Application Guide: “The Life God Rewards Part 2” (Mt. 10:42)

June 12^th, 2005: Pastor Kimber Kauffman, Senior Pastor of College Park Church, continued his message on “The Life God Rewards” with a renewed emphasis on rewards, the Day of Judgment, and hope. Kimber encouraged us again to live our lives with eternity in mind and remember that God cares about even the most seemingly insignificant aspects of our lives and service to him.

1. One of Paul’s deep desires was to know that his work for Christ would be found pleasing to God on the Day of Judgment (cf. 2 Cor 5:9-10; 1 Thess. 2:19-20). He knew that God rewards those who faithfully serve him (cf. 1 Cor 9:24-27; Phil. 3:14; 2 Tim. 4:7-8).
1. What barriers make it difficult to live life as if God’s opinion is the only one that matters? What are practical ways we can daily “make it our goal to please God” in all we do?
2. What encouragement can you have today in light of the fact that God remembers the faithful acts of the saints? What amazes you about God’s memory – his ability to forget our sins and remember even the most simple acts of kindness?

2. Kimber noted that it is significant that, in Matthew 10:42, Jesus’ emphasis about rewards is not focused on speeches before kings and governors or powerful positions of influence; rather, it is on how well you treat the insignificant people of society such as little children. God rewards service to those who cannot repay us in return.
1. In what ways do we fall prey to the world’s mindset of greatness within the church? What kind of hierarchy or different levels of value and importance do we place on varying types of service and ministry? What does Christ think about this pecking order?
2. In what ways do you struggle with vying for the ideals the world values – power, prestige, fame, etc – and comparing yourself with others based on these ideals? In conversation, do you act and talk differently when people of “significance” are around? Do you make sure to tell people what “famous” people you know or have met? How is this mindset in opposition to the value and equality Christ placed on all people?
3. Is it easy for you to love and serve people who don’t love or serve you in return? Why or why not? How can you better imitate Christ in this area?

3. Pastor commented that a person without hope is like a bride who is unwilling to go down the aisle at her wedding. Hope is an anchor (Heb 6:19) in the promises of Christ that helps us keep moving forward to him.
1. What is hope? What does hope look like? How are hope and faith linked together? How should hope affect our everyday life?
2. What does/should hope do for us (cf. Rom. 5:5; 2 Cor. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:3; Heb 6:19; 1 Jn. 3:3)? In what things do you have hope in that help you get through each day?

4. Kimber noted that one question we should be expected to hear from God on the Day of Judgment is, “How did you do with self-denial?”
1. What is self-denial from a biblical perspective? How is Christian self-denial different from a Buddhist or Hindi self-denial or monastic extreme asceticism?
2. What are areas in your life where you need to practice self-denial for the purpose of becoming more like Christ and serving others?