Today, we want to look at “HEAVEN’S REWARDS FOR THE OVERCOMERS!”
There is Judgement ahead for everyone
on this earth: (1) The judgement of
unbelievers (The Great White Throne Judgement – Rev. 20:11-21), and (2) The judgement of believers (The Judgment
Seat of Christ).
After the
rapture all Christians will be judged for their works as Christians while on
earth.
“So
then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12).
“For
we must all appear before THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST; that every one
may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad.” (1 Cor. 5:10).
The
JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST or THE BEMA SEAT OF CHRIST involves believers giving an account to
Christ of how they lived their lives while on earth.
The
judgment seat of Christ does not determine salvation
because that was determined by Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf (1 Jn. 2:2) and our faith in Him (Jn. 3:16).
All
our sins are forgiven, and we will never be condemned (judged) for them (Rom. 8:1-2).
The verse promises no condemnation for the Christian who walks
after the Spirit. But the same verse implies that there is condemnation if the
individual determines to walk after the flesh.
The condemnation has nothing to do with the
standing of the Christian, but everything to do with his state. Just because
our standing is guaranteed does not mean that we will not have to give an
account of how we have lived following salvation.
“But why dost thou judge
thy brother? Or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? For we shall all stand
before the Judgment Seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,
and every tongue shall confess
to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:10).
What will
happen at the Judgement Seat of Christ? The judgment seat of Christ is where believers
will be rewarded based
on how faithfully they served Christ while on earth (1 Cor. 15:58; 1 Cor. 3:8; Rev. 22:12; 1 Cor. 9:4-27).
Some of the things we might be judged
on are:
1. We will give account of every word we
speak. How
well did you control your tongue (Jam. 3:1-9)?
But I say unto you, “That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of
judgment” (Matt. 12:36).
As a Christian, you will give an account for every
idle (useless) word you speak. We fail to appreciate how powerful our words are
and how wicked our tongue is (Jam
3:5-6). Christians should learn how to "hold their tongue."
So many times we speak without thinking; we
complain without considering; we discuss without knowing. We are going to give
an account of every idle word we speak. We should think about what we say and
consider the consequences of what we say before we speak.
2. We will give
an account of how we lived our lives. How victorious were you
over sin, self and the world (Rom. 6:1-4)?
“Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment;
and some men they follow after. 25 Likewise also the good works of some
are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid” (1 Tim. 5:24).
How does a Christian have his sins go "before
to judgment" and why do some men’s sins follow after? The verse also says
that the good works of some are manifest beforehand for others to see, but when
God reveals everything at the judgment, nothing will be hid.
Again we must consider the difference between our
standing and state. There is no condemnation in your standing - you cannot lose
your salvation; however, there may be condemnation in your state.
3. We will give
an account of our stewardship.
And Jesus said also unto His disciples, “There
was a certain rich man, which had a steward;
and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2 And he called
him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship;
for thou mayest be no longer steward” (Lk. 16:1).
Who are the stewards today? It can only be the Christians.
Paul tells us: “Moreover it is
required in stewards that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2).
This is the only usage of the word required in all
of the Church Age epistles. God gives us one requirement today…faithfulness! Faithfulness covers every
aspect of the Christian’s life — church attendance, giving, praying,
witnessing, etc. Faithfulness covers every aspect of the Christian walk. God
does not have to say a lot — He expresses volumes in simple truths.
What type of steward are you? Are you a
good steward of the mystery? Are you a good steward of the word of God? Are you
a good steward of men’s souls? We fail to grasp the eternal consequences of our
actions. We do not fear the day when we will stand in judgment.
4. Those in
positions of authority will give an account.
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:
for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they
may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17).
Maybe at the Judgment Seat of Christ there will be
those that accuse the Christian because of his lack of adequate use of his
position in serving the Lord.
Did you use your position to do things that are
contrary to the Word of God – immorality, embezzlement of public funds, victimization
of those you don’t like etc.?
5. We will give an account of our
witnessing. How
well did you obey the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20)?
God said, “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt
surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked
from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his
iniquity; but his blood will I
require at thine hand” (Ezek.
3:18).
God will require us to give an account of our
faithfulness in warning the lost of their sinful condition. Can you make the
same statement as the Apostle Paul? He made the statement that he was pure from
the blood of all men.
“Wherefore I take you to record this day that
I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare
unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to
all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed
the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:26).
The Apostle Paul says that he was pure from the
blood of all men. The book of Ezekiel warns us to warn the wicked of his
wickedness so that he can change his wicked ways.
Pilate tried to wash his hands of the blood that
was upon them. We cannot wash the blood off of our hands any more than Pilate
could clean himself up.
Maybe when we get to heaven we will be
re-introduced to all those that we could have and should have witnessed to and
the blood of them will be on our hands and we will attempt to wipe it off on
the unspotted garments given to us because of the blood of Jesus Christ. We are
going to have white garments given to us like His. Maybe our sin will stain our
garments.
If you are not bearing fruit, all other
things you are doing in the kingdom of God amount to nothing.
i) You
can never have the fullness of joy. In John 15:11 Jesus said, “These
things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy
may be full.” “..For the joy of the LORD is your strength"
(Neh. 8:10).
If you want to remain ever joyful, stay a
soul winner. If you want to be endeared to the heart of God, focus on bearing
fruit.
ii) Barrenness
will make God to curse you (Mark 11:12-14; 11:20-21).
iii) Your
life span will be shortened (John 15:1-2; Psalm 118:17).
Where will you go to if your life span is cut short? A
Christian who is not bearing fruit will not make it to heaven, but will go to
hell because he has disobeyed the command of the Lord.
In Luke 13:6-9 Jesus also spoke this parable: "A
certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit
on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for
three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it
down; why does it use up the ground?'
But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also,
until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if
not, after that you can cut it down.'
In John 15:6 the Bible says, “If
anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and
they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”
Matthew 7:19 says, “Every tree that does not bear
good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you
will know them.”
The
Bible speaks of believers receiving crowns for different things based on how
faithfully they served Christ on earth (1 Cor. 9:4-27; 2 Tim. 2:5).
There is a
mansion in Heaven full of crowns for the overcomers, who overcome self, the
world and the devil. The crowns are rewards for services rendered unto the LORD while you
were on earth. The crowns include:
1. The Imperishable Crown. This crown is for
those people who are living disciplined lives, saying no to whatsoever that is
contrary to the Word of God. Such a person trains himself to serve God honestly
and diligently as a Christian.
“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. And everyone who competes for the
prize is temperate [disciplined] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (1 Cor.
9:24-25; NKJV).
All
things on this earth are subject to decay and will eventually perish. Jesus
urges us to not store our treasures on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and
where thieves break in and steal” (Matt. 6:19).
But
not so for the heavenly crown; faithful endurance wins a heavenly reward which
is “an inheritance imperishable and
undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:3-5).
2. The Crown of Rejoicing. This is the
crown for soul winners. It is the reward for those who always reach out to get
others into the Kingdom of God.
1 Thessalonians 2:19 says, “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?”
The
crown of rejoicing will be our reward where “God will wipe away every tear . .
. there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain,
for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).
3. The Crown of Righteousness. This is a
crown given to those who are desperately expecting the coming of the Lord.
In 2 Timothy
4:7-8 Apostle Paul said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished
my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me A
CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me
at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.”
It is a
crown for those who long for Heaven, their real homeland. Such people are
always thanking God that Jesus is coming back. Such people are no longer
interested in the things of this world, but in the things that will draw them
closer and closer to Jesus Christ. They are looking forward to seeing Jesus
face to face.
How
can one obtain this crown? We inherit this crown only through the righteousness
of Jesus Christ, and without which it cannot be obtained (2 Cor. 5:21).
It
is an everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for
His return.
Through
our enduring the discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we
know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity (Phil. 3:20).
This
crown is not for those who depend upon their own sense of righteousness or of
their own works. Such an attitude breeds only arrogance and pride, and not a
longing, a fervent desire to be with the Lord.
4. The Crown of Glory. This crown is for
faithful shepherds of the people of God. This is not only for the Pastor. It is
for all those who are leading the people of God in one capacity or the other
like the leaders of the various groups in the church – the choir director, the
Sunday School Teacher, the leader counselling unit etc.
1 Peter 5:4
says, “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive A CROWN
OF GLORY that fadeth not away.”
This
word “glory” refers to the very nature of God and His actions. It entails His
great splendor and brightness. Recall Stephen who, while being stoned to death,
was able to look into the heavens and see the glory of God (Acts 7:55-56).
This
word also means that the praise and honor we bestow to God alone is due Him
because of who He is (Isa. 42:8, 48:11; Ga. 1:5).
It
also recognizes that believers are incredibly blessed to enter into the
kingdom, into the very likeness of Christ Himself.
For
as Paul so eloquently put it, “For I consider that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be
revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18 NKJV).
5. The Crown of Life. This is a crown for
those who maintain their love for Christ no matter what they are going through
even to martyrdom. Most of the things you are going through right now are
designed to draw you away from Christ. Anyone who it has cost a lot to keep the
faith will receive this crown. God will not forget your labour of love. It has
cost you a lot to keep the faith.
James 1:12
says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he
shall receive THE CROWN OF LIFE, which the Lord hath promised to them that
love Him.”
In
Revelations
2:10 Jesus said,
“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.”
In Scripture the word “life” is often used to
show a relationship that is right with God. It was Jesus who said, “I
have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly”
(John 10:10).
Just
as things such as air, food, and water are vital for our physical lives, Jesus
provides us what is required for our spiritual lives.
He
is the One who provides “living water.” He is the “bread of life” (Jn. 4:10, 6:35). We know that our earthly lives will
end.
But
we have the amazing promise that comes only to those who come to God through
Jesus: “And this is the promise that He has promised us - eternal life”
(1 Jn. 2:25).
James
tells us that this crown of life is for all those who love God (Jam. 1:12).
The
question then is how do we demonstrate our love for God? The apostle John
answers this for us: “For this is the love of God, that we keep
His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 Jn. 5:3).
As
His children we must keep His commandments, obeying Him, always remaining
faithful. So, as we endure the inevitable trials, pains, heartaches, and
tribulations - as long as we live – we will surely ever move forward, always
“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2) and receive the crown of life that
awaits us.
APART FROM THE CROWNS, THERE ARE OTHER
REWARDS FOR OVERCOMERS:
1.
God will give the overcomer to eat of the tree of life.
Revelations
2:7 says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which
is in the midst of the paradise of God.”
2.
The overcomer shall not be hurt of the second death.
Revelations
2:11 says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
3.
God will give the overcomer to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a
white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving
he that receiveth it.
Revelations
2:17 says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and
will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth
saving he that receiveth it.”
4.
God will give the overcomer a white stone, and in the stone a new name written,
which no man knows except he that receives it (Rev. 2:17).
5.
God will give the overcomer power over the nations.
Revelations
2:26 says, “And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to
him will I give power over the nations.”
6.
Jesus will not blot out the name of the overcomer out of the Book of Life, but
will confess his name before His Father, and before His angels.
Revelations
3:5 says, “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I
will not blot out his name out of THE BOOK OF LIFE, but I will confess
his name before My Father, and before His angels.”
7.
Jesus will make the overcomer a pillar in the temple of His God, and he shall
go no more out: and Jesus will write upon him the name of His God, and the name
of the city of His God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven
from His God: and Jesus will write upon him His new name.
Revelations
3:12 says, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and
he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the
name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of
heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.”
NLT
puts it this way, “All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of My God, and
they will never have to leave it. And I will write My God’s name on them, and
they will be citizens in the city of My God - the New Jerusalem that comes down
from heaven from My God. And they will have My new name inscribed upon them.”
The
New Jerusalem is the future dwelling of the people of God (Rev. 21:2). We will
have a new citizenship in God’s future Kingdom. Everything will be new, pure,
and secure. Hallelujah!
8.
Jesus will grant the overcomer to sit with Him in His throne, even as He also
overcame, and is set down with His Father in His throne.
Revelations 3:21 says, “To him that overcometh will I
grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down
with My Father in His throne.”
NLT
puts it this way, “I will invite everyone who is victorious to sit with Me on My throne,
just as I was victorious and sat with My Father on His throne.”
9.
The overcomer shall inherit all things, and Jesus will be his God, and he shall
be Jesus’ son.
Revelations
21:7 says, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his
God, and he shall be My son.”
What is the ultimate goal of any
reward that you might receive?
Revelations
4:10-11 says, “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne,
and worship Him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before
the throne, saying,
11 Thou
art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast
created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Did you
notice what they did with their crowns? They cast it at the feet of the LORD
before His throne. That is to say, whatever God has done for you, you need to
cast it at His feet before His throne.
Even though
you have got the crown as a reward, you should cast it at His feet in Heaven
and say, “LORD, if it were not for the
blood of Jesus, I would have never been here. You are the only reason why I am
here.” Thank You so much for your mercy and grace. I worship you with all that
you have blessed me with.”
Mary the
sister of Martha did the same. She washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and
whipped the tears with the most expensive part of her body – her long hair
which is her glory. She worshipped the LORD with her best.
I challenge you to get as many rewards as
possible not for you, but so that you can have enough crowns to cast at His
feet just to say thank You to Him in worship. Let’s do it like the 24 elders
did: cast the crown at His feet, and just worship Him.
Watch
out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit!
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