Sermon 7 - Great Is Your Reward In Heaven Series

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.”