A. Do you know who holds the record for the most homeruns in a single MLB season?
1. The answer is Barry Bonds – he hit 73 home runs in 2001.
2. Mark McGwire holds the #2 and #4 spots with 70 home runs in 1998 and 65 in 1999.
3. Sammy Sosa holds the #3, #5, and # 6 spots with 66 home runs in 1998, 64 in 2001, and 63 in 1999.
4. The #7 spot is held by Aaron Judge with 62 home runs in 2022.
B. What is it about these home run record chases that captivate us and put so many people in the seats?
1. For one thing, we like to see history made and especially be able to say I saw it or was there when it happened.
2. But for some of us, there was a time when we wanted to be like Bonds, McGwire, Sosa and Judge.
3. Was there a younger, more idealistic you who dreamed of hitting the long ball?
4. Was there a time when you stepped up to the plate with a bat on your shoulder and stars in your eyes?
5. In your dreams did you picture yourself moving from Little League to the Big Leagues.
6. Maybe some of the youngsters listening to me today are dreaming of major league, home run glory.
C. But on the other hand, maybe you had or have other kinds of dreams.
1. Do you or did you dream of winning the Pulitzer? Or dream of singing on Broadway and getting a Tony? Or dream of commanding a fleet?
2. Maybe there was a time you dreamed of making a gold record or clutching an Oscar.
D. But as you are well aware, most of us don’t make it to the big time or the big stage.
1. Our bats are traded for calculators, stethoscopes or computers.
2. And, with only slight regret, we set about the task of making a living.
3. We understand that not everyone can be an Aaron Judge or Taylor Swift, a Brad Pitt or J.K. Rowling.
4. For every million who aspire, only one achieves.
5. The vast majority of us don’t hit the big ball or feel the ticker tape, or wear the gold metal or give the valedictory address.
6. And that’s okay - we understand that in the economy of earth, there are a limited number of crowns.
E. But the good news is: the economy of heaven is refreshingly different from the economy of earth.
1. Heavenly rewards are not limited to a chosen few.
2. In 2 Timothy 4:8, the apostle Paul wrote that there is a crown not only for Paul, but for all who have longed for Christ’s appearing.
3. Don’t you love that three-letter word – ALL?
4. In heaven, the winner’s circle isn’t reserved for a handful of the elite.
5. Rather the winner’s circle is full of God’s children who as James writes, “will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).
6. From the mouth of Jesus, we hear a similar promise: The saved of Christ will receive their reward.
a. Jesus said, “When the master comes and finds the servant doing his work, the servant will be blessed” (Mt. 24:46)
7. The promise is echoed in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians: Because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free (Eph. 6:8).
8. In the beatitudes, Jesus also said, “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Mt. 5:12).
F. For all we don’t know about the next life, this much is certain: The day when Christ returns will be a day of reward for God’s people.
1. Those who went unknown on earth will be known in heaven.
2. Those who never heard the cheers of men will hear the cheers of angels.
3. Those who may have missed the blessing of their earthly father will hear the blessing of their heavenly Father.
4. The small will be great, and the forgotten will be remembered.
5. The unnoticed will be crowned and the faithful will be honored.
6. What Mark McGwire heard in that stadium in St. Louis 1998 when he set the new home run record will be nothing compared to what we will hear in the presence of God.
7. McGwire received a Corvette, but we will receive a crown.
8. The crown we will receive is either three different ones, or one that is described in three ways.
G. What are these three crowns?
1. First, there is the crown of life.
a. James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
b. Rev. 2:10, “Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
2. Second, there is the crown of righteousness.
a. In Paul’s well-known farewell he wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which he Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Tim 4:7-8).
3. The third crown is the crown of glory.
a. Peter wrote, “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Pt 5:4).
4. I can’t explain what these three crowns really mean, but they are the things that God has promised us and they certainly sound good and positive.
5. These are the crowns we will receive, that is if we don’t give up.
H. It’s worth noting that Mark McGwire almost gave up.
1. He almost quit baseball in high school so he could play golf. But he didn’t.
2. A few years into his career, he almost quit again.
3. Neither his marriage nor the season was anything to write home about.
4. So, he told his wife he was going to quit, but he didn’t.
5. Then there were the foot injuries.
a. From ’92 to ’95 he endured multiple surgeries and missed about two-thirds of the games. B. And again, he almost quit. But he didn’t.
6. Why didn’t he quit? What made him stay? A dream? Yes, a dream.
7. He had set his eyes on the prize, and he would not give up.
I. And we must do the same - we must set our eyes on our heavenly rewards, and we must not give up.
1. We must hold on, because our day is coming.
2. Listen to the promise from 1 Cor 4:5: At that time each will receive his praise from God.
3. Someday, God will praise each one who will receive praise.
4. Not the best of them or just a few of them, but each one of them.
5. With that in mind, let’s allow the words of Jesus encourage us: “Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown” (Rev. 3:11).
J. Now let’s spend a few minutes talking about a different kind of reward that should motivate us to not give up.
K. Do you recognize the name Oskar Schindler?
1. Oskar was a German industrialist during the WW2 and had his share of less-than-noteworthy characteristics.
a. He was a womanizer and a heavy drinker.
b. He bribed officials and was a member of the German Nazi Party.
2. But buried in the darkness of his heart was a diamond of compassion for the condemned Jews of Krakow, Poland.
a. They were the ones that Hitler sought to kill, but the ones that Schindler sought to save.
b. He couldn’t save them all, but he could save a some, and so he did what he could.
3. What began as a factory for profit became a haven for eleven hundred fortunate souls whose names found their way onto his list - Schindler’s list.
L. If you saw the movie by the same name, then you’ll remember how the story ends.
1. With the defeat of the Nazis came the reversal of roles.
2. Now Schindler would be hunted and the prisoners would be free.
3. Oskar Schindler prepared to slip into the night.
a. As he walked to his car, his factory workers lined both sides of the road.
b. They had come to thank the man who saved them.
4. One of the Jews presented Schindler with a letter signed by each person, documenting his deed.
a. He was also given a ring, formed out of the gold extracted form a worker’s tooth.
b. On it is carved a verse from the Talmud: “He who saves a single life saves the world entire.”
5. In that moment, in the brisk air of the Polish night, Schindler was surrounded by the liberated.
a. Row after row of faces.
b. Husbands with wives.
c. Parents with children.
d. They knew what Schindler had done for them and they would never forget.
6. What thoughts raced through Schindler’s mind in that moment?
a. What emotions surfaced when he found himself face to face with lives he’d changed?
M. Well, someday you and I will find out how Schindler must have felt.
1. Schindler saw the faces of the people he had delivered and so will we.
2. Schindler heard the gratitude of those he had rescued and we will hear the same.
3. He stood in a community of redeemed souls and the same experience is reserved for us.
4. When will this occur? It will occur when Jesus returns.
5. Paul described this experience in 1 Thessalonians 2:19: For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?
6. Can you see that what Paul was talking about is similar to Schindler’s encounter with those he had saved from destruction?
7. Paul was looking forward to being reunited in heaven with the Thessalonians that he had helped become disciples of Jesus.
8. When Jesus returns and the saved gather in heaven we will experience the joy and crown of seeing the people we have led to spiritual freedom.
N. Let’s try to imagine the heavenly reunion that will take place when Jesus returns.
1. There you will be in the great circle of the redeemed.
2. Your body has been made new - no more pain and no more problems.
3. Your mind has been made new - what you once understood in part, you now understand fully.
4. You feel no fear, no danger, and no sorrow.
5. Though you are one of the throng, it’s as if you and Jesus are all alone.
O. Picture what will take place when it’s your turn to receive your reward.
1. Imagine Jesus putting his hand on your shoulder and announcing to the crowd, “Do we have any here who were influenced by this child of mine?”
2. One by one, they begin to step out and walk forward.
3. The first one is a former neighbor, who moved away and as far as you knew was never saved. A. But your example prompted him or her to later turn to Christ.
4. Next comes a cluster of people and one speaks up for the others: “You taught our Bible class when we were kids and then you helped out in the youth ministry when we were teens.
5. The line continues and up steps a co-worker and a receptionist.
6. Then someone you don’t even remember reminds you of the time you saw her in the hospital.
7. Then you are most amazed by the people from other countries who step forward.
a. After all, you never even traveled to Asia or Africa, or anywhere else, but look here are Cambodians, and Nigerians, and others.
b. How did you influence them? Then you are reminded of the missionaries who had come your way who you supported, encouraged, and to whom you showed hospitality.
c. You also then remember some of the young people from your congregation who you helped send out on campaigns.
8. As this process continues, it’s not long before you and your Savior are encircled by the delightful collection of souls you’ve touched.
a. Some you know, most you don’t, but for each you feel the same.
b. You feel what Paul felt for the Thessalonians - pride.
c. You understand what he meant when he said, “You are our hope, our joy, and the crown we will take pride in when our Lord Jesus comes.”
9. The pride you feel is not the “look-what-I-have-done” pride, but rather an awestruck joy which declares, “I’m so pleased to have helped so many.”
P. But Jesus isn’t finished just yet - He saves the best for last.
1. You’ve seen the neighbors, the co-workers, the people you hardly knew, and the people you never knew, but there is one more group.
2. Your family.
3. There is your spouse.
a. There were times when you wondered if either of you would make it.
b. But now as you embrace you hear the words whispered in your ear, “Thanks for not giving up on me and on us.”
4. There are your parents.
a. They are no longer frail like you last saw them, but robust and renewed.
5. There are your children.
a. Children for whom you cared and over whom you prayed.
b. They know how hard it was, how hard you tried, and how much you sacrificed.
c. They thank you over and over again.
6. Then there are faces you don’t recognize and you are told these are the rest of your descendants, great-grandchildren and great-greats, and great-great-greats…They like the others thank you for an inherited legacy of faith.
Q. Many years ago, Ray Boltz had a song called “Thank You” and here are some of the lyrics:
One by one they came, Far as the eyes could see
Each life somehow touched, By your generosity
Little things that you had done, Sacrifices made
Unnoticed on the earth, In heaven now proclaimed
And I know that up in heaven, You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure, There were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand, And you stood before the Lord
He said, my child look around you, For great is your reward
Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave
R. Will such moment occur? I don’t know that it will happen exactly in this way, but if it does, you can be sure of two things:
1. First, that it’s grandeur and glory will far outstrip any description these words can carry.
a. As Paul wrote, “No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Co 2:9).
2. Second, if such a moment of reunion occurs, you can be certain you won’t regret any sacrifice you made for the kingdom of God.
a. The hours of service for Christ? You won’t regret them.
b. The money you gave? You’d give it a thousand times over.
c. The times you helped the poor and loved the lost? You’d do it again.
S. Oskar Schindler would have done it all over again.
1. Earlier we wondered about his thoughts and emotions that moment when he was surrounded by the people he saved.
2. His last appearance in the movie gives us a good idea of what he was thinking.
3. As he accepted the letter and the ring, he leaned toward Isaac, his factory foreman and said, “I could have done more.”
a. He gestured toward the car he could have sold, “That would have released 10 prisoners.”
b. The gold pin on his lapel would have bribed an official for two more.
4. In that moment, Schindler realized that only one thing is of value.
a. The factory didn’t matter.
b. Profits were worthless.
c. The only thing that counts is people, because they are made in God’s image and have eternal souls.
5. I suggest we will realize the same when Christ returns.
a. In heaven we will know no regrets, our God is too kind to let us face the opportunities we missed.
6. But in that moment, when you see the people God let you love, I know that you’d do it all again in a heartbeat.
a. You’d change the diapers, fix the cars, prepare the lessons, make the visits.
b. One look into the faces of the ones you love, and you’d do it all again.
c. “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?”
7. At that moment God will declare, “Well done, my good and faithful servant…Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Mt 25:23)
T. I hope these rewards of heaven will inspire and empower us to be faithful.
1. At any moment when the going seems too tough and the cost seems too high, then I hope these amazing heavenly rewards will keep us from giving up and giving in.
2. Like those home run hitters we discussed at the beginning of the sermon, let’s keep our eyes on the “ball” – keep our eyes the “goal” to win the heavenly prize.
3. How wonderful will be the crown of life, the crown of righteousness, and the crown of glory.
4. But even more rewarding will be the joy and crown of those we helped to go to heaven.
5. Earthly awards and crowns will tarnish, fade and be forgotten, but heaven’s rewards will never tarnish, fade or be forgotten, they will satisfy us for eternity.
Resources:
When Christ Comes, Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, 1999.
