Lesson 12 Review: Rewards of Faithfulness

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “ ‘His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things, Enter into the joy of your lord” ’ ” (Matthew 25:21, NKJV).

The hope of reward serves as a motivation for faithful living as undeserving recipients of God’s grace. Without the hope we have through Christ, we will only find rest for our suffering in eternal death. Also, in keeping the law of God that is perfect, there is great reward.

What is the nature of the reward of faithfulness?

It is unique and, like many spiritual things, maybe beyond our finite understanding. Matthew 5:11,12 helps us know that the reward here is great, “ ‘ for great is your reward in heaven,’ ”.

How do we get this reward?

The way we get this reward is faithfulness to God, however, we are not saved by the works themselves, we are saved by grace, which is the essence of Christ’s death. The Rewards are the mere outworking of what God has done for us and in us.

What options are presented to us according to Romans 6:23 and John 3:16?

The options are eternal life and eternal death. We choose by our actions, we believe in God, rest upon the merits of Jesus, and by faith obey His word to choose eternal life, doing contrary to these denotes that we the choice of eternal death.

What are God’s counsel and the rewards that await us according to John 14:1-3?

God’s counsel is that we should not be troubled but believe in God and in Him (verse 1). The reward, is a place God has gone to prepare for us (verses 2 and 3).

What is our assurance of His second coming?

Jesus explicitly said so in John 14:3, “I will come again and I will receive you unto Myself so you can be with me there” (see John 14:3). Also, more than anything else, the assurance we have that Jesus is coming the second time is from the fact that He came the first time and died on the cross. Christ’s first coming is an assurance that He will come the second time.

Where can we find the description of the New Jerusalem?

The description of the New Jerusalem can be found in Revelation 21.

What are some of the privileges that come with the New Jerusalem?

1.       We will have the privilege of seeing Jesus up close and personally without the veil of sin distorting what we see.

2.       “ ‘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’ ” (Rev. 21:4, NKJV).

3.       “they shall see His face” (Rev. 22:4, NKJV).

4.       ‘The Redeemed will live with a closeness to God that, for the most part, we don’t have now.’

What is the crucial difference between those saved who committed a particular sin and those lost who committed the same sin?

The crucial difference is that one repented from his sin and was saved, whereas the other repented not and was lost.

What does the parable represent?

“And these talents do not represent merely the ability to preach and instruct from the word of God. The parable applies to the temporal means which God has entrusted to His people.”¾Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 197.

What important lesson can we draw from the parable of the talents?

Rather than think of the responsibilities of others, let us focus on what God has entrusted to us and how we can use it to His glory.

What awareness does the parable of the talents create?

Among others, it is the notable awareness that there will be a settling of accounts. We will all give an account of how well we have used the talents entrusted to us.

How was Paul able to endure all the persecutions he faced?

He placed so much value on the reward of the faithful, Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy of being compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18, NKJV). He forgot about the things which are behind him and reached forward to those things which are ahead, his eyes were toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

What is prosperity from the biblical perspective?

‘Prosperity is having what you need when you need it’. It can also be seen as claiming the promise of God in Philippians 4:19: “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Finally, prosperity is to be thankful for what you have in the Lord and trust in Him in all things.

What awaits all those who suffer persecution for the sake of God?

In the end, He will give His faithful ones true wealth and responsibility and eternal life. At the close of the persecution, we can say as Paul did, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love thy appearing” (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

In Conclusion,

Faithfulness comes with its reward as with every other thing. We will all have to give accounts of whatever talents we have been entrusted with, let us not be like the one that was given a talent. I pray that God helps us to be faithful so we reap the rewards in Jesus' name.