1 Cor. 3: 11 – 15
Introduction
Most of us want to be rewarded even for the small things that we have done. Several people in my workplace would even betray their colleagues to get a reward from their superiors. When I was a child I was always rewarded because I behave well. So at a young age I learned that good behavior will be rewarded.
I. Noble Deeds and hard work are rewarded.
In the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, a Japanese gymnast, Shun Fujimoto, was competing in the team competition. Somehow, during the floor exercises, he broke his right knee. It was obvious to all reasonable observers that he would be forced to withdraw. But they reckoned without the determination of a true competitor. On the following day, Fujimoto competed in his strongest event, the rings. His routine was excellent, but the critical point lay ahead—the dismount. Without hesitation, Fujimoto ended with a twisting, triple somersault. There was a moment of intense quiet as he landed with tremendous impact on his wounded knee. Then came thundering applause as he stood his ground. Later, reporters asked about that moment and he replied, “The pain shot through me like a knife. It brought tears to my eyes. But now I have a gold medal and the pain in gone.”
When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Jewish refugees poured into Lithuania. A large group went to the Japanese Consulate, where they found a sympathetic diplomat named Chiune Sugihara. Against his government’s orders, Sugihara issued exit visas for an estimated 6,000 Jews, writing them by hand almost nonstop for a month until the Soviets closed the embassy. His “reward” was eighteen months in a Soviet prison camp with his family after the war, and dismissal from his post when he returned to Japan. For years he lived in obscurity, feeling disgraced. But in 1985, Sugihara was honored by the Israeli government for his heroic efforts.
The Bible teaches that Christians have rewards—, Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye
shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Salvation is not a reward but a gift.
II. Principle
A. Only the saved will receive rewards not the unsaved
B. In this life:
1. Material blessings—Mt. 6:33, Ps. 37:25
2. Long life– Prov. 3:1- 2,
3. Peaceful life– Prov. 3:2, Jn. 14:27, Phil. 4:7
4. We casts our problems to Jesus – 1 Pet. 5:7,
5. Protection in our employment — Mal 3:11
C. Spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 3:12-15 )
1. Incorruptible Crown – 1 Cor. 9:25- 27- Crowns for runners-not one made of cheap materials but an eternal one.
2. Crowns for Soul winners – 1 Thess. 2:9, Prov. 11:30, Dan. 12:3 – the crown of rejoicing (perhaps each convert will be a jewel for that crown. How many jewels will you have in your crown? You ought to have one for each year of your Christian life.
3. Crowns of Righteousness – 2 Tim. 4:8 –crowns for anticipators- everyone ought to win this crown. Each and everyone of us should be watching and waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Crowns of Life- Jas. 1:12, Rev. 2:10 – crowns for faithful ones. There seems to be 3 conditions for winning this crown.
a. Enduring temptation, overcoming evil.
b. Loving Him- easy to love Jesus. Rev. 2:10
c. Being faithful unto death, enduring to the end, even to martyrdom
d. Crowns of Glory – 1 Pet. 5:4, 2 Tim. 4:1-2- crowns for true pastors, elders, under shepherds, missionaries, teachers. To be faithful over the Lord’s heritage and to hear His “well done” is really glorious.
e. Crowns of Gold – Rev. 4:4- crowns for all the redeemed – all the redeemed men have their crowns too.
D. Additional glory for believers — 1 Cor. 15:58
1. To be with Christ- Jn. 14:3
2. Reign with Christ – 2 Tim. 2:12
3. Heir of all things – Rom. 8:17
4. Behold His face – Jn. 3:2
5. Shine as stars – Dan 12:3
