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Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth | |
Sovereign Grace Doctrines
Concerning 'THE GOSPEL' - JESUS CHRIST
CHRIST THE BELIEVER'S REWARD
GENESIS 15:1
GOOD NEWS FROM THE REDEEMER
DANIEL E. PARKS, PASTOR
MAY 1, 1999 - RADIO MESSAGE #265
When God commanded Abraham (c. 2000 BC) to forsake all that he had in order to follow God and to receive God’s blessing, Abraham trusted in God and obeyed Him (Genesis 12:1-4).
In response to Abraham’s faith and obedience, God assured him “I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:1). And that which is here declared concerning Abraham applies to all his spiritual children, all who like Abraham believe in and obey Abraham’s God. “Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. ... So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham” (Galatians 3:7,9). All believers have therefore “looked to the reward” which God bestows for “esteeming the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures [of the world]” (Hebrews 11:24-26; cp. 2 John v.8; Revelation 22:12).
We here will deal with God as the believer’s reward. (We dealt with God as their shield in the preceding message.) The believer’s reward for obediently surrendering all in order to follow God is God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ (identified as “the word of the LORD” in Genesis 15:1; see message #263).
I. God rewards the believer’s surrender of heathenish deities by making Christ their God. Believers have followed the example of Abraham in forsaking heathenish idols in order to follow Christ (Joshua 24:2f). Christ therefore becomes to them El Gibbor, “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 32:17-18ff), the One who does for them what no heathenish “gods” can do (Psalm 115:1-11; note that Christ is identified as their “shield” in v.11). Believers therefore acknowledge the co-eternity and co-equality of God the Father and God the Son by honoring the Father’s command “that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father” (John 5:23).
II. God rewards the believer’s surrender of earthly portion by making Christ their portion. Abraham obediently surrendered his earthly portion and inheritance in Ur in order to follow Christ. God does not call upon every believer to do the same, but all would be willing to do so. All who are willing to do so find in Christ a reward which is a “hundredfold” and “everlasting” (Matthew 19:27-29). Such persons are like Levites who received no tribal territory from God, being instead told by Him “I am your portion and your inheritance” (Numbers 18:20). Christ the Portion is, unlike earthly portions, an eternal portion (Psalm 73:26): “But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
III. God rewards the believer’s surrender of earthly abode by making Christ their abode. Abraham obediently surrendered his earthly abode in order to live in a tent while following Christ (Hebrews 8:10-12). God does not call upon every believer to do the same, but all would be willing to do so. All who are willing to do so find in Christ an abode far better than any other. He is an eternal abode (Psalm 90:1): “LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.” (cp. 2 Corinthians 5:1) Christ the abode is lavishly furnished with all God’s graces. Christ the abode is indestructible. Christ the abode requires no maintenance nor utilities nor insurance. Christ the abode is not subject to property taxes. Christ the abode never depreciates in value. And not only does the believer reside in Christ, but Christ resides in the believer (1 John 3:24): “Now he who believes His commandments abides in Him, and He in him” (cp. John 15:4-7).
IV. God rewards the believer’s surrender of earthly relatives by making Christ their kinsman. Obedience to Christ results in loss of relatives. Some, like Abraham, must leave relatives in order to follow Christ. Others find that obedience to Christ results in relatives deserting them (Matthew 10:34-37). But in every case, Christ becomes a kinsman far nearer and dearer than any other: “Everlasting Father” (Isaiah 9:6); ever-faithful brother (Hebrews 2:12,17); ever-loving husband (Isaiah 54:5; Ephesians 5:22-32); “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24) and who loves them like none other can (John 15:13f).
These blessings are among the rewards God blesses those who are obedient to Him. Are they yours?
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
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