous person who lives faithfully accordingly to the Word of God.

28. The word favor means friendly regard, to your advantage, in good graces with others, preferential treatment.”

29. Favor gives God’s people an edge, or an advantage, in working with this world. Favor gives God’s people an edge, or an advantage, in working with this world.

30. Over eighty-seven references in the Word use some form of the word favor. And God is the source of favor.

31. Psalm 5:12

32. This shield goes before them, providing a divine covering that ensures they will be on the receiving end of special treatment. Faithful servants and stewards of God are “blessed” with favor.

33. Special Treatment comes from the Lord first. Why? Because of the righteous person’s relationship with Him.

34. God promises that the wealth of the world will come to the righteous. Isaiah 60:5 Proverbs 13:22

35. It is up to God’s purpose and timing that the favor manifests itself!

36. There is nothing like knowing deep within that you have been faithful to God and what He has called you to do. Satisfaction with yourself before the Lord and people is an incomparable and immeasurable reward of the righteous.

37. Rewards in Heaven

38. John 14:1-4 Jesus promised to prepare a place

39. A “well done” and numerous crowns await the faithful. A “well done” and numerous crowns await the faithful.

40. There is nothing like the words “well done” spoken over you when you have done well! We crave words of praise, approval, and commendation. There is nothing like the words “well done” spoken over you when you have done well! We crave words of praise, approval, and commendation.

41. Heaven in a place of celebration and coronation and worship! Heaven in a place of celebration and coronation and worship!

42. The Imperishable Crown (I Corinthians 9:24-27) This rewards goes to those who run life’s race victoriously through personal discipline with power of the Holy Spirit.

43. The Crown of Exultation (Philippians 4:1, I Thessalonians 2:19-20) The Crown of Exultation (Philippians 4:1, I Thessalonians 2:19-20) There is a special crown that will be placed on the heads of those who win the lost to Christ.

44. The Crown of Righteousness (II Timothy 4:7-8) This crown goes to those who are eagerly awaiting Jesus to return to take them home to heaven. Faithful believers will receive the crown of righteousness because they have been made the righteousness of God through their faith in Christ.

45. The Crown of Life (James 1:12) This crown is awarded to those saints who have suffered in a triumphant and noble manner as Christians.

46. The Crown of Glory The Crown of Glory (I Peter 5:1-4) (I Peter 5:1-4) This is reserved for those who faithfully “shepherd the flock of God” entrusted into their care. They qualify for this crown because they willingly and humbly made sacrifices for the sheep; they lived exemplary lives—lives worth following.

47. Heaven – A Place of Worship Heaven – A Place of Worship

48. Revelation 4:9-11