Application
Guide: “The Life God Rewards” (Mt.
10:40-42)
June 5th,
2005: Pastor Kimber Kauffman, Senior Pastor
of College Park Church, continued his series on Matthew and emphasized again the concept of rewards in heaven, that
Christians will be judged for reward or loss of reward. Kimber challenged the
congregation to live life in light of eternity and the Day of Judgment and be
mindful that what we do in this life does indeed matter.
- Kimber emphasized that the best thing we can do as
a mother, father, child, employee, employer, etc is to put Christ first in
our relationships (cf. Mt. 10:34-39).
- What does it mean to put Christ first when we hold
these positions? Does it mean that we just talk about Christ all the time
or try to get people saved?
- How should living in light of future reward (i.e.
the Day of Judgment) affect how we view our role as mother, father,
employee, etc?
- It is possible to be rich in this world and yet be
poor in heaven and vice versa (cf. Mt. 6:19-21; Lk. 6:20, 24; James 2:5).
- Are you even thinking
about storing up treasures in heaven? Aside from Sunday mornings,
does the idea of storing up treasures in heaven come into your mind as
you go about your everyday tasks and decisions?
- How should the fact that we can be rich in this world
yet be poor for all eternity affect our view of money, retirement,
use of time, even how we view each day of our lives? From an
understanding of the New Testament, is it enough to give your 10% tithe to the church, go to church on
Sunday, and volunteer every once in a while at the church?
- In, light of the Day of Judgment, we can be
encouraged by the fact that God will remember even the smallest of acts
that were done in his Name, for his sake, without the hopes of being
recognized by men (cf. Mt. 10:42; 25:31-46).
- How do we become people who make it our goal to
please God rather than be praised by men when we serve others and
practice the spiritual disciplines? In other words, how can we do even
the smallest acts of kindness with humility, without desiring anything in
return?
- Jesus constantly emphasized doing acts of service
to people who cannot pay you back, to the loveless and helpless of
society (Mt 10:42; 25:31ff; Lk. 14:12-14). Who are these people in our
society today? Are you loving and caring for the people Jesus called us
to love? How?
- Again, Kimber emphasized the whole mindset of that
we ought to put on if we are to live as part of the Kingdom of the Heavens
– rejoicing when we’re persecuted for Christ, loving our enemies, seeking
first the Kingdom of God, etc.
- If you desire reward in heaven, to be called sons
of God, in what ways of Kingdom Living (cf. Mt. 5-7) do you especially
need growth? How are you doing with loving your enemies or standing up
for Christ irregardless of how others might respond?