Every man will receive his own reward according to his own labour. We find the same word “reward” down in verse 14. This word actually speaks of dues paid for work. It describes the fruit naturally resulting from work. God does not expect any Christian to serve Him without pay. He is a generous employer and will justly pay us according to our labour.

In addition, Paul said that we ought to press toward the mark for God’s prize (Php 3:14, 1Co 9:24). The word “prize” refers to a reward earned in a contest. Both the reward and the prize are earned by faithful service for the Lord in deeds, motives, and attitudes.

Transition

This evening we are going to focus our attention on the three types of rewards that faithful believers will receive for living God-pleasing lives. It ought to be your life’s ambition to earn these rewards.

The First Type of Reward is Commendation

To be verbally honoured by the Sovereign of the universe, I believe will be the highest glory. To me, this will be one of the most cherished rewards any believe will receive.

1. Some will hear God say, “Well done!” (Mt 25:21)
   1. Jesus illustrated this in his parable of the Ten Talents. Servants were given money to use in their master’s absence. Those who used it wisely were rewarded. Those with half-hearted, inconsistent service suffered loss. (Matthew 25:21) “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
   2. While opinions differ as to what the talents represent in real life, the principle is clear; those who faithfully serve the Lord will be commended. Perhaps hearing God’s “Well done!” is what Paul had in mind when he said, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
2. Others will receive praise from God (1 Co 4:5)
   1. It is likely that many of the rewards promised in Scripture will be praise from God. (1 Corinthians 4:5) “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”
   2. God sees and will commend those hidden things we do for him. (Hebrews 6:10) “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
   3. Christians who suffer for the cause of Christ will be commended. (1 Peter 1:7) “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

The Second Type of Reward is Administration

1. Faithful workers will be given positions of leadership (Lk 19:17)
   1. Jesus told a parable about a nobleman who went away and gave his servants several pounds to use in his absence. In a similar way as described in the parable of the Ten Talents, faithfulness is rewarded with both commendation and administration. (Luke 19:17) “And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.”
   2. These rewards will be enjoyed during Christ’s 1000-year earthly Kingdom.
2. These will also receive more privileges (Lk 19:26)
   1. In this parable, the nobleman took the pound from his servants who failed to use it and gave it to faithful servants. (Luke 19:24-26) “And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.”
   2. Again, this reminds us that God will reward faithfulness and rebuke unfaithfulness. Oh, that we might be faithful in what the Lord has asked us to do. As you think on this, consider what the Bible says about baptism, church membership, witnessing, church attendance, giving to the Lord’s work, reading the Bible, praying, living godly lives, gender distinction, and modesty, etc.

The Third Type of Reward is Coronation

The Bible speaks of five specific crowns that Christians may receive for faithful service. This kind of crown was a wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors in public games. It also described the crown of thorns jammed on the head of the Lord Jesus before his crucifixion. Because Revelation 4:10 speaks of believers casting their crowns before the throne of God, many believe that these five crowns are literal objects.

1. The Incorruptible Crown (1Co 9:25, 27)
   1. This crown is for those who are temperate or self-controlled. To win this crown, we must say “No” to our fleshly desires and temptations.
   2. We must kill those desires and live instead for eternity. (Colossians 3:2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (4) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
2. Crown of Rejoicing (1Th 2:19)
   1. One of the greatest joys a Christian will experience is seeing others in heaven that he had a part in reaching.
   2. The Lord will crown those who make his last command their first concern. He commanded “. . . Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) Jesus said there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents.
      ² The words of this hymn ought to challenge our hearts. “Must I go and empty-handed? Must I meet my Savior so? Not one soul with which to greet Him – Must I empty-handed go?” Charles C. Luther, Must I Go, and Empty-Handed?
3. Crown of Righteousness (2Ti 4:8)
   1. All who longingly look for the Lord’s return will receive this crown. I believe there are two obstacles that keep Christians from this crown.
      1. Apathy keeps many from longing for Christ’s return.
      2. Sin keeps many others from this crown. If you know there is unconfessed sin in your life, you will not be looking for Christ’s return. I believe this is why it is called the “crown of righteousness.”
   2. It is a crown for living right in the sight of God.
4. Crown of Life (Jas 1:12, Re 2:10)
   1. This crown is for all who die for Christ, or would die for him if put to the test.
   2. All believers have eternal life, but this is a special reward for those who have suffered for the Saviour.
5. Crown of Glory (1Pe 5:4)
   1. This crown of special glory is promised to pastors who faithfully feed the flock of God, willingly take the leadership, and are good examples to the flock.
   2. God will give glory to pastors for fulfilling unnoted duties.

Conclusion

Are you making it your life’s ambition to be a faithful worker and devoted runner in God’s service that will be worthy of God’s rewards? On judgment day you will want more than anything to hear Christ’s “Well done” and to be able to lay some crown at his feet. If you have become slack, get back in the race. Time is short. It will be worth it all when we see Christ!

Remember God’s warning in (Galatians 6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Song: Have I Done My Best – 368
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Judgment Seat of Christ
What will Christ Reward?
10 May 2015 pm – 1 Corinthians 3:8 – Bema – Scott Childs