THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

HOW CAN WE OBTAIN BLESSINGS EVEN GREATER THAN THESE ?

Obedience to God has great rewards. But, the value of those rewards is undercut in most lives today by a focus on what we can get NOW.

Psalm 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

FRIEND. John 15:14-15 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you.

SERVANT. Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

FREEMAN. 1 Corinthians 7:21-22 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.

HEIR–FUTURE. KING’S KID ? Galatians 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

A SON. Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

1. NO ONE ELSE CAN CARRY THROUGH THEIR PROMISES LIKE GOD CAN.

**Many people make promises, and some they keep, while tohers are never fulfilled.

A. NO ONE CAN DAMAGE US WITH GOD’S SHIELD PROTECTING US.

Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

DAVID ALSO SAW IT:

Psalms 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in Thy word.

–WHAT ABOUT JOB ? GOD REMOVED THE HEDGE AROUND JOB NOTHING CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT GOD PERMITTING IT. FOR THIS, WE MUST TRUST THE WISDOM OF GOD. SOME THINGS WE CAN’T POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND. BUT WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE PROMISE OF GOD THAT ALL WORK OUT FOR GOOD.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

B. IF WE LOSE THINGS, WE HAVE SOMETHING BETTER AHEAD.

Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

2. GOD HAS PREPARED THINGS WHICH GO BEYOND OUR ABILITIES TO UNDERSTAND THEM.

A. A PLACE WITH GOD—WHEREVER HE GOES. (incl. The earth, Heaven, etc.)

John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

B. PAYDAY IS UP AHEAD, NOT NOW.

WE CAN BE BLESSED BY GOD’S PRESENCE AND A BETTER WAY TO LIVE, BUT THE ACTUAL REWARDS FOR WHAT WE HAVE DONE WILL MOSTLY OCCUR AT THE JUDGMENT. When I was 11 years old, I folded advertisements for a local grocery store. We lived in the city, and Mr. Silverman wanted them going to thousands of homes. So, we would do this for hours. The fresh ink caused us to get very thirsty, and Mr. Silverman would bring us a bottle of coke as a blessing to keep us going. But, we didn’t get paid until we finished our job. OUR GREATEST REWARDS ARE AHEAD. IF YOU LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PAYDAY ON EARTH, LOOK TO YOUR PAYDAY IN HEAVEN EVEN MORE…. UNLESS, OF COURSE, YOU AREN’T DOING THE WORK GOD ASSIGNED TO YOU.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.

3. GOD PROMISES A REWARD OF YOUR LABOR.

BUT ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE DONE IT.We MUST consider the future !

A man is told by his boss to move a piece of equipment from one place to another. The employee doesn’t say, “I’ve got other things to do, because moving that equipment doesn’t seem to be very profitable. I can’t see any good coming from it.” Why does he move it ? Because he gets a paycheck on Friday. Sadly, a lot of things that the Lord wants done DON’T get done because people say, I see the benefits of doing that. I don’t see where it is profitable. We obey man because we get a paycheck on Friday, but disobey God because we have to wait a while to get our reward. It is shameful the way some people are far more faithful to their secular employers than they are to the eternal God !

A. JUDGMENT COMING TO THE EARTH VERY SOON.

The lack of forethought to the day of Judgment will bring serious consequences to the world.

Isaiah 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.

I WATCHED A COUPLE COURT CASES THIS WEEK, AND NOTED HOW THE JUDGE HAD TO QUESTION THE WITNESSES BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT TELLING THE TRUTH. They thought nothing of lying. They brought harder times upon themselves by doing so. The sentence was more harsh.

B. SOME TO GREAT BLESSINGS, INCLUDING THE COMFORT OF GOD.

Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

C. SOME TO TERRIBLE JUDGMENT.

Hebrews 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.