SOUL-WINNING:
Rewards
Lesson Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:19,20; Philippians 4:1.
Devotional Reading: Losing the Reward, 2 John 7, 8.
Aim: To show some of the blessings and rewards of soul winning, as named in the Scriptures
Home Readings
Monday: Shall Shine as Stars, Daniel 12:2,3.
Tuesday: Joy in Heaven, Luke 15:7-10
Wednesday: Reward for “Cup of Water,” Mark 9:38-41.
Thursday: Put in “Book of Remembrance,” Malachi 3:16-18.
Friday: “Receive His Own Reward,” 1 Corinthians 3:5-8.
Saturday: Finding the Bread, Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
Sunday: Soulwinner’s “Crown of Rejoice” 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20.
INTRODUCTION: - A good witness offers facts, not hearsay evidence. He must know by experience that to which he testifies. He must be of good character in order for his testimony to be believed. He must tell the truth, and nothing but the truth. The most impressive witness is simple, direct, and sincere. The believer who has such a testimony will receive rewards.
Love for the Lord is incentive enough for anyone to serve Him, but rewards offer an added incentive. And the basis on which God rewards is faithfulness, not success. Faithfulness is required of all God’s people. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2).
1. Present Joy.
The joy of one who wins the lost to Christ is real. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126:5). It is the joy of doing good and the happiness of pleasing the Lord Jesus. This is the first reward in evangelizing. “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:6).
Certainly there is joy when God saves a sinner. There is joy in Heaven. “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:10). There is joy on earth. The one who witnessed to the individual rejoices. He knows he has helped rescue a lost man from a Christ-less eternity. His own faith is greatly confirmed in the matter. He also rejoices in the gratitude and affection the new believer expresses to him. The two of them will always have a unique tie because of that witness! Others rejoice with the soul-winner and the believer. No spiritual person can experience anything but joy in knowing one has passed from death unto life. One must not overlook the personal joy experience in the heart of one who has received Christ.
Only in Satan’s camp is there jealousy and resentment when a person is saved. It is a signal defeat for the Devil and his cause.
2. Present Achievement.
“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
“Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” (2 Corinthians 3:2, 3).
The sense of achievement adds to joy as a present blessing of personal workers. The personal worker has fellowship in the great work of Christ. Not every believer has achieved that. The Apostle John wrote to believers his desire for them to achieve that fellowship. “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3).
Aside from helping sinners escape going to Hell and winning them to be inhabitants for heaven, one achieves a tremendous personal spiritual development by his activity in soul winning. No consistent personal worker is losing ground in his sojourn on earth (2 Peter 1:5-8). He does not lose sleep over his own salvation, because he is busy seeking others. He is a growing believer (1 Thessalonians 4:10). He studies his Bible regularly. He is a regular church attender. He is associated with the organizational life of the church. A soul winner achieves spiritual development by his activity. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (Colossians 1:10).
A personal worker achieves a friendship with heavenly inhabitants. He enjoys being around God’s people. And he knows the Lord will gloriously welcome him into Paradise (Luke 23:43). Also, he knows that welcome will be even more glorious if a host of the redeemed are there because of his witness.
3. The Judgment Seat of Christ.
The reality of present blessings must not be overlooked. At the same time, one must be careful lest he receive all his reward presently and have none in the future. The Lord indicated “showboats” have no reward in Heaven (Matthew 6:1). Their only reward is the praise of men (Matthew 6:2).
On the other hand, the faithful workers of God shall be rewarded. “And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:14). “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” (2 Timothy 2:5).
There are five distinct crowns mentioned in the New Testamen. They will be given at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The crown of life. Christ promised this crown to those who are faithful unto death. “…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10). It is associated with trial and temptation. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12).
The crown of glory. This is the faithful pastor’s crown. “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Peter 5:4). It is associated with feeding, overseeing, and being an example to the flock of God willing and readily (1 Peter 5:2-4). It is not for those pastors who serve by force, for filthy lucre, or as lords over God’s churches.
The crown of righteousness. This crown is available to every believer who loves the appearing of Christ. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8). Those who loving look for His return will live godly lives (1 John 3:3).
The incorruptible crown. This crown is associated with personal discipline. “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” (1 Corinthians 9:25). One must discipline his life to an active service with a determination of overcoming all obstacles with the Lord’s help. Paul challenged the Corinthian Church to obtain this crown (1 Corinthians 9:24). He said he wanted it, too (1 Corinthians 9:26, 27).
4. The Crown of Rejoicing.
This crown is for those who win the lost to Christ. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20). Those won by a personal worker will be his crown of rejoicing.
The Judgment Seat of Christ will be a sad occasion for those who have never led a sinner to Christ. It is almost beyond possibility to think a person could live on earth as a believer for any period of time without having some influence for Christ with the lost. Those who have never witnessed for Christ had better be about the Father’s business or lose forever the opportunity to receive the crown of rejoicing.
Even Daniel wrote of the special reward for those who are soul winners. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3).
Rewards
Lesson Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:19,20; Philippians 4:1.
Devotional Reading: Losing the Reward, 2 John 7, 8.
Aim: To show some of the blessings and rewards of soul winning, as named in the Scriptures
Home Readings
Monday: Shall Shine as Stars, Daniel 12:2,3.
Tuesday: Joy in Heaven, Luke 15:7-10
Wednesday: Reward for “Cup of Water,” Mark 9:38-41.
Thursday: Put in “Book of Remembrance,” Malachi 3:16-18.
Friday: “Receive His Own Reward,” 1 Corinthians 3:5-8.
Saturday: Finding the Bread, Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
Sunday: Soulwinner’s “Crown of Rejoice” 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20.
INTRODUCTION: - A good witness offers facts, not hearsay evidence. He must know by experience that to which he testifies. He must be of good character in order for his testimony to be believed. He must tell the truth, and nothing but the truth. The most impressive witness is simple, direct, and sincere. The believer who has such a testimony will receive rewards.
Love for the Lord is incentive enough for anyone to serve Him, but rewards offer an added incentive. And the basis on which God rewards is faithfulness, not success. Faithfulness is required of all God’s people. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2).
1. Present Joy.
The joy of one who wins the lost to Christ is real. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126:5). It is the joy of doing good and the happiness of pleasing the Lord Jesus. This is the first reward in evangelizing. “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:6).
Certainly there is joy when God saves a sinner. There is joy in Heaven. “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:10). There is joy on earth. The one who witnessed to the individual rejoices. He knows he has helped rescue a lost man from a Christ-less eternity. His own faith is greatly confirmed in the matter. He also rejoices in the gratitude and affection the new believer expresses to him. The two of them will always have a unique tie because of that witness! Others rejoice with the soul-winner and the believer. No spiritual person can experience anything but joy in knowing one has passed from death unto life. One must not overlook the personal joy experience in the heart of one who has received Christ.Only in Satan’s camp is there jealousy and resentment when a person is saved. It is a signal defeat for the Devil and his cause.
2. Present Achievement.
“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
“Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” (2 Corinthians 3:2, 3).
The sense of achievement adds to joy as a present blessing of personal workers. The personal worker has fellowship in the great work of Christ. Not every believer has achieved that. The Apostle John wrote to believers his desire for them to achieve that fellowship. “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3).Aside from helping sinners escape going to Hell and winning them to be inhabitants for heaven, one achieves a tremendous personal spiritual development by his activity in soul winning. No consistent personal worker is losing ground in his sojourn on earth (2 Peter 1:5-8). He does not lose sleep over his own salvation, because he is busy seeking others. He is a growing believer (1 Thessalonians 4:10). He studies his Bible regularly. He is a regular church attender. He is associated with the organizational life of the church. A soul winner achieves spiritual development by his activity. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (Colossians 1:10).
A personal worker achieves a friendship with heavenly inhabitants. He enjoys being around God’s people. And he knows the Lord will gloriously welcome him into Paradise (Luke 23:43). Also, he knows that welcome will be even more glorious if a host of the redeemed are there because of his witness.
3. The Judgment Seat of Christ.
The reality of present blessings must not be overlooked. At the same time, one must be careful lest he receive all his reward presently and have none in the future. The Lord indicated “showboats” have no reward in Heaven (Matthew 6:1). Their only reward is the praise of men (Matthew 6:2).
On the other hand, the faithful workers of God shall be rewarded. “And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:14). “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” (2 Timothy 2:5).
There are five distinct crowns mentioned in the New Testamen. They will be given at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The crown of life. Christ promised this crown to those who are faithful unto death. “…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10). It is associated with trial and temptation. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12).The crown of glory. This is the faithful pastor’s crown. “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Peter 5:4). It is associated with feeding, overseeing, and being an example to the flock of God willing and readily (1 Peter 5:2-4). It is not for those pastors who serve by force, for filthy lucre, or as lords over God’s churches.
The crown of righteousness. This crown is available to every believer who loves the appearing of Christ. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8). Those who loving look for His return will live godly lives (1 John 3:3).
The incorruptible crown. This crown is associated with personal discipline. “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” (1 Corinthians 9:25). One must discipline his life to an active service with a determination of overcoming all obstacles with the Lord’s help. Paul challenged the Corinthian Church to obtain this crown (1 Corinthians 9:24). He said he wanted it, too (1 Corinthians 9:26, 27).
4. The Crown of Rejoicing.
This crown is for those who win the lost to Christ. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20). Those won by a personal worker will be his crown of rejoicing.The Judgment Seat of Christ will be a sad occasion for those who have never led a sinner to Christ. It is almost beyond possibility to think a person could live on earth as a believer for any period of time without having some influence for Christ with the lost. Those who have never witnessed for Christ had better be about the Father’s business or lose forever the opportunity to receive the crown of rejoicing.
Even Daniel wrote of the special reward for those who are soul winners. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3).
