GOD IS THE GREAT REWARDER

“GOD IS..... HE IS THE GREAT REWARDER!”
Heb 11: 6

Intro: “God’s missing, and they think we’ve got him!”
I would like to begin this series with the following statement made by Brother Jeff Asher, “conviction determines conduct.” Simply put, how we act can be directly linked to what we believe. If you believe in the existence of God, then your actions will support that belief. To the one that doesn’t believe that god exists, they give no thought for how they are living. They don’t care about god’s word, OR HOW IT CAN AND SHOULD AFFECT THEIR LIVES. However, even in the world in which we live, there are still those who want to do what is right. There are still those who believe in the existence of god.
Beginning today, I want to talk to both of these groups. To those who do not believe, I want to tell you of the wonderful God whom I serve. To those who believe in him, I want to strengthen your faith, and tell you more about our Heavenly Father.
Today, we begin by asking the question, who is god? We answer that question by saying, “ He is the great rewarder!”

I GOD’S PAST IS FILLED WITH REWARDS!

1. From the beginning God has rewarded us so richly.
A. Gen 2: 8,he rewarded Adam and Eve with the beautiful garden.
B. 2Sa 12: 7-8 He rewarded David with a kingdom, a victory, and power.
C. 1Ki 3: 6-13 He rewarded Solomon with wisdom, riches, and honor.
2. Why would he have rewarded these men so richly?
A. It was dew to the fact that all were in some way pleasing in his sight.
B. Adam and Eve pleased him because they were his greatest creation.
C. David pleased him because of his wonderful heart.
D. Solomon pleased him because of his unselfishness.
3. However, no matter how much they pleased him, God still didn’t hesitate to punish.
A. Gen 3: 23 He sent Adam out of the garden.
B. 2Sa 12: 14 He took the child conceived in sin.
C. 1Ki 11: 11 He took the kingdom.

I GOD’S PRESENT IS FILLED WITH REWARDS!

1. Even still today God continues to shower down blessings upon us!
A. Consider our financial stability.
b. Consider our Familial stability.
C. Consider our spiritual stability.
2. Why does he give us so much?
A. Mt 7: 11 because he calls us his children.
B. Rom 8: 15 Because, THANKS TO THAT SPIRIT OF ADOPTION, we CAN NOW call him our father.
C. 1Jn 4: 19 All of this is because he first loved us.
3. Even so, he still punishes today.
A. Num 3: 4 God no longer strikes us down for our sins.
B. However, today, we do have to live with the consequences of our actions.
C. Psa 51 Just as David once lived with the consequences of his own actions.

III GOD’S FUTURE WILL BE FILLED WITH REWARDING!

1. There is a day to come when god shall reward the faithful!
A. Who shall he reward? His Children! (Ga 3: 29)
b. How can we become his children? Through obedience! (Mk 16: 16)
C. What shall be the reward? Everlasting life! (Jn 3: 16)
2. However, there is also a day when he shall punish the wicked.
A. Who are the wicked? The disobedient. (Mk 16: 16
b. What shall be the punishment? Everlasting fire. (Mt 25: 41)