Experiencing God's Rewards: A Journey of Delight
Summary
In the early chapters of Genesis, we find the story of Eden, a place of abundance, delight, and reward. The Hebrew meaning of Eden reflects luxuriance and delight, and God repeatedly calls His creation "good." This narrative reveals God's nature as one who loves to create rewarding experiences. In Eden, God provided beauty, sustenance, and meaningful work, illustrating His desire to reward His creation. This concept of reward is not just about material gain but about experiencing the fullness of life and joy in God's presence.
The formation of habits is deeply tied to the concept of reward. As Charles Duhigg explains, habits are formed through a loop of cue, response, and reward. This principle is evident in our daily lives, from learning to eat as infants to mastering complex skills as adults. God, as the ultimate designer, understands the power of reward in shaping our lives and spiritual journeys.
C.S. Lewis offers profound insights into the nature of rewards, distinguishing between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. Intrinsic rewards, such as love and the joy of learning, align with our true nature and purpose. In contrast, extrinsic rewards, like wealth or reputation, are unsustainable and often misaligned with our deeper desires. Lewis challenges us to seek the infinite joy God offers, rather than settling for lesser pleasures.
Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes that to please God, we must believe in His existence and His nature as a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him. This reward is not about material possessions but about the joy of knowing God, experiencing His love, and living in His truth. Jesus, in Revelation 22, promises that His reward is with Him, inviting us to find fulfillment in His presence.
To make our lives rewarding, we must seek God with the belief that He desires to reward us with His presence, love, and joy. Simple practices, like enjoying a cup of coffee during prayer or appreciating the beauty of creation, can enhance our experience of God. By engaging in acts of giving and genuine connection with others, we align ourselves with God's rewarding nature. This day, like any other, can be deeply rewarding if we choose to seek God and believe in His goodness.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Nature as a Rewarder: God delights in creating rewarding experiences for His creation, as seen in the story of Eden. This reflects His nature as a loving and generous Creator who desires to bless us with beauty, sustenance, and meaningful work. Understanding this aspect of God's character can transform how we perceive our relationship with Him. [01:47]
2. The Power of Habit and Reward: Habits are formed through a cycle of cue, response, and reward. This principle, designed by God, is evident in our daily lives and spiritual growth. Recognizing the role of reward in habit formation can help us cultivate practices that draw us closer to God and align with His purposes. [03:20]
3. Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Rewards: C.S. Lewis distinguishes between intrinsic rewards, which align with our true nature, and extrinsic rewards, which are often unsustainable. Seeking intrinsic rewards, such as love and joy, leads to a more fulfilling and spiritually aligned life. This insight challenges us to pursue what truly matters. [05:03]
4. Belief in God's Rewarding Nature: Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes the importance of believing in God's existence and His nature as a rewarder. This belief is foundational to experiencing the joy and fulfillment that come from a relationship with God. It invites us to seek Him earnestly, trusting in His goodness. [07:20]
5. Practical Ways to Experience God's Rewards: Simple practices, like enjoying a cup of coffee during prayer or appreciating creation, can enhance our experience of God. Acts of giving and genuine connection with others align us with God's rewarding nature, making each day an opportunity for spiritual enrichment. [09:10]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:17] - Introduction to Eden
- [01:47] - God's Rewarding Creation
- [02:34] - Meaningful Work in Eden
- [02:49] - The Habit Loop
- [03:33] - Learning and Reward
- [04:33] - C.S. Lewis on Rewards
- [05:49] - Loving God and Torah
- [06:26] - Infinite Joy Offered
- [07:04] - Belief in God's Rewards
- [07:49] - Joy of God's Presence
- [08:19] - Eden as a Place of Delight
- [09:10] - Practical Ways to Experience God
- [09:56] - The Reward of Giving
- [10:49] - Beginning a Rewarding Day
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 2:8-15
2. Hebrews 11:6
3. Revelation 22:12
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Observation Questions:
1. In the Genesis account of Eden, what specific elements are described as rewarding or delightful? How do these elements reflect God's nature as a creator of rewarding experiences? [01:31]
2. According to Hebrews 11:6, what are the two essential beliefs required to please God? How does this verse emphasize God's nature as a rewarder? [07:04]
3. In the sermon, how is the concept of habit formation explained through the cycle of cue, response, and reward? What role does God play in this process? [03:05]
4. How does Revelation 22:12 describe Jesus' promise of reward? What does this imply about the nature of the rewards He offers? [07:49]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Eden illustrate God's desire to provide not just material rewards but also spiritual and emotional fulfillment? [01:47]
2. What is the significance of distinguishing between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, as discussed by C.S. Lewis? How might this distinction affect one's spiritual journey? [05:03]
3. How does the belief in God's rewarding nature, as emphasized in Hebrews 11:6, influence a person's approach to seeking God? [07:20]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that simple daily practices can enhance one's experience of God's rewards? How might these practices align with the concept of intrinsic rewards? [09:10]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current habits. Are there any that you believe God might want you to change or develop to draw closer to Him? How can you incorporate the cue-response-reward cycle to support this change? [03:20]
2. Consider the intrinsic rewards in your life, such as love and joy. How can you prioritize these over extrinsic rewards like wealth or reputation in your daily decisions? [05:20]
3. Hebrews 11:6 speaks of earnestly seeking God. What specific steps can you take this week to seek God more earnestly, believing in His rewarding nature? [07:20]
4. The sermon mentions enjoying a cup of coffee during prayer as a way to enhance the experience of God's presence. What simple practice can you incorporate into your routine to make your time with God more rewarding? [09:10]
5. Think about a recent act of giving or connection with others. How did it align with God's rewarding nature, and how did it impact your sense of fulfillment? [10:16]
6. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's presence as deeply rewarding. What circumstances or actions led to that experience, and how can you recreate it in your current life? [08:19]
7. Identify one area of your life where you feel a lack of reward or fulfillment. How can you invite God into that area, trusting in His desire to reward you with His presence and love? [10:49]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Generous Nature as a Rewarder
God's nature is revealed in the story of Eden, where He created a world filled with abundance, beauty, and meaningful work. This reflects His desire to provide rewarding experiences for His creation. The Hebrew meaning of Eden, which signifies luxuriance and delight, underscores God's intention to bless us with more than just material gain. Instead, He offers the fullness of life and joy in His presence. Understanding this aspect of God's character can transform how we perceive our relationship with Him, inviting us to trust in His goodness and generosity. [01:47]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: How can you open your heart today to experience the fullness of joy that God offers in His presence?
Day 2: The Habit Loop and Spiritual Growth
Habits are formed through a cycle of cue, response, and reward, a principle evident in both our daily lives and spiritual journeys. This cycle, designed by God, plays a crucial role in shaping our behaviors and spiritual growth. By recognizing the power of reward in habit formation, we can cultivate practices that draw us closer to God and align with His purposes. Whether it's through prayer, meditation, or acts of service, these habits can help us experience the rewards of a deeper relationship with God. [03:20]
Proverbs 4:26-27 (ESV): "Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."
Reflection: What is one habit you can start today that will help you grow closer to God and align with His purposes?
Day 3: Intrinsic Rewards and True Fulfillment
C.S. Lewis distinguishes between intrinsic rewards, which align with our true nature, and extrinsic rewards, which are often unsustainable. Intrinsic rewards, such as love and the joy of learning, lead to a more fulfilling and spiritually aligned life. This insight challenges us to pursue what truly matters, rather than settling for lesser pleasures. By seeking the infinite joy that God offers, we can find true fulfillment and purpose in our lives. [05:03]
Ecclesiastes 2:26 (ESV): "For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God."
Reflection: What intrinsic reward can you pursue today that aligns with your true nature and brings you closer to God?
Day 4: Belief in God's Rewarding Nature
Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes the importance of believing in God's existence and His nature as a rewarder. This belief is foundational to experiencing the joy and fulfillment that come from a relationship with God. By earnestly seeking Him and trusting in His goodness, we open ourselves to the rewards of His presence, love, and truth. This belief invites us to live with a sense of purpose and hope, knowing that God desires to bless us abundantly. [07:20]
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord."
Reflection: How can you deepen your belief in God's rewarding nature today, and what steps can you take to seek Him with all your heart?
Day 5: Practical Ways to Experience God's Rewards
Simple practices, like enjoying a cup of coffee during prayer or appreciating the beauty of creation, can enhance our experience of God. By engaging in acts of giving and genuine connection with others, we align ourselves with God's rewarding nature. Each day presents an opportunity for spiritual enrichment if we choose to seek God and believe in His goodness. These practices help us experience the rewards of His presence, love, and joy in our daily lives. [09:10]
1 Timothy 6:18-19 (ESV): "They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
Reflection: What simple practice can you incorporate into your day today to experience God's presence and align with His rewarding nature?
Quotes
In those early chapters of Genesis, this place called Eden, and it was a very rewarding place to live. Folks that are scholars in the language of Hebrew say that Eden itself means something like luxuriant or abundant or delightful. Over and over again, we see in that first chapter the word good popping up. God loves to create rewarding objects, rewarding experiences, rewarding moments. [00:01:23]
God is a God who loves to reward. If you were with me, I don't know, several months ago, we were talking about habits and the power of habits in life. Reward is indispensable for habit formation, and of course, God's the one that designed this. Charles Duhigg says the habit loop consists essentially at its core of these three dynamics: there is a cue, you see something, something stimulates, oh yeah, I want this, and then there is a response, you engage in some kind of behavior, and then there is a reward. [00:02:49]
C.S. Lewis wrote wonderful thoughts about this topic of reward, both in his book "The Problem of Pain" and in his essay "The Weight of Glory." He notes there's two different kinds of rewards. You might think of an intrinsic reward and extrinsic reward. If you marry somebody for their money, that's an extrinsic reward. It doesn't really fit with the behavior, but if you marry them for love, then marriage is the natural reward that goes with loving somebody. [00:04:39]
Back in the day in Israel, rabbis wanted young people to love God and love Torah, God's word. So when they would teach Torah, sometimes they would put honey in the mouths of those little children who were learning. Taste and see that the Lord is good. You are made to experience God in a deeply rewarding way. [00:05:42]
Lewis writes in "The Weight of Glory," if we consider the staggering number of rewards in the gospel and the unblushing nature of them, it seems that God doesn't consider our desires too strong but too weak. He says we are like little children making mud pies in the slum because we cannot conceive of the offer of a holiday at the seashore. [00:06:09]
Hebrews 11:6, it's impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. If you're going to come to God, you must believe that there is God, obviously, otherwise, I'm not going to come. But you also must believe that God is a rewarder of those who seek him. [00:06:56]
Jesus says in Revelation 22, I think it's verse 12, I come now and my reward is with me, my reward is at hand. The reality is if I do not experience being with God as a deeply rewarding thing, I will never be able to sustain it. I can't sustain it just on the basis of feeling guilty if I don't do it or feeling obligated. [00:07:43]
Eden is a place of delight. It is a rewarding place to be. God is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek him with the best of all possible rewards, with love and joy and goodness and beauty and truth and courage and most of all, God himself. [00:08:19]
What will it take to make this a rewarding day, and how can you make your experience of God a rewarding thing? It might be very, very simple. This is a little bit embarrassing, but usually in the mornings when I go to talk to God, I will do it with a cup of good strong coffee because I just love coffee in the morning. [00:08:46]
Stop and smell the roses. Now, what happens when you smell a rose? You experience its goodness. Beauty is goodness made manifest to the senses, Dallas used to say, to the eye and to the nose. Then I am rewarded when I stop and do that today. Listen to a piece of music, music that you love. [00:09:36]
Giving comes with its own rewards if we simply stop and connect the dots. This day, this day is not going to be a perfect day, that's for sure. It most likely will not be an easy day, so don't bother looking for that. But I'll tell you what, this day can be as rewarding as any day you have ever lived. [00:10:25]
You can seek after God. It just takes two things: believing that God exists, and if you're not sure, just thinking there's a good possibility, and then to believe he is a rewarder. He is a rewarder. Our God is a rewarder. God loves to reward. God wants to reward you. [00:10:49]
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