The Five Crowns
There are some people who believe that when Phillipians 2:12 says . . .”-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” this means that we are to perform works in order to obtain, or secure our salvation . . .nothing could be further from the truth (expound). Let us examine the text:
Ephesians 2:10 reads – “ For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 reads – “31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (Expound)
However, as the scripture says in Hebrews 6:10: “ For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”(This kind of service is also part of what Elders do)
This verse helps us to realize that the Lord is watching us, and will recognize us for the works that we have done. We know that the Lord has prepared work for us to do, and we know that the Lord believes in paying those whom He has hired. There is a time coming in Glory when the Lord is going to give out some rewards in the form of CROWNS!
There are five (5) crowns that we as believers may look forward to receiving:
- A. The VICTOR’S CROWN – 1 Cor. 9:24 – Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
- And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
- I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
- But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1.) When the world gives out its’ awards, only one person wins.
2.) The world’s rewards will tarnish and fade away.
3.) This is for the believers that hold out to the end of the race (expound).
- The CROWN OF REJOICING – 1 Thess.2:19 – For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?* Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
* This a Soul Winners crown (expound)
- The CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – 2 Timothy 4:8 – 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.
1.) For those who have endured afflictions
2.) For those who have evangelized
3.) For those who have utilized all the gifts the Lord gave them.
4.) For those who have done this well (expound)
- The CROWN OF LIFE – James 1:12 – Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life*, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Rev. 2:10 – Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
* This is for those who yield not to temptation simply because of their love for the Lord
- The CROWN OF GLORY – 1 Peter 5:4 – And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.*
* This kind of my favorite one. This for those who are Elders; those who are sent to feed the Lord’s flock (expound).
CONCLUSION –
I want to leave you with this final thought. The book of Revelation states that:
Rev. 4:10 – The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
- Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Is it not amazing that those things that we do here on earth as part of our ministering, sacrifice, and service will not only allow us to reap a Heavenly reward, but then as a show of our love and adoration for the Lord we will then present these rewards back to the Lord!