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Wednesday Night Bible Study LESSON 4: SALVATION AND REWARDS LESSON FOUR - SALVATION AND REWARDS FOUNDATIONAL SCRIPTURES FOUNDATIONAL SCRIPTURES [1Co 3:6-15 ESV]

[1Co 3:6-15 ESV] 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who pla

who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters a

each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are Go

God's building. 10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a

and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no on

foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the fou

gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the

disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has

the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

[Col 3:16-25 ESV]

[Col 3:16-25 ESV] 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one an wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to G

Father through him. 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, lov

wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleas 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey

those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with since fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing

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Wednesday Night Bible Study

Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the w will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

[2Co 5:9-10 ESV]

[2Co 5:9-10 ESV] 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 Fo all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what in the body, whether good or evil.

INTRODUCTION - WHY DO WE NEED UNDERSTAND SALVATION AND REWARDS WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE OF ITS GREAT IMPORTANCE WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE OF ITS GREAT IMPORTANCE

The New Testament Scriptures contain a doctrine of salvation and a doctrine of rewards. It is of g importance to the right understanding of the Word that the we should clearly make the distinction these.

In regards to that distinction one writer puts it this way:

THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION - Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is the

of perception that is totally devoid of any human merit. Only the object has merit, and in salvation faith is Our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE DOCTRINE OF REWARDS - Our rewards are not works that suggest “merit” instead of “gra

are available because do anything outright to obtain them is not the way of righteousness but is a

because one should serve the Lord out of love and for God’s glory - and the Bible says we will rec

rewards. And understanding the nature of rewards will help us do that according to righteousness

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE OF ITS GREAT MEANING WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE OF ITS GREAT MEANING

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Another way of looking at the contrasting and complimentary aspects of Salvation and Rewards is - Salvation is prepared for the sinners. Reward is prepared for the believers.

- A man shoul

salvation and then seek after the reward. The perishing ones need salvation. The saved ones nee reward.

That is our assignment for this evening: to look at the contrasting and complementary features of

and Rewards. Thought we wont be able to look at all the exhaustive means of Salvation and Rew

believe tonight will you have better understanding from which you can launch into deeper persona validity and value in your life.

SALVATION - AKA WORK OF GOD Who is responsible for Salvation?

1. As an overarching viewpoint this question will get us looking in the right direction: Who is respon Salvation?

1.a.

Godis the Originator of Salvation because of His Sovereignty

1.b.

Jesus is the Instigator of Salvation because of His Sacrifice

1.c.

Holy Spirit is the Educator of Salvation because of His Support

2. Therefore when we speak of salvation we have to speak of it with the full knowledge of the invol the Trinity.

Three Truths about Salvation A. Knowing that the Trinity is responsible for Salvation these truths are therefore apparent:

1. Truth #1 [Jon 2:9 ESV] 9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vo pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!"

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2. Truth #2 [Jhn 3:16 ESV] 16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoev him should not perish but have eternal life.

3. Truth #3 [Jhn 16:7-8 ESV] 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go aw

do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when h will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

4. The truth about salvation. Because of the perfect and complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our sin

forgiven. God offers us salvation, deliverance, redemption, and forgiveness. The only requireme demands is that we receive the gift of salvation that He offers us through Jesus Christ 5.

REWARDS - AKA GOOD WORKS The Paradox that makes Salvation worth the effort The paradox of it all

1. The Paradox of Salvation is even though salvation is a gift and there is still need to put forth effo it and if we do not put forth the right type of effort we not receive it.

1.a.

Those who do not “strive� to enter the right gate but chose to will take easy route w

Luke 13:24 - [Luk 13:24 ESV] 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tel seek to enter and will not be able 1.b.

Those who do not endure to the end by giving up before they get there will not be

Matthew 24:13-14 - [Mat 24:13-14 ESV] 13 But the one who endures to the end will be sa this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony and then the end will come.

1.c.

Those who choose to do unrighteous work and disrespect God will get his attentio

wayt: Acts 10:34-35 - [Act 10:34-35 ESV] 34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly

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that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what acceptable to him.

The Action of the Work of God

1. And actions like those are the works of the To be Saved and the work of Salvation working in tad 1.a.

2 Timothy 1:9 explains it this way, “God Who hath saved us and. called us with a hol

according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us Jesus before the world began.�

2. The bible tells us this about the working of salvation in our life 2.a.

[1Co 15:10 ESV] 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward m

vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace is with me.

2.b.

Salvation is given to us by the grace of God. And the effort we put forth is to receive

our possession. Paul tells us that the work of this saving grace changed him. And though

at being saved it wasn't him doing the work but - the grace of God through salvation doin

When you put forth the right effort you get rewarded for it What are our rewards?

1.

What are our rewards?

1.a.

dues paid for work - reward

1.b.

used of the fruit naturally resulting from toils and endeavors

2. Good and Bad Definition of Reward.

2.a.

The word "reward" has both a favorable and an unfavorable meaning in English. In favorable sense, it is something given in return for a good thing done, a service rendered merit earned.

2.b.

In its opposite sense, the word "reward" can refer to punishment for a wrong or wr committed, although it is rarely used this way in the Bible.

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Wednesday Night Bible Study 3. If God is the Originator of Salvation, and Jesus is the Instigator of Salvation, and the Holy Spirit Educator of Salvation.

3.a.

Who are we in this process of salvation? We are the Receiver of Salvation.

3.b.

And as such the rewards Christians will receive for faithful service to the Lord will b at the judgment seat of Christ

4. Therefore - the efforts we put forth to receive salvation is the work that will be rewarded - good o

Paul verifies the non-work status on our part - in regards to The Activity of the Trinity 1. Paul verifies the non-work status of our part - in regards to God’s work which is Salvation 1.a.

“not by works” [Tit 3:5 ESV] 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in

righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and rene Holy Spirit, 1.b.

“not according to our works,” [2Ti 1:9 ESV] 9 who saved us and called us to a holy c

because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us Jesus before the ages began, 1.c.

“not of works” [Eph 2:9 ESV] 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

1.d.

“to him that worketh not” [Rom 4:5 ESV] 5 And to the one who does not work but

him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

What makes our work and labor rewards and not dues?

What makes our work and labor rewards and not dues?

1. What makes our work and labor rewards and not dues?

1.a.

In Colossians 3:17 we read:

a- “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giv God and the Father by Him.”

1.b. [Tit 3:8, 14 ESV] 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. T are excellent and profitable for people.

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1.c. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help case need, and not be unfruitful.

The common phrase we want to zero in on is: GOOD WORKS. 1. The common phrase we want to zero in on is: GOOD WORKS. 1.a.

We know that as believers we are saved by grace - which means it is something w

without works. However the belier is exhorted by these words to maintain good works.

1.b.

GOOD WORKS defined?

a- GOOD WORKS is not about being good all the time - we cant be good all the time commutator says it this way - The precept regards doing good in all kinds, and on occasion that may offer, whether respecting God, ourselves, or our neighbor.

b- In other words - doing what will bring a good report of the church in the line of sigh world.

a- A good rule of reference is Philippians 4:8 - Good works could be - Whatsoe

are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report: if there be any virtue, if th praise, think on these things (Phil. 4:8),

We are to let our Good Words be indicative of our Good Intentions

1. Our work will always be towards God, Christ and others because a God’s workmanship created Jesus we are created and ordained to live doing GOOD WORKS (Ephesians 2:10).

1.a.

Believers are to understand that God will not forget their work and labor of Love to

- which is you ministry

a- [Heb 6:10 ESV] 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

1.b.

And we are expected to work wholeheartedly for the Lord knowing we are going to

inheritance as our reward.

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a- [Col 3:23-25 ESV] 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for m

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are

Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, an partiality.

CONCLUSION We do not work for God’s grace but we do not do good works for nothing. We do get rewarded for our d I.

Let us be sure of our foundation before we begin to build for our eternity through, and for our wo

II.

Let us even keep in mind that no flesh shall glory in God’s presence, (I Corinthians 1:30 and 31)

we have been forgiven, for Christ’s sake. (Ephesians 4:32). Our salvation is in and by and through the Christ and He must have all the glory for what we do, if our works are to abide.

III.

We do not work for God’s grace but we do not do good works for nothing. We do get rewarded f

good works. It is for these reasons that the saints are to be steadfast in good works and to know that good works in Christ Jesus will be in vain.

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