Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

1 Corinthians 9:24 - 26 24Dont you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

How to Receive Your RewardsRun to Win!

I. Rewarded Balaam StyleNumbers 22-24King Balak attempts to bribe Prophet BalaamPay Balaam to curse IsraelitesDont go dont curse Israel for they have been blessedBalak tries againDont let anything stop youPay well and do what you tell me

Balaams noble response? Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of my God but let me check againGod permits him to go but angry about itnot my will but yours be doneSpiritual insight from a Donkey

Balaam blesses Israel 4 timesBalak the Lord has kept you from your reward

Israels downfall Numbers 25:1-3Sexual relations with Moabite womenIdolatryThe Lords anger blazed against his people

Balaam Noble or Naughty?Deuteronomy 23:4 - 5 4These nations did not welcome you with food and water when you came out of Egypt. Instead, they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in distant Aram-naharaim to curse you. 5But the LORD your God refused to listen to Balaam. He turned the intended curse into a blessing because the LORD your God loves you.

Numbers 31:16 16These are the very ones who followed Balaams advice and caused the people of Israel to rebel against the LORD at Mount Peor. They are the ones who caused the plague to strike the LORDs people.

Revelation 2:14 But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin.Jude 1:11 What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion.

2 Peter 2V.1 False teachers among youV.3 In their greed, they will make up clever lies to get hold of your moneyV.12 these false teachersV.15-16 followed the footsteps of Balaam who loved to earn money from wrong doing

II. Rewarded Daniel Style Daniel 5Many years later Belshazzar gives a great feastThe writing on the wall

Royal robes, Gold necklace, third highest ruler if you will interpretKeep your gifts or give them to someone elseI will tell you what it meansDaniel rewarded

III. Let the Rewards Come1 Peter 5:1-6Care for (Shepherd) the flockNot for what you will get out of it (your own gain)When Jesus returns you will receive a crown of glory and honorAll serve each other in humilityGod will lift you up in honor at the right time

Psalms 18:20 The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness;According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. Proverbs 11:18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousnessgets a true reward. Proverbs 22:4 The reward of humilityand the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life.

Revelation 22:12 Behold, I am coming quickly, and My rewardis with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. ANTICIPATE A REWARDING YEAR!!!

Interaction TimeWhat is the difference between a reward and a bribe?What do you think should be our response to rewards as described in the Word of God?What are some of the rewards you have received in this life and what are the rewards yet to come?