On Sunday, November 15, 2020, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Eternal Rewards, Part 3”. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.
1. The prospect of future reward can be very encouraging, empowering, and comforting.
How would the prospect of eternal reward impact:
- A teen, or 20 something, who is seeking to remain sexually pure?
- A person who is caring for a spouse or parent who suffers from Alzheimer’s?
- A parent who is raising a special needs child?
- Parents who are seeking to be spiritual models for their children?
- An individual who is considering downsizing their cost of living to make more eternal investments?
- A young person who wants to follow Jesus despite the poor example of their parents?
- A person who has long suffered physically with disability or pain?
One thing is certain, all of our struggles in faithfully serving and following Jesus will one day be worth it!
2. Bruce asked: Will every believer experience joy in eternity? And he stated emphatically YES!
- Read I John 2:28. John proposes that it is possible for a Jesus follower to experience shame when Jesus returns. How does that “jive” with Bruce’s statement above? Discuss.
- After some discussion evaluate Samuel Hoyt’s statement: “To overdo the sorrow aspect of the judgment seat of Christ is to make heaven hell. To underdo the sorrow aspect is to make faithfulness inconsequential.”
3. Do you feel prepared to stand before the Bema of Christ?
Are there attitudes that should be altered?
Are there habits or patterns of sin that need to be addressed?
Are there areas where you have yet to yield your will to His?
4. List the resources God has graciously provided for you (education, abilities, spiritual gifts, life experiences, positions of influence, finances, opportunities to serve Jesus and others). Then take some time to prayerfully consider how you might better utilize each of those resources for eternal benefit.
5. All of us may be in differing places in our spiritual journey:
- Some may be in “comeback mode.” Maybe you’ve drifted in your spiritual walk and spent some time off in “the spiritual weeds.” If so, always remember His arms are ever open wide to you. Draw near to Him, and he’ll draw near to you (James 4:8). It is never too late to build well, manage well, and run well.
- Others have maybe enjoyed a series of significant spiritual accomplishments and victories. If so, stay humble, remain faithful, keep your focus on the finish line and continue to exalt Jesus.
6. First Corinthians 10:12 warns us, Let him who thinks he stands, take heed that he does not fall.
Prayerfully read Psalm 139:23-24 and ask God to reveal any hidden issues in your heart.
“We were made for a person and a place. Jesus is the person. Heaven is the place”
– Randy Alcorn
Recommended book for digging deeper into Eternal Rewards:
Going for the Gold by Joe L. Wall