GO FOR THE GOLD - Crowns
Faith gets you into heaven, but how you live determines your rewards in eternity. By focusing on righteous living and good deeds, believers can look forward to varying levels of heavenly rewards.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 NKJV “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”
Greek word for a “crown” here is stephanos, which describes the crown given to
Purpose of Crowns
Revelation 4:10 NKJV “the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and 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.’”
Worship: We will cast crowns at Jesus’ feet because He alone is
Position: Crowns reveal our position in
Authority: Crowns give authority to do what
Types of Crowns
1 Timothy 4:8 NKJV “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
1. Crown of Righteousness
Righteousness is a position
James 1:12 NKJV “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
Revelation 2:10 ESV To Smyrna: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
2. Crown of Life (Martyrs)
The crown awarded to believers who die for their
Revelation 12:11 NKJV “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
1 Peter 5:1-4 NKJV “The elders who are among you I exhort…Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers…and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
3. Crown of Glory (Pastors Crown)
Pastors will be judged by Jesus on how well they lead His
1 Thessalonians 2:19 NKJV “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”
4. Crown of Rejoicing (Soul Winners)
The crown for Christians who win souls for
Keeping Your Crown
Revelation 3:11 NKJV “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NKJV “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”