Laughing at the Future

Kingdom of God #3: Kingdom and Finances

Reward Principle #1

Giving brings greater blessing than receiving.2 Corinthians 9:7

Three-fold impact: giver, receiver, God is pleased

Reward Principle #2

When we invest money now in God’s Kingdom, we will receive great rewards later in heaven.

Matthew 13:44 – Kingdom of heaven

Whatever good thing you do for Him, if done according to the Word, is laid up for your as treasure in chests and coffers, to be brought out to be reward both men and angels, to your eternal comfort. ~John Bunyan

Philippians 4:17

Read Matthew 6:19-24

~two treasures

~two perspectives

~two masters

What are your Treasures?

~What do you value most?

~What would you most hate to lose?

~What do your thoughts turn to most frequently when you are free to think of what you will?

~What affords you the greatest pleasure?

Amassing money in itself is not wrong, it is just not a wise decision and a poor investment.

Since God, His Word, and people are eternal, what will last is what is used wisely for God, His Word, and His people.

How is your heavenly deposit doing?

Reward Principle #3

God offers us rewards that are eternal, imperishable, and inexhaustible.

Luke 12:33 – will not wear out nor be exhausted

Keep only enough Confederate currency to meet your short-term needs.

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. ~Jim Elliott

Card game where the point of the game is to finish with no cards. American dream is backwards.

Reward Principle #4

When we see our lives through the lens of eternity, our attitude toward everything will change drastically.

Death is coming – Iraq servant – Baghdad – Samaria

2 Cor. 4:16-18 – how not to lose heart:

1. Personal transformation

2. Promised reward

3. Proper perspective

Reward Principle #5

Obeying God is not only right, it’s smart. It will always pay off in the end.

Good deeds will follow: Revelation 14:13

We must make ourselves ready: Revelation 19:7-8

He will reward: Psalm 6:11-12

Rewards are conditional: 2 Peter 1:10-11

How dare we say that being in heaven is all that matters to us, when so much else matters to God?

When I go to the grave I can say, as others have said, “My day’s work is done.” But I cannot say, “My life is done.” My work will recommence the next morning. The tomb is not a blind alley; it is a thoroughfare. It closes upon the twilight but opens upon the dawn. ~Victor Hugo

Works cannot save us... but, once assured of our own salvation, our lives become eternally meaningful when expended in service to the Great Commission, and our attention to that imperative will be commended and compensated by the Lord Jesus, upon His return to establish His Kingdom.

Matthew 16:27: He is coming to pay back.

Revelation 22:12: Jesus is coming back with His reward.

Dot is life on earth….line is the rest of eternity.

What you do in the dot determines destination and compensation in eternity.

Kingdom of God #2: Six Main Events of Your Life

1. Life: Created in the Image of God (body, soul, Spirit; I Thessalonians 5:23)

2. Death: Die physically not spiritually (2 Corinthians 5:8)

3. Destination: Soul goes to heaven or to hell. (John 14:2) You will live forever!!!

4. Resurrection: You will receive a new body (Philippians 3:21)

5. Repayment: Receive reward or repayment based on what you did on earth. (Matthew 11:21-22)

a. Bema = Believers (2 Cor. 5:10)

b. Great White Throne = non-Believers (Rev. 20:11-15)

6. Eternity: You will live for eternity in the presence or absence of God, reaping the consequences of your beliefs and actions on earth (Matthew 25:46)

REAL LIFE IN A REAL PLACE

What is God going to reward? Not an exhaustive list in NT but here are some:

1. Seeking Him through prayer: Matthew 6:6 and Hebrews 11:6

2. Submitting to your employer as a faithful steward: Matthew 24:45-47; Colossians 3:22-24

3. Self-denial in His service: Matthew 16:24-27

4. Serving those in need in His Name: Mark 9:41

5. Suffering for His Name and reputation: Luke 6:22-23

6. Sacrifices you make for Him: Luke 6:35 (100fold – Matthew 19:29)

7. Sharing your time, talent and treasures to further the Kingdom (Matthew 6:3-4, I Timothy 6:18-19)

Kingdom of God #1: Overview

Six Sessions (every Sunday until 10/28)

Invite friends!! The lesson will build but you can come in the middle.

1. Introduce everyone.

a. Name

b. Family

c. What comes to mind when you think of Kingdom of God?

2. What is it?

a. Definition: Full Gamut of God’s Reign

b. When is it?

i. Now: Earth (evangelism and discipleship)

ii. Then: (1K Rule and Reign with Jesus on this earth)

iii. Forever More: Heaven (Enjoy Him and Serve Others)

3. Keys to the Kingdom

a. Key #1: Belief

i. John 3:16

ii. Born in sin (33% dead) - Ephesians 2:1

iii. Free Gift - Ephesians 2:8-9

iv. New Creation - 2 Corinthians 5:17

b. Key #2: Behavior

i. Purpose - Ephesians 2:10

ii. Judge for Works - I Corinthians 3 & 2 Corinthians 5

· Genuine salvation involves a new creation that is entirely God’s doing.

· Genuine salvation inevitably results in a life of good works.

· God prepared these works before He saved us.

· Although God sovereignly ordained these good works before time began, we are responsible to walk in them.

Works cannot save us... but, once assured of our own salvation, our lives become eternally meaningful when expended in service to the Great Commission, and our attention to that imperative will be commended and compensated by the Lord Jesus, upon His return to establish His Kingdom.

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