2 Part Message on Heaven

Rewards in Heaven

My wife and I were coming home from our grand-daughter’s volleyball game and we were talking about one of the people she works with and he told her that he was an atheist. I was being flippant and told her should have told him that he should think about heaven and hell and that led to a conversation about what we will be doing in heaven and the rewards in heaven.

All of my life I have been a Christian and the Bible has always been a source of fascination for me. My beliefs are pretty basic for a Protestant in that we are either going to heaven or to hell, you are either in, or you are out.

There is something new I have been hearing from different preachers from the pulpit saying that there will be differing awards depending on what you have done in your life. It is kind of like a point system. The more good things you do, the closer we will sit to Jesus. Now this is really starting to confuse me. I have done a lot of bad things in my life and have confessed my sins and repented. Does this mean that because of all the bad things in my life that I will be working in the kitchen of heaven cleaning grease traps?

I am reminded of the comedian, Father Guido Sarducci and one of his skits he talks about when you die the soul rises up like bubbles in a glass of 7 Up, some cling to the side of the glass toward bottom while others go all the way to the top and fizz. The better you are, the higher your soul rises. If not so good, your body will rise up about four feet. I used to laugh and laugh at his routines. Now I wonder?

He also talks about paying for your sins. According to Father Guido, God puts in your heavenly bank account $14.50 a day. When you die and stand before God and His judgment, then you have to pay for your sins. The bigger the sin, the more money you pay. Now for some this may seem like blasphemy, but according to some preachers in the contemporary church, this may be the case. Where in the world, or where in the Bible is this coming from?

The message is going to investigate this and see if it is true that we may be either sitting at the head table with Jesus or back in the kitchen cleaning the grease trap.

Quote from Hank Hanegraafe (The Complete Bible Answer)

Furthermore, the canon of Scripture communicates degrees of reward in the resurrection. The basis of our salvation is the finished work of Christ, but Christians can erect a building of rewards upon that foundation. As Paul puts it, “no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames” (1 Corinthians 3:11–15).

I get a visual cartoon bubble of a person running through the flames with clothing singed and blackened with soot but we are safe. Is it not all we can hope for knowing what sinners we are and how undeserving we are?

Matthew 20:1-15
For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place; and to those he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.’ When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius. When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’

At first glance, it appears from the parable everyone who gets into heaven is given an equal reward, independent of their “work” here on earth. After all, these workers enter at different times and appear to perform different amounts of work, yet they all get the same payment. Does this mean regardless of what we do here on earth, the reward will be the same for all of us? Or is it possible this parable is really trying to make an entirely different point?

One of the things about reading the Bible is that we tend to remember scripture that agrees with what we want to believe. What we need to do is to read the whole and put it into the context of the overall message. Let us read the preceding verses in chapter 19.

²⁸ Jesus said to them, “I assure you: In the Messianic Age, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. ²⁹ And everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, children, or fields because of My name will receive 100 times more and will inherit eternal life. ³⁰ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

In verse 28, it is clear that there will be a hierarchy of heavenly souls. However, verse 29 kind of fuzzes up the meaning, the first will be last and the last first. However, as we read in Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to his deeds.

If we understand Ephesians 2:8-10 correctly, For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them. It is what we do after we are saved.

Now we get back to my orthodox teaching to my original understanding of heaven. It has always been clear to me that God wants us to do good things, not just be nice.

Matthew does go on to bolster the idea a graduated reward system in heaven when he uses the parable that Jesus taught in chapter 25;

¹⁴ “For it is just like a man going on a journey. He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five talents to another, two; and to another, one—to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately ¹⁶ the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. ¹⁷ In the same way the man with two earned two more. ¹⁸ But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

¹⁹ “After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I’ve earned five more talents.’

²¹ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’

²² “Then the man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I’ve earned two more talents.’

²³ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’

²⁴ “Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a difficult man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.’

²⁶ “But his master replied to him, ‘you evil, lazy slave! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, ²⁷ then you should have deposited my money with the bankers. And when I returned I would have received my money back with interest.

²⁸ “‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has 10 talents. ²⁹ For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.³⁰ And throw this good-for-nothing slave into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This parable illustrates that in heaven we will be rewarded for our deeds of being faithful that is unrelated to just being a follower. The man who received the one talent did say, “Master, I know you”. Yes he knew Jesus but his faith was small. Will I be weeping and gnashing my teeth on judgment day?

There does not seem to be real clarity as to what actions deserves rewards in heaven other than the fact of leading others to Christ or what those awards will be. We do know that by looking at the night sky that some stars shine brighter than other stars and some of us will be close the bright shining light of Jesus and some of us will be back in the kitchen. Reminds me of Mary and Martha with Martha doing all the work in the kitchen while Mary was lounging with Jesus.

Daniel 12:2-3
Many of those who sleep in the dust
of the earth will awake,
some to eternal life,
and some to shame and eternal contempt.
Those who are wise will shine
like the bright expanse of the heavens,
and those who lead many to righteousness,
like the stars forever and ever.

The question comes to mind, once saved, always saved? We will have to look at that another time.

(Prayer)
Father, we thank you for your Holy Word. Reading your words only makes us want to know more when there is no more. We must accept on faith that all our questions cannot be answered and will only understand when we go home.
Bless us this day and give us peace, not the peace that the world seeks but peace of mind and heart knowing that You will give us what we need and not more. Your words sustain us, nourish us and quenches our thirsty souls.

Forgive us of our sins Father.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen

Once Saved
Always Saved

Last week we looked at Rewards in Heaven and what that might mean. Heaven is a place we all desire, an eternal resting place where there is no pain, no sadness and no wars. Heaven is what God planned for those He first created us in His image. Before sin entered the world, earth was heaven.

For those of us who believe in life after death and the Divine Creator, we all desire Heaven so much that we create little shortcuts to help us get to Heaven in spite of what God says we need to do get there.

In Romans 8 we read;

³⁸ For I am persuaded that not even death or life,
angels or rulers,
things present or things to come, hostile powers,
³⁹ height or depth, or any other created thing
will have the power to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!

This is something we have grown up with but is there anything in the Bible that says that Salvation is a promise that cannot be broken? These verses talk about God’s unconditional love for us, not unconditional salvation.

We sing like words in one of our favorite hymns believing that we are saved and no matter what may happen in our lives, we will always be saved.
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

Refrain

But I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

Refrain

I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing us of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

Refrain

I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

Refrain

I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.

Refrain

Now let’s read those two verses again, For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
 

Did you notice that “sin” is not included? Sin is what separates us from God and if we continue in our sin after giving ourselves to Jesus, we have broken the contract.

Hebrews 10:26 For if we deliberately sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

God’s love for us is unconditional – but His promises are conditional. When we commit sins of omission we have disappointed God but when we commit sins of commission then we have turned against Him.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:19-23.

Additionally, when we become Christians, good works does not save us but because we are Christians, good works become second nature. Good works goes along with just being good and loving others in a sacrificial way. We do good not to call attention to ourselves or to seek recognition.

I am reminded of this when I watch a mother and her children. Wives and mothers devote much of their lives to their husbands and children not to win a spot on television’s Queen for the Day. The wives and mothers do it out of love. The apostles carried on for Jesus after His crucifixion out of love for Him. Before the apostles really understood what Jesus was about they were looking for a special spot in heaven but once they believed, then it was from devotion.

There are radio and television personalities that preach the Word of God only to bring glory to their selves through self-promotion and really wonder about their good works.

We really need to understand what good works are. Going to twice to church every Sunday and a couple times through the week is not what we see in the Bible as good works. Jesus did not command that part of being good had anything to do with church. He did command us to be good and to love one another. We show this commitment by being concerned for our brothers and sisters in Christ, letting them know that we care when they are troubled or in pain. Just a simple phone call could mean more than a years attendance at church.

There is an old story about Sven and Lena. Sven and Lena had been married a number of years. Sven was a hard working no nonsense man and Lena was ever the dutiful wife, however, the marriage was in turmoil and not much peace in the house.

Lena suggested that the go to the preacher for some marital guidance and Sven did not have a problem with that. Both were seeking some kind of peace.

In their first session, the pastor asked some introductory questions just to get a feel of the situation and started to get to the source of the problem when he asked Lena why she was unhappy. She replied, “Sven never tells me that he loves me”.

The pastor then asks Sven, “Is that true that you never tell Lena that you love her”?

Sven thinks a little bit and then says, “Preacher, the day that we got married I told Lena that I loved her. I have not changed my mind since”.

It is the same way with God. When He made you and me, He loved us from the beginning and He has never changed His mind on that. If we do not communicate with Him our devotion and show our faithfulness, how does He know? I guess we could assume like Sven that God knows our heart.

When we give ourselves to God, we do not do it conditionally. Well God, here I am, I am yours to be your slave, then two days later we are living no differently than before. Well God, I will only sin one day and then I will get back on track. We cannot go out and commit sins that do not please God.

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Revelation 3:5.

For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Peter 2:21,22.

In the Reformed Church, once saved always saved is expressed in Calvin’s theology -- which emphasizes the doctrines of grace, best known by the acronym TULIP.
T stands for total depravity, we are inherently sinful creatures.

U stands for unconditional election, is God choosing those who, apart from His sovereign choice and following action, certainly would parish.

L stands for limited atonement, Jesus’ death atones for the sins of those who the Father chose.

I stands for irresistible grace, when God works in our hearts, we only want more.

P stands perseverance of his saints, God is faithful to his chosen people even when we have doubts, God will see us through.

When one falls away to never return to the faith, then it is said that the person was never truly saved to begin with. I admit that I do have trouble with that. It seems like an easy excuse to explain what cannot be explained.

Watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. For we have become companions of the Messiah if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start. Hebrew 3:12-14

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:4-6.

I used to think that one accepted God or rejected him and that being chosen by God was arrogance. Why would God choose me over someone else? Experience and age has brought to a different level of understanding.

As the Bible says, there are sons of God and the daughters of man. The difference is being the sons of God belong to Him and there are humans on this earth that belong to Satan and the evidence is quite clear to anyone who reads the news.

I think about all the times that I tried to do things my own way and basically refused God’s authority only later to have God guide me back to His ways. I am beginning to understand what it means to be chosen. Maybe I am starting to understand “Once Saved, Always Saved”.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8.

(Prayer)

Heavenly Father, we thank you for choosing us to be your sons and daughters. Thank you for bringing us back to Your truths when we get sidetracked or distracted from what is important in our lives which is to follow your ways.

Life is not easy and temptations are strong. Pride and arrogance continues to get in the way when we know that humility is what leads us to You.

Thank you for bringing the Holy Spirit through Your Word so that we can learn how to be joyful citizens of the kingdom of heaven.
Thank you for the many blessings in our lives, the people around us that we come into contact with. Let us be shining lights to those who need a comforting word of encouragement.

In the name of Jesus we pray, 

Amen