Rewards Are Coming
Living a Life of Celebration-part 4
The gospel says we are saved by grace alone. There is never anything we can do to “earn” our way to heaven. However, God promises His people rewards for how they live. Rewards later provides hope now in tough times! Part of our joy (celebration) in the Lord is the anticipation of what’s coming for us!
We usually love anticipation. When we were kids we always asked, “What’s Santa going to bring me? What will I get for my birthday? Where are we going on vacation?” We experienced joy “ahead of time.”
DAY 1: The Crown of Righteousness
2 Timothy 4:6-8
As Paul writes he is chained to a Roman guard for the crime of witnessing. His execution is imminent.
2 Tim. 4:6 …for I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.
1. A drink offering was wine poured out onto a burnt offering, a lamb. Paul compares his blood about to be spilled to this. He speaks of his coming death as a “departure.” What strikes you about these images?
2 Tim. 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
• “Fighting the good fight.”
3. Can you relate to Paul? How is your life like being in a “fight?”
Read 1 Tim. 6:12. How does this verse amplify on “fighting the good fight?”
• “Finished the race”
Finishing the 100 yard dash is not a problem. Finishing a marathon is! What is Paul saying about living as a Christian in this world?
Read Acts 20:24. How does this verse amplify “finishing the race?”
• “Kept the faith”
What do you think he means? How does faithfulness/stewardship relate? (See 1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:14)
Read 2 Tim. 4:8 Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing
“Crown” -“stephanos” (Greek). Refers to the laurel wreath given to the winner at the games.
“Crown of righteousness” can either mean (1) righteousness itself is the reward, or (2) the reward for righteousness. (See 2 Tim. 3:16).
How does the certainty of a coming crown bolster Paul in his last days? What does this say about the power of hope?
DAY 2: The Crown of Life
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
1. What are some ways Paul describes life in this world?
2. Paul tells us that when we persevere under trail that we are “blessed.” Why do you think this is so?
3. A “crown of life” is promised for doing what?
4. Read James 1:2-4. How does James describe each of the following:
* “Trials” –
* “Testing” –
* “Perseverance” –
5. What image comes to mind with “stood the test” in James 1:12?
6. What is the “crown of life?”
“Life” does not relate to physical life. He is talking about the kind of life we can experience and gain through the process of persevering under trial! How do the following verses amplify on this idea?
* John 10:10-
* John 1:4-
* John 4:14-
(note: “eternal” life usually means both quantity and quality, length and “to the max”).
* Galatians 5:22-23-
* John 14:6-
* James 1:4-
7. There is a road to real “life” that necessitates trials and tests! Real life just doesn’t happen. How does this strike you?
8. Talk to God about your answer to #7.
DAY 3: Crown of Glory
The book of 1 Peter is a treatise on suffering. In 1 Peter 5:2-3, Peter speaks to those leading in the ministry. Read 1 Peter 5:2-3.
1. This group likely included more UN-paid pastor-types than paid ones. What “duties” are they to perform?
2. What motivations does Peter exhort us to as we “shepherd” people?
What would be hard for you if you were a shepherd?
3. Shepherding people is a lot like shepherding sheep or cats! It’s a lot more difficult than it would seem! People are generally resistant to being shepherded. Read the next verse…
1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
4. Peter describes another Shepherd! Who is He?
5. What is His role? (title)
6. Peter describes a future where He appears. What does Peter will say will happen when He does?
7. What do you think is the “crown of glory?”
8. The word “glory” is usually used for the character and wonder of God or of Jesus. How do each of the following verses describe “glory?”
* John 1:14-
* 1 Peter 5:1-
* 1 Peter 4:13-
* John 15:8-
* Galatians 6:14-
9. What strikes you about the “crown of glory?”
DAY 4: The Incorruptible Crown
Read 1 Corinthians 9
We live at a time when people are caught up with their “rights.” On a personal level this makes for some very whiny and/or angry people! Paul was taking heat from well-meaning Christians about his “rights.” In chapter 9, Paul voluntarily gives up his “rights” in order to help many find Jesus. Surrendering our rights makes a powerful statement to people, and gets their attention: “Maybe there is something to this gospel!”
1. In the following verses, what greater issues are there than claiming his rights?
9:12b-
9:15-
9:18-
9:19-23-
2. Voluntarily surrendering our God-given rights requires a sacrifice. What analogy does Paul use to describe this sacrifice, in verses 24-27?
3. In verse 24, Paul says to, “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” What images come to your mind?
4. In order to win “the prize” what is needed? (v. 25).
5. Paul describes our “prize” in v. 25. What is it?
• What is it like?
• What is it not like?
6. What two negative illustrations does Paul uses in v. 26.
• How do they illustrate his point?
7. Put into your words his summary in v. 27.
8. What strikes you about the “incorruptible crown?”
DAY 5: A Theology of Suffering
There are many, many verses in scripture about rewards in heaven! A lot of them have to do with suffering. Many of them have to do with putting up with something negative in this life in order to experience something positive in the next life. What are the “costs” and “rewards” in the following verses?
Matt. 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
• Costs:
• Rewards:
Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
• Costs:
• Rewards:
1 Tim. 2:12… if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
• Costs:
• Rewards:
Hebrews 10:34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
• Costs:
• Rewards:
Hebrews 11:26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
• Costs:
• Rewards:
Revelation 20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
• Costs:
• Rewards:
Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
• Costs:
• Rewards:
2. What areas of your life do you need perseverance?
3. Revelation 4:10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne …
4. Why do you think they laid their crowns down at His throne? (Read Rev. 4:11 for a hint)