Let's go to the Lord in prayer. Father, once again, we come before you and thank you for the blessing of being able to assemble together and to worship in thy house. I do pray that you would guide and direct us and give us wisdom, that you might bless us to know all of the courses that you would have for us in our lives, and that we might be guided by you, yea, that you would guide us with your counsel, and even guide us with your eye, and guide us by your divine sovereignty and wisdom. And we would pray, O God, as we so often have prayed, lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil that is from the evil one. We would even pray to be delivered from our own selves, for we all are so sinful and mindful of our own being That it is easy for us to be led astray just by our own sinful hearts and desires. Help us to ever keep our eyes focused upon the truth. But we would pray, Father, that You would open our understanding, that we might know what the truth is. You have told us by Thy darling Son that the truth shall set You free, and that Jesus Christ is of the truth. And those that love him love truth and follow truth. Even as he proclaimed this before Pontus Pilate, in his own sarcastic way asked the question, What is truth? and not even waiting to listen for an answer, turned and walked away. Help us not to turn and walk away from truth. Bless us as we look into the Scriptures. Sanctify Thy Word to all who hear. In Jesus' name, Amen. We left off in Matthew looking with reference to the rewards that are to be given. We want to pick up and look in the Gospel of Luke. There are some places there that we would like to direct your attention. It may even be somewhat parallel to what we've already looked at. But just briefly to bring them to our attention, to look at them from a different perspective. But in Luke Chapter 6 is where we would pick up at this time. Here, as our Lord teaches as to how we are to live, here in Luke chapter 6. In fact, I'll go back up to verse, just breaking into the context, verse 32. Luke 6, 32. For if ye love them which love you, What thank have you for sinners also love those that love them? We know that it's easy to love those that love us. It's easy to be around a lot of folks that think like we do and act like we do. But here it said that, you know, the wicked people, the ungodly, the sinners, they do the same thing. And then notice what he says, verse 34. And if you lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what think have ye? For sinners also lend to sinners to receive as much again. But then notice verse 35. But love ye your enemies. and do good and lend, hoping for nothing again. And your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest, for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil." Now notice that. God is kind to the unthankful. God is kind to the evil ones. And he tells us that we are to love our enemies and that we are to do good to our enemies. And in doing so, our reward will be great. Notice that again. You're not going to be rewarded necessarily for doing good to those that do good to you because everybody does that. But when you go the extra mile and you do good to your enemies and love your enemies and pray for your enemies, God will reward you. He does not forget your labor of love that you do in His name and for His cause. You say, well, that's hard to do. It certainly is hard to do. I think I made mention of it in my praying this morning. saw yesterday some people in Sudan that were being persecuted and killed for their faith. And one man was taken and beaten, and beaten pretty severely. And he thought that they were going to kill him. But in the midst of the beating, this is what he said, that he prayed that God would forgive them. Now, we don't know what that is. We don't know what that is. I've read at various times. Not only would you find such, I believe, in Fox Book of Martyrs, but I've read other in church history and even as late as yesterday, which happened not too distant future, too distant time ago. Might have been last week. I forgot the time frame. But people are being persecuted and from the time of Stephen all the way down even to the time of our Lord Jesus Christ when He was on the cross, prayed for His enemies that God might forgive them. When is the last time you prayed that God would forgive your enemies? And I mean meaningful, not that God would strike them dead. You know, it is easy to pray the impeccatory prayers, I believe that is what they are called, You know, there are prayers in the Old Testament that you can pray for your enemies. But here we find that God tells us to pray for our enemies, to pray that you would do good to your enemies. Love your enemies. That doesn't mean that you like what they do. If they do wrong, That's wrong. It's not right for people to take other people and drag them out of their church buildings or drag them out of their homes and beat them with sticks and kick them and everything like that. That's not right. That doesn't mean that, oh boy, I just feel so good about that. That's not what it's talking about. But when you can do good to your enemies and love them in such a way that you can pray for them or do the things that God would have you to do toward your enemies, Sometimes the best thing you can do with your enemies is stay away from them. Because if you've got such a bad spirit about them and you know you can't be right about them, one of the best things you can do is just stay away from them and pray for them. And if you find that they have need, you can do good to them in that way. But here we find God says, you'll be rewarded. You'll be rewarded. Alright, look in the 14th chapter of Luke. Luke 14, beginning at verse 12. This grasped my attention many years ago. Then said He also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, Call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors, lest they also bid thee again, and recompense be made to thee." Now what is he saying here? He's going to make a feast. He's not saying it's wrong to have company sometimes, that are your friends and so on. But he said, if you're all the time doing this, if you're making a big meal, and you call in friends, neighbors and loved ones and rich folks that are going to pay you back. That's what recompense means. It means to be paid back. Instead of that, verse 13, when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot pay you back. They cannot recompense you, for thou shalt be recompensed, paid back at the resurrection of the just." See that? Not a general resurrection where everybody will be resurrected, but at the resurrection of the just. Notice this. When is the last time that you reached out to the poor? The lame, the maimed, the blind. When's the last time you reached out and helped somebody that maybe not only would not pay you back, but could not pay you back? God said, if you do that, you'll be paid back. That's the resurrection of the just. He didn't say that the resurrection is the payback. He said, you will be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. There is a resurrection of the just. There is a resurrection of the unjust. All right? Look to Hebrews chapter 11. Hebrews chapter 11. I think it is quite certain that rewards will be given. Hebrews 11, verse 6, But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he, that is, God, is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. God is called a rewarding God. And those that diligently seek Him will be rewarded of God. Now, I personally think that most likely this is being rewarded as you seek Him. And being rewarded as you seek Him in this life. But it could have. It could have some influence on being rewarded in the future. I don't know. I wouldn't argue that, you know, but you see what we have read so far. Why would it not possibly include the future in light of what we've already read? But somebody said, well, I refuse to go that far with it. Well, that's all right. I wouldn't argue with them, but I will contend for this. God is a rewarding God. God rewards you for your labors. And God says, if you will diligently seek Him, you will find Him. God says that. A lot of times we make up our minds we are going to diligently seek Him, and after about 30 minutes we quit. We might last a day, you know, but the thing about it is something that we have conjured up more in the energy of the flesh than of the Spirit of God. Or because if it were really a working of the Spirit of God, He is going to work in you and continue to work in you and continue to work in you. Now it is good that we seek Him, and we need to continually seek the Lord. I can tell you from my own experience, when you get down and out, there is no place to go but to the Lord. I do not know any other place to go. I do not know any other place to go. I do know this, that if you continue to go to yourself, You'll get worse. You'll be in a whirlpool of constantly going down the drain. You need to go to God. He's a rewarder. Alright? Then we want to go to 2 John. 2 John. I think these verses will pretty much indicate that there are rewards that will be given. 2 John 8, look to yourselves that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. John writes and encourages the saints here that we are to live in such a way that we might receive a full reward. Would you like to be rewarded fully or partially? But John says to have the full reward. All right. Now, I think there's pretty evident that there's going to be rewards and even rewards in the future. Now, in connection with rewards, we want to look at something else. There will either be joy or shame. There will be joy or shame. Not only will there be rewards, but there will be joy or shame. Let's go back to Philippians chapter 1. Philippians chapter 1. Now we're looking at the fact that there are not only rewards, but there will be joy or shame. You say, well, I think it's quite obvious from some of the things you've already said. Well, it may be, but let's look and see what God says. In Philippians chapter 1, Paul is encouraging the saints of Philippi because they were a great encouragement to him. And he's talking about how he thanks God for them in his prayers for them. And beginning at verse 9, here in Philippians 1 verse 9, And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment, that ye may approve things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere and without offense in the day of Christ. Notice that. That being filled with all fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God." Here we find, Paul says that you would live in such a way that there would be this given that you may approve things that are excellent and that in the day of Christ being filled with all fruits of righteousness, in other words, this is a rejoicing time. That you live in such a way that in the day of Christ, you would be approved. Alright? In 2 Thessalonians, in our Scripture reading. We find Paul talks about, excuse me, 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. I kept trying to say 2 Thessalonians when I gave the Scripture reading out. But notice what Paul said. Paul had been at Thessalonica. He had to leave because of persecution. He wanted to go back and he couldn't. Notice what he said. Satan hindered us. Satan hindered us. God is sovereign. Satan hindered us. We do not know how all of that works together, but God allowed Satan to hinder Paul some way. And Satan hindered us. He said that in the 18th verse. But what I wanted was the 19th verse. 1 Thessalonians 2.19. He says, for what is our hope, our joy, our crown of rejoicing? Paul said, what am I looking forward to? What is that that I'm going to rejoice in, glory in? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy. I can't imagine what that is. Other than the fact that throughout this imagination I guess, here it is, the Lord Jesus Christ comes and Paul is standing there at Christ's coming and he is rejoicing in how the saints at Thessalonica were obedient to the Gospel. There is going to be some rejoicing by preachers in how some people have responded to their ministry when the Lord returns. Now that's astounding. And yet that's what Paul is saying here. Paul is saying, what is our hope? What is our joy, our crown of rejoicing? What is our hope of rejoicing? What is our crown of rejoicing? What is their joy of rejoicing? What is that? What is that? Well, He answers it. Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? There is going to be something to rejoice about in the way believers are following faithful men. There is going to be joy at the coming of the Lord in the way some people have followed the Lord. But possibly, I don't think I have this verse written down. I want to turn to Hebrews chapter 13 for just a moment. A couple of verses that just came to my mind. Hebrews 13. First of all, verse 7, Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. He is talking about preachers. Remember those who have the rule over you. Remember those who are over you in leading and guiding and directing and teaching and so on. And then notice what he drops down and says in verse 17, Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves. Be submissive to those ministers. Why? For they watch for your souls as they must give an account. Ministers must give an account to God for your souls that they may do it, how? With joy and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you. It is profitable for you when the minister goes before the Lord, Lord, no brother so-and-so or sister so-and-so and how that they are always faithful and they are doing this and this and this and this and this and this and so on. Then he goes, no Lord, no so-and-so. You see how that they are not doing this, and they are not doing that, and they should be on this plane, and they should be doing this, and not this other, and so on and so forth. That is not profitable. Godly ministers give an account to their Heavenly Father, and it is either a joy for you, or it is not profitable for you. I kind of think that's more now than in the future. But since I was thinking about the joy part and I thought about those verses, I wanted to throw those in lest I forget them. You see, true Christianity is more than just going to church and being a church member. How do you want people to pray for you? How do you want the pastor to pray for you, positive or negatively? That has bearing on you. Particularly if the minister is faithful in the ministry to pray for his members as he ought. But we are looking that there be glory, there be joy or shame. Alright, look in 2 Peter chapter 3. 2 Peter chapter 3. Paul is talking about how the day of the Lord will come in verse 10 as a thief in the night. and how all these things are going to be dissolved and done away with. And then I'll pick up at verse 12. 2 Peter 3.12, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God. Are you racing toward the day of God? Are you hasting toward the day of God? Wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless, We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, seeing that we look for the coming of the Lord, be diligent that you may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless." Peter exhorts the saints to live in such a way that when the Lord returns, notice what it said, be diligent, be diligent that you may be found of Him in peace without spot and blameless. Joy or sorrow? Joy or sorrow? Look at 1 John 2. 1 John 2. Verse 28, And now, little children, abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. We need to live in such a way that we won't be ashamed when he comes back. You know, if we really believed these things like we ought to, there are some things we wouldn't be doing because we don't know when He's coming back and He might catch us in the act. Think about that. Think about that. We're to live in such a way that we won't be ashamed at His coming. That we'll be blameless at His coming. These verses must mean something. You can't say they don't mean anything. It has to do with facing the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence or with your head hanging down. Your work is burned up before your eyes and everything you live for is gone. Or the fire tries your works and they are pure as gold. All right? Look at chapter 4, 1 John 4, verse 17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have what? Boldness in the day of judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world. Here again, we must live in such a way that when we come, we may have boldness at the day of judgment. How many times have you been driving down the highway, you know you're driving the speed limit, you don't have any problem, and you see blue flashing lights come up behind you, and you just stay right where you are, and they come right on by, and you don't even have one trepidation or fear in your stomach at all. But let's say you're going down the highway and you see those flashing blue lights, and you look down and you say, oh no, I'm going 10 miles over the speed limit, one of the first things you do, up comes that foot. and then that little fluttering in your stomach. You don't even have boldness when that judge comes along. And he's not the judge judge. John tells us that we're to live in such a way that we have boldness in the day of judgment. Boldness in the day of judgment. That you can actually look forward to the day of judgment. Not because you think you're anything But it's just because you have that confidence that you know, yes, I've failed and I've done this and that, but I also know that I've been trying to live for the Lord. I've made a horrible mess, but I've been trying to live for the Lord. Then lastly, we'll go back to Luke 17, on this point that there be joy or shame. Chapter 17 I begin at Luke chapter 19, verse 11. And as they heard these things, he added in spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said, therefore, a certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. And he called his ten servants and delivered them ten pounds and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him. and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded his servants to be called unto him." Now, in case you missed the point, this is like the Lord Jesus Christ going away and He is coming back. See? All right? And the servants are his people in the kingdom. Some of them, mostly, but anyway. Then he commanded those servants to be called unto him to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. You can't even get people to keep money. It burns a hole in their pockets now. Here, at least, try to increase what you need to trade. Try to make a little money if you can. Then came the first saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant, because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. Now when does this happen? When the good man comes back. When the Lord comes back. And the second saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, be thou also over five cities." Now notice what we have here. One man was able to gain ten pounds more. Another one was able to gain five. But notice what the Lord said about both of them. He gave both of them the same commendation. In another chapter, I think it's in Matthew, it says, Well done, thou good and faithful servant. To both of them. You say, well, the ten-tallied man, he should look like he would have gotten more recognition. Well, that's the way the world goes. But the Lord does not. Remember me talking about the big boat and the little boat? The big boat can hold more than the little boat. But when both are full, both are full. And they're both happy. They're both content. When a ten-talent man makes ten talents and a five-talent man makes five talents, then they're happy, they're content, they've done all they can. A lot of times you'll find a ten-talent man making seven talents, and he still outshines the five talents, looks like he's doing a lot more. He's not well done. He's not a good and faithful servant. He's squandered. He's going to have loss. You better use your talents in the kingdom of God. Whatever God has given you, you better use it for His honor and for His glory, not for your own selves. All right? He made them rulers. Made them rulers over cities. Earlier we read about the twelve tribes over the twelve tribes of Israel. We are going to live in a new heaven on a new earth. And it talks about cities and countries and kingdoms on that new earth, in that new heaven. It talks about all of that. So what do you mean it talks about all that? Well, keep your finger in Luke 19, turn to Revelation 22, I believe. No, Revelation 21. Verse 23. No, let's start at 22. And I saw no temple therein, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it. For the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Now notice this. And the nations... What? What? The nations of them which are saved, saved nations, shall walk in the light of it, and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it, and the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day, for there shall be no night there, and they shall bring the glory and the honor of nations into it, and there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." That new heaven and that new earth And that, I mean, the new heavens and the new earth. And then you've got the city of God there. And there's nations, kings, bringing their glory and their honor into the city. There's nations and there's kings. Somebody is going to be reigning as a king, aren't they? We're not going to be floating around up there sitting on mint julep. We're going to be active in the new heavens or the new earth, on the new earth I should say, at least I think so, going to be productive. We're going to be giving glory and honor to God. Some people are going to be reigning over five cities, some over ten cities, some maybe over one, some maybe over none. Some of us, you know, some of us got to be reigned or ruled over. Be alright with me. Whatever God has for me to do, it doesn't bother me. You know what? You won't have a bit of envy and jealousy if you're not a king. You'll be happy and content to be a doorkeeper in that city. And you'll be a doorkeeper. You won't even get tired of being a doorkeeper. And you won't even say, I wonder why somebody is not thankful that I'm a doorkeeper. I tell you what, I'm looking forward to that day. Whatever God has for me to do, I'm ready for it. I'm ready for it. Back in Luke 19. Verse 20, And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin. Lord, you gave me a pound, and I put it away. I kept it away. I didn't squander it. For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man. Thou takest up, thou layest not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. I heard one preacher preaching about this one time, and he said, well, everybody knows God is not austere. Well, that's not what he said. They should have read the next verse. And he said unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thy wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man. I pointed that out to the preacher. He just kind of laughed about it and went on. Notice this. He comes back. He said, I was afraid. I didn't want to lose your money. You're an austere man. I am an austere man. Taking up that I laid not down and reaping that I did not sow. Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own usury?" At least you could have put it in a savings account and got something. You should have gotten something for it. Now when you go to invest money, you better know what you are doing. Or you'll invest it and lose it all. But anyway, the man should have done a little homework and invested the money. You better do homework into the talents that God has given you and use them in the Kingdom. You say, well, I don't know what my talent is. You better get your head in the book. You've got more than you think. Verse 24, And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. Take it away from him. He is a wicked servant. Give it to the man that hath ten pounds. And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds. He has already got ten pounds. What do you want to give it to him for? For I say unto you that unto every one which hath shall be given. And from him that hath not, even that he hath, shall be taken from him." Actually, one of the other Gospels gives a little bit more light, that which he appears to have. In other words, it looked like he had some talent, but he really didn't, and he'll lose whatever he has. You see, if you're faithful in the little things, God will give you big things to be faithful over. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither and slay them before me. Those that will not have the Lord to reign over him, they will be cast into the lake of fire. There shall be joy or shame. There shall be profit or loss. This idea that, well, you know, I've got it all figured out and God knows my heart and all that. Yes, God knows your heart. You'll either be living according to His Word or not. You'll be serving Him or not. You'll be faithful to Him or not. Well, I'll try to hurry through this next one. There will be a day of crowns. There will be a day of crowns. Now let's look at a few verses about crowns. So what kind of crown? I don't know. I like to think, I don't know whether I have this verse down or not, I like to think that there's a verse in the Scriptures talking about our casting our crowns before Him. I like to think whatever crowns we get, eventually we'll just take them all and cast them back to Him. Notice I said I like to think. I don't know. I just don't know. But I know these verses must be looked at. These verses must be reckoned with. You cannot just say, well, I don't believe any of that. And if a person says, well, I don't believe any of that. I don't believe all that applies to that. Then, I believe all that's now. Well, for anybody that says that, you're reading the same verse as they're reading. 1 Corinthians chapter 9. 1 Corinthians chapter 9. I'll begin in verse 21. To them that are without law as without law. Paul is saying he tries to live in such a way before all different kinds of people. Let's go to verse 22. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have made all things to all men, that by all means save some. He's not talking about removing their sins, but he's talking about delivering them in a way of living like they ought. Verse 23, And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partakers thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is tempered in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible crown. Therefore, so run, not as uncertainty. So fight I. I therefore run, not as uncertainty. So fight I, not as one that beateth the air. But I keep unto my body, and bring it into subjection, lest by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." Paul says here that you are either going to receive a crown or not. And we need to run in order to receive a crown even though it is incorruptible. I pummel my body. I beat it black and blue. That's what he's saying. Trying to keep my body in subjection. And you know what it is to have sin, to plague you. You might have a violent temper. You might have a lustful mind. You might have a gabbing, you know, a gosping spirit. You might have envy. You might have, you name it. You know what you have? I'm just trying to pull things off the top of my head. And when it gets to the whole topic, I mean, you just want to feel that sin to its fullest. Paul said, I just beat my body black and blue not to do that. Why? That I might obtain an incorruptible crown. Not a corruptible. I don't want to be a castaway. I don't think Paul is talking about going to hell here. But I don't have time to go into all of that. All right. Going to 2 Thessalonians. This time it is 2 Thessalonians. 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. Well, maybe it's not. I may have written something wrong. No, it should be 1 Thessalonians again. I wrote it wrong this time. 1 Thessalonians 2.19, which we've already looked at, where Paul says, talking about the saints at Thessalonica, The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He said, what is our hope or what is our crown of rejoicing? See that? 1 Thessalonians 2.19. Our crown of rejoicing. There is a crown of rejoicing at the coming of Christ. 2 Timothy 2. Paul is talking about endearing hardship as a good soldier in verse 3. 2 Timothy 2 verse 3, Thou therefore endear hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet he is not crowned, except he strive lawfully. There it is again. that we are to live in such a way and strive lawfully that we might receive the crown. All right? Chapter 4, verse 8, verse 7, 2 Timothy 4, 7, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." There is a crown of righteousness. You say, well, that's just our righteousness. Well, if that's what it is, that's what it is. But all I know it is a crown. It's a crown of righteousness. The righteous crown or the crown that is righteousness, which it could be, but it's the crown, a crown of righteousness, a crown of righteousness. All right. And then. We want to go to James. Chapter one. James 1 verse 12, Blessed is the man that endeareth temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Blessed is the man that endeareth temptation, not escaped temptation, but endeares temptation. For when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to them that love him." Now, with reference to that, look to Revelation 2. John is writing the letter that the Lord told him to write, and here he is writing to the church at Smyrna. And in verse 10 he says, Revelation 2.10, Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Notice that. There is that crown of life. Being faithful unto death, even into suffering. Look at chapter 3 of Revelation, verse 11. Talking about, well, let's go to verse 10. Because thou hast kept, he's talking here to the saints of Philippi, of Philadelphia, I mean. Verse 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, and try them that dwell upon the earth. In other words, if we live faithfully, we will be kept in that time of trials and affliction. Verse 11, Behold, I come quickly, hold thou fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. And then 1 Peter chapter 5. 1 Peter chapter 5. Verse 2, feed the flock of God, talking about the elders. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Neither is being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief shepherds shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Now, since God has ordained good works for the believer, that's Ephesians 2.10, we'll look at that right quick. Ephesians 2.10, for we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Since God has ordained the good works for the believers, let us be diligent to perform that which God has given and not strive to get others to do our work, nor to try to do that which belongs to another. Since God has ordained good works for us, let us not try to get somebody else to do what God would have us do, and then let us not try to do what God has given somebody else to do. Let's try to use our works, or do the works that God has called us to using our own talent. Let's pray. Oh Father, much to be considered. Help us to be encouraged. And know that what it is you have us to do here. That we need to have the right spirit. to live as you would have us to live. Bless us to know when our broken heart and a dejected spirit is because of a lack of that which is right in thy kingdom or when it's just something that we don't like because it's us. Help us to be encouraged, to be faithful, to do what you've called us to do. Even in this little congregation, O God, if you've called us to be faithful as to where we are, bless us to know that. If you've called us to do something else, bless us to know that. Bless us to realize and know that it's not what the world thinks. It's not what the popular opinion is or the popular applause. We're plagued with that all the time, thinking that we need to be looking like somebody else or acting like somebody else or having the success of others. We're just one talenters. Let's just use that one talent and not put it in a napkin and tuck it away somewhere and not even use it. Oh Father, have patience, be long-suffering, don't leave us to ourselves. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.