Love Christ and You Recognize His Kingship.

Wednesday August 27, 2025

Main Idea: Loving Christ is recognizing His Kingship and being willing to do all His will.

Mat 20:1-16

Why does God reward?

Reward is results or fruit of the spiritual life of Christ. God is telling us that there will be results and the results are so blessed that they are.

Why do people want earthly reward? There is usually a plaque, trophy, ribbon, etc. We crave recognition.

Compare with God’s rewards. God’s rewards, first off, are not in competition. Paul said I run the race that I may win, but not against others. The prize was to live as he taught.

1Co 9:24-27

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified (adokimazo - fail the test).

Second, God’s rewards are not in recognition. We are not to want it at all.

Third, God’s rewards are the natural result of His life, of which things, there is nothing greater.

Rewarded when and what?

Time (Mar 10:30). What? Hyperbole - up to Him (does this trouble you or cause you to rejoice and give you the excitement of anticipation?)

Eternity (Mat 10:32; 1Co 3:11-15; 1Co 4:5; 2Co 5:10; Rev 2-3). What? Crowns which correspond to God’s character. Privileges of Rev 2-3.

Loving Him is commitment to His Kingship - willing to do all His will.

You are not willing to do any one thing, but anything.

How many, what kind, when does not diminish the reward (1 denarius).

Example: Apostle James martyred in 42 AD. Acts 12:2 And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.

Example: Paul goes to Jerusalem in Act 21

Imprisoned, Paul has only furthered the gospel.

Example: Timothy goes.

Phi 2:19-20 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.

Epaphroditus goes.

Phi 2:29-30 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.

Many do not.

Phil 2:21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.

Go and work: “follow Me” in the epistles.

Paul: 1Co 15:58

Peter: 2Pe 1:3-4 (go to; perhaps to vs. 11)

John: 1Jo 5:5-6 (go to).

What does it look like?

Joyful worker: the Lord wills it (whatever it is - He has your life on His potter’s wheel) - “I will do it for Him and with Him (whatever it is). Psa 128:1-2; Eph 6:7-8 (whatever - any good you do is rewarded).

Removal of sinful ambition, willful need for success, recognition, etc.

Chores: These are the blessings of a working mind and body. You have money to buy, a store to buy from, things to care for, all gifts from Him.

Removal of grumbling (Phi 2:14 - “become yourselves holy and blameless children of God - become what you are, which is revealed by testing), selfish comfort seeking, laziness, greed (wanting more - commandment 10).

People: They are all His. Some are lost, some found, some close, some really close, some far. You can serve each one as He would and love them as He would (Mat 25:34-40 “you did it to Me;” Col 3:24; Pro 14:31 “kindness to the poor honors God.”)

Possessions: You can enjoy them as gifts, but even better, you can give them, share them as He would (Pro 19:17; Psa 112:5; Psa 37:25-26.).

Removal of avarice: commandment 10.

In all dealings you are severed from the flesh and the world because of love for Christ. There is no better life - period!