Heavens reward part 4 of 4. You are our hope, our joy, and the crown we will take pride in when our Lord Jesus Christ comes ( 1Thess. 2:19). Will you ever find yourself face to face with lives youve helped change? Will you ever hear the gratitude of those redeemed as a result of your obedience to God? Will you ever stand in a crowd of rescued souls?Rescued because you told them about Jesus. The apostle Paul thought so. you are our hope, our joy, and the crown we will take pride in when our Lord Jesus Christ comes ( 1 Thess. 2:19). When did Paul think this would take place? When our Lord Jesus Christ comes. Let me explain. Paul had preached at Thessalonica . He had won many souls to Christ. Jews, Greeks, and many important women. ( Acts 17:4). They were convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. The young believers were arrested and forced to post bond. That night they help Paul, Timothy, and Silas sneak out of the city. Paul moves on, but his heart is still in Thessalonica . The church is so young, but oh-so-special. Just the thought of them makes him proud. He longs to see them again. We always thank God for all of you and mention you when we pray ( 1Thess. 1:2). He dreams of the day he might see them again and he dreams of the day they see Christ together. A meeting between those freed and the one who led them to freedom. A moment in which those saved can meet the one who led them to the cross and salvation. He envisions finding them on that day. And, in the presence of Christ, they will enjoy an eternal reunion. Can you imagine doing the same. When Christ comes again. There you are in the midst of the redeemed. Your body is new--- no more pain or problems. You have a new mind: what you once understood in part, you now understand clearly. You feel no fear, no sorrow, no pain. You are in a crowd, but it as if you and Jesus are all alone. I wonder if Christ my speak these words to you: Im so proud that you let me use you. Because of you others are here today. Would you like to meet them? Its one thing for Paul to feel this way. He was an apostle---- but us. I know Im speculating but I wonder. With his hand on your shoulder, he speaks to the mass. Do we have any here who were influenced by this child of mine? One by one, they begin to step out. One is your mean old neighbor who lived next door. You didnt expect to see him. You never knew I was watching, he explains, but I was. And because of you, I am here. One by one they come. A coworker noticed how you refused to gossip. Someone you dont even remember reminds you of the time you saw her in the hospital. You were there visiting a relative in the next bed, but on the way out you stopped and spoke words of hope to this stranger who looked lonely and afraid. You are amazed by the people from around the world. You never traveled to Latin America, Africa, or Asia, but look! Colombians, Nigerians, Cambodians, Indians, people from around the world step forward. I read your post on Facebook and my life was changed for ever. And because you were obedient to the Spirit, Maria from Colombia wants to say thanks, so do the others. Its not long before you and your Savior are encircled by all the souls you have touched. You feel what Paul felt for the Thessalonians: pride. Not an arrogant , look-at-what-Ive-done pride. But a deep joy which declares, Im so proud of your faith. But Jesus isnt finished. Youve seen the neighbors, the coworkers, those you hardly knew. The foreigners you never knew, but there is more. Your family. Your spouse whispers Thanks for not giving up on me. Then your parents. No longer frail like you last saw them, but healthy and strong. Were proud of you they, they say. Next is your children. Children whom you prayed over and cared for. They thank you over and over. They know how hard it was and how hard you tried to teach them about Christ, and they thank you. Those faces you dont recognized are grandchildren and great- grandchildren and descendants you never saw until today. All wanting to thank you for an inherited legacy of faith. They thank you. Will such a moment occur? I dont know. If it does these words of description will pale in comparison with what will actually happen. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him ( 1 Cor. 2:9. And that no one includes you and me. But I feel it will happen, that and much more.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 17:21:10 +0000
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