Spiritual Gifts part 256: It is the mighty oak that serves.

Pastor-Teacher
John Farley
Sunday,
April 22, 2012

Spiritual Gifts Part 256: It is the mighty oak that serves.

God is at work producing mature sons who can step in and take on the amazing calling and destiny He has waiting for those who love Him.

Joh 14:23
Jesus answered and said to him,
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word”;

Joh 14:21
“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me.”

Joh 15:12
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you”

These differences are spoken of in the Bible in terms of rank, rulership, reward, recognition, privilege, and intimacy.

1. Rank:
twelve thrones, first and last.
Mat 19:27-30

2. Rulership:
10 cities, 5 cities, no cities; sitting down on Christ’s throne to rule with Him.
Luk 19:11-27; Rev 2:25-29; Rev 3:21

3. Reward:
to each according to his deeds; crowns.
Mat 5:11-12; Mat 10:40-42; Luk 6:35-36; 1Co 3:8-15; Col 3:23-24; Jam 1:12; 2Jo 8; Rev 2:10; Rev 22:10-14

Rewards are associated with work and faithful service.

The source of the production matters.

Motivation: for the Lord or for myself?

Power: the Holy Spirit or the flesh?

For the church age believer, part of the inheritance is a birthright (child), and part of the inheritance is in the category of reward (mature son).

The inheritance of the Church Age believer has two compartments:
the birthright (regeneration), and
the rewards (maturity).

Inheritance Chest

Birthright Reward
  • Salvation
  • +R
  • Eternal life
  • Res. Body
  • Crowns
  • Thrones
  • Morning Star

“God, in the New Testament Scriptures, offers to the lost, salvation, and for the faithful service of the saved, rewards.”
Scofield.

Salvation is invariably spoken of as a free gift, while rewards are earned by works.

Eternal life is a free gift from God.

Justification is a free gift from God.

This by grace, through faith salvation is the gift of God.

Heirs of God by birth – by means of the new birth – regeneration.

Fellow heirs with Christ by training – a life of overcoming and service.

Inheritance Chest

Heirs of God Joint-heirs with Christ
  • Salvation
  • +R
  • Eternal life
  • Res. Body
  • Crowns
  • Thrones
  • Morning Star

 

The inheritance of the believer has two sides.
Austin-Sparks talks about these two aspects in terms of (1) nature, and (2) service.

The little sapling has the same NATURE as the mighty oak.

But it is the mighty oak that SERVES.

 

2Co 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

The resurrection body is related to Christ’s NATURE.
So are eternal life and perfect righteousness.

Inheritance Chest

Nature Service
  • Salvation
  • +R
  • Eternal life
  • Res. Body
  • Crowns
  • Thrones
  • Morning Star

 

 


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