The Crown of Life

There are five crowns of rewards mentioned in the Bible. Last week we looked at the "incorruptible crown" for those who run and finish the race well and the "crown of rejoicing" for soul winners. Now lets look at three more.

"The crown of life."
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" James 1:2,3. "'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" Rev. 2:10.

Life is tough. Life, not God, is often unfair. Life is full of potholes, obstacles, crosses, heart aches, trials, tribulations, and you name it. Too many fall by the wayside. Too many give up, quit, stop and miss the "crown of life." "In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy" 1 Cor. 4:2. I look forward to seeing YOU get your "crown of life." Remember Churchill's famous speech, "Never, never, never quit."

"The crown of righteousness."
"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up 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 loved His appearing" 2 Tim.4:6-8. Let this soak in. It is fabulous, rich and eternal. This affects you and me here and hereafter for eternity. Hope to see you get this one too.

We must look forward to and love His appearing. This is one reason I am doing this series on prophecy. It is far more important to know this truth than who the antichrist is!

"The crown of glory."
"Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory" 1 Peter 5:2-4. See also 2 Tim. 4:1,2; Acts 22:26-28.

Having been a pastor, this is one of the most humbling and motivating passages in the Bible. I believe this could include those who teach a Bible or Sunday school class. Feed, don't fleece or fuss at those dear people God gives you. They are starving to be fed and led. They need to loved, not scolded, every Sunday. Please don't try to convict them. The Holy Spirit does a good job. We must not preach at them but for them. There is a lot of difference.

O dear preacher and people, what a privilege to know and serve the Lord of glory. And to think we get a crown just for doing what is the most wonderful privilege in the world. And I love you, all because of Calvary, sumner

Prayer: Father bless Your servants who preach Your Word. May we serve hot meals every time, and not quick little cold snacks, for Your glory. In Jesus dear name.

The Race

I love to watch track meets. I love to see runners go all out to win a race. It is awesome to know how they train, discipline themselves, keep in shape and pay such a price to become winners.

"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize" 1 Cor. 9:25-27.

O dear people, the Christian life is a race, and we should all want to be winners. That means we must train, sacrifice, go all out, pay the price, and run the race according to the rules God has put in the rule book, the Bible.

The incorruptible crown.
"The Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself so that I might finish my course (race) with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God" Rom. 20:23-24. Paul will receive that "incorruptible crown" and so will you if you keep the rules, pay the price, are a faithful steward of gifts and goals God gives you and finish the race.

The crown of righteousness.
"For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy" 1 Thes. 2:19, 20. There is a "crown of rejoicing" for those you have won to Christ.

"He who is wise wins souls" Prov. 11:30. "And they that be wise shall shine as the rightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever" Dan. 12:3. This is one of the most awesome verses in the Bible and everyone can be a soul-winner. "The harvest is plenty but the laborers are few" Matt 9:37. Please don't forget this great verse.

O dear people. What a joy it will be to have some crowns to cast at Jesus dear feet Rev. 4:9-11. That will be one beautiful and sweet moment. More crowns next week.

Prayer: Father, bless Your dear people and don't let the world or Satan deceive them into not striving for crowns of rewards to lay at Jesus feet. In Jesus name

You are loved by God and me, all because of Calvary, sumner

Works

Prophecy: works of gold, silver, presious stones

"However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness" Rom 4:5. We must trust God and believe that what Christ did on the cross paid the full debt of our sins. "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes" Rom 10:4 "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" Rom 3:21. This is just saying in a nutshell, He took all of our sins and suffered as through He himself did them and we receive His righteousness deposited to our account and get credit for what He did as though we did it ourselves.

Faith in the work of Christ brings salvation and work for Christ after we are saved brings rewards in heaven.

We saw the other day that our works are to be tried in fire. If we build out of wood, hay or stubble, we have no reward. If our works are of gold, silver, or precious stones we shall receive a reward. 1 Cor 3:14.

Works of gold
In side the Holy place of the Tabernacle where the deeds of worship took place everything was made of gold. The wise men brought gifts of Gold. They came to worship Him. The golden candlestick was made of pure gold. It illumined the holy place so they could see to worship God. The Holy Spirit is essential for us to worship God in Spirit and truth" John 4:23. It seems this represents our worship of God and doing what we do for the glory of God.

Works of silver in Scripture is associated with redemption Num 3:46-51. Most believe this is our works in evangelism. It involves the "sowing of seed" Matt 13, and some shall fall by the wayside, some on stony ground, some among the thorns but some on good ground and we shall be rewarded no matter what the results may be. One plants, another waters but God gives the increase 1 Cor. 3:6-8 "and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor." And so it is all for His glory and lo and beheld we are blessed and rewarded for it all.

Works of precious stones
The priests wore the breast plate of the costly stones with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel as the priests went to the altar of incense, the place of prayer. "Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD" Ex. 28:29. What a fabulous description of intercessory pray for others. Great will be the reward thereof.

Learn about the rewards of crowns on Friday.

O dear people. It does matter how we live down here after we are saved. You can get a spanking down here or a reward up there.

Prayer: Father, may we live so that we get a "full reward" and have treasures in heaven and crowns to lay at Jesus feet. In Jesus name.