Exploring the Impact of Dead Works on Spiritual Growth 4-22-26

Dead Works/No Rewards

This message is posted for the people of God to do a personal examination and be honest about their faith walk, instead of being in denial. You may as well be honest, because faith and works go hand in hand, and your walk will reveal who you really are.

For instance, many words come from a person’s mouth, but the way they conduct themselves is different.

Below are examples of people who stood before Christ to give account of their works; stewardship of what the Lord had entrusted to them to manage (assignment, gifts).

The man with one talent- Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.

But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. So, you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest….. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (a portion of Matthew 25:24-30).

Five foolish virgins- “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut (Matthew 25:6-12).

Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’  But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ The Lord did not know their undone works, because they did not do anything to receive rewards.

The man who was not prepared for the wedding feast-  But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So, he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:11-14).

Many are called into salvation but not many will receive rewards because they did not prepare themselves. Those who prophesied didn’t build properly on the foundation of Christ. They did what they wanted to do; no rewards!

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  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 (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).

Two things to take away- These people who did not receive rewards will not weep throughout eternity. When they see Christ and the scars that He suffered for their salvation, they will literally cry. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org