Your Rewards in Heaven
The Bible talks about 5 crowns that we can earn as rewards for certain things we do while we’re alive here on earth. These aren’t necessarily the only rewards we can earn, but they sure are important and significant rewards to living a full Christian life.
1. Victor’s Crown – Awarded for self-discipline
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 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 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.
How to win the victory –
– Study of the Word of God.
– Equipping of the Spirit through prayer.
Related Verses:
Romans 6:18, And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
– Set free from sin
– Slaves of Righteousness
Romans 8:13, For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
– Live according to the flesh = Die
– Put to the death the deeds of the body by the Spirit = Live
2 Timothy 2:15, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
– Be diligent
– Approved by God
– Never be ashamed
– Right understanding of the Word of Truth
Thank About It:
What are you doing to win the victory?
2. Crown of Rejoicing – Awarded for leading others to Christ
Also called the Soul Winner’s Crown
1 Thessalonians 2:19, 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?
Important Point: Our Joy is others in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ
Related Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:14, (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
– A reason to boast!
2 Corinthians 3:1-3
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
– Epistle – Story, Book, Poem, Letter.
– What is your story?
– We minister them in Christ’s name by the Spirit.
Think About It:
Imagine how great the story can be. Have you written your’s? Are you writing your’s right now?
3. Crown of Righteousness – Longing for Jesus and His return
Also eager to fulfill his calling.
2 Timothy 4:8, Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
– Not just for one person
– Available for all
Related Verses:
1 Corinthians 9:25, 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 crown.
– Temper yourself
– Self-restraining
1 Timothy 6:12, Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
– Fight a good fight – Give it a great effort.
– Remember eternal life – motivation
– Be a good witness
James 1:12, Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
– Endure Temptation
1 Peter 5:4, and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
– When you meet Christ, you will immediately be rewarded
– Prelude to the next crown
Revelation 2:10, Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
– Endure Temptation
– Do not fear persecution
– Be faithful
– God will be there to reward you at the end
Think about it:
Are you eager? How does this crown fit in with the first 2 crowns?
4. Crown of Glory – Faithful shepherds of people of God & Christian Leaders
1 Peter 5:4, and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
– Jesus – Chief Shepherd
– Crown will never fade
– Immediate reward in His presence
Related Verses:
John 21:15-17
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
– Jesus Restores Peter
– Tend to other believers
– Accountability partners
– Teach others the Word of Christ
Think about it:
What are you doing to feed others and tend to the flock?
5. Crown of Life – Endure & Triumph over trial, persecution and temptation to the point of martyrdom
James 1:12, Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Revelation 2:10, Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
– Blessed is he who endures temptation
– Approved by God
– Do not fear suffering
– Be faithful
Related Verses:
James 5:11, Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
– Endure – He is merciful
Job 5:17, “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
– Submit
1 Corinthians 9:25, 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 crown.
– Be Tempered
Hebrews 10:36, For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
– Endurance
2 Timothy 1:7, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
– Do Not Fear
Psalm 56:11, In God I have put my trust;
– I will not be afraid.
– What can man do to me?
– Trust
Matthew 10:28, And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
– Fear Only God
Think about it:
Today’s persecution and trials are very much alive and real. Would you die or deny?
Matthew 10:32,33
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Conclusion –
We should never try to achieve these for our own sake. These should be rewards for genuine work. A quick story in closing.
I was at the Auburn Hills State BBQ Championship a few years ago. I used to compete on the KCBS circuit. There prize money and trophies to be won. Instead of focusing on those, we instead put the focus on having fun and cooking the best BBQ we could. What kind of reward would it have been if we hadn’t? Placing 5th overall was a huge accomplish for our young team. Finishing with a sense of accomplishment was even better. The trophy is nice, but it ultimately will be forgotten about the next time we compete.
Pastor Dan Joseph
1. Victor’s Crown – Awarded for self-discipline
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 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 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.
How to win the victory –
– Study of the Word of God.
– Equipping of the Spirit through prayer.
Related Verses:
Romans 6:18, And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
– Set free from sin
– Slaves of Righteousness
Romans 8:13, For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
– Live according to the flesh = Die
– Put to the death the deeds of the body by the Spirit = Live
2 Timothy 2:15, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
– Be diligent
– Approved by God
– Never be ashamed
– Right understanding of the Word of Truth
Thank About It:
What are you doing to win the victory?
2. Crown of Rejoicing – Awarded for leading others to Christ
Also called the Soul Winner’s Crown
1 Thessalonians 2:19, 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?
Important Point: Our Joy is others in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ
Related Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:14, (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
– A reason to boast!
2 Corinthians 3:1-3
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
– Epistle – Story, Book, Poem, Letter.
– What is your story?
– We minister them in Christ’s name by the Spirit.
Think About It:
Imagine how great the story can be. Have you written your’s? Are you writing your’s right now?
3. Crown of Righteousness – Longing for Jesus and His return
Also eager to fulfill his calling.
2 Timothy 4:8, Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
– Not just for one person
– Available for all
Related Verses:
1 Corinthians 9:25, 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 crown.
– Temper yourself
– Self-restraining
1 Timothy 6:12, Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
– Fight a good fight – Give it a great effort.
– Remember eternal life – motivation
– Be a good witness
James 1:12, Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
– Endure Temptation
1 Peter 5:4, and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
– When you meet Christ, you will immediately be rewarded
– Prelude to the next crown
Revelation 2:10, Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
– Endure Temptation
– Do not fear persecution
– Be faithful
– God will be there to reward you at the end
Think about it:
Are you eager? How does this crown fit in with the first 2 crowns?
4. Crown of Glory – Faithful shepherds of people of God & Christian Leaders
1 Peter 5:4, and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
– Jesus – Chief Shepherd
– Crown will never fade
– Immediate reward in His presence
Related Verses:
John 21:15-17
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
– Jesus Restores Peter
– Tend to other believers
– Accountability partners
– Teach others the Word of Christ
Think about it:
What are you doing to feed others and tend to the flock?
5. Crown of Life – Endure & Triumph over trial, persecution and temptation to the point of martyrdom
James 1:12, Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Revelation 2:10, Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
– Blessed is he who endures temptation
– Approved by God
– Do not fear suffering
– Be faithful
Related Verses:
James 5:11, Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
– Endure – He is merciful
Job 5:17, “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
– Submit
1 Corinthians 9:25, 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 crown.
– Be Tempered
Hebrews 10:36, For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
– Endurance
2 Timothy 1:7, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
– Do Not Fear
Psalm 56:11, In God I have put my trust;
– I will not be afraid.
– What can man do to me?
– Trust
Matthew 10:28, And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
– Fear Only God
Think about it:
Today’s persecution and trials are very much alive and real. Would you die or deny?
Matthew 10:32,33
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Conclusion –
We should never try to achieve these for our own sake. These should be rewards for genuine work. A quick story in closing.
I was at the Auburn Hills State BBQ Championship a few years ago. I used to compete on the KCBS circuit. There prize money and trophies to be won. Instead of focusing on those, we instead put the focus on having fun and cooking the best BBQ we could. What kind of reward would it have been if we hadn’t? Placing 5th overall was a huge accomplish for our young team. Finishing with a sense of accomplishment was even better. The trophy is nice, but it ultimately will be forgotten about the next time we compete.
Pastor Dan Joseph
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