Our Wedenesday Group has begun studying a series titled: "A life God
Rewards". Come and join us each Wednesday as we engage in this powerful
study.
There is a rather sobering Scripture, written by the apostle Paul that says, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation 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 3:11-15).
There is a rather sobering Scripture, written by the apostle Paul that says, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation 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 3:11-15).
Paul said that there is a reward for being faithful and having good
works that accompany our faith. Yet, even when we have done good works, they
may have been done with improper motives — If so, our works will be burned in
the fire of the judgment and count for nothing. We may be “saved”, but only as
a scorched cinder. On the other hand, the commendable works we have done will
be refined and come out like gold. If our desire is pure, and we desire nothing
but carrying out the work God has given us to do and advancing his kingdom,
there will be a reward. Paul says elsewhere, “Examine yourselves to see whether
you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is
in you — unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
I was reading again what Paul wrote to the Romans, “Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:19-23). Just as we used to serve a master who led our lives on a path to destruction and ruin, now we are to serve God who gives life. We have been set free from our former life and serve a new Master who rewards us. The benefits and rewards of that life are not just in heaven, but here and now. We lead lives of holiness. We become agents of God to bring about his kingdom here on earth. We are given eternal life that begins now. Paul asks, “What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!” He said, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
What is the difference between wages and rewards? Wages are what you get from doing something. Wages are what you earn and deserve. Rewards are what you get that you do not deserve. Rewards are a gift. The book of Revelation declares, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17). The good news is that we do not get what we deserve, rather we are given a gift, and it is life itself. It is a reward, not wages. It is a gift, not something you have earned, nor could you earn it even if you tried.
The book of Hebrews says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (Hebrews 6:10-12). We have an inheritance that has been promised. This scripture says that we are to show our love for God by loving people and helping them. This is how we inherit what God has promised.
Reverent devotion to the Creator and Redeemer of the world brings about human flourishing. The Old Testament talked of God’s Shalom. The Theological Word Book of the Old Testament defines Shalom as, “Completion and fulfillment — entering into a state of wholeness and unity — a restored relationship.” This is the reward that we have from God. It is peace, even when we face adversity, because it is a life not only connected to God, but woven into his life. It is the gift of purpose and meaning in our lives that brings joy. It is the gift of having a relationship with God, our Creator, Savior and Sustainer. Columba of Iona said, “Joy is the echo of God’s life in us.”
Joni Eareckson Tada, who was paralyzed in a diving accident as a teenager, knows something of sadness, suffering and difficulty. But in her book, When God Weeps: Why our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty, she wrote these wonderful words: “God is actually happy. Scan the Bible’s big picture and you’ll find that He is rapturously happy. He doesn’t just get by –– he flourishes... Nothing can satisfy an infinite being but an infinite being. The eternal Threesome revels together in a swirling dance of mutual love. The Trinity enjoys pleasure beyond comprehension... God, we might say, is in a good mood. He is not depressed. He’s not misery seeking company. God is joy spilling over... The full tank of love He enjoys is splashing out over heaven’s walls. He swims in elation and is driven to share it with us. Why? Simply, as he put it, ‘So that my joy may be in you.’” (John 15:11).
This is the story of Jesus, and it can be our story as well when we enter into a life with Him.
I was reading again what Paul wrote to the Romans, “Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:19-23). Just as we used to serve a master who led our lives on a path to destruction and ruin, now we are to serve God who gives life. We have been set free from our former life and serve a new Master who rewards us. The benefits and rewards of that life are not just in heaven, but here and now. We lead lives of holiness. We become agents of God to bring about his kingdom here on earth. We are given eternal life that begins now. Paul asks, “What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!” He said, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
What is the difference between wages and rewards? Wages are what you get from doing something. Wages are what you earn and deserve. Rewards are what you get that you do not deserve. Rewards are a gift. The book of Revelation declares, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17). The good news is that we do not get what we deserve, rather we are given a gift, and it is life itself. It is a reward, not wages. It is a gift, not something you have earned, nor could you earn it even if you tried.
The book of Hebrews says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (Hebrews 6:10-12). We have an inheritance that has been promised. This scripture says that we are to show our love for God by loving people and helping them. This is how we inherit what God has promised.
Reverent devotion to the Creator and Redeemer of the world brings about human flourishing. The Old Testament talked of God’s Shalom. The Theological Word Book of the Old Testament defines Shalom as, “Completion and fulfillment — entering into a state of wholeness and unity — a restored relationship.” This is the reward that we have from God. It is peace, even when we face adversity, because it is a life not only connected to God, but woven into his life. It is the gift of purpose and meaning in our lives that brings joy. It is the gift of having a relationship with God, our Creator, Savior and Sustainer. Columba of Iona said, “Joy is the echo of God’s life in us.”
Joni Eareckson Tada, who was paralyzed in a diving accident as a teenager, knows something of sadness, suffering and difficulty. But in her book, When God Weeps: Why our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty, she wrote these wonderful words: “God is actually happy. Scan the Bible’s big picture and you’ll find that He is rapturously happy. He doesn’t just get by –– he flourishes... Nothing can satisfy an infinite being but an infinite being. The eternal Threesome revels together in a swirling dance of mutual love. The Trinity enjoys pleasure beyond comprehension... God, we might say, is in a good mood. He is not depressed. He’s not misery seeking company. God is joy spilling over... The full tank of love He enjoys is splashing out over heaven’s walls. He swims in elation and is driven to share it with us. Why? Simply, as he put it, ‘So that my joy may be in you.’” (John 15:11).
This is the story of Jesus, and it can be our story as well when we enter into a life with Him.
In Christ,
Brown
Friday, September 21,2012
Television Outreach
7.00 PM
Time Warner Cable Ch 4
"O Thou to whom I owe the gift of this day's life, give
to me also, I beseech Thee, the spirit to use it as I ought. Forbid that I
should stain the brightness of the morning with any evil thought or darken the
noontide with any shameful deed. Let Thy Holy Spirit breathe into my heart
to-day all pure and heavenly desires. Let Thy truth inform my mind. Let Thy
justice and righteousness make a throne within me and rule my errant will. Let
Christ be formed in me, and let me learn of Him all lowliness of heart, all
gentleness of bearing, all modesty of speech, all helpfulness of action, and
promptness in the doing of my Father's will.
O Thou who compassest the whole earth with Thy most merciful favour and willest not that any of Thy children should perish, I would call down Thy blessing to-day upon all who are striving towards the making of a better world. Cast down, O Lord, all the forces of cruelty and wrong. Defeat all selfish and worldly-minded schemes, and prosper all that is conceived among us in the spirit of Christ and carried out to the honour of His blessed name." John Bailee
O Thou who compassest the whole earth with Thy most merciful favour and willest not that any of Thy children should perish, I would call down Thy blessing to-day upon all who are striving towards the making of a better world. Cast down, O Lord, all the forces of cruelty and wrong. Defeat all selfish and worldly-minded schemes, and prosper all that is conceived among us in the spirit of Christ and carried out to the honour of His blessed name." John Bailee
A Special Saturday Evening of Praise and Worship
Saturday September 29, 2012
Location: First
United Methodist Church,
53 McKinley Avenue, Endicott, NY
53 McKinley Avenue, Endicott, NY
Sponsored by Union
Center United Methodist Church.
5:30 PM Community
Dinner
6:30 PM Praise and
Worship
Special Music by:
Praise and worship band
Soloist: Emma
Brunson
Preacher: Pastor
Marshall Sorber
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