Each day is a gift from God even though most of us take for granted we’ll wake up the next day. We make our plans (in our day planners) and look to the future. I hope each day as you do this you do it in pencil because God has the eraser.

In this message I’m speaking of time, precious time (James 4:14) we have to complete God’s plan for us on earth (Psalm 39:4-13). If we as Christians follow His plan and work diligently to further His kingdom and live our life the way He prescribes His word speaks of rewards in heaven as if just being in heaven is enough. More specifically we’ll be teaching about the crowns we receive for our faithfulness and trust in Him.  Let’s get started … 

Crowns God Sets Aside for His Servants

1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; 2 Timothy 4:7-8

As those who serve the living God, we occasionally need to consider the eternal “crowns” being set aside for God’s servants. What an intriguing study!

There are at least five crowns promised in the Bible. For our purpose here, I will simply list the eternal crowns mentioned in the New Testament and offer a brief explanation of each.

1. The Imperishable Crown (1 Corinthians 9:24–27²⁴ 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. ²⁵ 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.²⁶ Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; ²⁷ but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. )

This reward is promised to those who victoriously run the race of life. Taking into consideration verses 26 and 27, that is, the “buffeting” of the body, it is clear that this reward will be awarded those believers who consistently bring the flesh under the Holy Spirit’s control, refusing to be enslaved by their sinful nature. In other words, those who carry out the truths of Romans 6:6-14. ⁶ knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; ⁷ for he who has died is freed from sin.

⁸ Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, ⁹ knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. ¹⁰ For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. ¹¹ Even so consider your selves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, ¹³ and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

2. The Crown of Exultation (Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. 

1 Thessalonians 2:19–20   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? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.)

This crown will be one over which its recipients will glory and rejoice! This is the “soul-winners crown.” It is claimed by Paul regarding two bodies of believers whom he had led to and discipled in Christ Jesus . . . the Philippians and the Thessalonians. Our Lord will distribute this crown to those servants who are faithful to declare the gospel, lead souls to Christ, and build them up in Him. And remember: the rewards at this judgment will be based on the quality not the quantity of our earthly works (1 Corinthians 3:13  each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test ^[a]the quality of each man’s work.).

3. The Crown of Righteousness( 2 Timothy 4:7–8 ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; ⁸ 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.)

The crown of righteousness will be awarded those who live each day, loving and anticipating Christ’s imminent return . . . those who conduct their earthly lives with eternity’s value in view. Kenneth Wuest captures the complete meaning of verse 8 with these words:

To those who have considered precious His appearing and therefore have loved it, and as a result at the present time are still holding that attitude in their hearts, to those the Lord Jesus will also give the victor’s garland of righteousness.¹

Those who qualify for this crown anxiously look for His return daily.

4. The Crown of Life (James 1:12 ¹² Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has ^[a]been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.)

This wonderful reward awaits those saints who suffered in a noble manner during their earthly life. The significance of this reward is not only related to the words perseveres under trial but also the words those who love Him. This crown is not promised simply to those who endure suffering and trials . . . but to those who endure their trials, loving the Savior all the way! Therefore, loving the Lord and having the desire that He be glorified in and through the trials become the dual motives for the believer’s endurance. Those saints who qualify (and the Lord is the Judge!) will receive the crown of life.

5. The Crown of Glory (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, ² 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; ³ nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.)

This reward is promised to those who faithfully “shepherd the flock” in keeping with the requirements spelled out in verses 2 and 3. Those under-shepherds who fulfill these qualifications (willingness, sacrificial dedication, humility, an exemplary life) will receive this crown of glory.

After receiving these crowns, what then? Look at:

Revelation 4:9–11 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created.”

What a scene! All God’s servants are before His throne. What are they doing?

• Strutting around heaven displaying their crowns? No.
• Separated from one another, like peacocks, proudly displaying their tangible trophies? No.

The servants are bowing in worship, having cast all crowns before their Lord in adoration and praise, ascribing worth and honor to the only One deserving of praise—the Lord God!

There is no place in scripture that speaks of retirement from the army of God. Where ever you are in life (young or old) there’s still work you can do for His kingdom … What have you done lately?  Praise God you’re reading this, now pass it on … see how easy this is? You’re working for God and didn’t even leave your chair. I hope you’re smiling. What I’m trying to say is you don’t need a stage or an audience to spread the word. One on one is great. After all, think about it … Right now it’s just you and me and of course God.

KEEP LOOKING UP my friends until we get together next time … Dusty

My prayer for you:

Father,

Here we are looking to you for your mercy and grace and are thankful for your Son who willingly gave His life for us. We certainly don’t have a chance without Him. Through Him, we have a way to your throne and all the riches you have for us in heaven.

We ask Lord, for our hearts to be healed and minds brought in line with your word.

We need your hand on our country’s leaders to stop the lying and deceit. We need the knowledge you’ve given the scientists for the vaccines to cure this virus from hell to be brought to light without all the political interference. Lord, we need a miracle!

We give you all the praise and glory for all you do and realize you are a sovereign and all things are in your time, not ours.

We ask these things in Jesus name,

Amen