As we begin this last message on commitment we need to be reminded of what it means to be committed. COMMITMENT is “an agreement, a pledge to do something in the future. It is the state of being obligated." So, “ to commit” has the idea of a duty, or a responsibility - faithfulness. As it has pertained to these messages, “commitment” refers to obligating ourselves to Christ and to the will of God without hesitation and without reservation. And I will say again that I believe lack of commitment is the key reason more is not being done for the Lord Jesus Christ today. We have examined Christ’s call to commitment and seen how it involves our worship, this church, God’s Word, and sharing Christ, etc. With this message I want us to look at the rewards of our commitment to Christ. While rewards should not be our primary motive for serving God, it is good to know that He will reward us for faithful service that is performed out of a heart of love for Him. God’s rewards are referred to in several different ways in the Bible. In Matthew 6:19-20 Jesus uses the word “treasure.” “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . . ” In I Corinthians 3:12-13 Paul seems to refer to the value of our rewarded labors by using the terms “gold, silver, and precious stones.” The New Testament speaks of “crowns,” or rewards we may receive for faithful service of God. Now, before we get too far let’s understand that one’s salvation is NOT a reward. A REWARD is “something given in return for good done or received and especially that is offered or given for some service or attainment.” The lost sinner does not and cannot “live a life good enough” to cause God to one day “reward” him with eternal life. Many believe that in the end God is going to put our good works on one side of the scale and our “bad works” on the other, and whichever weighs the most will determine where we will spend eternity. THAT IS NOT SO! Even our “works of righteousness” (or that we consider righteous) are not sufficient to save. Titus 3:5-6: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour . . . ” Salvation is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.” It is not possible for one to do enough good works to earn Heaven. If it were possible for salvation to be earned by works, Jesus died in vain -- Galatians 2:21: “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." If one could earn salvation by his/her works, the death of Jesus was the most unnecessary death ever. Salvation is a gift based on what Jesus did on Calvary, not what we do, and when a lost person repents toward God and trusts Christ that gift becomes his. But, whatever you call them, God has blessings to give to His faithful children in this life and in the life to come.

I. FIRST -- NEGATIVELY -- REWARDS FOR (CONSEQUENCES OF) DISOBEDIENCE.

II. POSITIVELY -- PRESENT BLESSINGS OF COMMITMENT.

III. FUTURE REWARDS FOR COMMITMENT.