Our Motivation. 1st Thessalonians 2:19-20 Paul was not preaching the word of God for money, fame, or a special place of authority in the kingdom of God. His motivation was the transformed lives and destinies of those who heard the Gospel and were saved by God's grace. His joy and reward came from seeing their evidence of commitment to the Lord and their efforts to advance the Gospel by reaching out to others in different places.
Looking ahead to the Lord's return, we will truly see the value of what has been done in our lives. Seeing others saved by grace gives hope to those laboring in the Gospel. Witnessing spiritual growth in new converts is the hope of shepherds. There is joy in witnessing evidence of transformation, and the victor’s crown will extend that joy to both the sower and the waterer when they see the “increase” God provides; it blesses the entire effort in which many have participated.
The preacher’s character is revealed through his preaching and conduct. His actions and concern for fellow believers often lead to conflict. Despite facing persecution from those without faith and sometimes opposition from members of God's family, the evangelist's hope remains firm. There are souls whom God has saved through the preaching of the Gospel, and we will see them and rejoice in them, and with them, at the "coming" of our Lord Jesus Christ. His coming (parousia) simply signifies His presence. That is like a period of time after His arrival. More than just the rapture of the church is involved in His coming.
There will be crowns as rewards for Christian service, patience, endurance, and faithfulness given at the judgment seat of Christ, the "bema." The crown of rejoicing is for the soul-winner; the crown of life is for the martyr, indicating the permanent nature of the life we have. The crown of glory is for the faithful shepherds who have been faithful to the burden the Chief Shepherd laid on them. The incorruptible crown is the approval by our Lord at the judgment seat of Christ for those who lived consistent lives. The crown of righteousness describes the character of the reward, and those who love the appearance of the Lord are like Him. And there is the victor's crown.
When we all gather at the same place with our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming, the joy in the hearts of everyone there will make every effort we have made in fulfilling our roles worthwhile. Reaching our destination and seeing our Lord Jesus glorified, along with all who believed in Him with glorified bodies, will be a glory like never before. There will be “joy unspeakable and full of glory!” when all the redeemed are presented to God and share in His glory. Everyone will be presented as perfect in Christ. That is our goal, and it is also our motivation.
What a wonderful sense of anticipation as we think of the time when the sower and reaper rejoice together, and the preacher and the convert share joy in the results of the Gospel. The great reward of seeing new believers who were saved and are still serving God fills our hearts with thrill. This is not about the glory of boasting oneself but about glorifying the cause of the Gospel, bringing praise to God. To think about all the saints of God in the future and knowing some of them are with the Lord because they heard the word of God when we were allowed to preach it is a source of glory and joy - all praise to God! What a privilege it is to be the Lord's servant!
Some things can't be fully expressed with words. The value of a soul saved when they hear the Gospel from those who preach it and are converted exceeds that of the entire material world. When we reflect on this, we realize it was God who directed us to reach them and who gave us the right words to describe the blessing of salvation. "All glory and praise go to Him." Hearing about new believers continuing for God and growing in faith and grace is a wonderful reward, especially knowing that the Spirit of God led us to that person. When we recall how the Lord made a way for us, with the path of life opening before us, the best way to express our thoughts is, "All glory and praise belong to Him."
Being able to share in the work of the Lord with those we lead to Christ has a humbling effect on the soul as we realize He has blessed us twice. Any cost of time and effort, any losses we may have experienced, are so insignificant that the best way to describe the privilege I have had is, "All glory and praise to Him." When the time comes to leave this earth and be gathered to the Lord at His coming, and we look around at the millions who are the objects of God's grace and love, we will see among that crowd those spiritual children God gave to us. Each of them will be singing the song of the redeemed, each one grateful to Him who saved them.