WHY DON’T I GET A TROPHY
1 Corinthians 3:13-15
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Intro: Over the last 20-30 years, what I consider a strange phenomena has occurred in our society. The concept of individual accomplishment and excellence from individuals has been under attack. The attackers are winning. In our sports teams for the children, there is no longer an MVP. There are no longer kids that are recognized as putting fort more effort than the others. The same is true in our schools. The Middle School concept is basically, never single any student out for their accomplishments. They are all treated the same way in regards to accomplishments. This is the rule because they don’t want the other children to feel bad that they did not accomplish what the other kids accomplished.
. The problem with that is that instead of inspiring others to greatness, inspiring them to work harder to excel and receive some type of reward for their hard work; we train people to accept mediocrity. What’s the use if there is no reward, no gain for me. That is not selfishness that is motivation.
. It seems that no matter what we do, we all get a trophy. Even if really do not participate; we still get a trophy just like everybody else.
. This concept has crept into the church also. We preach and teach a salvation by faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sin. We are very good at teaching folks that Jesus Christ voluntarily gave up his life so that we would not have to forfeit ours due to our sin. Then we leave it right there. We are all the same then. There is no need for any special accomplishments or tasks because we will all be in Heaven and we will all be the same. We will all get the trophy of eternal life in Heaven.
. All that is true but there is more for some than others. This concept bothers some Christians but I challenge you to study more on this subject after today’s sermon and realize that there is recognition for and rewards for our Christian life after we have been “born again” as Jesus told Nicodemus.
. Jesus himself taught us the value of using what He gives us to work for him. In Matthew 25 He gives us the parable of the talents. In the parable, the master gives his servants talents to work with and He expects them to use them. One servant really used his and got a great reward. The second used his but not as much as the first but still got a reward, just not as much as the first. The third servant did nothing. He hid his talent and stood before the master and got nothing for the work that was supposed to be done.
. Scripture bears out that there is more expected from a Christian than just a profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
. Paul tells us this in very plain language here in 1 Corinthians. He writes that when we stand before the “Judgment Seat Of Christ” all that we are will be tested by fire and if it holds up, if it does not burn up in that test we will be rewarded. I want to re-visit that scripture this morning and expound on the rewards that Paul is talking about.
.We looked at this two weeks ago but I want to isolate three verses this morning.
. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
. 13But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.
14If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.
15But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
. What are the rewards that Paul is talking about here. I don’t believe that we know what they all are but scripture does teach us the there will be various crows awarded there at the judgment in heaven. It will be like an award banquet but not everybody will get a trophy. It will depend upon what you did after you became a Christian.
.The Bible tells us about five different crowns that people can receive at the rewards banquet.
. The first is: The Crown Of Life (put picture of crown on screen)
. James 1:12 tells us this:
12God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
. Rev 2:10 tells us:
10Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days.
But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
. This crown is given to those who love God. Devote themselves to Him in every area of their lives.
. It is not just a ‘ho hum’ love – “yes I love him” but there is no outward expression of it. We must be completely devoted to God.
. It is the type of love that loves the Lord more then our own lives.
. The scripture says to love the Lord your God with all your mind, heart and strength. It is the type of love that will take up our cross and follow Him. Set aside everything and everyone so that God can be glorified in us.
The crown of life is given to the believer who loves the Lord more than his own life.
. The one who knows where to focus their love.
.Our love for our family for example can become focused on their needs and what we want for them and we can pour so much of our life into them that our love for God is put aside. If however our whole life is focused on God and loving him then our desire to look after our family will then be covered by God’s love in us.
.If we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness the word of God says then all those other things will be taken care of.
.As we seek first the kingdom of God – as we put loving God first we will overcome and receive the crown of life at the rewards banquet.
. Next is the : Incorruptible Crown
. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
.Verse 26 in the NLT translates this way.
26So I run with purpose in every step. …
. Paul describes life here in 1st Corthinians as a race. And there is prize at the end. It is the incorruptible, imperishable crown.
This reward is for competitors not spectators - ‘everyone who competes’.
. This crown is not for people in the stands but those on the track.
Paul goes to say that even as a competitor there are certain characteristics that are required to received this crown.
• ‘not with uncertainty’ - or with certainty, other translations say – with purpose, straight for the goal, intent on winning, with a clear goal.
• ‘not as one who beats the air’ – or playing around, don’t waste punches, shadow boxing, all imagination but not real, all talk and no action. There are a lot of experts in the stands.
• ‘discipline my body’- Paul is talking about discipline, controlling and mastering, what the Bible calls our flesh. Submitting our will, emotions, lusts, desires etc., so that they are assets in us living victoriously.
. Hebrews 12:1-3 tells us:
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
3Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
. The Incorruptible Crown is for those who take the Christian life seriously and discipline the other areas of life to ensure they do not ‘become disqualified’, for the crown.
. Next we see the: Crown Of Rejoicing or Soul Winners Crown
.1 Thessalonians 2:19
19After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!
. There is no greater joy then leading someone to the Lord.
. So to receive this crown
1. We must live that others may see Christ in us
2. We must give so that others may know Christ
3. We must speak that others may know of Christ and his great love for them.
Whatever you do – don’t miss out on receiving the crown of rejoicing – for those who direct others to Christ.
. As you receive this crown during the rewards ceremony, there will be great rejoicing with those you helped lead to the Lord.
.Next we see the: Crown Of Righteousness
. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
. 6As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.
7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
8And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
. The Crown of Righteousness is for those who lived by determined faith and lived full and died empty. They have given their all. When the final siren sounds, there is no what if’s, could have’s, regrets. They are totally spent.
. Continuing Paul’s sports analogy for today, in football we call this leaving it all on the field, or basketball, leaving it all on the court. In wrestling, we leave it all on the mat. As I coach these young wrestlers, I challenge them in that way. I tell them that it doesn’t matter whether they win or lose. They will know that they have done their best when after the last whistle blows, they don’t have the strength to leave the mat without help, then they have left it all on the mat.
. Paul writes that when we have done all we could have done. When we have served to the best of our ability.
. When we have given our whole Christian lives in service to the Lord, we will receive the Crown of Righteousness at that final rewards banquet.
. We were made righteous by faith and we will receive a crown of righteousness for living in determined faith. Never wavering and giving God all that we have.
. Finally we have the : Crown Of Glory
. 1 Peter 5:1-4 tells us:
1And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you:
2fCare for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
3Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.
4And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
. Some call this the pastors crown and it is true that a pastor can receive this crown but so can others.
. There are teachers and deacons and I believe this reward will be given to those who support the leadership in the church.
. Look at what Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:41
41If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs.
. Pastors will receive this crown if they:
. Serve willingly, not by compulsion.
.Serve eagerly and not just for money
. Serve in humility , not lording their position over others. Always staying true to their calling.
. You can receive this reward by listening to the spiritual guidance of your leaders.
. Jesus said:
41If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet.
. Folks, when we are standing before God, at the rewards banquet in Heaven, not all will get a trophy.
. Which trophy, which crown will Jesus place upon your head?
. In order to be considered for a crown of reward, we must first be a child of God through our faith in Jesus Christ.
. Invitation
*** To my Christian brothers and sisters, thank you for taking the time to read this sermon. I ask that you take another second and score this for me. I am always open to feedback so that I can continue to grow in the proclamation of God’s word.
May God bless you as you continue to strive to walk worthy of His calling.
Sources: The Holy Bible, NLT
Parts of this sermon were taken from a sermon by David Becker; Crown’s Of Eternal Reward, sermon central
