Here is a little sneak peek of our Bible study tonight:
Bema Seat:
Know as the Judgment seat of Christ, is seen clearly in 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Romans 14:10 and 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. This judgment will be only for believers—not to decide salvation—but to reward love, obedience, and devotion.
Christ as Judge:
John 5:22, Acts 10:42-43, 17:31, Romans 14:9, 1 Peter 4:5
God ties His character to the process of rewards:
Romans 2:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Colossians 3:23-25; Hebrews 6:10, 11:6.
Numerous Scriptural encouragements to consider rewards:
Matthew 5:11-12; 19; 46; 6:1-6; 16-21; 10:40-42; 16:26-27; 18:3-4; 19:20-21; 27-30; Mark 9:33-35; 41; 10:21; 42-45; Luke 6:22-24; 35; 12:33-34; 16:2; 18:22; Galatians 6:9-10; Ephesians 6:8; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Hebrews 10:34-36; Revelation 14:13, 22:12
Criteria of rewards:
1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Matthew 10:41-42, John 4:23-24, John 14:15
Some areas of faithfulness God promises to reward:
Work of Gods kingdom/Discipleship—Matthew 10:41-42
Use of material goods—2 Cor. 9:6, 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Striving as an athlete(are we serious or lax?)—1 Corinthians 9:24-25, 15:58, Philippians 3:13-14
Use of spiritual gifts—1 Peter 4:10
Testimony—James 3:1, Hebrews 13:17, Daniel 12:3
Sufferings—Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Matthew 5:11-12, Hebrews 11:38
Rewards:
Crowns—Revelation 3:11
Crown of life—James 1:12, Revelation 2:10
Crown of righteousness—2 Timothy 4:8
Crown of glory—1 Peter 5:4
Crown of rejoicing—1 Thessalonians 2:19
Incorruptible crown—1 Corinthians 9:25
Eating of the tree of life, or hidden mana—Revelation 2:7 &17
New names/white stone with a new name—Revelation 2:17, 3:12
Places of service—Revelation 3:12
Responsibility/Authority—Luke 12:42-44, Matthew 25: 21 & 29, Revelation 2:26-27, 3:21
Praise—Matthew 25:21, 8:38, Luke 9:26, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Peter 1:7
Glory—Matthew 13:43, Romans 2:10, 1 Corinthians 15:40-41, Revelation 3:5, Daniel 12:3
God Himself—Revelation 2:28, Genesis 15:1, John 17:3
Reality of Loss for those who Ignore Rewards:
1 Corinthians 3:15, 9:24 & 27; Matthew 6:1-2; 4-5; 16; Galatians 2:2; Philippians 2:16; Colossians 2:18; 2 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:28; 2 John 8
Hence, we should live for heavenly rewards because:
1) They are a sign of God’s love and pleasure. The crown on our head is a physical expression of His pleasure. Rewards are the joy of His joy.
2) They bring God glory as eternal memorials of His work—John 15:8. We will view our rewards with the same ownership as Moses did the parting of the Red Sea! It’s all about Him!
3) They are better stewardship of our real heavenly lives, home, citizenship, and treasure—Matthew 6:19-21
4) They are the reality of God’s true and eternal pleasures which if we ignore we are left with only the false and temporal enjoyment of worldly and sinful pleasures.
These lists are by no means exhaustive and there are many other Scriptures to look at and find. Enjoy!