CROWNS OF ETERNAL REWARD
OPENING REFERRENCE - 1 Corinthians 3:8-15
The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work. 9 We work together as partners who belong to God. You are God’s field, God’s building—not ours.
10 Because of God’s special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 12 Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. 14 If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.
Psalm 37:18 Day by day the Lord observes the good deeds done by godly men and gives them eternal rewards.
INTRODUCTION
One day we will all stand before God and our lives will be judged. Many believers think they will not face God’s judgement because they repented of their sins and received God’s forgiveness.
That is partly true. Believers will not face the God’s Judgement when the Book of Life is opened. Because we accepted Jesus our names are in the Book and welcomed and received into the Lord presence. Those whose names are not in the book are judged and sent with the devil and his demons into hell.
But there is a judgement of the believer as we have just read. Our life, our work, our deeds will be ‘put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value.’
Our open passage tells this –
• Though we are to work together, we are reward individually.
• We are partners with God in this work. This is not works for salvation but works flowing from salvation.
• The work’s foundation can only be Jesus Christ.
• Two choices of material - gold, silver and jewels or wood, hay and straw.
The believer that works together with others in partnership with the Holy Spirit and uses Jesus as his only foundation and uses ‘eternal’ materials that pass the fire test will receive eternal rewards.
The believer who works as a lone ranger, in his own strength, using a different foundation and uses ‘temporal’ materials that will not pass the fire test will ‘suffer great loss’.
Not the loss of salvation. They will be saved but like someone just escaping a fire – with nothing. They will miss out on rewards.
1 John 2:28 says that some will ‘shrink back from God in shame’ when He returns because they know they will stand before their Saviour empty handed.
Illust - A minister one day sat at the bed side of a dying friend. As they talked of heaven, tears filled his friend’s eyes. The young minister thought his friend was afraid to die, and so attempted to speak words of encouragement to him. His friend responded, “I am not afraid to die; I am not ashamed to die.” He went on to say that Jesus was his Saviour, but he had lived for self and now had to meet Jesus empty handed.
His life loomed up before him as ‘wood, hay and straw’. He was saved but just escaping.
God does not want us to just escape hell, but to live a full life for Jesus and receive eternal rewards that he has prepared for those that love him.
In the Bible these rewards are defined as crowns and today we are going to look quickly at 5 CROWNS OF ETERNAL REWARDS.
1. THE CROWN OF LIFE
2. THE INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN
3. THE CROWN OF REJOICING or the SOUL WINNERS CROWN -
4. THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
5. THE CROWN OF GLORY (The Pastor’s Crown).
THE CROWN OF LIFE - to those who devote themselves to Jesus.
James 1:12-14 God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
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 every thing and every one so that God can be glorified in us. The crown of life or the lover’s crown as it is sometimes called is given to the believer who loves the Lord more than his own life.
Mark 8:35 says Whoever shall save his life shall lose it and whoever shall lose his life for my sake and the Gospel the same shall save it.
Eg: Husband and Wife - When you start going out together you begin to put aside things that hinder you from being with that person - you love them so much that you are willing to change to fit into that persons life. You want to please them and do all you can for them. Because their love for you and yours for them compels you to. If I was sick needed a kidney I know that my husband would be the first one to offer his. His love compels him to. I won’t want to do the wrong thing and hurt David because his love for me compels me to do right.
God’s love compels us also - 2 Cor 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, ……..V15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
It is as we have this type of love for Jesus that we will receive the crown of life.
We must be very careful therefore where we focus our love. Our love for family for example can become unbalanced we can be so focused on their needs and what we want for them and 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. We need to devote ourselves completely to Him. (Dedicate, give over, offer, apply, lavish, heap ) These are all words that mean devote. IT is a complete surrendering of our life to Him in love It shouldn’t be something we have to stir up because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Would you like to receive the crown of life - Allow the Holy Spirit to bring you closer to God, loving Him with all your heart, mind and strength.
THE INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN - for those who lived a disciplined Christian life
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable (incorruptible) crown.26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
We have just recently seen the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. After the first week, Loris and I were cheering for other countries, we felt Australia had enough medals, give some other countries a go. One night we were watching the track and field events and it was probably one of the long distance races, and it was one by one of those beautiful coloured guys. In fact they got 1st to 3rd, different nations but all from Africa.
A little while later was the medal ceremony, and these young men received their medals, their white teeth shining brightly as they smiled. Then they turned and the national anthem played. The camera zoomed in on the winner; medal around his neck and on this black face, an even darker river began to flow from his eye, down his cheek. I was very much moved, and saw our precious and important winning that race and receiving the medal was to this young man.
Paul describes life here in Corthinians as a race. And there is prize at the end. It is the incorruptible, imperishable crown. It is more important and significant than a Commonwealth Games Medal.
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’- this is not self physical mutilation. 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 Therefore, 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 hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.
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’.
THE CROWN OF REJOICING or the SOUL WINNERS CROWN - for those who have directed others to Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?20 For you are our glory and joy.
The greatest work you are privileged to do for the Lord is to bring others to Christ – direct them to the Lord Jesus. (I hope you have noticed that David has taken great pains to have all the meanings of the crowns start with a D)
There is no greater joy then leading someone to the Lord. The degree of your joy in heaven will be determined by the souls you have had a part in bringing to Christ. Here in This scripture Paul is saying that they are his hope, or joy & crown of rejoicing. What a wonderful thought. If you have ever directed someone to the Lord you have experienced some of that joy already but when you receive the crown of rejoicing in heaven oh what joy - you will rejoice with all of heaven over the ones that have come to know him and they will be their to rejoice with you also.
John 4:36 says And he that reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit unto life eternal: That both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together.
We know that the bible says that when one person comes to know God there is great rejoicing in heaven. (Luke 15:10) haven’t you ever felt like you want to be there - Well one day we will – when we receive that Grown of rejoicing. We will celebrate with the sower and the reaper and the person who has come to know the Lord. (I think just that will take quite a few thousand years) There will be people celebrating with us because they sowed into our lives we will be celebrating with others we sewed into and so on.
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.
THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - to those who lived with determined faith in Christ.
2 Timothy 4:6-9 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return. Please come as soon as you can.
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 total spent.
This reward is for those who have ….
• poured out their life as an offering to God - They have given their whole lives in service for the Lord. "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him." - CT Studd. CT Studd left behind a life with the elite in England, Test Cricket career, a wife and children to follow God’s call to Africa.
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." “Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." - Jim Elliot Missionary to South America who was killed by the very native people he was helping. (End of the Spear Movie)
These are words of determined faith.
• fought the good fight - Living and serving Jesus is not for cowards. It is for men and women of courage and faith. It is for people like David, who when faced with a Goliath don’t run away but run towards the giant.
You don’t just walk in and possess the Promise Land, you have to fight. You need to be strong and very courageous, like Joshua.
• finished the race - This reward for completers Over the years it is amazing how many people with ‘faith’ have not finished stuff in their life. They start well and run for a while but then there is always a reason for not crossing the finish line.
I love watching people who are not as good as most, yet get in there and do their best and finish. (eg. school sports days.)
• remain faithful - stay true in their heart to God. Not only did they not give up in what they were doing but they did not give up on God when it seemed like He was not there.
Listening to TD Jakes recently and he was preaching – “I’m not interested in your praise when God comes through for you. I’m interested in your praise when He doesn’t. - When the person doesn’t get healed, the finance doesn’t come through, when people don’t like what you did and said, when you loose your job, can’t pay the rent - Faith is praising God like Paul and Silas when you’re still in the prison. Can I get some praise …..”
Jesus asked the question in Luke 18:8 …. when I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have (this kind of) faith?”
Romans 4:18 When God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, Abraham believed him. …. even though such a promise seemed utterly impossible! Abraham’s faith did not weaken or wavered …. his faith grew stronger … even though he was too old to be a father (100 years old). Because of faith … it was credited to him as righteousness.
We were made righteous by faith and we will receive a crown of righteousness for living in determined faith.
THE CROWN OF GLORY (The Pastor’s Crown) - for those dedicated to supporting God’s dedicated men and women.
1 Peter 5:1-4 As a fellow elder, this is my appeal to you: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
Someone may say – “I am not a pastor this reward can not be given to me.” Let me show you how you can receive the Crown of Glory.
Listen to these words - Hebrews 13:17 Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
Also Matthew 10:40-41 “Anyone who welcomes you is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me. 41 If you welcome a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will receive the same reward a prophet gets. And if you welcome good and godly people because of their godliness, you will be given a reward like theirs.
The Crown of Glory is given to pastor’s who ….
• serves willingly not by compulsion - however you can can be given a reward like theirs when you give your pastor a reason to do serve joyfully and not with sorrow. By creating a church atmosphere and culture that positive and joyful. Often there are no whispers behind my back or even frontal assaults but there is be a deafening silence. It says ‘give them a reason’, in other words, be proactive in your support.
• serves eagerly and not just for money - you can be given a reward like theirs however when you financially support and meet the needs of your pastor generously. Paul in instructing Timothy said, “Church leaders who do their job well deserve to be paid twice as much, especially if they work hard at preaching and teaching. 1 Tim 5:17 John Bevere in his book “Undercover” wrote – “ If church members take care of their pastors and leaders who serve them, businessmen and other members prosper and are blessed. They enjoy heaven’s economy.”
• examples and not lording over - you can be given a reward like theirs if follow your pastors directions, instruction and example ‘as one who speaks for God’. Obey your spiritual leaders because they watch over your souls and must give account. 2 Timothy 4:2 Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. Times of correction and rebuke are not nice. I have called many things on these occasions. Those people, unless there has been repentance, will not share in the crown of glory.
Members of every church can share in the reward, when their pastor receives his crown of glory.
CONCLUSION
It’s a challenge as we listen to this message today - We all want to receive crowns
1. THE CROWN OF LIFE – for those devoted to Jesus.
2. THE INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN - for those who lived disciplined lives.
3. THE CROWN OF REJOICING- for those who directed people to Jesus.
4. THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – for those had determined faith.
5. THE CROWN OF GLORY – those who dedicated their life to supporting God’s leaders.
We don’t want our lives to be a waste, we don’t want to just scrape into heaven. But we want to live full and die empty - We don’t want to disappoint Jesus - We don’t want to be like the young man David spoke about at the beginning who was not afraid to die because he new he was going to heaven but he was ashamed to die because he had lived for self and now had to meet the Lord Jesus empty-handed.
We need to surrender ourselves afresh to him today. Give Him our lives again as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to him. So we can stand before God on that great day – unashamed and present to him our crowns
Recently I heard a testimony of a Olympic Athlete who had won 5 gold medals at the winter Olympics some years back. A friend went to visit his home one day expecting to see his medal displayed, however could not see them He asked him were he kept his medals and he said he didn’t have them. He went on to say - the first one I gave to my Mum because without her I wouldn’t have made it, I gave one to my younger brother his support and encouragement saw me through, I gave one to my coach, he trained me and believed in me and so on. He gave all of them away. I thought to myself - I could never do that If I had worked so hard for those medals I would want to keep them for myself. He must have been a really great person to be able to do that.
Then God challenged me with this - he brought a scripture to my memory - It’s in revelations and it says ….They fell down before him who sits on the throne and worshiped him ….they lay their crowns before the throne.. ( the song we sang to day mentions this also)
When the time comes in glory and I’ve received my crowns will I be willing to give them back to him. My old human nature really got in the way my first thought was well I’ve worked hard for these Lord, the stress, the pressure, leaving father and mother, giving up financial gain, I did all this Lord I don’t want to give up my crown and then It hit me.
With out him I could have done none of it. If I am thinking that way - then I am doing things in my own strength and for my own gratification and not for His glory and honour.
I had to repent right there and then and once again focus my attention on Jesus and that My whole life is his anyway, what I do is in his strength and none of the glory should go to me anyway. With God’s grace I will run to His throne and my crowns at his feet because it is all through him, for him and to him that I live.
This is the whole truth, of the matter To receive rewards in heaven we have to put aside our self completely. It’s not about us. If we can grasp this one truth - that our whole life, everything we do, every day we live, every minute we breath - is all about Jesus and all for Jesus then we will receive a great reward in Glory.
