It Will Be Worth It All

Introduction

1 Peter 5:4-7

Peter is certain that the work of the Shepherd is to be performed against the backdrop of the return of Christ and the unfading reward which He shall bring. With this in mind, I must never forget..This is  my Father's world, O let me ne'er forget, That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet." This passage paints a clear picture of the "Expectation of the Shepherd." We see a glorious prospect; our future is as bright as the promises of God. The return of Christ calls us to a life of submission. One that is characterized by biblical humility; that promises God's mighty hand upon our lives, along with a lifting to a new level of service. The Apostle Peter even mentions what humility looks like and defines it in a fresh, new, encouraging way. Now, "His" beloved flock, hear me! "It will be worth it all." The Scripture plainly teaches The Appearing of the Chief Shepherd (Verses 4). In the Old Testament we were taught the Incarnation, which speaks of God in flesh. God came to us.

Immanuel means God with us. Throughout the New Testament we are taught the Revelation, God coming for us.

I. Return - Appearing

"when the Chief Shepherd appears" - not if, but when.

"Appear" - visible return; to manifest. Remember, 1 Peter is the epistle of hope. His coming is an encouragement in suffering and a motivation for faithful service. 1 Peter 1:6-7, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." There are five different words used to describe the return of Christ. In Hebrews 10:37, "coming"; 2 Thessalonians 2:8, "glorious display"; 1 Corinthians 15:23, "presence" and "to unveil"; in 1 Peter 5:4, "to disclose" or "to make manifest." Note the truth of Hebrews 9:28, "So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." This is the event which Peter and all genuine shepherds eagerly await; all servants of Jesus Christ. Word of Encouragement - "When We See Christ"

Oft-times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,

We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;

But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,

All tears forever over in God's eternal day.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,

We're tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;

But there is One in heaven who knows our deepest care,

Let Jesus solve your problem, just go to Him in prayer.

Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,

We'll cross the great divide to glory, safe at last.

We'll share the joys of heaven - a harp, a home, a crown,

The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,

Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ

One glimpse of His dear face

All sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race till we see Christ."

Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd Who died for the sheep. John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. "Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd Who lives for the sheep. Hebrews 13:20-21, "Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd Who comes for the sheep. Note: 1 Peter 5:4 Ladies and Gentlemen, Jesus Came, Jesus Died, Jesus Lives, and Jesus is Coming!

II. Review - Accounting

We are accountable to the Chief Shepherd for the stewardship of how we care for His flock, and for all of us as to how faithful of stewards we have been with His resources; time, talents, and treasures. He will review my ministry and my motive. Great Question: Was my service motivated by Love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, Done for the glory of God? 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, "Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." Verse 9, "we make it our aim" - Paul was speaking of his ambition in life, but not the kind of proud, selfish desire that ambition expresses in English. "Aim" - means to love what is honorable.

Paul demonstrated that it is right and noble for the believer to strive for excellence, spiritual goals, and all that is honorable before God. "well pleasing to Him" - This was Paul's highest goal and should be so for every believer. Describes slaves who were passionate to please their masters. (Titus 2:9) verse 10 - Reminder of the realization that every Christian is inevitably and ultimately accountable to Him.

"Judgment seat" - refers to the place where the Lord will sit to evaluate believers' lives for the purpose of giving them eternal rewards. "the things done in the body" - actions which happened during the believer's time of earthly ministry. This does not include sins, since their judgment took place at the cross. Paul was referring to all those activities believers do during their lifetimes, which relate to their eternal rewards and praise from God. What Christians do in their temporal bodies will, in His eyes, have an impact for eternity. "whether good or bad" - These terms do not refer to moral good and moral evil. Matters of sin have been completely dealt with by the death of the Savior. Rather, Paul was comparing worthwhile, eternally valuable activities with useless ones.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15, "Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

III. Reward - Acknowledging

"you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."

Revelation 22:12, "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." Two kinds of crowns are mentioned in the New Testament:

A. Diadem

The kingly crown worn by Christ (Revelation 19:12).

B. Stephanos

Victor's crown, is that which is awarded to the servants of Christ at His coming. Note five different victor crowns:

1. Self-Control Crown

1 Corinthains 9:25, "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." For mastering over the flesh.

2. Soul-Winning Crown

Thessalonians 2:19, "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?"

3. Suffering Crown

James 1:12, "Blessed is the man who endures temptation: for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." Revelation 2:10, "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

4. Second-Coming  Crown

2 Timothy 4:8, "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."

5. Servant-Leader Crown

1 Peter 5:4, "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." Perhaps all of the above represent the same crowns with the specific descriptions given to show some of the activities which God particularly honors. Imperishable Crown, Crown of Rejoicing, Crown of Life, Crown of Righteousness, Crown of Glory. What a joy to place a crown at His feet. Revelation 4:10, "the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne..." We will then acknowledge that "By teh grace of God I am what I am." (1 Corinthians 15:10)