Date: 23-08-26
Preacher: Sister Yoke Hwee
Title: Heavenly Rewards

Heavenly Rewards

This morning’s message began with a reference to the God-man relationship with regards to the Great Commission. It speaks of God’s grace and empowerment through the Holy Spirit on the one hand and man’s obedience and making ourselves available to the Holy Spirit on the other.

A pertinent question was asked of the congregation as to why God chooses to work through man? The answer is He wants to reward us. Sister Yoke Hwee established two foundational truths first. 

The first is the difference between salvation and rewards. We know that salvation is God’s gift and man doesn’t need to work to earn it. (Eph 2:8-9) Rewards, on the other hand, have to be earned. (1 Cor 3:8) Hence, in the believers’ context, it is what we do after we are saved.

The second is that all humans will need to face two judgements in the end-days. Of the two, one will send non-believers to Hades, which is a temporary holding place for people who have died as unbelievers. They will then face the Second Death which is eternal hell. (Rev 20:14-15) Believers will proceed to the judgement seat of Christ. (2 Cor 5:10)

The next pertinent question to ask will be how a believer’s works will be assessed. It is at this point, all lives will be made transparent before God and our deeds, whether public or private, will be made known. The standard God will use to judge us will be God’s Word so we all know the standard which will be used. (1 Cor 3:12-13) It is not a blind test.

There will be two outcomes on how we have harnessed the resources God has put at our disposal. The first is our works survived after the test and we are well rewarded. The second may be judged as worthless works for having wrong motives. (1 Cor 3:14)

What are these heavenly rewards?
These are not physical or material assets but spiritual honours and positions or authority to rule and reign with Jesus. They are spiritual badges of honour known as Heavenly Crowns.

There are five such crowns set out below and the corresponding deeds for each one:

1. Imperishable Crown: for those who have overcome the desires of the flesh to live a life of self-control & discipline (1 Cor 9:25)

2. Crown of Rejoicing (Soul-Winner's Crown): for those who bring others to faith in Jesus & disciple them (1 Thes 2: 19)

3. Crown of Righteousness: for those who eagerly long for & love the return of Jesus (2 Tim 4:8)

4. Crown of Life: for those who endure trials & persecutions for their faith, even unto death (Rev 2: 10)

5. Crown of Glory: for pastors, elders & spiritual leaders who serve God's people faithfully (1 Pet 5:4)

1. serve God sincerely without selfish motives
2. endure hardships and trials without quitting and complaining
3. stay faithful to your calling
4. share your faith and make disciples

She concluded by sharing that outreach and disciple-making are hard work and might even feel unrewarding in this life but Heaven is watching and God will reward those who snatch souls from the fire of Hell.