Leadership Connexion Winter 2022

MINISTER CARE & CHURCH RECALIBRATION | Jason Tourville | 717.795.5921 | jason@penndel.org
Behold…MY REWARD
As my grandfather laid in a hospice bed in Northeast Pennsylvania, his words were few and his days were numbered. I
visited with him the day before he joined the Church Triumphant, held his hand, and we sang the song he taught me as
a child. While his mind was unable to form sentences, his spirit was still able to praise the Lord. While I do not remember
many of my grandfather’s conversational topics with me, I do remember these last moments singing the message of salvation.
The fi nal chapter of Revelation marks the completed words of the Holy Scripture, God’s revelation to humanity. With a sense of
urgency and alarm, the apostle John shares the message recorded in heaven with us as its intended recipient. It begins with
the attention grabbing New Testament word, BEHOLD, giving this passage a particular vivacity, bidding the read to give their
attention to what follows. “Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to everyone according to his work.”
(Revelation 22:12) The weight of these words presses into our souls three important realities.
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to every one according to his work.”
(Revelation 22:12, NKJV)
The Imminent Return:
The Lord reinforces the timing and
manner in which He will come. Since
He sees time through eternal lenses,
one thousand years are like a day.
The “quick” nature of His return to
earth leads the reader to believe that it
could occur today, tomorrow or at any
moment. It also reminds us that when it
happens, it will happen in the twinkling
of an eye. When He comes, we must
be ready.
The Promised Reward:
When our children were young, anytime
I left on an extended trip, they knew to
expect dad to bring something back for
them. They were unsure exactly what
it was, but they would wait with gleeful
anticipation. From a pretty bracelet
from Honduras, to a Maasai club from
Tanzania, my four children would greet
me at the door with hugs and smiles
knowing their father had something in
his bag for them. May child-like faith
arise within our hearts once again,
longing for the reward Jesus will have
in His “bag” for us.
The Workman’s Work:
Let us not be mistaken, our work for
the Lord matters. He is watching,
making notes, keeping records.
The Lord, who sees all and forgets
nothing, will return with a reward, one
according to your work. It is not our
intentions that garner this prize, but the
actual work we accomplish. Paul also
reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:12-
13a, “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…” Friends, let us work for
that prize.
These last few words of Revelation mark for us a focus. We are called to attention with BEHOLD.
May we have the ears to hear what the Spirit is saying!
As my grandfather mumbled out the words of his spirit in song, I was once again reminded
of what was truly important…ETERNITY! While our hands work on earth, may our hearts look
toward Heaven.
ACTS 2 JOURNEY
recalibratechurch.org/acts2journey
NORTHWEST COHORT
LOCATION: Chapel on the Hill
6202 Emlenton Clintonville Rd
Emlenton, PA 16373
DATES: Retreat #1 Feb. 10-11
Retreat #2 May 26-27
Retreat #3 Aug. 11-12
Retreat #4 Nov. 17-18
CENTRAL COHORT
LOCATION: PennDel Ministry Center
4651 Westport Dr.
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
DATES: Retreat #1 Feb. 3-4
Retreat #2 May 19-20
Retreat #3 Aug. 4-5
Retreat #4 Nov. 3-4
Individual, Couples and Family
Counseling available to you,
your family and your church.
Accepts most forms of insurance • Online or In-Person
www.Emerge.org/PA • 800-621-5207
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