Your Work Shall Be Rewarded

On Friday 4 September 2026 the church of Good Samaritan Mission gathered for the twelfth thanksgiving of its dedication (ஆலயப் பிரதிஷ்டையின் 12ஆம் ஆண்டு நன்றி ஆராதனை), giving thanks for the years since the building was dedicated to the Lord on 28 August 2014. The message was brought by a guest, Bro. P. David Ponraj from Karisal, who teaches English at a school in Kalakkad. The service closed with the Lord's Supper, led by Rev. J. Robert Venish.

A Word to the Church (சபைக்கு ஒரு வாழ்த்து)

Before opening his text, Bro. David Ponraj greeted the church with a reminder of what a church is. It was never formed by human thinking or human will. The Head of the Church said, "On this rock I will build My church," and He holds a jealous purpose for every congregation He plants.

"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." - Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)

"மேலும், நான் உனக்குச் சொல்லுகிறேன், நீ பேதுருவாய் இருக்கிறாய், இந்தக் கல்லின்மேல் என் சபையைக் கட்டுவேன்; பாதாளத்தின் வாசல்கள் அதை மேற்கொள்வதில்லை." - மத்தேயு 16:18 (TAOVBSI)

Whatever purpose and vision God had when He willed that this house of worship stand in this place, He used His own children to bring it about, and that purpose is still being fulfilled among them. The same Lord who chooses "one from a city and two from a family" (Jeremiah 3:14) found each of His people before they were formed in the womb, washed them in His blood, and planted them together in this vineyard as one family in Christ.

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." - 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

"நீங்களோ, உங்களை அந்தகாரத்தினின்று தம்முடைய ஆச்சரியமான ஒளியினிடத்திற்கு வரவழைத்தவருடைய புண்ணியங்களை அறிவிக்கும்படிக்குத் தெரிந்துகொள்ளப்பட்ட சந்ததியாயும், ராஜரீகமான ஆசாரியக்கூட்டமாயும், பரிசுத்த ஜாதியாயும், அவருக்குச் சொந்தமான ஜனமாயும் இருக்கிறீர்கள்." - 1 பேதுரு 2:9 (TAOVBSI)

He prayed that the promise of Isaiah 60:3, that the nations would come to the light of its rising, would go on being fulfilled through this congregation; that it would honour the Lord's name across the whole region and that many more would be gathered into the flock. Wherever two or three gather in His name, He is in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). He asked that all who enter this house would leave blessed, their thirst satisfied, having known the glory of God, and that the voice of the Lord would go out from here. "You will see greater things than these," Jesus said (John 1:50), and the guest asked God for exactly that over the church's future.

Do Not Let Your Hands Be Weak (கைகளை நெகிழவிடாதிருங்கள்)

For the afternoon's meditation he read a single verse. Azariah the son of Oded, a man of God, went out to meet Asa king of Judah with a word from the Lord:

"Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." - 2 Chronicles 15:2 (NKJV)

"ஆசாவே, யூதா பென்யமீன் கோத்திரங்களின் சகல மனுஷரே, கேளுங்கள்; நீங்கள் கர்த்தரோடிருந்தால், அவர் உங்களோடிருப்பார்; நீங்கள் அவரைத் தேடினால், உங்களுக்கு வெளிப்படுவார்; அவரை விட்டீர்களேயாகில், அவர் உங்களை விட்டுவிடுவார்." - 2 நாளாகமம் 15:2 (TAOVBSI)

And then the word on which the whole message rests:

"But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!" - 2 Chronicles 15:7 (NKJV)

"நீங்களோ உங்கள் கைகளை நெகிழவிடாமல் திடன்கொள்ளுங்கள்; உங்கள் கிரியைகளுக்குப் பலன் உண்டு என்றான்." - 2 நாளாகமம் 15:7 (TAOVBSI)

Life brings many kinds of disappointment, frustration and failure. Things we hoped for do not come to pass. Many of God's people sit in church having told no one, yet worn down inside: "I labour so hard, I work so much, I live so faithfully, and I see no fruit at all." The word spoken to Asa that day comes to such a person now. Be strong. Do not let your hands go slack. Your work shall be rewarded.

The Lord we worship gives a reward for what His people do. Isaiah says the same thing to the weary:

"Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees." - Isaiah 35:3 (NKJV)

"தளர்ந்த கைகளைத் திடப்படுத்தி, தள்ளாடுகிற முழங்கால்களைப் பலப்படுத்துங்கள்." - ஏசாயா 35:3 (TAOVBSI)

"Say to those who are fearful-hearted, 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.'" - Isaiah 35:4 (NKJV)

"மனம் பதறுகிறவர்களைப் பார்த்து: நீங்கள் பயப்படாதிருங்கள், திடன் கொள்ளுங்கள்; இதோ, உங்கள் தேவன் நீதியைச் சரிக்கட்டவும், உங்கள் தேவன் பதிலளிக்கவும் வருவார்; அவர் வந்து உங்களை இரட்சிப்பார் என்று சொல்லுங்கள்." - ஏசாயா 35:4 (TAOVBSI)

Why take courage? Because your God is coming to answer for your work. Isaiah 40:10 and Isaiah 59:18 say it again: He repays according to deeds. Zephaniah speaks the same word to Jerusalem and Zion, the people of God:

"In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: 'Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak.'" - Zephaniah 3:16 (NKJV)

"அந்நாளிலே எருசலேமைப் பார்த்து, பயப்படாதே என்றும், சீயோனைப் பார்த்து, உன் கைகளைத் தளரவிடாதே என்றும் சொல்லப்படும்." - செப்பனியா 3:16 (TAOVBSI)

"The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." - Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)

"உன் தேவனாகிய கர்த்தர் உன் நடுவில் இருக்கிறார்; அவர் வல்லமையுள்ளவர், அவர் இரட்சிப்பார்; அவர் உன்பேரில் சந்தோஷமாய் மகிழ்ந்து, தம்முடைய அன்பினிமித்தம் அமர்ந்திருப்பார்; அவர் உன்பேரில் கெம்பீரமாய்க் களிகூருவார்." - செப்பனியா 3:17 (TAOVBSI)

Some do not show their grief before others, but weep alone in a private room. To the brother, the sister, the mother, the father whose heart is sobbing in secret, the Lord says through Jeremiah: stop weeping.

"Thus says the LORD: 'Refrain your voice from weeping, And your eyes from tears; For your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD, And they shall come back from the land of the enemy.'" - Jeremiah 31:16 (NKJV)

"நீ அழாதபடிக்கு உன் சத்தத்தை அடக்கி, நீ கண்ணீர்விடாதபடிக்கு உன் கண்களைக் காத்துக்கொள் என்று கர்த்தர் சொல்லுகிறார்; உன் கிரியைக்குப் பலனுண்டென்று கர்த்தர் சொல்லுகிறார்; அவர்கள் சத்துருவின் தேசத்திலிருந்து திரும்பிவருவார்கள்." - எரேமியா 31:16 (TAOVBSI)

The righteous Judge (நீதியுள்ள நியாயாதிபதி)

Proverbs 24:12, Revelation 20:12 and Revelation 22:12 all teach that God renders to each one according to his works.

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." - Revelation 22:12 (NKJV)

"இதோ, சீக்கிரமாய் வருகிறேன்; அவனவனுடைய கிரியைகளின்படி அவனவனுக்கு நான் அளிக்கும் பலன் என்னோடேகூட வருகிறது." - வெளிப்படுத்தின விசேஷம் 22:12 (TAOVBSI)

Our Lord is righteous. He shows no partiality. As the righteous Judge He will surely repay every wicked deed, every evil a person does, and nothing will change that.

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." - Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)

"மோசம்போகாதிருங்கள், தேவன் தம்மைப் பரியாசம்பண்ணவொட்டார்; மனுஷன் எதை விதைக்கிறானோ அதையே அறுப்பான்." - கலாத்தியர் 6:7 (TAOVBSI)

But the verses read so far are not about the reward of evil deeds. They are words God speaks to His own children when they grow weary, when their hands tremble and their hearts sink, to strengthen them. So the question the preacher set out to answer was this: when the Lord says He will reward work, what work does He mean, and what reward will He give? He gave four answers.

1. Holy Zeal and an Open Door (பரிசுத்த வைராக்கியமும் திறந்த வாசலும்)

Among the seven churches of Asia, the Spirit speaks to Philadelphia:

"I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name." - Revelation 3:8 (NKJV)

"உன் கிரியைகளை அறிந்திருக்கிறேன்; உனக்குக் கொஞ்சம் பெலன் இருந்தும், நீ என் நாமத்தை மறுதலியாமல், என் வசனத்தைக் கைக்கொண்டபடியினாலே, இதோ, திறந்தவாசலை உனக்கு முன்பாக வைத்திருக்கிறேன், அதை ஒருவனும் பூட்டமாட்டான்." - வெளிப்படுத்தின விசேஷம் 3:8 (TAOVBSI)

What works does He know? With only a little strength, this church kept His word and did not deny His name. It held to the truth, obeyed the word, lived in holiness, guarded righteousness, stood as a witness and walked with integrity. For that, the Lord says, "I will set an open door before you." The next verses add more: He will make others know that He has loved this church (3:9), and He will keep it from the hour of trial.

"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." - Revelation 3:10 (NKJV)

"என் பொறுமையைக்குறித்துச் சொல்லிய வசனத்தை நீ காத்துக்கொண்டபடியினால், பூமியில் குடியிருக்கிறவர்களைச் சோதிக்கும்படியாகப் பூச்சக்கரத்தின்மேலெங்கும் வரப்போகிற சோதனைகாலத்திற்குத் தப்பும்படி நானும் உன்னைக் காப்பேன்." - வெளிப்படுத்தின விசேஷம் 3:10 (TAOVBSI)

To works of holy zeal, works that stand firm in the light of the truth God has revealed and bear witness to His word, the Lord gives a spiritual reward: an open door, deliverance in the time of testing, and His love made visible to those outside.

Many in the congregation came to Christ out of other faiths, from among people who did not know God, and the Lord in His grace saved them and revealed Himself to them. Some of them still stand for Him in the middle of their own families and their own villages, facing opposition and struggle. They have made decisions to hate sin and live holy lives as witnesses to the truth. They refuse certain things, decline to go along with certain practices, and sometimes stand alone. Their families may not understand; their own relatives may even turn hostile. At home, at work and in the life of the community, people may not understand a life kept unstained. But the God who called them understands. He knows their holy zeal, their honesty, their faithfulness. So the word to them is plain: do not grow weak, do not lose heart, do not weep. Your work shall be rewarded.

Joseph in Potiphar's house (போத்திபாரின் வீட்டில் யோசேப்பு)

Joseph was a handsome young man in Potiphar's house, and circumstances pulled him toward sin. To keep his purity unstained, he left his garment behind and ran (Genesis 39). His master Potiphar did not understand Joseph's holiness. The other servants did not understand it. But the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob understood it and knew the holy work of that upright young man. Even though Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison, a day came when the Lord rewarded him and raised him from the prison to the throne of Egypt.

Your holiness may not be understood now. Your family or your village may not understand why you stand firm to keep the word. A day will come when the Lord will make your honesty and your integrity shine.

The Lord knew the integrity of Job, of Joshua and of Caleb, who followed Him wholeheartedly. Knowing Joshua's faithfulness, He raised him up as the great leader after Moses. Knowing Caleb's, He gave him his inheritance in the land. He knows your uprightness, your honesty, your faithfulness in business, your service to Him. Perhaps a wife feels her husband does not understand her, or a husband feels his wife does not, or parents feel their children do not, because they will not do certain things for the sake of Christ. To that grieving heart the Lord says, "I know. I know, My son. I know, My daughter."

Phinehas (பினெகாஸ்)

When all Israel was sinning, when sexual immorality and lust filled the land, one man of God, Phinehas, rose up and was zealous for holiness (Numbers 25:11). The Lord answered with an everlasting covenant.

"And it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel." - Numbers 25:13 (NKJV)

"அவன் தன் தேவனுக்காக பக்திவைராக்கியம் காண்பித்து, இஸ்ரவேல் புத்திரருக்காகப் பாவநிவிர்த்தி செய்தபடியினால், அவனுக்கும் அவனுக்குப் பின்பு அவன் சந்ததிக்கும் நித்திய ஆசாரிய பட்டத்திற்குரிய உடன்படிக்கை உண்டாயிருக்கும் என்று சொல் என்றார்." - எண்ணாகமம் 25:13 (TAOVBSI)

So the reward for holy zeal is an open door: an open door in the family, an open door where things have been shut, an open door in ministry, in business that has stalled, in the matters of your children, in the work of your hands. Doors that have stayed closed until now are being opened.

2. Trusting Faith and Perfect Peace (விசுவாச நம்பிக்கையும் பூரண சமாதானமும்)

The second work the Lord rewards is the faith that holds fast to Him.

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." - Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

"உம்மை உறுதியாய்ப் பற்றிக்கொண்ட மனதையுடையவன் உம்மையே நம்பியிருக்கிறபடியால், நீர் அவனைப் பூரண சமாதானத்துடன் காத்துக்கொள்வீர்." - ஏசாயா 26:3 (TAOVBSI)

Whoever clings firmly to this God who does not lie, this faithful God who has made promises, receives perfect peace as his reward. Scripture calls the one who trusts in the Lord blessed. The God we worship will never forsake us; He is the God who does us good, and He rewards a faith that trusts Him a hundred percent.

"It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man." - Psalm 118:8 (NKJV)

"மனுஷனை நம்புவதைப் பார்க்கிலும், கர்த்தர் பேரில் பற்றுதலாயிருப்பதே நலம்." - சங்கீதம் 118:8 (TAOVBSI)

The preacher noted that this verse is often called the middle verse of the whole Bible.

What is faith? It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." - Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

"விசுவாசமில்லாமல் தேவனுக்குப் பிரியமாயிருப்பது கூடாதகாரியம்; ஏனென்றால், தேவனிடத்தில் சேருகிறவன் அவர் உண்டென்றும், அவர் தம்மைத் தேடுகிறவர்களுக்குப் பலன் அளிக்கிறவரென்றும் விசுவாசிக்கவேண்டும்." - எபிரெயர் 11:6 (TAOVBSI)

What the Lord expects from each of us is to trust Him the way a small child trusts, without unbelief. To that childlike trust He gives perfect peace.

Abraham trusted like a child (சின்னப் பிள்ளையைப் போல ஆபிரகாம்)

God called Abraham at seventy-five and told him to go to a land He would show him, and he went. With the call in Genesis 12 came seven promises: a great nation, a great name, blessing on those who bless him, a curse on those who curse him, and more. Later the Lord told him to lift up his eyes to the north and south, east and west, and walk through the land, for all he could see would be given to him and his descendants (Genesis 13:14-17). Like a little child, Abraham kept moving his tent from place to place, because the God who called him was faithful.

When God promised him the land, he did not own a single foot of it. When God promised him descendants as many as the stars, he did not have one child of his own. In Genesis 15 Abraham says, "Lord, what will You give me, seeing I go childless?" God brought him out of the tent and told him to look up and count the stars if he could, for so would his descendants be.

"And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness." - Genesis 15:6 (NKJV)

"அவன் கர்த்தரை விசுவாசித்தான், அதை அவர் அவனுக்கு நீதியாக எண்ணினார்." - ஆதியாகமம் 15:6 (TAOVBSI)

The preacher put it in the Father's voice: "See how My child trusts Me." By Genesis 17 Abraham was ninety-nine and Sarah ninety, with no natural hope of a child. Yet God changed their names, Abram to Abraham, father of many nations, and Sarai to Sarah, from whom kings would come. Abraham simply believed. And the God who calls those things which do not exist as though they did (Romans 4:17) looked on the faith of His son and gave him Isaac, the child of promise, exactly in his hundredth year (Genesis 21:5). To the work of faith that trusts the Lord, He answers with wonders.

Hezekiah spread out the letter (கடிதத்தை விரித்து வைத்த எசேக்கியா)

When Sennacherib king of Assyria sent his army and his threatening letter against Jerusalem, King Hezekiah did not march out to war. He ran to the house of the Lord, spread the letter out before God and prayed, "Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see" (2 Kings 19:14-19). A king praying like a small child: look at this letter, hear these words of reproach, my eyes are on You.

"He trusted in the LORD God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him." - 2 Kings 18:5 (NKJV)

"அவன் இஸ்ரவேலின் தேவனாகிய கர்த்தரின் மேல் வைத்த நம்பிக்கையிலே, அவனுக்குப் பின்னும் அவனுக்கு முன்னும் இருந்த யூதாவின் ராஜாக்களிலெல்லாம் அவனைப்போல் ஒருவனும் இருந்ததில்லை." - 2 இராஜாக்கள் 18:5 (TAOVBSI)

Hezekiah never went to battle. The Lord sent one angel, who struck down a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians (2 Kings 19:35), and God's people had the victory.

Some have waited many days, even many years, praying for a particular miracle, and are discouraged that it has not yet happened. Do not let your hands go slack, and do not grow weary in prayer. The Lord who knows those who trust Him will reward that trust. He will never forsake you.

Seven X-rays (ஏழு எக்ஸ்ரே)

The preacher told of a man of God in America who was diagnosed with tuberculosis. The X-ray showed his lungs badly damaged and the doctors told him he would not live. He answered that God's word says the Lord is his healer and that by His stripes we are healed, and he asked them to take another X-ray.

"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

"நம்முடைய மீறுதல்களினிமித்தம் அவர் காயப்பட்டு, நம்முடைய அக்கிரமங்களினிமித்தம் அவர் நொறுக்கப்பட்டார்; நமக்குச் சமாதானத்தை உண்டுபண்ணும் ஆக்கினை அவர்மேல் வந்தது; அவருடைய தழும்புகளால் குணமாகிறோம்." - ஏசாயா 53:5 (TAOVBSI)

The second X-ray still showed the disease, and so did the third. By the fourth the doctors were laughing at him. The fifth and sixth showed the same. He went on trusting firmly that the Lord would heal him. On the seventh X-ray there was no trace of tuberculosis; he had been completely healed. The X-rays had nothing to do with his healing. He had placed his faith firmly in the Lord, and the Father looked on him and said, as it were, "See how My child trusts Me."

3. Good Works That Are Never Forgotten (மறக்கப்படாத நற்கிரியைகள்)

The third work the Lord rewards is the good we do.

"Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality." - Romans 2:7 (NKJV)

"சோர்ந்துபோகாமல் நற்கிரியைகளைச்செய்து, மகிமையையும் கனத்தையும் அழியாமையையும் தேடுகிறவர்களுக்கு நித்தியஜீவனை அளிப்பார்." - ரோமர் 2:7 (TAOVBSI)

Jesus went about doing good (Acts 10:38), and God created us for the same purpose.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

"ஏனெனில், நற்கிரியைகளைச் செய்கிறதற்கு நாம் கிறிஸ்து இயேசுவுக்குள் சிருஷ்டிக்கப்பட்டு, தேவனுடைய செய்கையாயிருக்கிறோம்; அவைகளில் நாம் நடக்கும்படி அவர் முன்னதாக அவைகளை ஆயத்தம்பண்ணியிருக்கிறார்." - எபேசியர் 2:10 (TAOVBSI)

Writing to Titus, Paul returns to it three times: be zealous for good works, be careful to maintain good works, learn to maintain good works so as not to be unfruitful (Titus 2:14; 3:8; 3:14). Do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased (Hebrews 13:16).

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)

"இவ்விதமாய், மனுஷர் உங்கள் நற்கிரியைகளைக் கண்டு, பரலோகத்திலிருக்கிற உங்கள் பிதாவை மகிமைப்படுத்தும்படி, உங்கள் வெளிச்சம் அவர்கள் முன்பாகப் பிரகாசிக்கக்கடவது." - மத்தேயு 5:16 (TAOVBSI)

So let us do good generously. The good we do may never be praised. Those who benefited from it may forget it. Someone may have sacrificed everything and worked tirelessly for their own family, and today that same family may neglect them, even betray them. Their sacrifice is forgotten and they feel rejected by everyone: "I worked so hard for him, for her, for this family, for this ministry; I ran and ran, and now they have forgotten me, abandoned me, slandered me unjustly." The Lord's answer is that He does not forget.

The cupbearer whom Joseph helped forgot him (Genesis 40:23), but the Lord did not. King Ahasuerus forgot what Mordecai had done, but the Lord did not; He took away the king's sleep one night so that Mordecai's good deed was read out and honoured (Esther 6:1-3). The alms and good works of Cornelius came up as a memorial before God (Acts 10:4), and through him the door of salvation was opened to the Gentiles. The good works of Dorcas raised her from death (Acts 9:36-41).

Ruth and her full reward (ரூத்துக்குக் கிடைத்த நிறைவான பலன்)

Ruth the Moabitess had barely come back to the hut before she went out again to glean in the fields. Boaz said to her:

"The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge." - Ruth 2:12 (NKJV)

"உன் செய்கைக்குத்தக்க பலனைக் கர்த்தர் உனக்குக் கட்டளையிடுவாராக; இஸ்ரவேலின் தேவனாகிய கர்த்தருடைய செட்டைகளின்கீழ் அடைக்கலமாய் வந்த உனக்கு அவராலே நிறைவான பலன் கிடைப்பதாக என்றான்." - ரூத் 2:12 (TAOVBSI)

Did Ruth come back with Naomi expecting a reward? Naomi herself told her that following her would bring her no good, and urged her to go back as Orpah had (Ruth 1:8-15). Yet Ruth came, and faithfully did what she owed her mother-in-law. She received more than she could have imagined. She became the wife of Boaz, a man of great wealth, and the great-grandmother of King David, and Christ was born in her line. The law said no Moabite or Ammonite should enter the assembly of the Lord even to the tenth generation (Deuteronomy 23:3), yet in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:5, Ruth the Moabitess is named.

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." - Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

"நன்மைசெய்கிறதில் சோர்ந்துபோகாமல் இருப்போமாக; நாம் தளர்ந்துபோகாதிருந்தால் ஏற்றகாலத்தில் அறுப்போம்." - கலாத்தியர் 6:9 (TAOVBSI)

A day will come. The Joseph whose sacrifice his brothers and the cupbearer forgot is the Joseph the Lord lifted up. The David who refused to harm Saul and did him good is the David the Lord exalted. The Lord blessed Dorcas and did good to Cornelius. He knows your good works too.

4. Suffering for Christ and the Crown (கிறிஸ்துவுக்காகப் படும் பாடுகளும் கிரீடமும்)

The fourth and last answer, out of the many verses that could be given, rested on one:

"If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us." - 2 Timothy 2:12 (NKJV)

"அவரோடேகூடப் பாடுகளைச் சகித்தோமானால் அவரோடேகூட ஆளுகையும் செய்வோம்; நாம் அவரை மறுதலித்தால், அவரும் நம்மை மறுதலிப்பார்;" - 2 தீமோத்தேயு 2:12 (TAOVBSI)

The sufferings, afflictions and reproaches borne for Christ have their reward. In the Sermon on the Mount the Lord said so plainly:

"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake." - Matthew 5:11 (NKJV)

"என்னிமித்தம் உங்களை நிந்தித்துத் துன்பப்படுத்தி, பலவித தீமையான மொழிகளையும் உங்கள்பேரில் பொய்யாய்ச் சொல்வார்களானால் பாக்கியவான்களாயிருப்பீர்கள்;" - மத்தேயு 5:11 (TAOVBSI)

"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matthew 5:12 (NKJV)

"சந்தோஷப்பட்டு, களிகூருங்கள்; பரலோகத்தில் உங்கள் பலன் மிகுதியாயிருக்கும்; உங்களுக்கு முன்னிருந்த தீர்க்கதரிசிகளையும் அப்படியே துன்பப்படுத்தினார்களே." - மத்தேயு 5:12 (TAOVBSI)

Because they received Christ, some have been reproached by their own families, rejected and kept apart, pushed out by their villages, and judged falsely and unjustly. Scripture says there is a reward for that. Rejoice; there is a reward in heaven.

Look at the apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 11 he lists what he suffered for Christ: labours more abundant, beatings, stoning, shipwreck, hunger, cold, nakedness, perils among false brethren. Yet he wanted to finish his race with joy. Why? Because of the reward.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV)

"நல்ல போராட்டத்தைப் போராடினேன், ஓட்டத்தை முடித்தேன், விசுவாசத்தைக் காத்துக்கொண்டேன்." - 2 தீமோத்தேயு 4:7 (TAOVBSI)

"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." - 2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)

"இதுமுதல் நீதியின் கிரீடம் எனக்காக வைக்கப்பட்டிருக்கிறது, நீதியுள்ள நியாயாதிபதியாகிய கர்த்தர் அந்நாளிலே அதை எனக்குத் தந்தருளுவார்; எனக்கு மாத்திரமல்ல, அவர் பிரசன்னமாகுதலை விரும்பும் யாவருக்கும் அதைத் தந்தருளுவார்." - 2 தீமோத்தேயு 4:8 (TAOVBSI)

As much as you are reproached, dishonoured and rejected for His sake, so much reward comes from there. That is why we glory in tribulations (Romans 5:3), and are joyful and patient in them.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." - Romans 8:18 (NKJV)

"ஆதலால் இக்காலத்துப் பாடுகள் இனி நம்மிடத்தில் வெளிப்படும் மகிமைக்கு ஒப்பிடத்தக்கவைகள் அல்லவென்று எண்ணுகிறேன்." - ரோமர் 8:18 (TAOVBSI)

Above the skies we see, above the clusters of stars, there is a land full of light, with crowns of glory and dwelling places prepared. To the brother who suffers for the name of Christ, the sister who is pressed for His name, the church that is reproached for His name, the preacher said: stand as a good soldier for the Lord. A day will come when God will crown you with glory and honour and confess your name before the angels (Luke 12:8). How great will be the day the Lord calls you by name. So run on with courage, labour for the Lord, serve Him and bear the reproach.

Labour, ministry and giving (பிரயாசம், ஊழியம், கொடுத்தல்)

"For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister." - Hebrews 6:10 (NKJV)

"ஏனென்றால், உங்கள் கிரியையையும், நீங்கள் பரிசுத்தவான்களுக்கு ஊழியஞ்செய்ததினாலும் செய்து வருகிறதினாலும் தமது நாமத்திற்காகக் காண்பித்த அன்புள்ள பிரயாசத்தையும் மறந்துவிடுகிறதற்கு தேவன் அநீதியுள்ளவரல்லவே." - எபிரெயர் 6:10 (TAOVBSI)

There is a reward for ministry done for the Lord, for labour spent for Him, for offerings given to Him, for the race run for Him. To the church in Ephesus the Lord said that He knew it had laboured for His name and had not become weary (Revelation 2:2-3). Some run for the Lord day and night. The congregation may not praise it or even notice it, but the Lord says deep in the heart, "My son, My daughter, you have laboured for Me without growing weary, and I know it."

The widow of Zarephath had only a little flour and a little oil, but she gave it for the Lord's servant, and God fed her household until the famine ended (1 Kings 17:8-16). The Shunammite woman saw that Elisha was a holy man of God and built him a small upper room with a bed, a table, a chair and a lamp so that he could rest; did the Lord not work a miracle in her life (2 Kings 4:8-17)? What we give to the Lord, the service we do for His people, the races we run and the labour we spend for Him all have their reward.

Conclusion (முடிவுரை)

On this day remembering the twelfth year of the church's dedication, the guest greeted every brother and sister and every servant of God present, and sought to rouse them. There may be many trials, obstacles and reproaches in ministry. But be strong and do not let your hands be weak. Your holy work will be rewarded, your work of faith will be rewarded, your good works will be rewarded, and your sufferings for the Lord, the race you run for Him and what you give to Him will all be rewarded. You will receive a full reward. So do not slacken in prayer or in fasting, in ministry or in witness, in giving or in going for the Lord.

"Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause." - Psalm 25:3 (NKJV)

"உம்மை நோக்கிக் காத்திருக்கிற ஒருவரும் வெட்கப்பட்டுப் போகாதபடிச் செய்யும்; முகாந்தரமில்லாமல் துரோகம் பண்ணுகிறவர்களே வெட்கப்பட்டுப்போவார்களாக." - சங்கீதம் 25:3 (TAOVBSI)

He closed by committing to God everyone who was weary or under trial: those who cannot yet see any fruit for their labour, those who have been betrayed, those who have been rejected by people. Their prayer was simple: "Lord, You are the One who gives the reward. Give me a heart that believes there is a reward, and do not let me lose heart." Those who hope in the Lord and wait for Him will never be put to shame. The Lord will not forsake them, and He Himself will bring the reward.