Darren Tappouras - Class 4: Least and Greatest in the Kingdom

Automatically transcribed. Accuracy is good but not perfect, and words are sometimes wrong. Trust the audio over the text.

1. 0:01

   Thanks brother. Russell and good morning once again everybody excellent. My voice is a little bit croaky so try and conserve as much as I can and not yell at you too much. So we go through all that. Study this morning is called works and rewards and it’s a suppose we’re building on some of the concepts we laid yesterday. So we’ll continue on with this consideration of how these things all play out at the Judgment seat. Just a couple of spies initial Concepts and some of the ideas are going to set the scene for our investigation this morning, all our lives.

2. 0:40

   I suppose we’ve grown up. It’s been drummed into us that we are saved by grace and we say through faith and we’ve told over and over again, that salvation is a gift and we’re not saved by works. We can earn our Salvation. We can’t impress god with our works to sort of get set.

3. 1:00

   Nation by that in that method we can’t do Works to sort of earn brownie points or to build up the balance sheet on one side of The Ledger or the other. And we know we know these things we’ve been we’ve had these things taught to us in school kids in some regard and yet. And yet, also, we’ve come across many, many references in scripture and it’s been references throughout our life as well.

4. 1:23

   That our works our board up at the Judgment seat in the works of sort of front and center at the Judgment seat. So there’s this sort of conflict there in our thinking, to some degree. How do you, how do we reconcile these these ideas and these Concepts? And even, you know, today amongst, you know, I’ve got teenage kids were all even older than teenage kids and I’d have a little bit of do with young people’s groups and young.

5. 1:45

   People find this as a bit of a struggle. You know, the idea that you know, your works is almost a dirty word, you know, to say things about works. And and and in any way employing that works have any involvement in our in the Judgment suit or anything like that. So it’s a it’s there is a Moment of confusion in all this to some degree. So hopefully we might try and clear some of that up today and we’ll see that works are closely associated with the Judgment seat, and yet at the concepts that we’ve, we know are true of that works, don’t sort of earn salvation. Rule is also true as well, and hopefully, that will come through in what we look at.

6. 2:25

   We as I said we going to build on some of the concepts. We looked at yesterday, we sort of look at this idea that there are scripture records, two types of recordings of our life, The Book of Life in which our name is in, and we saw from Revelation 20, that the verdict about whether we are in the Kingdom or not, whether we are saved or not or whether we are rejected or not, is based on the book of life and I’m being in that book. And yet, we saw in that judgment seat seen that, the books of our life are opened as well.

7. 2:53

   And we were judged according The things written in the books plural. So we need to sort of try and reconcile that a little bit this morning as well. But what we, what we have tried to do in the previous session is, I suppose show that the the verdict about our salvation is based on Grace, but at the Judgment seat, our works are still considered and and in there is a decision made about those works and there is a an evaluation of those Works made.

8. 3:25

   Which is. In some way separate from the verdict of Salvation. So let’s try and build on that a little bit this morning and I’m going to introduce this concept now that will then we’ll sort of follow through in the rest of our studies. This idea that if their name is in the Book of Life to use this, this word picture of this analogy. I’ve sort of said, well we are in a Zone here that I’ve just called The Pale of Salvation.

9. 3:49

   We are in God’s Plan of Salvation. We are in essence. We are saved in that. It’s not the, of course ultimately that we haven’t been given immortality and there’s always still the possibility. We could make shipwreck of our faith Etc. But while we remain This Book of Life or this pail of Salvation, we are in the will be accepted by our lord.

10. 4:13

    And there are some conditions put on this idea and we’re going to look at these quotes in John John to and John for ETC. That talk about we are we can have confidence that the Judgment seat if we abide in the lights. Or if we walk in the light, sorry, if we abide in him.

11. 4:29

    So we’re going to try and look at what that means. Is, we go through as well. So if we are in the Book of Life, we will be recipients of God’s Grace will be in the Kingdom. However, the reality is our name can be removed from that book. And we saw that referred to in some of those verses that I’ve got to read yesterday and then can be removed, which means we are taken out of that zone.

12. 4:51

    If you like out of that pail of Salvation, and we got many examples, Was in scripture of people who either deliberately made a choice to walk out of that zone and to leave that zone of Salvation or who drifted out of that zone, all their very behavior, and attitude, deems them to have left that zone in God’s eye. So Judas, for example, went out and there’s a point made about that but he went out and it was dark, you know, we went out into the world and he rejected the light. He was instead of abiding in the like in the presence of his Lord, he went out and put himself outside. Side that the prodigal son in the parable, in Luke 15, he goes out from his father’s house and he wants to wants to sample the world.

13. 5:35

    So he leaves physically in that Parable goes out into a world of darkness in that sense and then comes to his senses later on and comes back in to the family and there are many other warnings in scripture of people who are either, you know, in a path in a decline that is eventually going to lead to them being Outside that zone as well. And you know, outside God’s pale of salvation. So what just to quickly recap, what we looked at in our first session, we sort of said, the normal view of the Judgment seat is this idea, we give account, we receive praise and admonition and we are accepted and rejected. And we sort of said, well maybe based on the parable of the sheep and goats Works slightly differently that we are accepted or rejected, we give account.

14. 6:21

    And then there’s this receiving. Praise and admonition is a final part of the process and it’s probably a part that I personally haven’t given much thought to I suppose I’ve sort of grown up with the sort of binary view of the Judgment seat. It’s a verdict based process that you’re in all out. And that’s the sort of terminology at the judges are going to be in, or out in or out. And that’s really all that I thought about the juggling around in or out, and it’s really more than just in or out, it’s much more layer than that.

15. 6:49

    And there’s this this concept of being rewarded at the Judgment seat that I haven’t really taken that that seriously because all I’ve been concerned about is in or out and whether, you know, I couldn’t really care less about being rewarded. Or having praise given to me. It’s been just about it around. Has been the focus of my particular view just quickly flick through here. I suppose that the Judgment seat conjures up for most of us, the idea of a court.

16. 7:18

    I suppose that’s the closest analogy we have. When we try and picture the judges little, think about the Judgment see and even the the word itself judgment seats. That’s it conjures up a legal context. However, I’m going to suggest that it’s not the best analogy to use. When we think about what is actually taking place at the Judgment seat.

17. 7:39

    There are some major differences major differences, which make that. And that analogy, a flawed analogy, really, when we try and relate it to the Judgment seat. The judge was, he’s not like a human Court in a number of, very fundamental ways. One of the big differences is the judge, already knows you now in a human Court situation, which human courts trying to arrive at a verdict.

18. 8:04

    That’s that’s the whole sort of reason it’s established and held because all the evidence is going to be presented, And an impartial judge is going to listen to one side or the other, the prosecutor or the defendant and he’s going to make a final verdict on something. That’s our idea of a courtesan.

19. 8:22

    So the channeling everything to work to this final result and so the judge is not allowed to know you. In that case, it’s got to be a blank canvas is working with him. And even to extremes that are, you know, rapists in who’s committed right before you can’t even bring up that, that he’s done it before in some cases, because it would be prejudicial to the particular case being examined at that. Particular time and a judge has to recuse themselves or stand down, if there’s any connection with the defendant in any way at all.

20. 8:52

    So so that is a that that the concept in the end, the objective of a human court is not really analogous to what’s going on at the at our judgment seat and there’s this other Factor as well. That’s got to be brought to account here in our sort of coming to grips with this.

21. 9:10

    We are already. By virtue of the fact that we are in Christ, we are already declared righteous that would righteous is many of us know our legal term. It means that we’ve already been declared right? Or or innocent or have you know there’s the Slate has been cleaned. Really our garments are washed in the blood of the Lamb so we’re already forgiven, we’re already innocent in a sense. So how does that also play out in our judgment seat pictures as well?

22. 9:40

    And there’s some other little interesting differences to, you know, Romans 8 makes this big point at the end of Romans 8, who will lay anything to the charge of God’s elect in essence? There’s no prosecutor at the Divine sort of judgment seat. There’s no prosecutor as there isn’t a human Court, who, who sort of lays the charges and brings the evidence against us. The question is asked, who is at the Judgment? Who’s laying any thing to the charge of God’s elect? Is a God?

23. 10:08

    No. No, it’s not God. He just has One who says we’re innocent. He’s justifying us. He’s like Christ. No. His they’re making intercession for us. He’s our defense. Attorney a few. If you like, so that the whole analogy is not complete. Is that the human core technology? And I, and I think that’s the Mind picture. Many of us have the Judgment seat and yet it’s a little bit flawed, as we’ll see.

24. 10:33

    Another analogy that I think is is probably closer. Of course. No analogy is a perfect but this analogy, I think is closer to what is actually being achieved at the Judgment. Seat is a concept of a performance review. Now, I don’t know if many of you or aware of it, not every job has these sorts of things, but in many occupations and many companies, particularly if you work for a big like a multinational firm or a big pharmaceutical company or some sort of large government Department, all the employees are subject.

25. 11:02

    To what’s called an evaluation review or performance review and it’s often either annually and the, you know, the anniversary of your starting date or it could be a set time in the year. Sometimes it could be twice a year. Now, a performance review, you sit down with your manager usually and or your immediate supervisor and you go through what you have done and what you may not have done in the carrying out of your of your role.

26. 11:30

    And so the job descriptions bought out Out, things like kpi’s, which are performance indicators that you have, you should have worked towards all. These things are examined, and you go through them and it’s brought to your attention, whether you’ve met them or whether you haven’t met them with your fallen short, or whether you’ve actually achieved what you’re supposed to have done.

27. 11:49

    And, you know, the goals that you set at the last performance review were sort of analyzed as well. And you go through this this process now, the objective of the performance review is not to sack you or not to fire. That’s The objective of the review sometimes in extreme cases, it happens, particularly America more with their labor laws or a little bit sort of looser than ours that, you know, your performance review, the supervisor could say, well pack your bags and get out of here, you know?

28. 12:18

    So that that is an extreme result of a performance review but that’s not the objective. Nor is it really what the performance review is all about? The performance review is trying to make you better and trying to improve. Your performance which in turn in our capitalist system, increases the performance of the of the business unit.

29. 12:40

    And then, eventually the company and the results. The company Etc. So, there’s a, in our world. There’s a selfish reason behind it. It’s trying to, to better you in order to better the results of the company in God’s economy, we’re going to see. There’s a reason that he does it as well, and it’s not just a Judicial verdict based process. There is, there is self-improvement building With these Development building to it. There is this this concept of God working in our lives and bringing us to Glory.

30. 13:10

    All part of that judgment seat process. So as we said, one of the objectives is to help us in a performance review, understand ourselves. Because all of us have blind spots in that regard and even at even the business World appreciates that, so you identify weaknesses and we try and plan to overcome them.

31. 13:31

    In fact, you’ve got to identify your own weaknesses in offering these things. So I should always write, you know, I work too hard and all those sort of you know, I give too much effort. Just try too hard. But so, so we got to try and identify real weaknesses. Not the not the ones we’re trying to.

32. 13:44

    Boss now. No one likes to come under scrutiny in any way. We don’t like it at all. It’s and, and I’ve hope in any of my presentation so far, haven’t sort of trivialize the Judgment seat at all. I think, you know, it’s even taking into account the quotes from first John 2. And first, John four about boldness and confidence. There’s a there’s a context there and there’s a use of language there that we’ve got to take into account. It won’t be a walk in the park in any. Any way at all.

33. 14:13

    It’ll be a If you know, the word fear is used in relationship to the judgments that we’ll talk about that. But but it’s not Terran, it nonetheless. And and there is a reason behind it and that no one even knew the performance review. I remember when I work for a company we used to have performance reviews and remember the mornings of your performance review is very stressful.

34. 14:34

    I mean, I used to I couldn’t eat breakfast that morning now if those are you know me now that’s a pretty big deal. That’s a pretty that’s pretty big thing so I was so turned up, I couldn’t even have breakfast. If you know that walk past all the nice shops and so, it’s a stressful thing to have a performance review back, but deep down as many people, he had a performance review, it, okay. So if you’ve done yet, been through that process. Excellent.

35. 14:57

    You know, you know, it’s not fun and you’re not looking forward to. And you, if you could skip it, you would take the option. But you deep down know it’s actually for your own good. I’m not, you know, you might have a boss, is a psychopath and an idiot night. I understand that, but on the whole generally we know it’s for our own. I’m good and even when things are pointed out to us that we’ve done wrong or we’ve failed, we sort of know, deep down that he’s right, or she’s right when that’s pointed out to us, we know that we know where we sort of once a week. This is bought out.

36. 15:27

    We sort of know that’s true. And so if we are feeding and we will try and work on that and and make that go away or reduce it or whatever. In one of the other purposes of a performance review, particular if you work for an American type company or a multinational company, there are bonuses and rewards attached to that, and we’ll bring that up as well in as we continue on with this analogy.

37. 15:51

    Now, some of you may feel a little bit uncomfortable, that analogy think. Well, I don’t really like that that much. And I’ve just, I just say go back to The Parables again and this think about particularly the parable of the pounds and the parable of the talents and in the sense you can see this analogy is quite strong.

38. 16:06

    Isn’t it though? Might look at it. Now we have up time at Matthew 25. The three servants are brought in and they have to settle their account. And after explain what they’ve done with their Lords resources, while he’s been away. And also Luke 19 with the ten Servants of who get a pound each, they told to occupy till I come on, which means to do business while I’m away. Then they called in and their performance is reviewed. So there is a, there is a sense that that is Quite a genuine analogy to use.

39. 16:37

    And when I think that’s, that’s closer to what’s been achieved, then the court case analogy. So this brings us back to our our main objective this morning, looking at the, the connection between works and Grace and and trying to reconcile these IDs.

40. 16:57

    Look what we’re going to build on these this this chart a little bit further. And I have this aspect of this Charter haven’t really gone explained or gone into yet. But basically, we ask the question. Why do we have this second stage of the Judgment? So, if we, if we have, if it is true that there is this sense that we are accepted early on in the process, like the parable of the sheep and goats will indicate and then a secondary process, we, what’s the need for the secondary process?

41. 17:23

    Well, we have to give account Out and give account involves looking at our works, or our actions in our life and also our motives are examined. There’s no doubt about that. And we’re gonna look at this word fan arou that comes through in all these judgment seat versus that, that implies this opening up in a revealing of our inner man.

42. 17:43

    So we that happens. Well, we’ve already identified this as one of the objectives of that process, to refine our character to have our, our faults purged and to prepare us for more Telly, that that makes sense. I think we all will get that and I think if you remember HP, Mansfield’s ideas on the purpose, behind the judgments that came out very clearly, this idea of preparing us for immortality, but there’s also another objective of the Judgment seat, which and I gained, this is where I’ve said before. I never really sort of either cared about or took seriously or, or even sort of featured in my judgment seat, sort of view the idea of Ward’s and rebuke that the Judgment seat. We are going to be rebuked and rewarded. And I think because we we have connected been rebuked at the Judgment seat with connected that with whether we are saved or not.

43. 18:39

    And I think that’s where the confusion for me has laid will be a rebuke to the judges. There’s no doubt about that, but doesn’t necessarily mean that we won’t be saved or accepted by our Lord and we’re going to be praised for certain things and I think my goodness, how could I possibly be Praise for anything, it doesn’t it? Sort of goes against I suppose everything. I’ve thought about before about the Judgment seat but there’s no doubt we’re going to be praised for things we do at the Judgment seat.

44. 19:05

    There’s so many references to this, this idea that you can’t ignore it. And if we’re looking at the Judgment seat being an overall verdict that you know, all our actions and life is weighed up and then there’s this one result that comes out of that. It doesn’t make sense that we are ever going to. Anyone would really be praised in that sense and rebuked and prays at the Time.

45. 19:25

    But when we separate those processes, it’s sort of to me, makes makes a bit of sense. So let’s go through it, even yesterday. We looked at this idea of the, The Works been examined, bit of by the blowtorch and whether we take that as referring to individuals, or some refer it to the, the sort of leaders in the teachers and you Collision of the underlying principles, the same, The Works are examined.

46. 19:49

    The modems are examined as to whether they’re gold or precious or just wooden stubble. The torch is applied the scenario presented in First Corinthians 3, is this person’s work is totally consumed. So his work was might, it might have been motivated by wrong reasons, or for self-aggrandizement, all whatever it might have been, or even foolishness and insensitivity, whatever might have been for some reason, it’s burnt.

47. 20:15

    And yet it says he still saved. So there’s a disconnect between the Salvation result of that person and the valuation of their Works, in that particular case, And in that chapter as well, there’s this emphasis on the idea of reward which is connected to the works and separate from the Salvation event. So hopefully that makes sense.

48. 20:43

    We are rewarded according to the works or even if it’s even if it is the leaders or the all the teachers in that case the rewards go, according to the works, In that scenario, that’s person receives no reward because his works are all consumed. And yet, it says, he’s still saved yet. That was through fire.

49. 21:01

    So, so keep that in mind. And so, First Corinthians 3, says, everyone will receive his own reward, according to his labor, okay? The connection between what he’s done and rewards and yet that’s separate from salvation that several from being saved. If any man’s work abide, remember, we looked at that yesterday or survives, he receives a reward, it’s mentioned again.

50. 21:23

    If any man’s work work in suicide work. They don’t work is burned up. He suffers a loss, which will try and make some suggestions about as well. But he still say nonetheless and that picture that is presenting First Corinthians 3 shows that difference between the works, even all his Works in that scenario being burnt up.

51. 21:43

    He still save. So we want to make some sense of that. We sort of looked at that yesterday that the works are totally destroyed, but he’s saved as well. Now, we have again, these are Concepts. We’ve been brought up with us as kids. Haven’t we salvation is a gift from God. Eternal life is a gift, you can earn it. And yet there’s this connection between works and the Judgment seat that we sort of got to try and come to grips with for by Grace, you are saved through faith as a gift of God. So how is it a gift of God?

52. 22:14

    And then if it’s connected to our works, how then is it a gift? And we need to think about that. Now what I’m going to do very quickly than this morning is look at Reality of rewards for works, you can’t deny that. It is so much a part of the judgments that picture that you can’t deny the connection between works and rewards.

53. 22:34

    And also this idea of proportional rewards at the Judgment seat and again that it goes against their idea of the gift of God and Grace and given given salvation is a gift. You this idea that people are saved. Yes, but there’s, there’s a proportion in the rewards receive at the Judgment seat. We’ve got to try and build all these things into, whatever picture we have of the Judgment seat of eventually. Even even this word, I mean the words taken from a parable and it seems to be the word that using nearly every song. You have about the Judgment seat and every place I’ve ever been in on the Judgment seat this idea of well done. And I find that again, that word even is a little bit. Counterintuitive is well done.

54. 23:18

    So you get the Judgment seat and it’s well done think really, really well. It’s isn’t it, a gift is a gift from God and and even if any of us, even if we have the scarcity view that only a few going to be Is anyone in that few really well done? And they really done everything.

55. 23:33

    Well, it’s sort of a, an interesting concept isn’t it that we have try and come to grips with? As we as we try and look at this, we’re saved by grace. Aren’t we? What, why is, well done? The big judgment-seat word that pops up? Well, also hopefully see that he’s a big part of the Judgment seat and it is it can be reconciled.

56. 23:53

    Okay, I’ve put a lot of the quotes this morning up on the slides because if I we look them all up we’ll just be here all day and I know no one wants to do that. Typically my wife. So I you know I can’t go over time when she’s here so invite me back another time we can go over time all your life, just want to show the connection between works and rewards and this is Greek word the word according that we’re going to look at in the English Bible.

57. 24:18

    According is in the king in the King James anyway, it’s this Greek word Hoss, which means I’m in the men are all in like manner or like even as its shows a connection between the two things Hoss. So it’s translated here. Mainly, according I put put it in read revelation. 22 verse 12 behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me.

58. 24:41

    So there’s the idea of reward to give every man according as his work Think a singular there. Yes. As his work shall be according Hoss. So the connection between his work and the reward is is really clear. There, Matthew 16 for the son of man shall come in the glory of his father, with his angels and he shall reward. Every man, according Hoss to his work, Revelation 22 verse 23, I am.

59. 25:08

    He that searcheth the reins in the hearts and will give unto every, man, every one of you, sorry, according Hoss, according to his works first Peter 1:17. The father who without respect of persons judges, according to Every Man’s work and pass. The time of your sojourning here in fear. So, so here’s this connection of work and the reward and we weren’t Try and delve into that a little bit as we go through.

60. 25:40

    I need to go into that. Okay, so works and reward, we’ve established that. There’s a connection would Now quickly establish that there’s a connect. There’s this proportional concept that plays out in the giving of rewards. We’ve got hints of it in a parabolic sent have sent several in The Parables. Matthew 25 says, well done. Good and faithful servant you have been Faithful over. A few things I will make you ruler over many things and sort of start to get this this idea of a proportional response. Probably more clearer.

61. 26:14

    The parable of the pounds of the miners. Is someone said the other day in Luke, 19, your pound has gained 10 pounds, have authority over ten cities. So you can see the results that he achieved is is proportional connected to the reward is given. And then the next servant that comes along he’d achieved five pounds out of the one, he gets the authority over five cities and then Interestingly enough. Later on in the parable of person who doesn’t use his talent, has it taken from him and given to somebody else, want to try, think about how that plays out to in the whole rewards scenario.

62. 27:00

    Now, we also on the negative side of the ledger, so so rewards are given proportionally, but also, rebuke, and Punishment appears to be proportional as well. Hints that adding a few of the statements of Our Lord which are sort of a little bit enigmatic. But they do imply this idea. Luke 12 says and that servant which knew his Lord’s will.

63. 27:23

    So he knew he knew what he did something wrong. Sort of very consciously shall be beaten with many stripes. So this is the story of many stripes, but he, that knew not and did commit things worthy of Stripes. So, he sort of did it ignorantly. He didn’t quite know. He was doing something wrong, even though he should have, shall be beaten with few stripes for unto whomsoever. Much is given of him shall be much required. Try it just try and work that through into the Judgment seat process.

64. 27:55

    In the, in the going through of our life, in the, in the examination of our of what we’ve done, and what we haven’t done it, appears that some people get a harder time and get rebuked and receive more castigation, or rebuke from our Lord than others May who have not had same the same advantages or opportunities that others have had. Now, these interesting Matthew 10 again on the idea of reward, he that receives that you can all see that up there but I’ll read anyone here that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward and even someone who gives that our a cup of water in the Name of Christ says he shall not lose his reward. So even in that little parrot in that little statement, that parabolic statement.

65. 28:46

    You’ve got these Different rewards mentioned, you got a prophet’s reward a righteous man’s reward and a cup of water givers reward, you think, well, you know what, why differentiate that? What y if sent if reward is careful how I say this. I say, simply eternal life. That’s probably an understatement snot if the word, if the reward we get is only eternal life and that’s what the judges he’s dishing out. Yes.

66. 29:14

    You know, there’s binary yes-or-no in or out. Thing. Then why are we talking about levels or grades or qualities of rewards? Its we’re just in or out that should be it but obviously there’s more happening than just that there’s an indication. Also that how we live our life now and the things we do and the things we don’t do have an impact on the quality of our reward and how we reward is played out in the future.

67. 29:44

    There’s some very interesting little statements Matthew 7 is interesting, judge not that you be not judged. Now again thinking that through the idea I always thought was if you know if you bit harsh judging people and the Lord will reject, you’ll be harsh to you and just reject you at the Judgment seat but that it seems a little bit so it’s a little bit extreme, isn’t it a little bit, you know?

68. 30:11

    The Lord we can be forgiven of all our sins cartwheel is there’s no in our context unforgivable sin. So if we have done something that’s a little bit judgmental, and we may feel guilty about that later on in our life, even decades. I think, gee, I was bit judgmental back then, and it’s probably too late to rectify and we think well, that’s blown it for me.

69. 30:28

    I’m out of the Kingdom because I’m going to get judged as I judge. Somebody else that is something I did 20 years ago and that’s probably behind the guilt of people in the rest homes or wherever, who thinking, how am I going to face the Judgment? I did that? Well, I think there’s no sin. That’s Unforgivable.

70. 30:42

    So how does that literally play out? Maybe I’m just suggesting maybe, because we’ve acted that way that there is, we are judged harshly by a Lord and rebuked for those things and told off about them by our Lord, in a severe way in a proportion of how we’ve treated others in our life and bought maybe grief, or or pain to somebody else.

71. 31:07

    Judge not that you be not judged for with what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged. And with what measure, You meet, it shall be measured to you again. So maybe that plays out in some way, second Corinthians 9. But I say he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly and he which soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully.

72. 31:27

    This is this idea. If you’re generous with others, then God will be in a sense generous with you. Now, how does that play out? Is that just about any exact, just refer to one in, or out scenario? Or the way we’re dealt with it, the Judgment seat, and then I’ll reward you receive I built into that into that process.

73. 31:44

    He’s one. We’re looking at with Jonah, Matthew 6 layup or which means a mass or build up for yourselves. Treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt. There’s a Matthew 6 is full of this idea of reward, isn’t it? It’s interesting that uses this plural Treasures in Heaven. That would indicate some people have more Treasures than others. It’s like a like, a bank account sort of terminologies that we lay up install Treasures.

74. 32:12

    In Heaven is Some way in which those of us who are, who are generous with our money and do it behind the scenes or or give our time, and our effort and do it with no one without reward and praise who carry on their life, without getting rewarded from others. Is there a sense in which they are building up? A reservoir of treasures that they will receive, not necessarily salvation for, but they’ll receive reward for it in a particular way.

75. 32:38

    And it’s interesting when you look at that that you know you look at the sermon on the mountain is in the Lord says about the Pharisees I suppose he’s talking about the Pharisees primarily. He says, they have received their reward. In a sense, they got recognition, they got on our, they got Glory, they got position, they got status, all those things are very important in that, you know, judeo based culture in, which they live that, you know, They got those things if that’s the reward we’re going to get than it’s got to play out some way in a similar Fashion on the other side, on the flipside in the, in the Kingdom. So just try and keep those things in mind. Luke 14.

76. 33:22

    I’m just well, we look, I’m just trying to get us now as we look at some of these verses that we look at rewards, we can simply read reward being eternal life, but there seems to be a specific aspect to it. When you know you do. There’s a quick look at the fission six in a moment says whatsoever. A man does he will be whatsoever. Good thing.

77. 33:42

    He does you receive a reward. There’s this specific aspect of that whatsoever. It’s not just a general outcome of his life gets One more good things in the evil and you get sort of eternal life for that. But there’s this specific nature to it. We’ll get to that in a minute. Luke 14 and thou shalt be blessed, are you?

78. 34:02

    If you do if you invite people who can’t invite you home, he says they can’t recompense you. They can’t sort of pay you back. There’s a special blessing for you’re going to be recompensed at the Judgment seat of the just you say well that’s just a game only eternal life but there’s a special blessing for those who do that, who was show that generosity who A who go that extra mile and do that? Sorry.

79. 34:27

    They’ve included that he’s actually talking about rewards because only talking about the just the jacket. Yes, that’s a good point. Actually, the river is exactly who know the resurrection involves other people. That’s the Jasper are rewarded in that way. Yep, that’s a good point. It’s actually you know I’m going to talk about in a moment. Luke 20:36 says those are obtained. Those who are worthy of the Resurrection, shall be made equal unto the angels.

80. 34:51

    We sort of get this idea. There’s a quality in that whole process, but we’ll get to that. I’m jumping ahead. Sorry, settle down down. Even we said that the idea of teachers being receiving a stricter judgment, and I sort of made the sort of a facetious type Point. What, why would I if I believe that was in relation to my eternal life? I’m a little bit crazy to be a teacher. I know because why would you put yourself in a harder judgment Zone?

81. 35:19

    That would increase the likelihood of me being rejected. If you think of that, logically, what would have been seats? You’re in my equipment, my meeting at Gosford when I’m going to get stricter, Judgment of stricter judgment relates to my eternal life, then man, I’m it’s a little bit crazy for me to do that and and I believe teachers will get stricter judgment, but they will be restored, get rebuke from our To now be, they’ll be set straight on.

82. 35:45

    A lot of things will get to that as we go through as well. But I’m just trying to put these ideas in our mind before we draw any conclusions. Again, there’s so many. So many verses here, let’s look at the Ephesians 6:1. I guess we just turn to Ephesians 6. You see why I put them up on the slide because we’ll be here all day. We look at every single one but

83. 36:08

    As you read it, you may think I’m just stretching a little bit too far or reading too much into it, but I can’t help feeling. There’s got to be an explanation for the specific aspects of these rewards when they’re mentioned Vision, 6, it’s verse takes the one we’re going to focus on, but it’s talking about servants, don’t just do things to please your master, you know, and to do it for him and not do it when he’s not looking at cetera. But do everything unto the Lord?

84. 36:40

    Verse 7 with Good Will doing Service as to the Lord and not to men verse 8. So he have got someone who works. You could apply this to your own job where you apply it to a real service situation. The attitude you take to the job you could say well I’m going to do the bare minimum that keep my boss happy or I’m going to work unto the Lord which is this higher ideal, which is what Matthew 6 and 5 6 7 all about, got reaching this level of perfection You can choose which way you go.

85. 37:08

    He says if you choose to go the harder route, the harder option, then there’s a reward a special reward in that and so he says knowing verse 8 that whatsoever. Good thing, the king, the new King James got whatever sort of just trying to drill down to this specific aspect, whatever, good thing any man does the same. Shall he receive of the Lord?

86. 37:33

    Whether he be Bond or free or free? So the principle applies in all About life, but just think about that whatever you know, it’s a specific thing, a specific course, we choose to take in our whether it be a job where I could lose your life for a fan of, we take a specific course, the higher calling, the higher Road, whatever you want to call it. There’s a specific reward for that. that may be above and beyond the granting of immortality will all the acceptance into the judgments that generously into the king of We’ve talked about Matthew 6 already about being rewarded and runs all the way through.

87. 38:11

    Matthew 6, Galatians 6 whatsoever, a man soweth that, shall he? Also reap and let us not be weary in well-doing for in due season, we shall reap. If we faint not again. There’s, there’s the results in the amount of effort to put it at the proportional and connected. The, this is interesting little phrase and another, you could read, you can maybe read too much into it because it could just be a simple flourish.

88. 38:37

    Or an expression. But it’s got these that just makes you think it. S, John 1 or S, John verse 8, really? This is look to yourselves that you lose not those things which we have wrought but that we receive a full reward. Now, what’s the difference when a full reward and normal reward is, is there a is there a Max reward is there if we live our life, according to Matthew, 5, 6 and 7, there’s a full reward and there’s something lesser than that if we don’t. So you say, look to those things. Which we’ve taught you about and receive the full reward. Maybe.

89. 39:11

    Maybe it’s as I said, maybe just expression, but it implies something that we need to think about. And we can go on and on and on, I’ll just flick through these very quickly. He’s some examples of the idea examples of proportionality in rewards. We saw it in the parable already. Parable of the pounds have authority over tens, tens cities. Five cities Etc.

90. 39:36

    But even as other little hints, as you go through the gospels, for example, remember the story where the, the mother of the sons of Zebedee was Emily’s, wife, comes and says to Jesus, special request to Jesus can my son’s sit on your right hand on your left, which was a position of Honor.

91. 39:52

    It’s been part of the inner the inner court or the you know, click of a kingdom, isn’t the sit there in that in that sort of close proximity and be part of the, in a group. It’s a great seat of Honor. Now, Jesus doesn’t say, oh, don’t be silly, there’s no such thing in the Kingdom of Cool under the Outlook. Like he doesn’t say that he says well that that’s not mine to give my father will actually grant that that blessing which indicates There may be an inner group that are associated with Christ in a much more closer way. And intimate way then others in the kingdom and there is that those positions those job descriptions are genuine, their ask.

92. 40:32

    There are somebody. There are people are going to be on the right hand on the left. He doesn’t deny the reality of those positions. He says that’s God’s in fact he confirms of my saying they Gods. That’s God’s prerogative to grant that Daniel 10. Most of us are aware of this little scenario and As I said before, equal onto the Angels, what does that mean? Does that mean we’re all equal?

93. 40:54

    Like the Angels because the angels are not equal? Are they? We don’t quite know how that hierarchy of the Angels Came about whether it’s based on their performance in a previous era, or Epoch or even Another Universe. We don’t, we don’t know really where the Angels came from and where they’re why there is a hierarchy of both position and knowledge amongst a, but there is there really is. And there are angels called are Archangels, there are angels of have more abilities than other angels that have more knowledge than other Angels.

94. 41:25

    Their angel would have special jobs is that there’s an angel in Daniel called palimony, who’s the wonderful number who’s in charge of numbers? So I think, you know, accountants have got a, you know, that’s that’s that’s a dream, every accountant. That’s a bit know how much they have probably taken it too far. The I think I’ve got reach that limit, so yeah, Michael is called in it.

95. 41:48

    Little story and Daniel 10, most of, you know, and I’m sure that the younger ones may not be aware of it, but this angel that comes Daniel, praise this. Angel comes to him. Three weeks later and says, look I’m I heard your words. I’ve come for your responded to your words, but I got held up by. I got by the words of the Prince, of Persia Prince of Greece, a country of a prince of Greece. I got held up trying to do something in world affairs. And I was being resisted, and I couldn’t fulfill the job. And so, this other Angel was sent ENT. Michael was such a chief Angel.

96. 42:19

    So again, you got this idea of hierarchy, not just hierarchy in position. But hierarchy nobility, it would appear. He comes along and he fixes a problem up for me and I needed his help. And as I said, that’s interesting, not just rank, but also ability. Now, does that translate into the kingdom as well when we’re in the kingdom, are there saints that have more ability and are given more power in some sort of physical sense, or or mental sensor that they can do things that other It’s can’t, maybe, maybe that that if the analogy of been like, under the Angels carries forward into immortality than that. That is a reality.

97. 42:55

    Isn’t it in some way? And and you know, when we think about our life in the Kingdom, we’re not robots, are we in got never wants us to be robots. He always wants us to, to use our mind and our faculties to do things and he always makes it that we’ve got to, you know, arrived at the seasons and make certain calls and I think that it’s hard to imagine that goes out the window when Are in the kingdom.

98. 43:18

    And they’re all of a sudden we’ve sort of make every perfect decision in every perfect way that there would appear. And that little example would help would help us come to that conclusion, that there is a sense that as we reign as kings and Priests that we do make decisions and there may be other saints that we can call on to help us in certain circumstances. So without taking it too far, that is a little window I think into into that reality when there’s other ones, I haven’t looked at.

99. 43:45

    But, you know, there’s a story of the Put my cot Michael who makes this feature Jehoshaphat. He makes this little word picture, he says God called the angels together in heaven and ask their opinion on how he’s going to change the course of events in Israel. And one Angel suggest this another Angel suggest that one said what?

100. 44:05

     And I go down and be a lying spirit in the prophets Mouse and God said here. Okay, go with that. Yeah, how literal that is? I don’t, I don’t know but it’s interesting that it portrays these Immortal being Things as all coming up with suggestions and ideas and, and eventually one of those ideas been implemented.

101. 44:23

     So, again, it’s, it’s interesting to think about that in terms of our future, there’s a famous one here that all this would know as well. Matthew 19, the apostles are, given will be given to sit on the honor and the glory and the privilege of sitting on twelve Thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel, sort of specific role, a specific position of Honor and power that you and I will not get, okay?

102. 44:53

     So there is a sense of inequality in that outcome. Actually this is this a very interesting one. Maybe we’ll look that up as well. Let’s look at Matthew 19. Let’s look at a couple of these Promise, I won’t go. Much longer just wanted to plant the seed here. Matthew 19, here’s the context here is You know, the Rich Young Ruler whose come and said.

103. 45:19

     Yeah. What must I must I do to inherit eternal life in the Lord sort of delves into that attitude and says, well and it gives him this answer. That really is specific to him. It’s not to All Saints of all Tommy says, give everything away and sell what you have, give it to the poor and come, and follow me because he’s focusing on the need of that particular, man, at that time.

104. 45:43

     The apostles hear that response, and they start thinking and Peter says, in verse 27, usually ways Peter isn’t who jumps in with these little things verse 27, Peter says, then Peter said unto him, behold we have forsaken, all and followed you what will we have their vote thereafter and it will. Jesus could say what a stupid question.

105. 46:03

     Peter you idiot. Of course you can have eternal life and what does there is a disease? Is there anything else matters? Is there any old? What else would you want? Jesus? Sort of doesn’t couch the question. Ansel a quite a lot verse 28, Jesus says unto them verily. I say unto you to you to the group that not just to Peter, they which have followed me in the Regeneration when the son of man shall sit in the Throne of his glory shall also sit upon, twelve Thrones judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

106. 46:30

     Now that’s what the verse we just looked at now we’re all pretty. Okay with that but read on in verse 29, so that verse 28 was to you was for the immediate recipients but verse 29 says, and everyone Throughout all time that has forsaken house or Brethren or sisters, or father or mother or wife or children for land or lands for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold end.

107. 46:57

     So the the injection or whatever, whatever. And he’s in Granite City at the additional thing here, the receive a hundredfold end shall inherit eternal life. Now, that’s interesting. What does that mean? Literally, I don’t I can’t give you an exact answer to Question but it implies that maybe it implies that say a protester from the from the Middle Ages who is goes and has his tongue ripped out and he maintains his faithfulness.

108. 47:25

     Despite incredible persecution sees his family persecuted, all the terrible things of that experience may get a better reward than Darren de Porres is live this pretty nice middle-class life on the beautiful Central Coast of New South Wales and had a pretty good and had a pretty good life man. So maybe there is in that.

109. 47:44

     Um, sort of proportionality that that there’s a reward given to that person more than say us 21st century. Sort of got it. Good believers. And then the next verse says, in verse 13, this is the phrase, we’ll finish up with thinking about many that are first shall be last and the last shall be first again.

110. 48:06

     That is an interesting concept and we might just have a quick think about that before we finish up. This whole idea of been least in the kingdom of God. What does that mean? How does that actually play out? And is it something you’ve really ever thought about? What is what of Mirth does that mean to be least in the kingdom of God as a reality as a concept?

111. 48:26

     A lot of these references are in Matthew, the concentrated. Just got to Matthew 5 verse 19. Let’s just try and think this through. this is a really, really interesting little little word picture and again, again I think it’s also this This little section here will reinforce the thesis of my, my whole set of studies that that there is a difference between salvation and eternal life, and, and being rebuked, or punished in the Judgment seat. There is a difference.

112. 48:58

     And again, it gets comes out, time and time again, let’s just pick it up in verse verse 19 whosoever, therefore shall break. Now, the King James has got break, has anyone else got another rendition of that. Relaxes is good. I think it’s a useful. He’s a Knowles relaxes, so it’s in some way watering down God’s principles so he that shall break one of the least of these Commandments and chill influence others.

113. 49:28

     Teach men others. Teach men the same He Shall be Called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. So this is a Interesting little outcome here and then it goes on and says but whosoever shall do and teach. So he walks the walk and talks the talk. He Shall be Called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

114. 49:50

     Now who is this person that water’s down certain principles? And what does that mean? Well there are so many there are so many examples you could think of and make of this. But you could say well and you could go both ends of the spectrum. I mean some people might when they say the word relax is he’s got said well.

115. 50:07

     Somebody watering down standards of watering down and sort of you know, letting people do things that they shouldn’t do or whatever or you can jump to the other end of the spectrum. So well that could be someone that’s playing down some of those really important things in Matthew. 5, 6 and 7 like like piece that the best of the peacemakers that John has been telling us in in the Ecclesia instead of making peace they making you know Division and and not talking to other occasions and thinking they’re better than everyone else so that is also watering down the principles of God.

116. 50:37

     So So, on both ends of the spectrum, I think are relevant here. And if that affects other people, the problem is magnified. And the result of that is that person is not necessarily rejected at the Judgment seat. There’s something about Grace in his faith, that that means that he’s accepted, he’s in the pail of Salvation is in the book of life, but there are consequences for that and the consequences play out into the kingdom, he’s called least in the kingdom of God, and whatever that means.

117. 51:06

     And the other brother who’s Consistently teaching and doing is great in the kingdom of God. Now there’s this hierarchy of words actually just from Harry weekers book on the studies in the gospel brother would he could comments? And says, there is a, there is here an impressive combination of severity and graciousness how greatly the special responsibility? The teacher is accentuated.

118. 51:29

     My brethren be not many teachers is Queen there from James 3, knowing that we shall receive heavy a judgment yet. It is noted that, although Though, least such a one, may still be in the kingdom and it’s interesting. He goes first Corinthians 3 that which we look at yesterday’s a cross-reference. Their. So even though he’s least he still in the Kingdom, which is it? Which is again, maybe something we’ve never really sort of got a handle on II hadn’t up until I looked at this subject, that there is this interesting, sort of concept. Let’s just move along.

119. 52:05

     This seems to be a bit of a hierarchy in the Kingdom you in the use of these. These Greek words. Now, while we’re in Matthew, let’s look at Matthew 18 verse for just just, just not far away. Matthew 18 verse 4. And here’s another sort of quantitative statement about Our rewards in the, in the Kingdom.

120. 52:30

     Matthew 18 verse for whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of God. Now, the word great that we looked at in Matthew 5, that the, the brother who’s a teacher and a doer, he’s consistent what he says and does, he’s going to be great. That were great.

121. 52:51

     Is the word Mega, we get MegaMart from whatever. It’s a mega this is a higher word in the Greek. It’s a weird, Nick Zona And it’s even higher than Mega. So, this brother who’s just or sister is a humble person who humbled themselves to be like a little child, their Meek and humble, and they take God’s word into their mind and heart and they live it. Their greatest in the kingdom of God, greater than even the teacher, who is a really, really wonderful brother. He doesn’t, he does does good things that he teaches good things.

122. 53:22

     But even higher than he’s just like person who humble themselves like a little child, they’re even greater than this little hierarchy. So I just made this little lift up, Jesus is the greatest, the greater, in the Kingdom of Heaven, is the people that are humble in the Ecclesia. Someone who’s great is some someone who teaches and does.

123. 53:39

     It actively work doing good work for God and been consistent with a can. The least is someone who is relaxing. God’s principles in some way and leading others to do the same and then the Pharisees are told in Matthew, five of you, if you like the Pharisees, they’re not even they’re not going to be there at all.

124. 53:56

     They’re not going to be in the Kingdom. So so you can see that. little hierarchy called chart based upon those words in Matthew, Just to finish up. I might just make quick reference. We’re about to finish some a you for which we often use about the kingdom and been accepted at the Judgment seat.

125. 54:14

     Son. That says, just from memory, I’d be I’d be happy to be a doorkeeper in the, you know, how, you know, that one in the temple and we often say well and again, based on the scarcity view of the judge received. I’d be lucky if I get in there crawling on my hands and legs on broken glass. And if, if I just make it, I’ll be happy to be like the cleaner that that’s sort of the impression that that The sometimes gives or what we have, we use it. When in fact there’s a couple responses everyone is that that position is not a lowly position at all. It’s quite a very prestigious position to be that to be so closely involved with the temple, Worship in Israel’s culture and to be part of that, keeping the door in the temple is a great honor and a great, many people would have, you know, given the right arm to have a position like that. So it’s sort of a, not quite the, we use in the, in the way that is, that is correct.

126. 55:03

     And based on the The fact that God talks about rewards so often and you know, Matthew 5, 6 and 7, a classic cases and they pop up all over the place. Is that the attitude God? Really wants to have any way does God want us to strive for awards? And this is a little bit controversial because you know, I use this phrase showing off to God, does God want us to show off to him now that sort of loaded phrase which just to make you sort of stop and think but John, I talked about Nehemiah. The other thing was, John had mentioned Nehemiah. Who said you kept praying all the time? Remember, For good.

127. 55:35

     Remember for good. I could have sat on my Laurels as the governor and had a really crazy life. But remember me for good? Goddamn, if you could, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with doing works, not to earn salvation, because that’s not going to happen.

128. 55:46

     That’s not what it’s all about. But consciously doing things in the Ecclesia for other people, people that are suffering going through hard times, all those things, there’s nothing wrong with striving to do those things and to doing them to impress God and to please God this idea that runs through Emirates on look at now this idea of been well pleasing.

129. 56:03

     It’s a judgment seat. Word is Well, it’s using a number of judgments that context being well pleasing based on the sacrifices under the law and the sweet smelling, Savor all those Concepts that we can live our lives to give pleasure to God. And if that’s your objective, to please him to give pleasure, it’s borne out in your works and things that you do consciously.

130. 56:23

     And I said, I think, you know, sometimes we use the the the parable of the I’m going off script D so just bear with me as I ramble on but the parable of the sheep and the goats whether the people there don’t know that they’ve done good, you know they say oh when did we see you hungry?

131. 56:40

     And when we see the really, when you delve into that Parable, what they didn’t know is they did it to Jesus. It wasn’t, they didn’t know that. They did it. They obviously knew that they did it. They went and visited someone in jail. You don’t forget that lightly but they didn’t know. They did it for the Lord.

132. 56:52

     That was that was where the connection is he. In Jesus, if you’ve done it to the least of these Brethren, you’ve done it to me. So we We need to consciously, do good works, is not something going to magically happen somehow and it’s something we need to consciously do and Nehemiah, did consciously do? Good works and Jesus tells us we got to, you know, give he tells us.

133. 57:11

     Give arms in secret for the direct objective that your father, who sees in secret will reward you openly. So there’s nothing wrong with consciously doing those things to please God. And this is where I think young people get this. They sort of get like, they struggle with this because I say, well, why do I have to go the meeting? Do I go there?

134. 57:28

     Just to Impress, God and earn brownie points. Well, it’s not linked to your salvation. If that is something you do to please God, that you want to give God, you want to show God your appreciation and, and you want to be a sweet-smelling savour, if you want to use that term to God and give God. Pleasure, anyway, I’m raving on, so better finish up just to finish up.

135. 57:46

     This little idea, went, look at it now. It’s interesting, this little analogy in this little idea when, when David rewards, his mighty men, he actually rewards them on merits on what they achieved. All the grape seats that they’d achieved. It’s really quite interesting. So these men all went out to the cave of a dull and Etc. They, you know, says that they were pretty sort of Motley Crue that’s not there in debts and they were fleeing from this and that it was sort of like us really there’s no bodies that were in trouble and you know, looking for something. And they come out to David and they are with David during the bad years.

136. 58:23

     The trial years in the wilderness and when David comes to power, he’s made King in second, Samuel. 23. And First Chronicles 11, there’s quite a specific response that David has. He creates these different hierarchies and different levels. And there’s a group called The Three and they’ll and he says, they were water because they jumped in a picking killed a lion, or they did this. And, and the defeats and the acts of courage, they shown were With specifically related to the position they got in the in the in the kingdom, is this connection with them? I mean, all these men were part of his kingdom, all of them were accepted into his kingdom.

137. 58:59

     They all became his he’s private Army and he’s, you know, he’s immediate supporters and all that, they all got their all there in honor. But there were some that were given special places and special positions. There was another group called the three, there’s another drink of three. There’s another Elite group called The 30 and it’s, you know, we had time to look at it with this. This guy was one of the 30, but he wasn’t one of the three and this one was one of the three, but not one of the the second three and they all get, they all get these these rewards according to the service and the courage that they’d shown. So I look like I have gone over time apologize. Hopefully, we just planted some seeds in your mind that will try and bring together in a future session.