Crowns of Heaven

Lonnie Brooks

Heaven • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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Introduction

Someone asked me a few weeks ago if I would take about heaven, and the topic of the crowns the Bible speaks of.

What are they, how are they received and what are we going to do with them… Will we lay them all down? You see the questions could go on and on

Now from the research I could find in the Bible, I was able to find 5 separate crowns mentioned in the Bible and some other information associated with them.

Now there are 5 crowns mentioned in the New Testament:

1.) the Imperishable Crown. 2.) A Crown of Rejoicing. 3.) A Crown of Righteousness. 4.) a crown of glory and a 5.) A Crown of Life.

The Greek word for crown has the meaning of badge of royalty, a prize or a symbol of honor.

I saw countless fish of every shape, size and color. Just when I thought I'd seen the most beautiful fish, along came one even more striking. Etched in my memory is the sound of a gasp going through my snorkel as my eyes were opened to a breathtaking underwater world.

One of the most common places we see the idea of a crown being used is during the ancient Greek games , it referred to a wreath or garland of leaves placed on a victor’s head as a reward for winning an athletic contest.

One of the most common places we see the idea of a crown being used is dueing the ancient Greek games Used during the ancient Greek games, it referred to a wreath or garland of leaves placed on a victor’s head as a reward for winning an athletic contest. As such, this word is used figuratively in the New Testament of the rewards of heaven God promises those who are faithful. Paul’s passage in best defines for us how these crowns are awarded.

As such, this word is used figuratively in the New Testament of the rewards of heaven God promises those who are faithful.

Paul’s passage in best defines for us how these crowns are awarded.

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 ESV

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

So lets begin talking about these crowns, and we will begin with the one mentioned in this passage we have just looked at....

1. Imperishable Crown

This is the crown that we just saw mentioned in

As believers, I imagine our first glimpse of heaven will cause us to gasp in a similar way—with amazement and delight. That first gasp will likely be followed by many more as we continually encounter new sights in that endlessly wonderful place.

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 ESV

I Cor

All things on this earth are subject to decay and will perish. Jesus urges us to not store our treasures on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” ().

This is analogous to what Paul was saying about that wreath of leaves that was soon to turn brittle and fall apart.

But not so the heavenly crown; faithful endurance wins a heavenly reward which is “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” ().

Though most of us are in no hurry to get to our final destination, we all have questions about it. After in-depth study of the Scriptures, here are some of the most frequently asked questions.

2. The Crown of Rejoicing ( Soul Winners)

This next crown has been called the “soul winner’s crown.” The apostle Paul is calling those he has saved his “joy” and his “crown of rejoicing.” So this particular crown can be referred to by a couple different terms.

While we always rejoice in the Lord, and while we will rejoice in His second coming, we know without a doubt that the true joy of the souls who go with us into heaven

1 Thessalonians 2:19 ESV

19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?

Paul tells us to rejoice always in the Lord.

Philippians 4:4 ESV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

But the greatest rejoicing is in the salvation of His people.

Luke 15:7 ESV

7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

says

Isaiah 53:11 ESV

11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

Notice Paul calls those who are in the presence of Jesus at His second coming his “crown of rejoicing.” You cannot be in the presence of Jesus at His second coming unless you have already been saved.

People believe that Paul is thus implying that a crown will be given to those who are instrumental in getting others saved and into the presence of Jesus. I agree with that interpretation. I believe the words being used by Paul are again literal interpretation.

I think a soul winner is like a watch man on the wall, crying out about the danger to come..

Ezekiel 33:6–9 ESV

6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand. 7 “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

There is something wonderful about being a soul winner. Paul worked continually and suffered for the joy of preaching, teaching and sharing the kingdom of God with others in the hope of seeing so many lives transformed. The great Commission of Jesus was a lifestyle for Paul.

For us, we can receive this crown as well if we are a person who has win souls for Jesus. Crown or not we should be a soul winner.

Now lets move on to the next one...

Ezekiel 33:6–9 ESV

Luke 15:7 ESV

7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

The word “crown” seems to be implying that God will be giving out a crown to those who have been instrumental in getting other people saved and led to Him through the blood of His Son Jesus.

If you compare this level of service with some of the other levels that will be rewarded with crowns, there is no doubt in my mind that God will be rewarding those who will try and get others saved with this special crown.

As I have said numerous times in my other articles, working for God to try and get other people saved is the greatest thing that you can do for another person while living down here on this earth.

When you get someone else saved and brought home to the Lord, you have just been the vessel used by God to give that person eternal salvation and eternal life.

The Bible does not say how many people you actually have to be instrumental in getting saved in order to be able to receive this crown. My guess is that it will be relative. God will simply be judging you by your willingness and desire to be used by Him to witness to others.

In our fast paced, materialistic, self-centered society, there are many Christians who are simply too busy to be willing to be used by God to try and get other people saved.

This is a whole another article, so I will not go any deeper. Just suffice to say that God can fit into your daily and weekly activities the opportunities for you to be able to witness and work with others to get them saved.

This could be some of your unsaved friends, family members, or co-workers – people who are right there in your own backyard.

God is a master in being able to organize and structure your everyday activities, and still have enough time left over in the course of a day, week, or month in which to continue to build you up in His Word, and at the same time, arrange for you to be able to help others out on a one-on-one basis for either witnessing to them get them saved, or teaching others about God and the Bible in order to help properly disciple them after they have been saved.

Here is the verse from Paul about this soul winner’s crown:

“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? For you are our glory and joy.” ()

3. The Crown of Righteousness

1. We won't miss our old lives.

This crown is one concerned with how we live in front of the living God. Paul compared his life early one as one who was running a race, as one who pushing forward for the glory of another.

A and as he come to the close of his life, he said he had finished the course. He spoke as one who have faithfully finished what had been set before Him.

And as he come to the close of his life, he said he had finished the course. He spoke as one who have faithfully finished what had been set before Him. Let me share this verse with you from

2 Timothy 4:8 ESV

8 Henceforth 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 is one who promised to those who live for and long for the second coming of Christ.

Remember the message of Paul in Phil 3:20

Through our enduring the discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity (). This crown is not for those who depend upon their own sense of righteousness or of their own works. Such an attitude breeds only arrogance and pride, not a longing, a fervent desire to be with the Lord.

Philippians 3:20 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Paul knew this crown awaited him, since he testified that it was laid up for him, but all who love.......

Do you love Jesus, are you striving to live your best in front of Him and are you waiting for his return.

And now we come to the 4th crown, which is the crown of glory

4. The Crown of Glory...

What is the crown of glory and to what measure is it obtained?

Understand these extra gifts, the crowns are similar to salvation, in that they cannot be earned, they cannot be bought or sold. They are given by the Lord to his servants because of the life they have lived, remember Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Let me take you to

1 Peter 5:4 ESV

4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Peter is recognizing that the Lord himself will honor the faithful, it is the under shepherds that will receive this crown.

Romans 8:18 ESV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Isaiah 42:8 ESV

8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.

This is not a pastor’s crown, I think believe it refers to all that God has raised up to serve Him and the people of his church.

It is for those who serve under the true shepherd for the good of those God has appointed for us to minister too.

So elders, deacons, Pastor’s lay leaders, and the list could do on… But it for those who raise up others for the glory of God -It is for those who serve under the true shepherd for the good of those God has appointed for us to minister too.

and then finally we come to the last crown, the one that is listed as the crown of life

Have you ever bought an economy ticket for a flight, but because of overbooking, been upgraded to first class? Did you regret the upgrade? Did you spend your time wondering, What am I missing by not being in the back of the plane?

5. The Crown of Life...

This crown is for all believers, but more so I think for those who endure suffering, who in the face of persecution stand faithfully.

Let me share this passage with you...

Revelation 2:10 ESV

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Remain faithful and gain the crown of life, that is the message Jesus would tell us all, no matter what we face. And we must also remember Jesus is with us.

James 1:12 ESV

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

In Scripture the word “life” is often used to show a relationship that is right with God. It was Jesus who said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” ().

Just as things such as air, food, and water are vital for our physical lives, Jesus provides us what is required for our spiritual lives.

He is the One who provides “living water.” He is the “bread of life” (, ). We know that our earthly lives will end. But we have the amazing promise that comes only to those who come to God through Jesus: “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life” ().

The upgrade from Earth to heaven will be vastly superior to that from economy to first class. If we would miss something from our old lives, it would be available to us in heaven. Why? Because we will experience all God intends for us. He fashions us to want precisely what He will give us so what He gives us will be exactly what we want.

1 John 2:25 ESV

25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.

And listen to Jesus in the gospel of Matthew

Matthew 24:13 ESV

13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Now please do not make the mistake that this passage or any like it teach any measure of self preservation, we cannot save our self.

Philippians 1:6 ESV

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

He will make sure we are done at the end, that we are saved at the final time of life

2. We won't become angels.

I'm often asked if people, particularly children, become angels when they die.

The answer is no.

Death is a relocation of the same person from one place to another. The place changes, but the person remains the same. The same person who becomes absent from his or her body becomes present with the Lord (). We won't be angels but we'll be with them.

3. We won't be tempted.

Once I was asked if we will ever be tempted to turn our backs on Christ. The answer is no. What would tempt us? Innocence is the absence of something (sin), while righteousness is the presence of something (God's holiness). God will never withdraw His holiness from us; therefore, in heaven we cannot sin.

We'll never forget the ugliness of sin, however. Having known death and life, we who experience life will never want to go back to death. We'll never be deceived into thinking God is withholding something good from us or that sin is in our best interests.

We'll always know sin's costs. Every time we see the scarred hands of Jesus, we'll remember. We'll see sin as God does. It will be stripped of its illusions and will be utterly unappealing.

4. We will have work to do.

The idea of working in heaven is foreign to many people. Yet Scripture clearly teaches it. When God created Adam, he "took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it" (). Work was part of the original Eden. It was part of a perfect human life.

God Himself is a worker. He didn't create the world and then retire. Jesus said, "My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working" (). Jesus found great satisfaction in His work. "‘My food,' Jesus said, ‘is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work'" ().

We'll also have work to do, satisfying and enriching work that we can't wait to get back to, work that'll never be drudgery. God is the primary worker, and as His image-bearers, we're made to work. We create, accomplish, set goals and fulfill them—to God's glory.

5. We will still experience emotions.

In Scripture, God is said to enjoy, love, laugh, take delight and rejoice, as well as be angry, happy, jealous and glad. To be like God means to have and express emotions. Hence, we should expect that in heaven emotions will exist for God's glory and our good.

We know that people in heaven have lots of feelings—all good ones. We're told of banquets, feasts and singing. People will laugh there (). Will we cry in heaven? The Bible says, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying or pain" (). These are the tears of suffering over sin and death, the tears of oppressed people, the cries of the poor, the widow, the orphaned, the unborn and the persecuted.

Such crying will be no more.

We might, though, shed tears of joy. Can you imagine joy flooding your eyes as you meet Christ, for example, and as you're reunited with loved ones? I can.

6. We still won't know everything.

God alone is omniscient. When we die, we'll see things far more clearly, and we'll know much more than we know now. But we'll never know everything.

In heaven we'll be flawless, but not knowing everything isn't a flaw. It's part of being finite. Righteous angels don't know everything, and they long to know more (). They're flawless but finite. We should expect to long for greater knowledge, as angels do. And we'll spend eternity gaining the greater knowledge we'll seek.

7. We will recognize one another.

Scripture gives no indication of a memory wipe causing us not to recognize family and friends. Paul anticipated being with the Thessalonians in heaven, and it never occurred to him he wouldn't know them. In fact, if we wouldn't know our loved ones, the comfort of an afterlife reunion, taught in , would be no comfort at all. In heaven we probably won't fail to recognize an acquaintance in a crowd or forget people's names.

8. What will we do to avoid boredom?

People sometimes say, "I'd rather be having a good time in hell than be bored in heaven."

Note the assumption: sin is exciting and righteousness is boring.

Believing in this assumption means you've fallen for the devil's lie. In reality, sin robs us of fulfillment. Sin doesn't make life interesting; it makes life empty. When there's fulfillment, when there's beauty, when we see God as He truly is—an endless reservoir of fascination—boredom becomes impossible. In heaven we'll be filled—as describes it—with joy and eternal pleasures.

9. If our loved ones are in hell, won't that spoil heaven?

In heaven we'll see clearly that God revealed Himself to each person and that He gave opportunity for each heart or conscience to seek and respond to Him (). Everyone deserves hell; no one deserves heaven. Jesus went to the cross to offer salvation to all (). God is absolutely sovereign and doesn't desire any to perish (; ). Yet many will perish in their unbelief ().

In heaven, we'll embrace God's holiness and justice. God will be our source of joy. Hell's small and distant shadow will not interfere with God's greatness or our joy in Him. All of this should motivate us to share the gospel of Christ with family, friends, neighbors and the whole world.

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