Grace, Humility, and Eternal Rewards in God's Kingdom
Summary
The sermon begins with a discussion on the concept of salvation and rewards in the kingdom of God. The speaker emphasizes that salvation is not earned through merit or the length of time one serves God. Instead, all who serve, regardless of the duration, receive the same eternal life and entrance into the kingdom of God. The speaker also mentions the possibility of additional rewards beyond eternal life, such as the crown of life mentioned in the scriptures. The speaker then discusses the concept of works and their significance in relation to the foundation of the gospel. Our works will be revealed and tested on Judgment Day, and those that survive will receive a reward, while those that are burned up will result in loss. The speaker encourages the audience to strive for works that have eternal value, such as the fruits of the spirit.
The speaker then discusses a conversation between Jesus and a man who asks how to inherit eternal life. Jesus challenges the man to be perfect and suggests that he should sell everything and follow Him. The disciples are astonished and wonder how anyone can attain eternal life if it is so difficult. Jesus reassures them that they will receive a hundredfold reward and eternal life. This leads into a parable about laborers and a denarius, which the speaker will discuss further.
The speaker then discusses the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus teaches his disciples about humility and servanthood during the Last Supper, emphasizing that the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven must be the least. However, immediately after this teaching, James and John's mother approaches Jesus and asks if her sons can have the best positions in heaven. This angers the other disciples, leading to bickering and a sense of superiority. The speaker suggests that this bickering about greatness is a common trait of the human condition, stemming from insecurity and a lack of faith in Jesus' love and acceptance.
The speaker then discusses the parable of the workers in the vineyard. The speaker emphasizes the extraordinary generosity of the master who chooses to give all the workers, regardless of the length of their service, a denarius, which represents eternal life. The speaker highlights that it doesn't matter if someone entered the kingdom of God at the last hour or served for 40 years, they will still receive the same reward. The speaker emphasizes the concept of God's sovereign grace, explaining that God is in control and chooses to be generous and kind to everyone who accepts it, regardless of their merit.
The speaker concludes by discussing the importance of having the right attitude and motive in our actions. They suggest that some things we do may appear good on the surface but will ultimately be burned up because our heart motive is wrong. On the other hand, there may be things we do that don't seem significant but have an eternal consequence because they are done with the right spirit, such as love. The speaker encourages the audience not to feel shame but to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any wrong attitudes in their hearts and cleanse them from it.
Key Takeaways:
- Salvation is not earned through merit or the length of time one serves God. All who serve, regardless of the duration, receive the same eternal life and entrance into the kingdom of God. There may be additional rewards beyond eternal life, such as the crown of life mentioned in the scriptures. ([21:16])
- Our works will be revealed and tested on Judgment Day, and those that survive will receive a reward, while those that are burned up will result in loss. We should strive for works that have eternal value, such as the fruits of the spirit. ([23:55])
- The greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven must be the least. This teaching of Jesus emphasizes humility and servanthood. However, the desire for greatness is a common trait of the human condition, stemming from insecurity and a lack of faith in Jesus' love and acceptance. ([49:32])
- God's sovereign grace is extraordinary. It doesn't matter if someone entered the kingdom of God at the last hour or served for 40 years, they will still receive the same reward. God is in control and chooses to be generous and kind to everyone who accepts it, regardless of their merit. ([07:36])
- The right attitude and motive in our actions are crucial. Some things we do may appear good on the surface but will ultimately be burned up because our heart motive is wrong. On the other hand, there may be things we do that don't seem significant but have an eternal consequence because they are done with the right spirit, such as love. ([30:06])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 20:1-16 - Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard
2. Matthew 19:16-30 - The Rich Young Man
3. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 - Works Tested by Fire
#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, what did the master promise to pay the workers, regardless of when they started working? (Matthew 20:1-16)
2. How did the rich young man respond when Jesus told him to sell his possessions and follow Him? (Matthew 19:22)
3. According to 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, what will happen to our works on Judgment Day?
4. What was the reaction of the disciples when James and John's mother asked Jesus for special positions for her sons? [18:36]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus used the parable of the laborers in the vineyard to explain the Kingdom of Heaven? What does this parable teach us about God's grace and generosity? (Matthew 20:1-16)
2. How does the story of the rich young man challenge our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus? (Matthew 19:16-30)
3. What does it mean for our works to be tested by fire, and how should this influence the way we live our lives? (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)
4. How does the disciples' reaction to James and John's mother's request reflect common human insecurities and desires for greatness? [19:14]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. Have you ever felt envious or resentful when others received the same reward as you for seemingly less effort? How can you cultivate a heart that rejoices in God's generosity? (Matthew 20:1-16)
2. The rich young man struggled to give up his possessions to follow Jesus. Is there something in your life that you find difficult to surrender to God? What steps can you take to trust Him more fully? (Matthew 19:22)
3. Considering that our works will be tested by fire, what are some practical ways you can ensure that your actions have eternal value? How can you focus more on the fruits of the Spirit in your daily life? (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)
4. The disciples argued about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. How do you handle feelings of insecurity or the desire for recognition in your own life? What can you do to remind yourself of Jesus' love and acceptance? [19:14]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of having the right attitude and motive in our actions. Can you identify a recent action that seemed good on the surface but may have been driven by the wrong motive? How can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to purify your heart? [27:07]
6. Jesus taught that the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven must be the least. How can you practice humility and servanthood in your relationships and community? What specific actions can you take this week to serve others selflessly? [18:36]
7. Reflect on the concept of God's sovereign grace. How does understanding that salvation is not earned but given freely by God's grace change the way you view your relationship with Him and others? [07:36]
Devotional
Day 1: The Grace of Salvation
God's salvation is not a reward for our merit or the length of our service to Him. It is a gift freely given to all who believe, regardless of how long they have served. The promise of eternal life and entrance into the kingdom of God is the same for all, and there may be additional rewards beyond eternal life, such as the crown of life mentioned in the scriptures. [21:16]
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of salvation. Do you sometimes find yourself trying to earn it through good works or long service? How can you remind yourself daily that it is a gift from God?
Day 2: The Value of Eternal Works
Our works will be revealed and tested on Judgment Day. Those that survive will receive a reward, while those that are burned up will result in loss. We are encouraged to strive for works that have eternal value, such as the fruits of the spirit. [23:55]
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 - "Their 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 person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward."
Reflection: What are some works you are currently engaged in? Do they have eternal value? How can you align your actions more with the fruits of the spirit?
Day 3: The Humility of Greatness
In the Kingdom of Heaven, the greatest must be the least. This teaching of Jesus emphasizes humility and servanthood. However, the desire for greatness is a common trait of the human condition, stemming from insecurity and a lack of faith in Jesus' love and acceptance. [49:32]
Matthew 20:26-28 - "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Reflection: Reflect on your desire for greatness. How can you cultivate a spirit of humility and servanthood in your daily life?
Day 4: The Sovereign Grace of God
God's sovereign grace is extraordinary. It doesn't matter if someone entered the kingdom of God at the last hour or served for 40 years, they will still receive the same reward. God is in control and chooses to be generous and kind to everyone who accepts it, regardless of their merit. [07:36]
Romans 9:15-16 - "For he says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy."
Reflection: How do you perceive God's sovereign grace in your life? Can you identify areas where you need to surrender control and trust in His generosity and kindness?
Day 5: The Importance of Right Motives
The right attitude and motive in our actions are crucial. Some things we do may appear good on the surface but will ultimately be burned up because our heart motive is wrong. On the other hand, there may be things we do that don't seem significant but have an eternal consequence because they are done with the right spirit, such as love. [30:06]
1 Corinthians 4:5 - "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God."
Reflection: Reflect on your motives behind your actions. Are they driven by love and the right spirit? How can you ensure your actions align with your heart's motives?
Quotes
1. "The day will disclose it because it will be revealed by fire and the fire will test what sort of work each one of us has done if the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives he will receive a reward if anyone's work is burned up he will suffer loss though he himself will be saved but only as through fire."
2. "But also I pray that we will also have treasure that will last forever because it is eternal we know the fruit of the spirit is eternal etal that's a personal thing that happens in us as we change and we go from glory to glory the fruits of the spirit grow in us love joy peace patience kindness goodness self-control that will last forever your character your pure character will last forever that will be a reward you get to keep."
3. "I bet there'll be stuff that we do that um doesn't look that great but it will have an eternal consequence it will affect somebody it was done with the right Spirit from the fruit of the spirit and it will affect someone with love and love is God I don't just mean some trivial thing I mean like the spirit of love which is God we'll just have that Spirit coming out of us and we'll say something to somebody or will smile or do something and it has some knock on effect that lasts forever and somehow we can have a reward don't know what it will look like but it will last forever."
4. "It's not a matter of whether you get in or not but it's a matter of heart motive and having a purity that allows your Works to se SE for eternity and it's not just about whether you get rewarded ultimately it'll be Jesus's reward because everything you do that forever will be an inheritance to Jesus which therefore becomes an inheritance to you."
5. "You're not saved by merit...you all get the same eternal life...what more do you want...if we do I don't know how this works but we get some kind of reward over and above eternal life that's amazing we don't deserve it."
6. "It doesn't matter if you came into the kingdom in the last hour or if you came in at the beginning of the day... it doesn't matter if you've served in My Kingdom for 40 years or if you've just like the thief on the cross have given your life to me, it doesn't matter, you'll still get a Denarius, you'll still get into the party of parties."
7. "This is the epitome of The Human Condition everywhere you go... there's this human condition that we think if I could be the best Jesus would like me more... I will somehow have better reward... I'm going to strive for that."
8. "The land owner represents God the vineyard is the kingdom of God or it's the sphere of his influence it's where he's in charge the laborers they're the workers they're the Believers they're the people who come into the service of the king in his Kingdom the day of work is their life."
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