“What we do in life, echoes into eternity.”

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”

Heavenly Rewards & Positions Salvation is a free gift (by grace, not works) – Eph. 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved (through faith) and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God not as a result of works, that no one should boast Works are essential to our Christian life For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand (that we should walk in them)

Heavenly Rewards & Positions Salvation is a free gift (by grace, not works) – Eph. 2:8-9 Works are essential to our Christian life Rewards are based on the merit of our works after we become believers – Rev. 22:12 “Behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done

Heavenly Rewards & Positions I. Rewards (Treasures) II. Thrones (Positions) III. Crowns (Honors) IV. Awards Ceremony The Judgment Seat of Christ

I. Rewards (Treasures) “For the Son of Man is going to come in glory of His Father with His angels; and will then recompense every many according to his deeds.” – Matt. 16:27 “Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Matt. 5:12 “… your reward is great in heaven.” – Luke 6:23 “… and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” – Luke 14:14 “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on! Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.” – Rev 14:13

I. Rewards (Treasures) Reward for Persecution (Matt 5:12) Reward for Loving Enemies (Matt 5:46) Reward for Giving (Matt 6:1-4) Reward for Prayer (Matt 6:5-6) Reward for Fasting (Matt 6:16-18) Apostle’s Reward (Matt 19:27-30) Prophet’s Reward (Matt 10:41-42) Righteous Man’s Reward (Matt 10:41-42) Disciple’s Reward (Matt 10:41-42)

I. Rewards - Laying Up Treasures In Heaven “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Matt 6:19-21 “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” – Matt 19:21 “So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” – Luke 12:21 “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess, and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me.” – Luke 18:22 “Instruct those who are rich in the present world … to be generous … storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, …” – I Tim 6:17-19

Loss of Rewards Rewards Lost (II John 8) Possible for Crown to be taken (Revelation 3:11) Losing Reward Implied (Matt 10:42) Don’t Seek Wrong Rewards (Matt 6:19-21) Guard Rewards (Rev 3:11) Disqualified for Rewards (I Cor 9:27) Rewards Burned Up (I Cor 3:15) Rewards Taken Away (Matt 25:28-29) Rewards Forfeited (Matt 6:5-6)

II. Thrones (Positions) “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed me in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” – Matt 19:28 (Luke 22:28-30) “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your Master.” – Matt 25:14-30 “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” – Rev. 3:21 “And around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon each throne I saw twenty-four elders sitting, … golden crowns on their heads, …” - Rev 4:3-4

The Five Crowns “Stephanos” – the victor’s crown Symbol of victory in the greek athletic games Contrast with “diadema” – a king’s crown Scripture reveals 5 “stephanos” crowns for believers Only Christ is crowned with the “diadema”

III. Crowns (Honor) 1) Incorruptible Crown (The Runner’s Crown) “And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath (crown), but we an imperishable.” I Cor. 9:25 2) Crown of Righteousness (The Watcher’s Crown) “In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” II Timothy 4:8

III. Crowns (Honor) 3) Crown of Life (The Sufferer’s Crown) “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” – James 1:12 4) Crown of Rejoicing (The Soul Winner’s Crown) “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? – I Thess. 2:19

III. Crowns (Honor) 5) Crown of Glory (The Shepherd’s Crown) “Shepherd the flock of God … And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” – I Peter 5:2-4

IV. The Judgment Seat of Christ “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” – II Cor. 5:10 All (each one) Appear = manifest, laid bare, stripped of outward facade Judgment seat = bema seat Recompensed for deeds In the body Bad = wasteful

IV. The Judgment Seat of Christ (Reward or Suffering Loss) each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor (3:8) each man’s work will become evident (3:13) did he build with gold, silver or precious stones did he build with wood, hay or straw it will be revealed by fire (3:13) the fire will test each man’s work (3:13) if any man’s work remains, he shall receive a reward (3:14) if any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss (3:15) but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire (3:15)

“What we do in life, echoes into eternity.”