The Bible says that there is truly a reward for those who live for God” (Ps. 58:11). Therefore, today, we want to look at “HEAVEN’S REWARDS FOR THE OVERCOMER.”
2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “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 (which) he hath done…”
What exactly happens 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. 3:8; Rev. 22:12; 1 Cor. 9:4-27; 1 Cor. 15:58).
The Bible speaks of believers receiving crowns for different things based on how faithfully they served Christ on earth (1 Cor. 7:4-27).
The New Testament describes 5 different kinds of rewards referred to as crowns. There is a mansion in Heaven full of crowns for the overcomers. The crowns are rewards for services rendered unto the LORD while you were on earth. These crowns include:
1. The Imperishable Crown. This crown is for those people who have lived disciplined lives, saying no to whatsoever that is contrary to the Word of God while they were on earth.
To get this crown you require discipline and training. Training requires the ability to say no when necessary.
This crown is talking about those people who are living disciplined lives, saying no to anything that contradicts God’s Word. He trains himself to serve God as a Christian. You have to live by priorities. If you don’t set your priorities right, circumstances will set priorities for you.
Paul’s passage in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 best defines for us this imperishable crown, “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” (NKJV).
Realize that all things on this earth are subject to decay and will eventually expire and perish. Therefore, 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 with the heavenly crown; faithful endurance wins a heavenly reward which is “an inheritance incorruptible (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. This is for those who are always ready to win people over to Christ. This is your heart’s cry: I am really interested to
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 says, “For what is our hope, or joy, or CROWN OF REJOICING? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 For ye are our glory and joy.”
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 expecting the coming of the Lord. They are desperately expecting the 2nd coming of the Lord. He is always thanking God that Jesus is coming back.
It is a crown for those who are longing for Heaven, their real and eternal homeland. They are not interested in the things of this world any more, but in things that will draw them closer and closer to Jesus. They are looking forward to seeing Jesus face to face.
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.”
If you keep your eyes on Jesus you will surely do things differently because you are seeing things differently.
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.”
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 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.”
Revelations 2:10 says, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee A CROWN OF LIFE.”
What is the ultimate goal of any reward that you might receive? The aim is to worship God with whatever you will 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.”
Here is the key: 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. Let’s do it like the 24 elders did: cast the crown at His feet, and just worship Him. Hallelujah!
Watch out for the next edition of Good news from the Pulpit!
Your friend: I. I. MADUBUNYI (Head Pastor)
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