Pastor Jerry Rockwell My reward is with me: Jesus

Pastor Jerry Rockwell

MY REWARD IS WITH ME: JESUS

Introduction: This lesson brings us “quickly” to the end of Revelation and closer to the return of Christ. The “rapture of the church” (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54) takes place prior to the coming of Jesus Christ to this earth (Rev. 19:11ff). That event will take place at the end of the Tribulation and Jesus will bring to an end the evil that has perpetrated the rebellion against God that has been going on since the fall of man when Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge good and evil (Gen. 3:6, 12, 13).

The subject of “rewards” is an interesting study in the Bible. Abraham was told that God was his “exceeding great reward” (Gen. 15:1). God said He “will reward them that hate me” (Deut. 32:41). It says in Proverbs 11:13, “. . .to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.” The word “reward” is used 80 times in the Bible. Have you considered what your reward will be since Jesus is coming with His reward?

  1. CARING ABOUT THE SECOND COMING. In Revelation 22:7, 12, 20 Jesus reminds John that His return to the earth is imminent, about to come to pass. Revelation 22:12-13 (KJV) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. This is something many talk about, but I often wonder if the event under discussion is a pending reality to most Christians. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:8 (KJV) 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. Paul combines the two things that Jesus mentions about His return. One, it will happen and very soon. Two, Jesus is anticipating the rewards for believers that He will issue to those who have been faithful. Some time back, we looked at 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and studied the “Judgment Seat of Christ” where “rewards” will be issued to those who have built their life on “gold, silver, precious stone” instead of “wood, hay, stubble” (1 Cor. 3:10). The first three, precious items, have lasting value, while the last three when subjected to the testing of fire, have the nature of disappearing into ashes. When Jesus indicated He was coming back with “rewards” we should take notice. The question is, will you receive any rewards? There are five “crowns” a believer can earn while living on this earth and living the Christian life. Paul made a statement about this to the church in Philippi in Philippians 4:1 (KJV) Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. Paul is telling the church and the believers he had led to faith in Christ and salvation that they were not just a joy to him but would be a reward for him at the second coming of Jesus Christ.
  2. CROWNS FOR REWARD. The New Testament identifies five “crowns” that can (and will) be rewarded to Christians at the “Judgment Seat of Christ” (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10). Believers can earn five crowns or rewards. They are:
  1. The CROWN OF REJOICING or “soul winner’s crown” (1 Thess. 2:19). This crown will be for leading a person to salvation in Christ. Jesus gave a parable in Luke 14 about some “lost” things, a sheep, a piece of silver, and the lost son. After the story about the lost sheep Jesus made a statement in Luke 15:7 (KJV) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Then He made a similar statement about the lost piece of silver in Luke 15:10 (KJV) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. The story of the “lost son” does not have a statement like these two but note what is said to the elder son who was not happy for the rejoicing that his wayward brother had returned and wasted his father’s “portion of goods.” The father told him in Luke 15:32 (KJV) It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. The soul winner’s crown is one of rejoicing that a sinner who was headed to a place of fire was rescued and gained eternal life.
  2. The INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN (1 Cor. 9:24-25). The context of these verses is about running in a race. He uses the word “temperate” in all things which suggests gaining something that is “incorruptible” or will not perish. We live in a world where most of what we surround ourselves with will not last. These are things of the world which will perish (Col. 2:20-22). This crown is for rejecting the things of the flesh and living a life in the Spirit.
  3. The CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (2 Tim. 4:8). This crown is for those who “love his appearing” talking about the second coming of Jesus Christ. Are you looking for Him? This is emphasized in 1 John 3:2-3 (KJV) 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. There are two benefits for anticipating His return. One, when we see Him, we will be like Him (1 John 3:2). Two, we will keep ourselves pure in anticipation of His return (1 Tim. 5:22).
  4. The CROWN OF LIFE (James 1:12; Rev. 2:10). This crown is better known as the “martyr’s crown.” This crown has two applications. Not every believer, such as us who live in this present time, will probably not suffer persecution, and die for our faith. That could change under the conditions our nation is currently traveling in. Many in countries other than the U. S. are not as fortunate. They live in cultures that hate Christians and many are dying even not for their faith. James adds a dimension that James addresses and that is “enduring temptation.” In other words, not yielding to the temptations we face almost daily.
  5. The CROWN OF GLORY (1 Pet. 5:4). Some call this the “pastor’s” crown because the context of this verse is about “shepherds” who care for a flock. This is for what is called “elders” which is the pastor of a church. There is an aspect of this crown that has an application to all who “teach” the word of God to others. Note where it says in 1 Peter 5:2 “feed the flock of God.” It is the conviction of many that this has an application to anyone who teaches a Sunday school class, a Bible study, or does discipleship which is teaching a person some of the important doctrines of the Bible.

CONCLUSION

What about you and me? Are we anticipating the Rapture of the church when Christ will come for His bride, the church, and the events of the Tribulation will commence? If Jesus is returning with rewards, then are you gaining any “crowns” of reward for the time when He will reward us for our commitment to Him and our desire to live the Christian life?