Rewards in Heaven

The rewards for the Christian.

And I'm so excited about what's going on here.

Folks, we're trying to.

Benji and I have been back and forth every other day.

You think we're going to make it for Easter for the new building?

We said, well, we got a 60-40 chance.

Now, we have no chance.

But we do feel very strongly we're going to be in by the end of April.

So be praying, keep praying.

That's okay.

Because we're working on what we call a vision night.

And what we plan to do, we got so much going on right now.

And the reason you hadn't heard me say a lot, because you know I if anything's going on in this church, you know it.

We hide nothing.

I told a church member the other day, I said, the reason we don't, people don't have to worry about anything here, when we meet with our council and we know for sure what's going on, I bring it to your attention.

Actually, I bring it to attention before.

So you can be praying with us, making sure that we have peace about making the right decisions in this ministry.

Because the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6 17, he that's joined on the Lord's one spirit.

And we are.

We're unified here.

But anyway, we're so excited.

There's been so much happening that we hadn't been able to get a timetable, really.

And that's unusual for me.

I I hate not having a timetable.

So, like a vision night, and and we're gonna we're gonna do a stewardship campaign.

Let me go ahead and tell you what I want you to start praying about.

We've got, I mean, so when we move in that building, we feel the way it's looking right now that we will move in that building debt freak.

Let's give God a hand.

That's over a million dollars, folks.

We feel very comfortable there.

But what we don't feel real comfortable about is we gotta build a parking lot.

Now let me tell you something.

Parking lots have gone up.

They really have.

And we're gonna be looking at a campaign, a stewart campaign, to build and pay for phase one of the parking lot.

Now, this is just phase one.

This is gonna shock you.

Talking about 150 parking spaces.

Okay, that's a nice parking lot though.

Out there, it's gonna be beautiful.

Aaron's got to get to work.

Okay.

All right, but put it pedal to the metal, pedal to the metal.

Okay.

Now, when Benji told me the price, I just paused for a moment.

And I didn't say what I was thinking.

In fact, I had to repent of what I was thinking.

But anyway, as it is.

And I'm not gonna tell you the amount.

You'll have to figure it up because I don't even like the quote it.

But anyway, what I want you to start praying about, seriously.

Here's how we're gonna do it.

Now, what we're gonna do, if we have to, we're gonna take a short-term loan and we can't start a parking lot and stop and start and stop.

You gotta do it.

You gotta finish it.

So, what we're gonna be asking our people to do, and all this is what I'm telling you now, everything's I'm remember, when I know something, you know it.

So I'm telling you everything I know.

So here's what we're gonna do.

God's gonna allow us, the end of April, we're gonna have a Sunday night vision night.

And we're gonna bring you to where we are right now, show you everything.

We're gonna have the drones.

You don't want to miss.

I think we decided the last Sunday or the third Sunday night in April.

The last.

The last Sunday night in April.

Mark it down.

You don't want to miss it.

We're gonna meet here about probably 5:30 that afternoon.

I want this thing packed.

I want everybody here.

Friends, and I want you to see where we're going in the next two years that we really believe confidently.

Did you hear me?

It's not just speculation that where we can be in the next two years in this church with our buildings, our land, and everything, and it's gonna rock your socks.

You ever had your socks rocked?

It's gonna be so exciting.

Young couples, you just don't understand the opportunity that you're having to be a part of what's happening right now.

I've had the privilege of doing this two or three times.

And I'm telling you, it is unbelievable.

It's life-changing.

It really is.

But what I wanted to go ahead and tell you, because my my heart was beating so fast about all that's, and we're talking about on this vision night, you'll see phase two.

We're hoping if God does what we think he can do, that we may possibly, well, I'm not gonna tell you.

We're gonna wait, you're gonna have to be here that night.

But phase two is gonna be even more exciting.

And we think we'll be ready to start.

That is, if we can handle the parking lot.

Can we handle the parking lot?

Yes, come on, church.

Can we handle the parking lot?

Yes, and you're gonna be a part of it.

150 parking spaces.

And our goal is to build the parking lot immediately and have it paid for within six months.

Now, listen to me.

So we can start phase two.

Can I get an amen?

We're going into phase two, debt-free.

Can I get an amen?

Now, I've never seen this happen before.

This is just unbelievable.

So, with that said, here's what you need to start praying for.

You start asking God to allow you to buy a parking space.

Okay?

Every one of us is gonna be a part of this.

Your whole family's gonna be a part of this.

It's gonna be exciting.

It really is.

Now, that doesn't mean you're gonna have your name on the parking lot.

Hello?

You okay out there?

Give me my parking place.

Don't you give me my place?

No, no, not gonna do that.

Sorry.

Well, I paid for it.

Well, God bless you.

And you'll get a blessing for it.

Because if you're the other way, you won't get a blessing for it, I can promise you.

Okay, okay?

You're gonna see that today in the message.

All right, with that said,$1,500 a parking lot, space.

I told you they gone up.

Last time I did this, I only had to pay$400.

So it's gone up, but that was 20 years ago.

But everybody, and you're gonna get your whole family, your children to get involved in it.

They'll have their parking, they'll have their parking place fund.

We already figured it out.

Benji did.

It may cost you Starbucks every day for six months.

Okay?

It's about$62 a week.

Yeah.

So anyway, would you would you say, Pastor Danny, we're gonna start praying right now.

Come on.

All right, start praying, start thinking, start asking God.

Hey, here's what you do.

Let me tell what I'm gonna see.

I'm gonna watch you give me some testimonies of how you ask God right now.

Lord, I you know I don't have$1,500 extra above my tithe.

You know I now that doesn't include your tithe.

We've got to run to church, do the ministries.

This is above your tithe.

So here's what you do.

You start praying.

God, you help give me an extra job, give me some other way to raise$1,500 in the next six months to a year, but preferably six months.

Okay?

Would you do that?

Now you know where everything I know.

Now turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew.

Matthew chapter five.

You know we Matthew 5, verse 11 and 12, what we're gonna be looking at.

Matthew 5:11

To continue our theme of heaven, oriented epitats.

Here's an interesting one found on the tombstone of a woman named Samantha.

Here's what it says.

Here lies the body of Samantha Proctor.

She catched the coal and would not doctor.

She couldn't stay, she had to go.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

I thought you'd like that.

The title of the message.

Or we could say Heaven's Oscars.

I did a little research.

There's 42 different award shows given every year.

There's the Academy Awards, the People's Choice Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, the Grammy Awards, Country Music Association Awards, and the list goes on and on.

But there is an award show coming, folks, that's gonna put all those shows, those 42, to shame.

And it's coming for the Christians.

I'm talking about it's an award show, hey, that the world's never seen or never will see again.

And it's gonna, hey, shame these other shows.

All the grandeur and the quality of the awards to be given will not be compared to what's gonna be given on the judgment seat of Christ's day.

Called the beam of judgment seat, which only takes place for Christians, not non-Christians.

They'll stand before the great white throne judgment.

But this is exciting, and this is what we see.

In fact, look right here in Matthew 5, 11 and 12.

He says, Blessed are you when people mock you, persecute you, hey, and say all manner of evil things against you, because you are my followers.

And then look at what he says, and boy, does he say it powerfully in verse 12 rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.

And then he goes on and he says, They persecuted the prophets before you.

And he says, basically, they're gonna persecute us.

And here's why, because in verse 13, he literally says that we are the salt of this earth, and in verse 14, he says, we are the light of the world that cannot be hid.

So this reward system encompasses how effective you and I are the salt and the light to the world.

Think about that.

You've heard a lot of messages.

You're the salt, you're the light, and you're to be the salt, and you're to be the light.

But why?

Because that's God's purpose for our life, but not only that, it is the way that God, listen, don't miss this, measures our effectiveness as we live out our Christian life here on earth.

And that is what the beam of judgment seat is all about.

Revelation 22, 12, Jesus said, And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give every man according to his work shall be.

There it is, according to how you've been salty, according to how bright your light has been.

That's very important that you understand that.

I'll put it in context for you.

So in this lesson, we're gonna look at this morning the timing of the kinds of and the kinds of rewards God intends to give as part of our entrance into heaven.

So, does everyone have their outline?

Man, this is gonna be good.

Everybody got an outline.

Okay.

Anyone need one?

All right, number one.

Here we go.

The first thing I want us to look at this morning is the day of heaven's rewards.

The day of heaven's reward.

Turn with me in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 5, 10.

2 Corinthians 5, 10.

And he says, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

In other words, we must all stand before Christ to be judged.

We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

Did you hear me?

For the good and the evil.

In other words, how effective you were as salt and light.

You either were good salt or bad salt.

You were either good light or dim light.

Bad light.

So it's important, and no one ever taught me you have rewards, but you gotta understand the practicality of this thing.

Because folks, this is if you catch this, your whole life can change.

See what happens, most people just say, I gotta get saved.

And they mean that sincerely.

And then they do get saved, and then they basically say, Oh, okay, check that off.

I'm not going to hell.

Amen.

By the way, it's good, a good reason to get saved is not to go to hell.

Hello?

You okay out there watching online?

A lot of people watch this every week, and I thank God for them.

But now, so you got to realize, but after that, a lot of people don't know what they do next.

Well, you follow Lord and Believers Baptism.

That's coming up, I believe, next.

Is that next Sunday?

Oh, it's gonna be exciting.

If you need to follow Lord and Believers Baptism, I love baptismal services next week.

And I know we got several ready to be baptized.

That's exciting.

But but okay, I've gotten saved, I've gotten baptized.

Told everybody I'm saved.

Now what?

What do I do the rest of my life?

Well, first of all, you become salt and light.

And that you will spend the rest of your life here on earth becoming salty and bright.

Can I get an amen?

Say that's good, preacher.

And the more salty you are and the brighter you are, guess what?

The more God, hey, will reward you on the judgment, hey, day of Christ.

Can I get an amen?

And there's five Crayons that you're gonna receive.

The more salty you are, the more brighter you are, the more rewards you win.

Now, there's really, I believe in my own heart, as I've studied the scriptures all these years, there's a lot more rewards than just these five crahms, but they're encompassed in these five things.

But here's the big picture.

Number one, the day of heaven's reward.

Look at it again, 2 Corinthians 5.10.

The Bible says that after all believers, dead and alive, are removed from the earth at the rapture of the church, believers will be judged individually for their works as Christians.

And special rewards will be handed out.

Here are several scriptures, and I gave you a few that indicate that.

But then we're gonna keep your uh Bible right there at 2 Corinthians 5.10.

But listen to Romans 14, verse 10.

Romans 14:10

Listen to what it says.

We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Now that's believers.

Right after, hey, right after we get to heaven, before we enter permanently into heaven, we are going to the judgment seat of Christ, the beam of judgment seat.

And verse 11 says, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord.

And then listen to what he says in verse 12.

So then each of us, now what, shall give an account of himself to God.

Give an account of what?

How salty and bright, how salty you've been as a witness for Christ, and how bright your light's been for Christ while you have been living on this earth.

If you understand that, you you ought, I've tried to drive that home.

Do you get it?

Say, I got it, preacher.

Now that's important.

This will change your life.

This will change your faithfulness when we finish.

I promise you.

So we see right here, and look at the character of this judgment in 2 Corinthians 5.10.

He says, We must appear.

This judgment will manifest, will be, hey, will manifest publicly the life of every believer.

Ladies and gentlemen, you do not have a choice.

One day as a Christian, your life lived out here on this earth will be publicly manifest in front of an awesome Savior named Jesus.

His penetrating eyes will penetrate your whole life.

There be no excuses, there will be no discussions because he, not your pastor, not the Pope, is the judge.

Jesus is the judge, and he's a perfect judge.

Can I get an amen?

But not only do we see the character, but I see the certainty.

Notice what he says.

We must.

No one will be exempt.

And then notice the crowd.

We must all.

That's all believers.

All believers.

And then the criteria works done in our body.

And then the consequences that everyone may receive those things that they've done in their body.

In other words, everyone will receive a reward for how salty and bright they were as a Christian while living in this earth.

And that's part of, if you remember how it all comes together, it's been so fitting for me to see this beautiful canvas drawn as I've studied just now 40 plus years, the scriptures.

But how thy kingdom come, the way we bring God's kingdom to this earth before we go to be with Christ is by being sought and light.

And we get rewarded for that.

Because God loves us so much.

But he even loves us, hey, he loves us so much, especially when we're pleasing to him and we eagerly want to please him, and we eagerly await for his return.

Now listen, if you're eagerly awaiting, I I started thinking about that.

I asked, I said, is Danny, is Danny really eagerly awaiting for his return?

Am I?

Well, you'll know when we go through these five crowns.

If we are eagerly awaiting for his return.

In fact, listen to what he says in 1 Corinthians 3 14.

If anyone's work, which he has built on, it endures, he will receive a reward.

Now watch.

But verse 15, if his work does not endure, it shall be burned, and he shall suffer loss.

But he himself shall be saved.

Now, a lot of people believe that the judgment seat of Christ, judgment, is us standing before Christ, and there's this big screen right here, and you got good works, you got bad works.

And what determines you getting into heaven is that your good works outweigh your bad works.

I've got a Greek word for that.

Baloney.

No, none righteous.

Not one, Romans 3.10.

No, that has nothing to do with our salvation.

Because you're already in heaven.

Can I get an amen?

You're there.

Has nothing to do.

In fact, for by grace are you saved through faith and not of yourself.

It is a gift of God, not of works.

Amen.

Ephesians 2, 8 and 9.

So it has nothing to do with our salvation.

But it has everything to do.

Alright, are you ready?

With our reward system.

Instead, the judgment seat of Christ, and I wrote this down for me, it's where you and I will be rewarded for our service to the Lord, hey, in our Christian life here on earth.

And this service is a matter of faithfulness on the part of all of us who are already saved.

Can I get an amen?

In fact, then you add verse 10 to Ephesians 2, 8 and 9.

We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus.

Now watch, unto good works, which God has before ordained that you should walk in them.

And what are those good works, ladies and gentlemen?

It's being the salt and the light to this world.

It really is.

That's exactly what he's talking about.

And it's so simple when you see it this way.

We are not saved.

Now watch.

Write this down on the back.

We're not saved by good works.

But we are saved for good works.

We're not saved by good works.

But we are saved to do good works.

Can I get an amen?

My papa used to say, you don't get better to get saved.

You get saved to get better.

Amen.

So that's very important that you understand that.

Now here's the problem in America today and in our society today, that America is no longer considered a Christian nation.

And really, Christian community, in the Christian communities all over America, surveys indicate that lifestyles of most Christians are not significantly different from non-Christians.

God help us.

In other words, let me tell you what that's telling us.

It's telling us that we're not doing a good job in being salt and light to this world, to our community.

In other words, when people meet you, you know, we we don't have any problem talking to each other about Christian things or about the Lord.

But what about people that we're not real sure that they're Christians and we don't want to offend them?

Can I I want to erase that?

Two things I've heard all my ministry.

One, I don't want to offend people by sharing the gospel with them, or I don't want to, I don't want to drive them away.

I hear parents tell me that all the time.

All right, let me ask you one question.

Where are you gonna drive them to?

They're already going to hell.

Hello?

Wait, don't you?

I don't know about you, but if I'm in your family, I'm lost, and I'm going to hell.

And I may be a brat, and I am if I'm lost, and I'm not listening.

I know that.

But I want you not to sit back and just say, I don't want to drive him away.

I want you to throw out the lifeline.

Hello.

Yeah, but no, there are no belly goat Christians.

Always button.

No butt.

My goodness, that's what James says.

Throw out the lifeline.

Amen.

So, we're not doing a good job, folks.

Listen to what Bruce Wilkerson crossing the switch blade.

I know I'm telling my age now.

Anyone remember Bruce built a great church in New York City downtown?

This is what he said.

He summarized it this way The difference between being saved, now watch, and being rewarded for service.

Okay?

Here's the difference.

Our eternal destination is the consequence of what we believe here on earth.

Our eternal destination is the consequence of what you and I believe right here, now on earth.

Then he said, our eternal destination is the consequences of how we behave here on earth.

Is that not good?

Let me say it again.

Our eternal destination is the consequences of what we believe on earth.

Our eternal compensation I should have used another word, I'm sorry.

Our eternal compensation, I got it now, is the consequences of what we believe in earth.

Did that make sense?

Did I get that right?

There's a difference in between our destination and compensation.

Amen.

So we now know our destination.

We're going to heaven.

Let's give him a trap offering for dying for us, loving us.

But our compensation is still in the future.

Amen.

So with that said, wouldn't you like to see the description of our heavenly rewards?

And I just gave you number two, the distinction of heaven's rewards.

But number three, ready?

There's five.

Number one.

Boy, this is so good.

Actually, let's pick up at verse 24.

Do you not know that those who run in a race they run all?

But one receives the prize.

Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

In other words, you gotta play by the rules.

Can I get an amen?

You gotta play by the rules.

Okay?

Then look at verse 25.

25 through 27, these three verses are powerful.

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.

In other words, hey, they're disciplined in their training.

They do it to win a prize that will not fade away, really.

Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

In other words, they go, there were two major games, the Greece games and the Ishmael games that were held in Corinth twice a year, kind of like the Olympics and then like the World Games, the two big ones.

And they would train for a whole year hard or more, some two years, three years, to win this reef that they put on their heads.

But Paul said, if they train that hard to win a perishable crown, why are we so lack at not, hey, what?

Pressing toward the mark, discipline ourselves.

The gymnasium there, the and he used it constantly.

Exercising ourselves, disciplining ourselves, eating right, sleeping right, doing right, whatever it takes to win an in hey perishable crown.

Wow.

He said, I don't get it.

I don't understand this.

Oh, that's awesome.

Therefore, I run thus not with uncertainty.

Thus I fight, not as one beats the air.

Do you understand what he's saying here?

He's saying, look, hey, hey, when you get saved, you you now have a purpose.

Hello, you have a purpose.

Until you get saved, you're just you're you're just wandering in the wilderness.

You have no purpose.

But once you get saved, you have a purpose.

And what is that purpose?

To be light and to be sought.

Yes, a goal.

And what does he say?

I don't just swing like I'm swinging in the air.

I know.

Hey, I'm gonna punch Satan right in the eyes.

Boom.

I know who I'm fighting.

This is a fight.

You're gonna see that in a minute.

So the victor's crown is that you and I discipline ourselves.

We seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these other things should be added unto you.

Listen, let me tell you why you ought to get excited about your quiet time, your Bible time every day, your prayer time every day.

And why you ought to get excited about Bible study on Sunday mornings, or whether you're listening to Susan or you're here Wednesday night with Dave and all our great teachers we have, our Bible studies, and and I know ours and everybody's we got some great Bible classes for you, and we plan to add a real good discipleship program that we're looking at doing now, especially for people that come to know Christ.

But all this, and why do you come to church?

Listen to me.

It's in church, it's where you get encouraged, you put on the armor of God so that you can walk out of here and be assault and a light that no one can turn away.

Can I get an amen?

That's why you ought to want to be here.

I couldn't wait to get here this morning.

And I know we got people, and praise the Lord for the vaccine taken.

A lot of people have taken it.

I've been talking to everybody, I'm gonna take it, and they're coming back.

Hopefully, there'll be a little bit more of a normalcy coming back, and especially when we get in our new building and plenty of room.

We'll be spread out, so there'll be no excuses not to come to church.

Can I get an amen?

And I know I'm not saying they're bad excuses, but Satan will use any and everything.

35% of people aren't coming back to church.

The statistics are telling us now.

Folks, that's nothing but a ploy and a tactic and a trap of Satan.

God's not giving us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.

Sound mind, take the vaccine.

I've given in.

I'm taking it.

There's a reason I'm taking it.

I don't wear masks.

I hug people.

And my daughter said that she's gonna put me in old folks' home if I don't take the vaccine, so I'm taking it.

And to be honest with you, I've been stuck.

I I I'm not a dummy, but I'm pretty smart.

And I've I've watched everything.

I've I know people that I trust that I know is right, or at least I trust them to be right.

And so I've I've done my homework.

I'm not just deciding, well, everybody's doing that.

No, I never I've never been one of those.

And it's they're saying almost 95% affected.

That's that's higher than the flu shot.

Now, if you don't want to take it, don't take it.

Don't get mad at me for taking it.

And I tell you what, I won't get mad at you for not taking it.

That's you.

We do live in America.

You have that right.

And some people will try to tell us we don't.

But amen.

So we all agree that you have the right to take the vaccine or not take it.

Can I get an amen?

I just quit discussing it.

Either take it or don't take it.

I don't want to hear.

Why do you say I don't want to think?

Take the circuit or not.

And let's go on about our business.

Can I get an amen?

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I appreciate that, preacher.

You you know where I stand now?

Okay, you got it.

You got it.

Okay.

I can't believe you're taking the back.

I'm taking it.

All right.

I love it.

All right.

Here we go.

Number two, the crown of rejoicing.

1 Thessalonians 2.19.

Paul asked the Thessalonians, Christians, listen to what he says, for what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing?

And notice, and he answered it in a startling way.

Look at what he says.

Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

Woo! This crown is given to those who are responsible for others standing before Christ in his return.

In other words, we call it the soul winner's crown.

He who wins souls are wise.

Proverbs 11:30.

Proverbs 11:30

Daniel 12:3.

Daniel 12:3

Those that stand and point the light toward Christ.

He says, those will be rewarded in heaven.

Daniel 12.3.

And Jesus said in John 12, 32, if I be lifted up, I'll draw men unto me.

Amen.

Man, that's exciting, folks.

Paul's love for the Thessalonians here is evident in his two things that he exalted.

He said, These people are my hope, my joy.

Can you imagine when we get to heaven?

This is what really gets me excited.

Deedra, all your mission trips, all the trips we've done, all the preaching I've done, all the people that have gotten saved through means of television, radio, text, everything.

Everybody that got saved, and you had something to do with it, whether you shared the gospel individually with them, or they heard you preaching or teaching, or they saw your life, and you gave them a track, even a track, whatever, and they came to Christ.

Guess what?

When we get to heaven, you're gonna know them.

Man, that gets talking about having a spell.

Oh my.

That's why I give my life and death tracts.

Because one day we're gonna have a family reunion of everybody that's been saved and you had a little part in it.

And you get a crown for it, you're gonna have, hey, you go get up there.

And remember all those tracks you gave out, life and death tracks, or just you say, hey, let me give you Jesus.

Hey, Jesus will change your life.

And then all of a sudden you you get there and you go through the you're going through the beam of judgment seat, and the Jesus is handing out crowns, and you look over and you say, Whoo, woo! Look at those crowns, look at the crown to rejoicing.

I had no idea.

You mean that little life and axe track did that?

You mean me just telling you Jesus loves you, he wants to be the Lord of your life?

You mean that's all I said, and woo! I got a crowd.

Yes, because they're gonna look you in the face, Ian's gonna look me in the face and say, You didn't, you don't remember Pastor Danny.

But at that window at Burger Key, he said, God loves you.

Here's a little track life and death.

Jesus wants you to have that life, and you gave it to me.

Never saw me again, but I couldn't get it out of my mind, and I went home and I asked Jesus Christ to save me.

It's that simple, it's that easy.

Crown number three.

The crown of righteousness.

I fought a good fight.

I finished the I finished my course, I kept the face.

Henceforth there's laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous God and judge shall give to me at that day.

In other words, here's what he's really saying.

Many Christians are uh are so caught up in exciting things that they're involved here on this earth, they've forgotten that, hey, the earth is not their home, and the and then they love their life here in many places that oh, I want to go here, I want to go.

And and and they don't even think about their eternal home.

Folks, listen, if we're lucky, we live to what three scores?

Let me tell you, that's pretty close to me now.

I'm thinking a lot more about that home now than this home.

Hello?

Can you imagine?

Young people look at me, listen to me, teenagers, young couples, if you start living now eagerly and urgently for the things of God right now, can you imagine what it's gonna be like when you get to heaven?

You won't have to hang your head because of all the miss opportunities.

You'll be able to hold it high and be able to take those those dump drunk loads of crowns and cast them at Jesus' feet.

The guy said, Well, I'm not worried about that.

I just want to get there.

You got the wrong attitude.

And with that attitude, you may not get there.

That's it.

Even a vapor that appears for a little time then vanishes away.

Now watch.

So we got the crown of righteousness.

Those that are longing for heaven, living for heaven, doing what they're supposed to be doing.

They're living the victorious crown, the victor's crown.

They're living the crown of righteousness, and the crown of retreat.

They're sharing the gospel.

Then, number four, the crown of life.

James 1:12.

James 1:12

The recipients of these crowns are those who love Him, even as Revelation says, in the face of death.

These are the persecuted ones, those that endure temptation, even martyrdom.

Think of that.

It's not just martyrs, though, it's all those who will receive the crown.

It's listen, it's any who have suffered, endured, persevered, and encourage others to do as well.

You know what it is?

A crown of life is when you get knocked down, you get back up.

You listening?

The righteous fall seven times, but they get back up.

Proverbs 24, 16.

That's what the crown of life is.

You don't quit on God.

You don't get your feelings hurt and quit on God.

I've talked to people this week, they're not coming to church because somebody in the church hurt their feelings.

I got a Greek word for that.

Baloney.

If I didn't come to church, for every time I had my feelings hurt by my people, I wouldn't be preaching very often.

But you know what?

You know how I can get up here and you can let me have it, and sometimes I get it.

And I still, you, you, I'll not treat you any differently.

I love you the same.

It's because I know that's not you really coming at me.

It's Satan, hey, using you to come at me.

Satan's coming at me, not you.

Are you saying I'm Satan?

I did not say that.

Peter told, Peter, I meant, Jesus told Peter that.

Hey, that's not you.

That's Satan.

Get thee behind me, Satan.

So do you realize you can be a tool of Satan?

And I can too.

Hello?

You okay out there?

Yep, that's it.

The crown of life overcomes those temptations, those persecutions, and they get up and they become salt, stronger, more tastier, and light more brighter.

Can I get an amen?

Woo! That's good, preacher.

Oh man.

In fact, let me, let me, let me, I wrote this to me.

You can see it in red.

All that red.

That's all me.

God speaks to me in my outlines when I'm studying, and I write it down.

Listen to what I said in James 1:12.

James 1:12

How we react to the troubles that come our way determines our happiness in them.

That's worth writing down, folks.

Let me repeat it.

I put a big star by this.

How we react to the troubles that we face determines our happiness in them.

In the troubles.

Wow.

Is that not awesome?

I needed that because sometimes I just failed completely.

I don't have the right attitude.

What is the right attitude?

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

Say it with me, church.

We know.

Then the last crown.

The crown of glory.

The shepherd's crown is for faithful pastors that love their people, guide their people, bind up the wounds of their people, encourage their people, live a testimony in front of their people.

But now listen to me.

I'm going to tell you something that I believe.

I believe this is not just for shepherds, even though it is for shepherds, faithful shepherds.

I think it's for anybody else, any Christian that comes alongside hurting people, and they're standing in the gap for them, with them when they need them.

That's it.

A good Samaritan.

I really believe that.

I really believe that.

They get this crown.

It's not just for the preachers.

I really believe that.

Those that bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6.2.

Those that, as they have opportunity, they do good unto all men, especially those of the household of faith.

Galatians 6 10.

That's the one I'm talking about.

Look not every man on his own things, but those that look on the things of others.

That's what I'm talking about.

They get this crown.

Okay.

And I'm finished with number four, the difference heaven's rewards can make.

Three things that I'm through.

And I've already really preached them, so just fill them in.

Number one, remember that the Lord Himself is your chief reward.

In Genesis 15:1, we find God making this statement to Abram, not Abraham yet.

Genesis 15:1

Do not be afraid, Abram.

I'm your shield, your exceeding good reward.

But God reminds here, Abram, that he's, hey, that he, God, is Abram's true reward.

Land and descendants and blessings would be nothing apart from God in his life.

Can I get an amen?

Proverbs 10, 22.

Listen, the blessings of the Lord, it makes rich and adds no sorrow with it.

Did you hear that?

The blessings of the Lord, it makes rich and adds no sorrows to it.

Wow.

Number two, resist doing works outwardly for the purpose of receiving a reward.

In other words, don't try to be holier than thou or let everybody know what you're doing for the Lord.

Do not let your left hand know what your right hand's doing.

Can I get an amen?

Because if you do, you've received your reward here.

You do it unto the Lord and Him only.

Can I get an Amen?

Amen.

You know why you come to church?

Not for Pastor Danny, but I hope you do some.

Because I love you.

I want to see you.

I want to hug your neck.

But more than that, I want us to grow in the truth that we're doing right now together.

Can I get an amen?

And then the last thing.

Reflect upon the ultimate goal of any rewards we may receive.

In Revelations 4, 10 and 11, listen to what it says.

Here's the 24 elders who represent the church in heaven.

Listen to what it says.

Cast their crowns before the throne, saying, You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.

I thought about that.

We're going to be so excited about the privilege of having served Jesus that we're going to fall down at his feet.

Hey, and offer our crowns back to him as offerings of worship and praise.

He gave us his best to bring us to heaven, and we will offer our best back to him for the privilege of being there.

In thy presence of the fullness of joy, at thy right hands are pleasures forevermore.

Wow.