1. The Great Reward “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 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.” (Matthew 5:10-12)

2. The Great Reward  It is Certain Christ Has PromisedChrist Has Promised Text: “Great is your reward in heaven”Text: “Great is your reward in heaven” John 14:1-3; Mark 9:41John 14:1-3; Mark 9:41

3. John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

4. Mark 9:41 “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

5. The Great Reward  It is Certain Christ Has PromisedChrist Has Promised Text: “Great is your reward in heaven”Text: “Great is your reward in heaven” John 14:1-3; Mark 9:41John 14:1-3; Mark 9:41 Apostles spoke of its certaintyApostles spoke of its certainty 2 Cor. 5:1; 2 Pet. 3:13; 1 John 2:25; 2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 2:102 Cor. 5:1; 2 Pet. 3:13; 1 John 2:25; 2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 2:10

6. 2 Corinthians 5:1 “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

7. 2 Peter 3:13 “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

8. 1 John 2:25 “And this is the promise that He has promised us; eternal life.”

9. 2 Timothy 4:8 “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

10. Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

11. The Great Reward  It Is Future Earthly circumstances are no indication of eternal lifeEarthly circumstances are no indication of eternal life God’s accounts are not settled hereGod’s accounts are not settled here Psalm 73:12-17Psalm 73:12-17

12. Psalm 73:12-17 “Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. 13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence. 14 For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning. 15 If I had said, "I will speak thus," Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children. 16 When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me; 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.”

13. The Great Reward  It Is Future Earthly circumstances are no indication of eternal lifeEarthly circumstances are no indication of eternal life God’s accounts are not settled hereGod’s accounts are not settled here Psalm 73:12-17Psalm 73:12-17 Seeking earthly reward risks losing the eternalSeeking earthly reward risks losing the eternal Matt. 6:2-4; Heb. 11:24-26Matt. 6:2-4; Heb. 11:24-26

14. Matthew 6:2-4 “Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

15. Hebrews 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”

16. The Great Reward  It Is In Heaven Contrary to the certain factions of the Premillinial ViewContrary to the certain factions of the Premillinial View They say most who are saved will be in an earthly paradiseThey say most who are saved will be in an earthly paradise But, Jesus says, “Great is your reward in heaven!”But, Jesus says, “Great is your reward in heaven!” 1 Pet. 1:3-5; Col. 1:51 Pet. 1:3-5; Col. 1:5

17. 1 Peter 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

18. Colossians 1:5 “Because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.”

19. The Great Reward  It Is Great “Great is your reward”“Great is your reward” Eternal in natureEternal in nature Romans 6:23; Matt. 25:46Romans 6:23; Matt. 25:46

20. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

21. Matthew 25:46 “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

22. The Great Reward  It Is Great “Great is your reward”“Great is your reward” Eternal in natureEternal in nature Romans 6:23; Matt. 25:46Romans 6:23; Matt. 25:46 In the Presence of God!In the Presence of God! Revelation 21:3,4Revelation 21:3,4

23. Revelation 21:3-4 “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’”

24. The Great Reward  It Is Conditional! We must serve God Faithfully!We must serve God Faithfully! Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:8-9; 10:36; Rev. 2:10Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:8-9; 10:36; Rev. 2:10

25. Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

26. Hebrews 5:8-9 “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

27. Hebrews 10:36 “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”

28. Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Are you faithful now in your walk for Christ? Only those who endure to the end will be saved!