Several weeks now, we have been pondering what the Bible teaches about heaven. And I haven't intended to be exhaustive, but only suggestive in this series to which sermons yet may be added in the future. Now today in our last study, I wish to address the commonly asked question, does the Bible teach a doctrine of eternal rewards? And if so, what is the criteria for receiving rewards? Do all Christians receive the same rewards? And is it wrong to seek rewards? Well, those are some of the questions that we're seeking to answer this morning. And let's just dive right in to the first question. Will Christians be rewarded according to their works? Now, as we come to this question, let us once seek the face of God. Our Father, we wouldn't dare to open your Word unless you fill us with your Spirit. Lord, we would open the inscripturated Word, but we would ask for the Spirit of the incarnate Word. that we might behold wondrous things out of your law, and this preacher might show himself to be a workman approved, that I wouldn't fall into error on the left or the right, but cut a straight course through the holy scriptures. So help me to preach, help all of us to hear the word this day, indeed, to embrace the truth as it is in Jesus. For we pray these things in his name, amen. Will Christians be rewarded according to their works? Well, brethren, the Bible simply teaches, and the short answer is this, is that how we live today impacts not only our present life, but also our life to come, either for our eternal happiness or eternal misery. And we saw that in the 25th chapter of Matthew's gospel, did we not? So let that thought that how we live today impacts tomorrow and the things that we do in this life impacts the life to come. Let that truth sink into your hearts. Galatians 6 verses 7 and 8. Do not be deceived. And the apostle assumes that we can be deceived in this matter. Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, this he also will reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption. But the one who sows to the spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life. Right now we are sowing, one day we will be reaping. This text warns us against being deceived in this most important matter. Each person alive will receive from God a reward of eternal life or of eternal corruption, depending upon the manner of his life lived in this world. In this, God will not be mocked. Each person will receive after death what he or she deserves. You see, what the Bible teaches is that what we sow in time, we reap in eternity. Now ponder with me the massive implications of this truth. We don't cease to exist when we die. No, we will be there before God to receive rewards. Jesus says of one man, it would have been better if he'd never been born. And certainly that will be true of many, especially those to whom much was given, much will be required. And we saw that in the parable of the man who took what was given to him and he buried it rather than investing it. We have an appointment with God that we cannot escape. We will stand before our heavenly judge on the great day and he will reward us according to our works in this life. And how we live today determines what kind of reward we will receive on that fearful day. Revelation 22 and verse 12. Behold, I am coming and my reward is with me to render to every man according to what he has done. Jesus emphasized this sober truth in some of his parables, as we have recently seen in our study of the parables. The parables of the wheat and the tares and the dragnet teach that judgment day is coming. And on that day, wheat will be separated from weeds and good fish from bad fish, picturing heaven for some and hell for others. in his parables of the minus and the talents Jesus teaches that those who invest their God-given gifts and use their opportunities for the promotion of his kingdom in this world will receive a reward proportionate to their faithfulness when he returns. But those who bury their gifts or squander their opportunities will suffer eternal harm being cast away into eternal misery. Let us be sure that Jesus sees and records every act. You children, you know, be careful little eyes what you see. Be careful little ears what you hear. And we big people need to remember that too. God sees everything. He records everything. He forgets nothing. He teaches that a seeming insignificant service done in His name and for the benefit of His people will not go unrewarded. Jesus says in another place, similar to what he says in Matthew chapter 25, whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. Giving a mere cup of cold water to a thirsty brother or sister in Christ. God sees that and he will reward it. Jesus promises a great heavenly reward to Christians that show love to those who hate and persecute them. Luke chapter 6, verses 22 and 23. Blessed are you when men hate you and ostracize you and cast insults at you and spurn your name as evil for the sake of the Son of Man, because of your association with me. Blessed are you even now, but there's gonna be greater blessing yet in the future. All those negative things will turn to positive benefits and blessings. Be glad in that day and leap for joy. For behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way, their fathers used to treat the prophets. And that shows that you're in good company when the people of the world treat you like the wicked did the prophets. It portends blessings in the future. God even views us in the workplace. And do you know that? He's going to reward us or not reward us according to our faithfulness and our ordinary vocations. Our secular employment matters to God and is a criteria for reward. He will reward or punish professing Christian workers, not just in this life, but also for eternity, depending how we serve him in our secular vocations. This should be a wake-up call for every one of us who has a clock to punch or leads employees. Colossians 3, verses 23 through 25. Whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men." We're to work as if we were serving the Lord, that He, if He was our boss, what kind of service would we render to Him if He was the one for whom we are working? Knowing that from the Lord, not from your boss, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance if you work heartily as for the Lord. Why? It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality, not just our bosses, our human bosses, but from the Lord at the end. Well, certainly this dignifies work, does it not? As we realize the one we're working for and the one for whom we will receive eternal reward regarding our faithfulness in our secular vocations in this life. Christian employees or employers that consciously serve Christ in their work are promised an eternal reward. It's the reward of the inheritance. But to those who fail to serve Christ, who do wrong will face fearful consequences. Some may not receive the reward of the inheritance. How we live today impacts eternity. So will Christians be rewarded according to their works? The answer to that is yes. Secondly, so that we don't get the wrong idea, are Christians saved by their works? That we are rewarded according to our works, and we need to hear this well, in no way suggests that we are saved by our works. Salvation by works is the lie of all pagan religions and of every form of counterfeit Christianity, that you're saved by Christ and you're also saved by what you do. Our works may damn us, but they can never save us. The gospel of God's grace is clear, it's unambiguous, We are saved from our sin only because of what God has done for sinners by Jesus Christ. His righteous life and His atoning death purchase our salvation. You see, we are saved by works, not by our works, but are saved by His works and His works alone. Our works contribute absolutely nothing to our salvation. His works are perfect. Ours are filled with sin. May the Lord burn this conviction deep into our souls. Many texts plainly and powerfully teach that we are saved by God's grace alone and not by our works. And I choose but a few from many that we could look at. Ephesians, I don't have these in your notes because I just didn't have room for them. Ephesians, you can write them down. Don't have time probably to look them up. Ephesians 2, 8 through 10. For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God. And if you have any doubt what he's saying, not as a result of works that no one should boast, for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works. We're created for good works. We're not saved by good works, but we're saved for good works, for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Second Timothy one in verse nine. who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was granted us, there's grace, in Christ Jesus from all eternity. Titus 3, verses five through seven. He saved us not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 1 Corinthians 1 in verse 30. But by his doing, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. It's all of Christ. Paul goes on to say, let him who glories, he who boasts, boast in the Lord. Don't boast in yourself. We have nothing to boast of. Romans 4, verse 5. but to the one who does not work, that is, try to work for his salvation, but to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. Now, if we think that we are saved by our good works or any religious rituals, by coming to church, by going to Sunday school, by reading our Bibles, by praying, by taking the Lord's table, by sitting underneath preaching, all of these things are good, but they don't save us from our sins. We should be doing them as right. So if we think that we're saved by good works or religious rituals, by anything we may do or hope to be, we show that we are yet dead in our sins. The testimony, the hope and the conviction of a true Christian is that salvation is of the Lord and only of the Lord. Salvation is received by the empty hand of faith. It is not and it cannot be earned. Paul warns any who think that they have earned God's favor by their works. First Corinthians four and verse seven. For who regards you as superior? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? Salvation is a gift that we receive. We go terribly wrong if we fail to understand this crucial distinction. We are saved by Christ's works and by Christ's works alone, but we are rewarded for our good works after salvation. But brethren, even our good works cannot be done without Christ's assistance. Jesus said, apart from me, what? You can do nothing. and even the good that God enables us to do, it's only our duty to be done. Therefore, we don't merit our rewards. They are all gifts of His grace. Do you remember what Jesus said in Luke 17 and verse 10? So you too, when you have done all the things which are commanded you, can any of us say that we've done all the things that God has commanded of us? We have done everything? No. So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, we are unworthy slaves. The ones that have done everything that was commanded said, we are unworthy slaves. We have not done only that which we ought to have done. See, there's no room for our patting ourselves on the back. And one more word under this point, Jesus warns us against doing good, good works to be honored by men. You remember chapter six, Matthew, that if you give charitably or if you pray or if you fast, that you do it to be seen of men. What did Jesus say to those that do these good works to be seen of men? Jesus said, truly, I say to you, these ones, they have their reward in full. They have the reward from the honor of men. They don't have an eternal reward in being honored by God. God does not reward self-glorifying works of piety. Third question, how does God reward a Christian's good works? Let's think about the God who rewards a Christian's good works. There's a text in Deuteronomy chapter 32 and verse 4 that says this, speaking of God, the rock, his work is perfect. For all his ways are just. You see, all of God's ways are an outworking of his character. His work is perfect. All his ways are just. A God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is he. This is the God who does the rewarding. Because God is righteous, he will bestow his rewards upon men both impartially and equitably. That is, he will show no favoritism toward any, but will be equitable toward all when judging and rewarding each person for their works in this life. So both Paul and Peter teach. So Peter teaches about God's impartiality and judgment and Paul of God's impartiality and bestowing rewards. First Peter one in verse seven. And if you address as father the one who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during your time, the time of your stay upon earth. God is one who is going to impartially judge each man's work. With that in mind, conduct yourselves in the fear of God. Romans chapter two, verses six through eight and verse 11. Speaking of God who will render to every man according to his deeds, to those who by perseverance in doing good, seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath, and indignation. Verse 11, for there is no partiality with God. That word partiality there means God doesn't know any man by his face. He's not impressed by men. Jesus tells us that each person is known by his fruits. Our works therefore advertise our spiritual condition. The quality of our works indicate whether we are Christians or not, and these fruits predict our eternal reward. Think about it. God rewarded Judas differently than he did Peter and Paul than Demas. We instinctively concur with differing rewards, agreeing that God is righteous who gave to these men what each one deserved. Brethren, let us be thankful that our God is not capricious. He's just. We can always trust Him to be the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Almighty would not be righteous if He called evil good and good evil. He will not justify the wicked, nor will He condemn the righteous. The judge of all the earth always does what is right, and this will be evident on judgment day. We may depend upon our righteous God, not only to judge impartially, but also to reward equitably. That is, he will give each person what his works deserve. He will give the wicked what their wicked works deserve, and he will give the righteous what their righteous works deserve, as they are performed by the grace and for the glory of Christ. In other words, the wicked will be rewarded for their works on the basis of strict justice. The righteous will be rewarded for their works on the basis of their gracious acceptance in Jesus Christ. Some Christians believe that all heavenly rewards will be equally, but not equitably distributed. That is that each Christian will receive the same reward no matter how he or she has lived in this life. Now, from one perspective, that is blessedly true. And from another, it is seriously wrong. Let me explain. The main lesson of the parable of the landowner, who hires laborers at different times of the day and then pays them all the same wage at the end of the day, no matter how long they worked, teaches that God is free to do as he wills with what is his own. Regarding salvation. It teaches that God calls people to saving faith at different stages of life, but he grants each one the same salvation in Christ. All are equally saved no matter when they come to Christ. All are ushered safely to glory. But an equal share in the saving grace of God does not translate into an equal share of heavenly rewards. Equality in saving grace does not demand equality in eternal rewards. God would not be righteous if he granted the same heavenly reward to all Christians in spite of their differences in faithfulness and fruitfulness. No, we would say on that day, Lord, you're not being fair. And we would be right, but it'll never happen. So Jesus teaches in his parables of the minas and the pounds. God rewards Christians fairly according to their labors. So Paul teaches. Each one of us will be judged and rewarded according to our deeds. Second Corinthians five and verse 10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Do you hear the same refrain coming up again and again? Turn, if you would, to 1 Corinthians 3. I don't think I included these in your notes. Paul here is referring especially to pastors. But this principle of bearing rewards also applies generally to all Christians. 1 Corinthians 3, verse 10. According to the grace of God, which was given to me, as a wise master builder, I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. He's talking about the building of Christ's church, individual local churches in particular. The Corinthian church was the work of the apostle Paul in its beginning, and now it's continuing. Others are building onto the foundation that he has laid. but let each man be careful how he builds upon it." I came to this church 16 years ago. A foundation had been laid in Christ by Pastor Chansky. And now I'm coming to take over what he had brought up to a certain point, and I am to build upon it. But notice what Paul says in verse 11. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Christ. Now, if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident, for the day will show it. Because it is to be revealed with fire, the fire of God's judgment, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, yet as through fire. We can't spend any time on this text because I'm just using it to illustrate our theme today, and that is good works and the reward of good works. But notice that the works of pastors in their ministerial labors and by way of inference, the works of all Christians will be scrutinized by the fire of God's judgment. Works founded upon Christ will be shown to be genuine and valuable. They will be variable, but they will be valuable. They will stand the test. Through the fire, they will be rewarded. Others not founded upon Christ will prove worthless and be burned up. These Christians, Paul says, will suffer loss of reward. But all true Christians, whether their works prove more or less valuable, they will all be saved, some as through fire. All our works are going to be tested by the fire of God's scrutiny. Some will remain, some will be burned up. Some will come forth as silver, gold, precious stones. Others will be incinerated as wood, hay, and stubble. Paul's warning is both comforting and chilling. A Christian may yet have many faults in knowledge and failures in practice and yet be saved. Yet no Christian should feel safe from fire who cares not to better know and practice the truth." What Paul is saying here is that works are important. Fourth question, how does the Bible describe the Christian's rewards? What's included among the Christians heavenly rewards? And again, I can only be suggestive and not exhaustive. They are many, they're glorious. We've noted in the past what we might call negative rewards. There'll be no more pain, no more tears, no more death, no more sin. These are glorious in themselves, even these negative rewards and blessings. But there are other what we might call positive rewards, and I suggest several. First of all, and we saw this in Colossians, inheritance of the kingdom of heaven. We will inherit the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said to his disciples, what we read in Luke 12 and verse 32, Do not be afraid, little flock, for your father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. We've begun to taste the first fruits of the blessings of the kingdom of God, and what awaits us is the fullness of God's kingdom with all of its promised blessings. Secondly, second blessing is being with Christ. Jesus said, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am there you may be also. What a glorious reward that is. Can we think of any greater reward than that is to be with Christ, our Savior? Heaven is heaven because Christ is there. Thirdly, beholding the face of God or what's been called the beatific vision. Much ink has been spilled on explaining what that is and what it might not be. Matthew five and verse eight, blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. We shall have that vision of God. We will at least see him in Jesus Christ glorified. The Father is spirit. I don't know if we'll ever be given eyes to see that which is pure spirit. But Jesus says, he who has seen me has seen the Father. Fourthly, beholding the glory of Christ. In answer to Jesus' prayer before going to the cross, Father, I desire that they also, speaking of his disciples, whom thou hast given me, be with me. You see, Jesus didn't want to be separated from his disciples any more than they wanted to be separated from him. but it's just for a time. In order that they may behold my glory, which thou has given me, remember Moses said, show me your glory and it will be sufficient for me. And he only saw the hind parts of God, God shielding his eyes until he had gone by. We are gonna see the glory of Christ in all of his fullness. We couldn't stand to see it today. Indeed, those who are flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and we who are flesh and blood, we couldn't stand to see the pure glory of Christ as we'll see it there in eternity. We have to be glorified for that. Furthermore, of being glorified with Christ. Paul writes in Romans 8, 17 and 18, and if children, heirs also." Heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him in order that we may be glorified with him. Remember who says this, he had scars, he had scabs, he was beaten, And yet he says, for I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Paul says you can't compare the two. And that glory to be revealed to us and to be revealed in us. Furthermore, sitting in judgment with Christ, a number of texts speak of this. I don't know what it means to judge the 12 tribes of Israel as the apostles are promised. We'll leave that to the day to find out what it means, but we will sit in judgment with Christ. First Corinthians six and verse two, or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? We will sit with Christ in the judgment of the world. And he even says in that same area, we will judge angels. That is a benefit and a blessing and a reward belonging to the people of God. Furthermore, reigning forever with Christ. Revelation 3.21, many other texts. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with me on my throne as I overcame and sat down with my father on his throne." We will reign with Christ in the new heavens and the new earth. Indeed, the saints are reigning with Christ even now during this period that we call the millennium between the return of Christ to heaven and Christ's return to this earth. Furthermore, wearing a crown. You see, these are all exalted blessings, are they not? We are promised a crown of righteousness, 2 Timothy 4 and verse 8. Peter says in 1 Peter 5 and verse 4, awaiting us is a crown of glory. James in chapter one and verse two says that there's a crown of life awaiting us. And the apostle Paul, first Corinthians nine and verse 25, we have an incorruptible crown. This speaks of royalty and rule. And these glorious promises were written to those who were considered the off scouring of this world. Ninthly, being at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5.8. To be absent from the body, having been faithful to Christ in this life by His grace, to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord. And we've just seen the home going of a couple of dear saints. often said, there's no place like home. That is our home. This is not our home. We're just passing through. Finally, sitting at the Lord's feast, Revelation 19, nine. And he said to me, right, blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the lamb. That speaks of such intimate fellowship with our Savior. It's the Lamb's Feast that we're going to be seated at. It speaks of unending sweet fellowship with Christ in all of our blood-bought brothers and sisters. Oh, how we delight in a feast. Oh, this will be a feast beyond all feasts. Final question, should Christians seek heavenly rewards? Is that somehow beneath our dignity as Christians? Does that somehow express a works or a merit mentality? Well, Moses, the meekest man who ever lived outside of Christ didn't think so. Hebrews 11, verses 24 through 26, By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. I was just reading in my devotions this morning about how little Moses was taken into the palace. He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. Notice the decision that he made. Choosing rather to endure ill treatment with the people of God, those despised Hebrews, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. He had it all before him. Anything that any man could ever want, Moses had set before him, paraded before him. Now, why did he choose rather to endure ill treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin? Considering the reproach of Christ, greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, he was the heir apparent to the throne of Egypt. So why did he pass up these great riches in Egypt for a greater riches in the reproach of Christ? For he was looking to the reward. He was looking to the reward. God doesn't say, well, somehow that's a blot on Moses' record, no. This is how he carried on. So did Moses serve God from mercenary motives? No, Moses' example plainly teaches that the Bible doesn't forbid Christians from seeking a heavenly reward. Quite the opposite, looking to the reward demonstrates saving faith that pleases God. What is the writer to the Hebrews say in introducing this chapter? Without faith, it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Moses, the meek man of faith was able to reject all the privileges of Pharaoh's palace to spit out the silver spoon in favor of openly joining himself with God's despised people. His faith enabled him to look beyond sinful temporal pleasures to fix his attention upon God's eternal reward. He kept looking, literally. Faith in God and anticipation of his reward. You see, it put steel in Moses' backbone. It put hope in his heart. It enabled him to follow the Lord and at no small cost to himself. It was easy in the palace. It became hard when he started to follow after God and be the leader of God's people. That's when the rubber met the road for his faith. But he looked beyond to the reward. God promises to richly repay those who faithfully follow him with their eye on the reward. And again, I can't help but thinking of the motto of the martyred missionary, Jim Elliot. What was his maxim? He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. That was Moses through and through. Indeed, that was the Lord Jesus. Now it is true that some professing disciples do follow Christ for loaves and fishes, but he is no mercenary who serves the Lord by faith in Christ with his eye on the heavenly reward. Seeking an eternal reward surely is not the only motive for serving Christ, but it is a legitimate incentive. It helps to sweeten our journey, especially when the going gets hard. The promised reward of heaven urged on our believing forefathers. Hebrews 11 and verse 16. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Seeking God's reward was not beneath our Savior. From the cross, he saw the travail of his soul and was satisfied. Indeed, he carried out his messianic mission to the bitter, bloody end, viewing his promised reward, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. In heaven, even now, Jesus looks upon the reward of his suffering with satisfaction and joy, as the writer of the Hebrews says in Hebrews 2 and verse 13, behold, I and the children whom God has given me, we are his reward and he is satisfied. So what does it say to us by way of concluding exhortations? Three things and will be done. First of all, let us ever adore the God of grace who condescends to eternally reward our imperfect works. He doesn't reward them according to our merit. He rewards them according to Christ's merit. Luke 17, verse 10 again. So you too, when you have done all the things which are commanded you and we haven't say we are unworthy slaves, we've only done that which we ought to have done. Our works are incomplete. They are defective. They're tainted with much sin. They fail in many respects. And yet God receives them through Christ and rewards us for what is due Christ. And he gives it to us. Brethren, this is amazing grace, is it not? Have we not seen that our reward vastly exceeds our works? We do little and God gives a lot. Secondly, may the prospect of eternal rewards, first of all, urge sobriety and diligence in carrying out our duties. 2 John, verse eight, watch yourselves that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Keep your nose to the grindstone with your eye upon Christ, your shoulder on the plow, and your look heavenward to the reward. Watchfulness and self-discipline is necessary if we would not lose our reward. As Christians in the various fears that God has placed us, let us strive by the grace of God to carry out our duties that we might not relinquish our prize. Indeed, or for our works to be burned up. We want works that don't glorify us. No. When we come to glory, if we are Christians, the crowns that we have received, what are we gonna do with them? We're gonna throw them down at the feet of Christ? We're not gonna go strut around and say, I've got more and bigger crowns than you. What do we have that we have not received? It's all by the grace of God. Secondly, that may our prospects of eternal rewards enable us to endure suffering for the cause of Christ. Let us never be a Christian that says, well, I think I'll go so far in serving you, but if the going gets rough, I think I'm gonna get going. And there were many disciples that were like that. They turned on their heels and they walked no more with Christ. Demas, he left the apostle Paul Why? Because he loved the things of this present world. I don't want to suffer. I've seen his scars. I've ministered his scabs. I don't want any part of it. No, it was fine for a while, but really the heat's been turned up and I'm sorry, it's too hot for me now. Paul says, for I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. You see, this is the motto of all Christian martyrs and faithful Christians. Thirdly, may the prospect of eternal rewards move us to press on with a holy urgency with our eyes upon the prize. Philippians 3.12 and 14, not that I have already obtained it. This is the apostle that worked harder than the rest of them. Paul says, not that I've already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. I'm gonna carry out the ministry that's entrusted to me, no matter what it may cost. I'm not gonna give up. I'm gonna ask that God would make perfect His strength and my weakness, that I might carry on the calling which He's given me. Verse 14, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. What did the Lord Jesus say in Matthew 11 in verse 12? He says, the kingdom of God suffers violence and violent men take it by force. We have to be serious about being Christians and living for Christ in an unkind world. Remember, this world, this vile world is no friend of grace to help us on to God. Sure, I must fight if I would win, increase my courage. Lord, that's to be our prayer. Finally, let us keep our heavenly prize ever before our eyes. What does Jesus say? Where our treasure is, what? Our heart will also be. And even beyond heaven, as glorious as it is, let me ask you, is Christ your prize? Well, some of us think about going to heaven and seeing family, Christian family, that's wonderful. But do we go there to see Christ? Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. You see, heaven is our home because Jesus is there. Close with the words of a familiar hymn, speaking of Christ. The bride eyes not her garment, but her dear bridegroom's face. I will not gaze at glory, but on my king of grace. Not at the crown he gifteth, but on his pierced hand. The lamb is all the glory of Emmanuel's land. Let's pray. Jesus, you are our precious treasure. And we pray that you would give us the grace to faithfully follow you, forgive us of our failures, make us to treasure you more tomorrow than we have today. Make us run with endurance, even as you ran with endurance, to save us that we would run with endurance to be with you forever. Indeed, you've gone to make a place for us, that where you are, we may be with you, that we might see your glory. make that to be the beat of our heart, as we look toward the future, that we would look toward heaven, and we would look in heaven and see you, and give us feet to run that race, give us the endurance that grace provides, that we might leave this life with our eyes fixed upon you, and we might open them to see you in glory. For we pray this in Jesus' name, amen.