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Bible sermon: “ The reward of the righteous” prepared by: George Nava.
Scripture reading: 11 Tim.4:1-8

“For without holiness shall no man see God” “neither shall incorruption inherit the kingdom of God..” “and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” “ not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us” “..and called us with an holy calling”

Before going into our bible message it is imperative that we first establish as fact, that we are a righteous people of God! despite our frailties and failures, weakness and sin, we can still boldly proclaim his atonement and righteousness in our lives! In some 70 cases where the word atonement is used in scripture the word is KAPHAR this word means or implies to cover or make reconciliation hence ours sins are covered by his

righteous act of atonement “let us therefore come boldly into the throne room of grace..“ we can rest assured that we are secure in him, “ for faithful is he who hath called you who also will do it.” being confident of this.. he which hath begun a good work in you will complete it”   1 Thessalonians 5:24, Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 4:16

These are just a few of the many verses that address the issue of the righteousness of the saints and the reward of the righteous as a consequence of their having been imputed not imparted the righteousness of Christ.
And it is scriptural and biblical to expect that the saints would live and act according to that righteous standing or imputation, lets explain that for a moment, his righteousness is imputed not imparted.

Meaning he does not put righteousness in us but rather over us, You see because we must decide on our own to live holy and righteous it is a volitional act of the will, whereas an imputed righteousness is a volitional act of the father, where he chooses to forgive and cover us with his grace, he chooses to see us righteous rather than as the sinners we are,
“ for all our righteousness is as filthy rags before God” “ for who he did predestinate he called, whom he called he justified, and whom he justified he sanctified

(in other words made righteous) so you see this is why when we stumble and sin he can still say we are forgiven and still heaven bound.

No you do not lose your salvation every time you sin, there is a different consequence between living in sin and struggling with sin, one being Heaven the other being Hell.

That’s the purpose of the “having put on the garment of righteousness” rather than see you in your sin state he sees you covered in his righteousness! He sees the blood not your sin, for he knows that in time you will indeed come to a place of repentance and seek his forgiveness “
for God is faithful and just to forgive if we confess” for great is his faithfulness and his mercy endureth forever”
so you see its not because of what I’ve done “acts of righteousness” but what he’s done, died for me the supreme act of righteousness!

Not because who I am a sinner, but who he is a savior! And though he is merciful lets get something straight this does not condone living in sin, excusing and justifying it because of his grace.

“ what shall we then say shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid, how shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein? “ Romans 6:1-5 no there is no once saved always saved! we have to” work out your salvation with fear and trembling..” “ least I should become a castaway..“ “ for how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation..“

One thing is clear only the righteous will enter the kingdom of God and we are righteous in his eyes, not because of our works of righteousness which we have done..” but because of his righteousness, his accomplishments, by his mercy..”
“for ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..” 1 Peter 2:9 Remember in the Old Testament the people had to be holy and separated to enter into the priesthood of God? likewise as new testament believers we as the priesthood of Christ must have on his righteousness not self righteousness, if we are to live a victorious life over sins influence.

Ever wonder why some people struggle with sin and guilt continually, could it have something to do with living in sin, and self righteousness.

(for there is no strength nor protection against sins influence and guilt when you live in self righteousness) trying to earn salvation rather than rely on Gods grace and his righteousness, like the Pharisee’s who tried to do it on their own merit and works? self righteousness earns condemnation not salvation, brings guilt not freedom, legalism does not work,

“there is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ who walk not after the flesh..” “ for what the law could not do in that it was weak thru the flesh..” “for the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death..” Romans 8:1-3,

1. The reward or gift of life and salvation: “ the devil comes not but for to steal, kill and destroy but I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly” John 10:10, “ for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life” Romans 6:23 “ oh death where is thy sting? oh grave where is thy victory”      11 Corinthians 15:50-55, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life” James 1:12

Maybe some of us have forgotten what he saved us from! remember the wages of sin was death, (because the term wages implies something that is earned) you see you earned it yea even deserved it.
But Gods gift was free you couldn’t earn it, in other words before Christ blood washed and blood bought you, you were hell bound, despair, disease and death was your reward, misery, shame, guilt, emptiness and hopelessness was your future!
but now you’ve been given peace and purpose! hope and healing! life and significance!
Or have we forgotten those miserable days, those lonely nights, those heart breaking relationships, or those hunger pangs that once use to haunt us.
And we were once used too, but not any longer cause we’re full and have need of nothing? or so we think! oh how soon we forget!
Or do u remember the old tattered clothes you used to wear? the old beat up of a car you used to drive? the falling apart shambles you use to live in? the bills that use to pile up? Hello! He’s been good to you huh! hey friend u were once hell bound but now ur heaven bound!

2. The reward or crown of righteousness: “ for without holiness shall no man see God” for ye are washed ye are bought,.. ye are sanctified..” for I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand, I have fought a good fight I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord.. shall give unto all them that love his appearing”

Notice: Sure this life is a battle, we struggle daily, we are pressed and under attack, its not always easy, but there is a purpose in and for our struggles, for some of us if it wasn’t for our struggles we would still be out in the world and perhaps never call on God!
Paul said he finished his course, he fought a good fight! he kept the faith! how about you? have you kept the faith? are you fighting a good fight? are you set on finishing your course?

Its time to make your stand, claim your victory! time to fight like all of heaven is at stake! but realize this battle is not in flesh but in spirit, “ for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty thru God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations..” Somebody needs to start praying and casting things out of their home and hearts.

Hey God covered us in his righteousness because holiness is important, separation is important, its your protection from sins influence and allurements, its not just some minor issue
“ for when the enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him..”
and what is that standard it is the spirit of holiness! which is a protective covering, a wall of separation and identification. It identifies us with him and his blessings, his protection, his mercy, his deliverance!

Thank God he put on me his righteousness cause I could never measure up on my own, but now he enables me, “for it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” Hey God called a holy Church, “that it should be without spot and without blemish..” a holy church is powerful!

3. The reward or gift of freedom, from wrath etc: “ because thou has kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation that shall come upon the world” Rev. 3:10    “For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation” 1 Thessalonians 5:9    “ because of the children of disobedience cometh the wrath of God ..”   seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense evil to them that trouble you; (righteousness brings retribution upon our adversaries) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel .. who shall be punished with everlasting destruction ..”   11 Thessalonians 1:7-9

If there’s one thing people need to know its that this world is judgment bound! “it is appointed unto man once to die after this the judgment” this world is falling apart at the seams, crime is running rampant, sex and promiscuity is the norm among adult and young alike.
life is taken for granted even devalued to that of lowly animals and plants, abortions not only excused but demanded even bragged on.

Perverts running our schools and political administrations, many Church’s have watered down the message, sugar coated the commandments and sin, mark it down judgment is coming! question is what side of the fence will u be found on? “ ye he that is not for me is against me” Hey once death and wrath was your reward, but now.. hope and healing is yours for the asking! he gave you freedom from more than just wrath! freedom from alcohol, drugs, promiscuity, shame, misery and pain.. free! free! free! free!

4. The reward or gift of hope: “ and now Lord, what wait I for my hope is in thee” “ Christ in you the hope of glory” “looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our savior” being made heirs according to the hope of eternal life”   Titus 3:7,12,“ which hope we
have as an anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast..” Hebrews 6:19

Ever wondered what if feels like to be hopeless, do you remember those days? ever felt all alone and abandoned? ever had no where to turn? no one to go to? found out that you cannot trust in your possessions? your money? your friends? your family? and how about this one your religion?

no its not in possessions but rather in being possessed; by the presence and power of the almighty God himself!
Its a terrible feeling to feel you have no one and nowhere to go to, to feel you have no purpose or significance in life, no value or worth, when things and circumstances seem so overwhelming.

Ever felt so defeated? like a failure? one bill after another, one relationship after another, going from drink to drink, from Church to Church, job to job.

What you need is to place your hope in Jesus the master not your money, the gospel not gossip, Hence when your trust and hope is in him you are secure! He is the hope of glory! its a sure thing! its a done deal!” and nothing shall pluck you out of my hand..” the word used is Harpazo which means u cannot be unwillingly removed from his hand.

5. The reward or gifts of healings: notice that’s plural! not just a one time thing!” is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you ? .. and the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins they shall be forgiven him” .. the effectuaL fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much..” James 5:14-16 “ Surely he hath born our griefs, and carried our sorrows.. but he was wounded for our transgressions.. and with his stripes we are healed” ISAIAH 53:1-7

There’s healing for the soul and there’s healing for the body! there’s no excuse for a sick person nor a sick Church for that matter! Hey there’s healing in the house tonight!

There’s healing here for you friend, for your emotions and your mind, your home and your heart, stop claiming your sickness claim your healing!
hey he can even heal your financial woes, your relationship problems, whatever your need may be, however there’s a catch you must submit to him and his authority, “ resist the devil, submit yourself to God and he must flee..“
(that includes his sickness as well; after all he is the author of sickness and disease )
line up with the word! claim it, believe it, live it! act like its a done deal. maybe its time we learn the value of prayer!
learn to pray with purpose! and when’s the last time you rejoiced in your circumstance?
no not for it but thru it, thank God for seeing you thru it before he does! put faith before your answer.

6. THE REWARD OR GIFT OF POWER! The Greek words used for power are dunamas (130 times) and exsousia (104 times) which implies an authoritive ruling power,“ Behold I give you all power over all the power of the enemy” and nothing shall by any means hurt you” “ for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth ” Romans 1:16, “ for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” “but ye shall receive power”

Maybe to some folks its still foolishness, for them its foolish to lift your hands in the presence of others, its foolishness to them to shout the praises of God, to them its foolish to worship him in your trials, but unto us which are saved, IT IS THE POWER OF GOD!

Maybe the reason some folks are struggling and having problems with sin and temptation in their lives is cause to them its still foolishness to take the time to hear let alone obey the preaching of the cross! or maybe they haven’t yet learn the value of dying to this old flesh,

“ for if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, hence forth that we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin “Romans 6:4-12 “ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and in the fellowship of his suffering being made conformable unto his death”

to many of us like the glory of the resurrection but we don’t want the part prior to the resurrection, a death; in other words before you can be resurrected in his power you have to die to self!
but when you learn to die oh what freedom and power the Son gives you! “and he whom the Son has made free is free indeed!” free from the bottle, sex abuse, drugs, greed, guilt and a host of other vices..

On the other hand, some of us have forgotten that we were once powerless against sin and we flaunt our liberty? wallowing in and playing with sin, turning grace into disgrace! and before we know it we are once again powerless over sin; but hold on cause there’s a remedy its called repentance! you can be re-established and restored! set free once again! anointed and appointed! “ humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and he will exalt you in due time”

7. The gift or crown of joy: John 7:37-39, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, The Jews would gather on this great day of the feast and celebrate by jumping and shouting while quoting from Isaiah 12:3 “therefore with joy shall ye draw water from the walls of salvation”
but to them it was just a tradition! a routine! empty! without purpose! they were acting as if they were happy and joyful yet inside they were missing his vital presence, Jesus was saying to them as he spoke in the mist of thousands, you will never find joy, peace or contentment, in your traditions or routines, by just going thru the motions, I imagine of how the scripture found in psalms must have come to his mind, “In his presence is fullness of joy and at his right hand are pleasures forevermore” Lets not forget that it saids in another place that “ it is Christ in you the hope of glory.. joy unspeakable and full of glory”

Hey in case you forgot he said in heaven there will be no more crying nor death, no sorrow nor pain, that’s something to shout about! dance about!

Maybe we’ve forgotten what it was like to feel sad and gloomy, and some of us walk around with a frown on our face despite the fact that he’s been so good to us!

On the other hand some of us have learn to wallow in our misery, to love our pity parties, its time the Church understand that we are not a defeated Church!

Not a despairing church! we will not be disappointed! we need to learn to rejoice! in him,
“for he inhabits the praises of his people” the joy of the Lord is your strength”
sometimes you just have dance and shout your way out of that situation or circumstance! know the difference between happiness and joy?
Our joy is not based on circumstance but on Jesus!

Yes he’ll see you thru that storm or trial its his promise! no weapon formed against you shall prosper” when thou walkest thru the fire the flame shall not kindle upon thee” neither shall the fire cinch thee” and I will send the comforter which is the Holy ghost..” In the world you shall have tribulation but be of good courage for I have overcome the world?

Prepared by : George R. Nava   2170 E. Market St. Stockton, Ca phone -46-59731