(This Sermon was preached at Trinity Bible Church on November 17, 2002. This sermon series is based upon a request to explain the rewards that believers will someday receive. All Scripture references used in this sermon are based upon the NASB®, unless otherwise stated)
| This Sermon was written and submitted by: Joseph M. Willmouth, Pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Biloxi, Mississippi 39532. This contributed article is copyright protected, and the sole property of the contributing author. It may be freely copied and used provided the above credits are included. Document expiration: indefinite. |
Introduction: Last week we looked at 8 prizes for overcomers, and in doing so we touched on the word "Crown" (Stephanos) which we saw was used of the victor's wreath, something earned and merited by effort in the games (RSK). Today we will look at 5 crowns that are mentioned in the New Testament as rewards to Christians for their faithful service to the Lord. These crowns are also used as the symbol of heavenly honor, authority, and a special degree of enjoyment in the believer's eternal life to come. In the book of Revelation 4:9-10, the twenty-four elders, perhaps signifying the church, are pictured as casting their crowns to the feet of the Lamb "for ever and ever." This reveals that a major purpose of the crowns is as tokens of worship. The rewarded believers are here pictured as worshiping God by laying at His feet the very honors He gave them. This process is not a one-time event but goes on whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sits on the throne. Throughout eternity these tokens of honor will be laid at Christ's feet in acts of worship. Each time the rewarded believer approaches the throne, he will remove his crown, lay it at the feet of Jesus the Christ, and worship. A central motivation for obtaining these crowns is to be found in the desire to have these tokens of worship (RSK). What better reason could we have to seek these "Crowns of Glory," than they give us a greater opportunity to worship our Lord in Glory.
Transition: The first crown that we will look at is. . .
I. The Crown Of Rejoicing (1 Thes.2:19-20;
Phil.4:1).
1. The soul winner's crown.
A. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-18, "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."Transition: Now lets look at what the obvious qualifications are to earn this reward. . .1) "crown," ("stephanos" {stef'-an-os: n, nom, m, sg}); a crown, wreath, a mark of royal or exalted rank, used here as the symbol of heavenly honor and authority.B. Philippians 4:1, "Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved."2) "exultation," ("kauchesis" {kow'-khay-sis: n, gen, f, sg}); boasting or exultation, reason for boasting.
- Paul said in essence, "When life is over and we stand in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming, you Thessalonians will be our source of glory and joy; you mean that much to us" (BKC).- These saints were to their spiritual father what victory wreaths were to runners in the Greek races (BKC).
2. The qualifications.
A. God is especially interested in rewarding whose who work to lead others to salvation in Christ (NBBA).Illustration: Let me summerize a story that evangelist Ray Comfort (George Street message: http://www.raycomfort.com/listenwatch/index.html) tells of a English Baptist Preacher in London, who at the end of the morning service a man stood up and asked if he could share something with the church. The Pastor agreed and the man began to tell everyone how when he was in Sidney Australia, he went to George Street to do some shopping and a strange little white-haired man stepped out of a doorway, handed him a tract and said, "excuse me sir, if you died tonight do you know if you would go to heaven?" This man returned home and spoke to a Christian friend about this and ended up accepting Christ. The same Baptist Preacher later on went to Australia to speak, and at one church he talked to a woman and asked her how she came to know Christ. She shared that while she was in Sidney, and was down on George street a funny little white-haired man stepped out of a doorway, handed her a tract and said, "excuse me madam, if you died tonight do you know if you would go to heaven?" When she returned home she sought out a local pastor who helped to lead her to the Lord. The Pastor went to another town in Australia to speak where once again he asked one member how he had came to accept the Lord, and the man shared the same story. Once this Pastor had returned to England, he attended a conference for pastors where he had found about several other pastors who shared the same story about how this little white-haired man had witnessed to them and they eventually accepted Christ. Later on, this London Pastor went to India to speak to a group of pastors, and once again an Indian Pastor told him how he used to be in a diplomat for India and was in Sidney Australia, on George street to do some shopping and you can guess what happened! Well if this wasn't enough, when this Pastor was returning home, he came to the States for a couple a days to address a group of Navy Chaplains, and when he was talking to the head Chaplain, he asked him how he had come to accept Christ. Guess what, this Chaplain (years before becoming a Chaplain) got shore leave in Sidney Australia, and visited George street where he met a strange little man. . . Eight months later the Pastor had to go to Australia, where he asked a local pastor if he knew of this little man, and the pastor told him that he did and his name was Mr. Genor. They went to visit him a couple nights later, where the Pastor shared all these accounts that he had heard over the past 3 years. Mr. Genor, told how when he accepted Christ he made a promise to do his best to witness to at least 10 people a day. Some days he wasn't able too, but he always tried to make up for those days when he was able. Mr. Genor shared how he had been doing this for 40 years, but he never once heard of one person coming to Jesus until this day. Two weeks later Mr. Genor died and went home to be with the Lord. It is estimated that 146,100 people were influenced by Mr. Genor. Can you imagine the home coming that He received when he arrived in heaven!- Daniel 12:3 also associates "those who lead the many to righteousness" with future glory.B. This crown consists in the people whom we have led to Christ (RSK).1) It may not be a literal crown but speaks more of the people who we lead to Christ.A) In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-18 Paul speaks of the believers, "For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you."2) Apparently Christ will in some way give special honor to those who have faithfully labored at bringing people to Christ.B) In Philippians 4:1 Paul speaks of the believers as, "my joy and crown."
A) The key here isn't the amount of people that you got the honor of seeing accepting the Lord, but that you faithfully shared the gospel with individuals.B) 1 Corinthians 3:6-8, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor."
(1) You may get to heaven and find out that someone you gave a tract too, accepted Christ.(2) It could be someone who you briefly ran into and shared the gospel with, but never knew that they accepted Christ.
(3) The key here is that you take the time to PLANT the seed of the gospel, that you take the time to WATER what has already been planted so that the seed can take root.
Application: According to Barna Research Group, around 85% of Americans consider themselves Christians, while only about half of them attend church on even given week. 51% believe that they have a personal responsibility to share Christ, but in practice only about 1% of Christians do. Then we set back and wonder why Christianity is losing ground in America, and churches are shrinking and closing their doors. The main reason why Christians fail to witness today is fear, they fear man more than they do God; 2 Timothy 1:7-8a, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. . ." (KJV). I would imagine that the Crown Of Rejoicing will be a scarce reward for most believers today when they get to heaven. We have forgotten what Paul tells us in Romans 10:15, "And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!'" Do you have "beautiful" feet or "ugly" feet in the site of the Lord? God didn't call us all to be "Billy Grahams" but He did call us to be faithful to Him regardless if we see the fruit of our actions or not.
Transition: The next crown is. . .
II. The Crown Of Glory (1 Pet.5:1-4;
Jam.3:1; Heb.13:17).
1. The Pastor/Elder crown.
- 1 Peter 5:1-4, "Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 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."Transition: Now lets look at. . .
2. The qualifications.
A. Descriptive titles: Overseer/Bishop (1 Tim.3:1-2; 5:17; Titus 1:7), Elder (1 Tim.5:17; Titus 1:5; Heb. 11:2; James 5:14; 1 Pe. 5:1), and Pastor (Shepherd: Eph.4:11; 1 Pe.5:2).Application: As the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ alone can assess a man's ministry and give the proper reward (Wiersbe). The Pastor/Elder shouldn't be looking for their reward on this side of heaven, but in the age to come. This crown isn't given to those who are "Pastors" or "Elders"in name only, but to those who served faithfully as Pastors/Elders. The passion of every Pastor/Elder should be to fulfill their office in ways that are pleasing to God, and not to gain honor or wealth in this life (TNTC). So our calling is clear, serve the Chief Shepherd with the passion and love that He deserves, and nothing less will do.1) All these titles were interchangeable, they were never used to show position or rank among elders but they were titles that were used to describe the various aspects of the office.B. The work of an Elder.2) Overseer/Bishop (episkopos) was used like our modern English words that describe a supervisor, manager or guardian.
3) Elder (presbuteros) was used to describe someone who was "older" or "mature." In the Old Testament it would refer more to the age of someone, but in the New Testament it would be used more towards the spiritual maturity of someone and not their age since the two are not always the same in the Christian life.
4) Pastor/Shepherd (noun: "poimen"/verb:"poimaino") was used to describe the devoted work of a shepherd who watches over the welfare of the flock (i.e., feeding, guidance, and protection). Notice that a pastor is an elder and an elder is a pastor; the Bible makes no distinction between the two.
1) According to 1 Peter 5:1-4, Elders/Pastors are to shepherd God's flock (i.e., the church) because they have a desire to serve the Lord.C. Faithful Pastor/Elders will be rewarded with the "unfading crown of glory" when Christ returns (1 Peter 5:4).A) Not because he has been forced into that position.2) The Pastor/Elders first line of responsibility is to teach and protect doctrinal truth according to the books of 1 & 2 Timothy.B) Nor just for the monetary rewards either.
C) They are to set the example for others to follow.
D) Shepherding means feeding, tending, guiding, caring for, looking after their needs, and exercising general oversight.
(1) "shepherd," ("poimaino" {poy-mah'-ee-no: imper, aor}); shepherding a flock, feed, tend, pasture, guide, care for, look after, rule.(2) Vincent: the verb denotes all that is included in the office of a shepherd -- guiding, guarding, folding, no less than feeding,
(3) Hebrews 13:17, "Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you."
A) Throughout the Scriptures that deal with eldership there appears a consistent use of words such as "doctrine," "teaching," "instruction," "exhortation," "learn," and "know."3) According to James 5:13-15, Pastor/Elders are to visit the sick when called upon to do so.B) The main duty of elder/pastor is to "speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine" according to Titus 2:1.
C) Part of this responsibility is that they must handle God's Word carefully and to the best of their ability because God holds them to a higher standard because of the influence of their teaching.
- James 3:1, "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment."A) The elders' responsibility is to go and pray with them.B) The sick person's responsibility to ask the elders to come.
1) "unfading," ("amarantinos" {am-ar-an'-tee-nos}); unfading, enduring, lasting.2) "crown," ("stephanos" {stef'-an-os}); crown, wreath.
- Robertson: "it is a crown of victory."3) "glory," ("doxa" {dox'-ah}); manifestation, glory, honor, praise.4) When Christ returns His faithful "undershepherds" will share in His glory and receive an unfading reward for their service.
Transition: The next reward is. . .
III. The Crown Of Righteousness
(2 Tim.4:6-8).
1. The expectant living crown.
- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, "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."Transition: Now lets look at. . .
2. The qualifications.
A. First, it is the crown that consists in righteousness and is also the reward for righteousness.Application: We see here that the doctrine of the imminent return of Christ has a purifying effect upon the believer (CET). There is a special reward for believers who work at righteousness while they wait for His return. In fact the phrase "crown of righteousness" can be interpreted as a crown that comes from righteousness (NBBA). A part of keeping the faith is knowing what we have been saved from; we have been saved from the sentence of the "Second Death" (Rev.20:14) which is a eternal separation from God in the lake of fire, because of our breaking everyone one of God's holy standards in the law. We were tied to the stake with the ten guns of the firing squad aimed at us for each of God's holy standards that we have broken. The Almighty Judge, calls out our crimes of unholiness; You have been found guilty of worshiping the gods of this world; you are guilty of making gods from your own views and purposes; you have been found guilty of misusing God's Holy name; You are guilty of lying, cheating, stealing, dishonoring your parents, and the list of our unholy crimes goes on. The Holy gavel falls and the call to the firing squad of. . .Ready. . .Aim. . . when Christ stepped in, in your place and died for you - IF you will accept His sacrifice for your sins. So whenever you feel the pull of this world on your heart strings, remember the cost that was paid for you and where you would be if it were not for your faith in Christ. Paul reminds of this in Titus 2:11-14, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." Only a person who has been made right by God can live right for God.1) Paul describes this in verse 7.B. Second, they must have a love for Christ's appearing.A) For those who fought the good fight.2) This is a special crown reserved for those Christians who have lived a very righteous and holy life (CET).- 1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."B) For those who have finished the course.- 1 Corinthians 9:24, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win."C) For those who have kept the faith.1) 1 Timothy 6:20-21, "O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge "- which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. . ."2) 2 Timothy 1:12-14, "For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you."
1) "love," ("agapao" {ag-ap-ah'-o: v, part, perf, act, dat, m, pl}); love, a deep deep love, used here in the sense to long for or to delight in.- The Dative case of the perfect active participle: to love, who have loved and still love His appearing.2) This crown is given for those who have lived faithfully in the hope of Christ's return (NSB).3) Furthermore, this reward is given to those who love Christ more than they do the world (NBBA).
A) Rather than conformity with the world they choose conformity to Christ.B) Thus, loving Him and His return goes together with righteous living.
- 1 John 3:2-3, "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
Transition: Now lets look at the 4th crown. . .
IV. The Crown Of Life (Jam.1:12;
Rev.2:10).
1. The martyrs crown.
A. James 1:12, "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."Transition: Lets look at. . .B. Revelation 2:10, "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
2. The qualifications.
A. For some Christians the purpose of God includes severe testing, even martyrdom (RSK).Application: It is easy to let spirituality slip in times of pressure and crisis. Yet, pressure tests our true character. It's easy to tell people that you are a Christian, but it's another thing when you are called upon to put your name to the test. The Apostle Peter states in 1 Peter 4:16, "but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God." We need to learn that the name "Christian" is more than just a title, but a badge of honor that carries with it a great responsibility; G. Campbell Morgan admonishes believers, "This is more than glorying in the name. It is so living worthily of all it means as to glorify God. If a man is known as a Christian and does not live as one, he dishonors God. To bear the name is to take a responsibility, a great and glorious one, but none the less a very solemn one." God gives a special reward to those who endure temptations, trials, persecution, or death for His Name sake. And He shows His appreciation to those who remain faithful in hardship by giving them the crown of life (NBBA).1) This high honor will be duly compensated with a special distinction.B. This reward will rectify the may injustices Christians suffer in this life (CET).2) Throughout the centuries many Christians have been called upon to give their lives for the sake of the Christ.
3) This honorable heritage was pioneered by Christ and His apostles.
A) James was beheaded in Jerusalem in A.D. 44.B) Philip was cruelly scourged and afterwards crucified.
C) Matthew was claimed by the sword in Parthea in A.D. 60.
D) Mark was dragged through the streets of Alexandria by his feet, then burned to death the following day.
E) Luke was hanged on an olive tree in Greece.
F) James the Less was thrown from a pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem and beaten to death down below.
G) Matthias was stoned and beheaded.
H) Andrew was crucified on a cross where he hung for three days and constantly told people around him of the love of Jesus the Christ.
I) Peter was scourged and crucified upside down.
- He chose this posture himself because he did not think he was worthy to suffer in the same manner as his Lord.J) Thomas was thrust through with a spear in India.K) Jude was crucified in the year A.D. 72.
L) Bartholomew was beaten to death with clubs.
M) Barnabas was stoned to death by Jews in Salonica.
N) Paul was beheaded in Rome by Nero.
O) John was condemned to a caldron of boiling oil, though he escaped death and later died in exile on the island of Patmos.
1) Those who have suffered much yet endured with a sweet Christian spirit will be given the crown of life.2) The crown is a special reward for those who have been "faithful until death" as a witness for Christ (Rev.2:10).
Transition: Now lets look at the last crown. . .
V. The Crown Of Mastery (1 Cor.9:24-27).
1. The victor's crown.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified."Transition: Now lets look at. . .
2. The qualifications.
A. The historical background of this reward (RSK):1) The apostle Paul also spoke of receiving special honor and praise in terms of the athletic metaphor.2) The "race" to which Paul refers is the competition at the Isthmian games held every three years in honor of Poseidon, the god of the sea.
A) Vast crowds attended these ancient Greek Games.B) The prize at Corinth was a spruce wreath, the tree sacred to Poseidon.
C) In order to participate in the Games one had to be a freeborn Greek.
D) Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.
(1) The word "strict training" is the Greek agonizomai [ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee].E) The athletes were selected by local elimination trials, after which they submitted for ten months to rigorous training under professional trainers.(2) We get our word "agony" from it.
(3) It was a technical Greek athletic term for getting in shape to participate in the games.
(1) After their arrival for training they were examined by the officials, and they took an oath swearing to obey all the rules.F) Now why did they do all this?- If an athlete left the gymnasium once during the ten months of training, he was disqualified and could not participate in the games.(2) His diet consisted of cheese, figs, and dried meats.(A) No wine was allowed.(3) Every morning there were two trumpet calls.(B) If he was caught violating the diet, he was disqualified.
(A) The first was the warning trumpet.(4) As he exercised, there were "marshals" observing his effort.- When it blew, the athlete's personal trainer came and rubbed him down with oil.(B) The second trumpet was the signal to begin the daily workout in the exercise square called the agony.(A) If he caught an athlete loafing JUST once during this entire ten months, he was disqualified.(5) The athletes trained and competed naked, regardless of the weather or temperature.(B) If an athlete missed one trumpet call the entire ten months, he was disqualified from the games.
(1) First and foremost, they did it to obtain a spruce wreath on their head!(A) Each winner bound a woolen cloth about his head, and the judges placed the crown upon it.(2) After the victory celebration great honors were heaped on the athlete when he returned home.(B) Then a herald announced the name and the city of the winner, a custom continued in the Olympiads of our day.
(C) This wreath was the only prize given at the games, yet it was the most eagerly contested distinction in Greece.
(A) A breach in the city wall was cut.- This was to signify that the protection of the wall was no longer needed now that an athlete of this stature had returned home.(B) The winner was then placed on a chariot and led through the city in a festive procession.(C) Many cities voted substantial sums of money to the victors.
- Some made them generals, and the crowd idolized them.- Poets were hired by the victor and his parents to pen odes to his greatness.
-- They were sung to by a chorus of boys in the procession that welcomed him home.- Sculptors were paid to capture the athlete in his most athletic pose.- Some cities fed the athlete's children and wife at public expense for the rest of their lives.
- The children were allowed to enter the best university in the ancient world, all at civic outlay.
- The athlete was given a seat of honor on the City Council and a box seat at the Isthmian games for the rest of his life.
- Last, but definitely not least, he was exempt from all income tax!
B. Paul says Christians also will receive a reward if they, like the athletics, are willing to sacrifice and live the life of discipleship, a life which also requires strong self-discipline (1 Cor.9:25).Application: The faithful believer who learns to discipline their lives for a total commitment to the Lord will someday gain the Crown Of Mastery, and will enter through the gates of the New Jerusalem according to Revelation 22:14, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (KJV). The Christian life shouldn't be ran "aimlessly," that is, to run without focusing on the goal. But our lives must always be "run" with a clear view of the final accounting we will all face. Like a Greek boxer, the Christian life must be lived aggressively, not avoiding danger but challenging it. Not beating the air, windmill fashion, but using our fists in dead earnest, intending to make every blow count. In other words, the Christian is not to practice a life of evading his Christian responsibilities, but we are to aggressively pursue them by making every blow count for Christ (RSK). And we must be faithful to the end of our lives to make sure that we don't do anything that would disqualify us from receiving this reward and to bring shame our family name, "Christian."
Truths To Ponder:
1. The Christian life is more than just a spectator event, its an opportunity
given to us by God to participate with Him
in changing this world in which we live in.
2. The Christian life is more than just the few short years we live
here on this earth, but it stretches into eternity, so it matters
how we live today since it has a direct impact
upon the quality of our eternal life.
A. The world lives for this life, because it is all they have.3. Are you living with your eyes toward's heaven, or are they only focused upon the things of this earth?B. The Christian lives for their next life, because it offers much more than this present life could ever give us.
- A Christian needs to have the correct vision.
BKC - Bible Knowledge Commentary,
John F. Walvoord & Roy B. Zuck, Victor Books.
CET - Charting The End Times, Tim LaHay
& Thomas Ice, Harvest House Publishers.
NBBA - Not By Bread Alone, by Steven
W. Waterhouse, Westcliff Press, Amarillo TX
NSB - Nelson Study Bible, Earl
Radmacher General Editor, Thomas Nelson Publishers
RSK - The Reign of the Servant Kings,
Joseph C. Dillow, Schoettle Publishing.
TNTC - Tyndale New Testament Commentaries,
1 Peter, Wayne Grudem