Council Grove Christian Church

8/5/26
 Servants of God,
“And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water
because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
-Matthew 10:42
 
Christians know we do not earn salvation. God graciously and lovingly grants salvation. In the great mystery and mercy of our conversion, we respond in faith. We believe.  We receive salvation the way a thirsty child receives the gift of cool water in a paper cup. We rarely grasp the true significance of such a gift initially, but like the light of dawn it grows brighter and brighter for us. Salvation is not a reward. But the New Testament does teach us that God gives rewards to his children. Service to our savior does not go either unnoticed or unrewarded.
 
We must remember that God is the God who sees us. We live Coram Deo—before the face of our ever-attending God. Our compliance to his will brings pleasure to our Heavenly Father and he keeps records of our willingness to live to his glory. We do not fully understand all of this but we dare not take it lightly. We want to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” from the lips of our master.
 
Recently I have been thinking about things—sometimes small things—that others have done for me over the years. These acts of care and kindness have ended up yielding (in God’s providence) massive blessings. Sometimes, they have come in odd ways. I think of a coach who told me I was “loafing.” I think of a boss who told me I needed to do better. I think of small, but important material gifts individuals gave me. Words of kindness shaped my spiritual journey. I am not certain those giving me the blessings always were aware of their impact on my life, but none of that generosity went unnoticed by God. Even small help or encouragement is still real and none of it goes unnoticed nor will it go unrewarded. God is interested in every particle of Christian service and obedience the way he is interested in every sparrow and every hair on our heads.
 
In any church body there are a lot of little things that have to get done. Many of them are mundane in the moment but ultimately prove to be important. I think of those who are welcoming to strangers. What about turning off the lights and locking the doors when events conclude? Who is it that washes the dish rags and where does all that garden produce shared with others each week come from?  
 
As a new Awana year approaches it offers a multiplicity of opportunities to be part of teaching the gospel to children. Those involved in the nuts and bolts of Awana night have a true part in  training boys and girls to know, love and serve Christ. Perhaps you have done that for a long time and intend to do it again this year. Your labor will not go unrewarded. Maybe you have never been involved in this ministry but you are willing to try. One thing I can assure you: your labor will not go unnoticed by the Lord Jesus Christ. No true labor in Jesus’ name can possibly go unrewarded.
 
Sometimes I reflect of the labor of the “snack” crew of Awana. It would be easy to take them for granted. If, however, you have ever been present when clubbers rush in from games played outside and watch the joy and relief when a paper cup full of cool water touches the lips of one of those children, then you can believe that anything that brings that much blessing to a child cannot possibly be a small thing to a savior who loves the little children of the world—including those in our Awana clubs on any given Wednesday evening.
 
Blessings,
 
Pastor John
Coram Deo