Eulogy: “God is Going to Give Us A Crown”

Text: 2 Timothy 2:1-12 KV 12

2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.

7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,

9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,

We shall also live with Him.

12 If we endure,

We shall also reign with Him.

Date: February 12, 2021

Place: ALIBC

Occasion: Homegoing Services for Brother Doug Martin Sr.

Title: “God is Going to Give Us A Crown”

Introduction: This morning we have come to celebrate the life of Brother Douglas Martin Sr. We thank God for his legacy that includes his children and grandchildren and a life well lived to the glory of God. He was a faithful Christian who loved the Lord and he serve diligently in the church for many years at Abundant Life Baptist. He will truly be missed: and his place in our church, and our hearts; can never be replace. Because he suffered and endured unto the end, Brother Doug shall wear a crown and if we all labor and work until the Sun goes down, we all shall wear a crown.

Interesting Material - Crowns

The Bible is a book that speaks a lot about crowns. There are good crowns and there are bad crowns. It was customary for Kings and Queens to wear crowns. Jesus worn a crown but it was a Crown of Thorns, given to mock Him and to make fun of Him. And the Bible even talks about the Crown of Pride, which is a crown you don’t want to have for it depicts arrogance, selfishness and foolish pride that leads to a great fall.

Four Crowns that all of us as Christian should hope to have one day are”

Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8)

Paul talks about it in his valedictory. He says,

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 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.

(The key to receiving this crown is loving His appearing:)

Crown of Rejoicing (1 These. 2:19, Psalms 126:6)

19 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?

( This is the Soul Winners Crown)

6 He who continually goes forth weeping,

Bearing seed for sowing,

Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,

Bringing his sheaves with him.

( We use to sang that old song “Bringing in the sheaves, will shall come rejoicing…)

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Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5)

5:1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

(This is the Pastor’s Crown. And it is also for all those who help the Pastor.)

Matthew 10:41 KJV

41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

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Crown of Life (James 1:12)

12 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.

(This is the Believer’s Crown. The key here is enduring temptation and loving God.)

Thesis- And so my brothers and sister’s, If we suffer with Christ and endure unto the end, we shall were a crown.

Background - 2 Tim. 2:1-7

In our background Paul describes the duties that are assigned to a pastor.

I. The Role Model (2:1–7): Paul likens the ministry to four secular occupations.

A. A teacher (2:1–2)

1. As a student Timothy was taught many things by Paul (2:1–2a).

2. As a pastor Timothy must now teach those things to other godly people (2:2b).

B. A soldier (2:3–4)

1. Give all of your energies to the warfare (2:3).

2. Give none of your energies to worldly affairs (2:4).

3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

C. An athlete (2:5): Strive for the victor’s crown.

5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

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D. A farmer (2:6–7): Work hard to harvest a large crop.

Body:

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,

9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,

We shall also live with Him.

(If we die with Christ, one day we are going to live with Him. One day we shall pass from time into eternity and we shall go to our eternal home. One day we shall put on our white robes and sing praises to Him all day. After while and by and by all are troubles will be over. We shall be able to sing and shout glory, glory and hallelujah all day long.)

12 If we endure,

We shall also reign with Him.

And if we shall endure we shall reign with Him. If we hold on and hold out, we shall reign with Him. If we endure unto the end, we shall put on a crown. We shall be kings and queens living in our mansions. And enjoying the fruit of our labors. Every day will be Sunday and sorrows will be no more. No more sickness, no more pain and no more death. For in the midst of the city will be a tree for the healing of the nations.

Closing:

Exhortation -

We shall wear a crown.

Story -

Brother Doug shall wear a crown.God gave me the privilege to know this gentle giant.He was a faithful founding member of Abundant Life.He was there when we traveled from pillar to post trying to get established.He worked hard alongside of his brothers and sisters.He helped us to get this building right for worship, as we performed demolition on the inside.He attended every major function whether it was church fellowship in the park or men’s ministry.He was just a kind and gentle soul.He served as a choir member, an usher, and a steward.For many years, He counted the church’s money and took care of assigned duties.When his health declined, he still made it to church as often as he could.He would sit in his special chair all the in the back, but nevertheless, he was still here.He was a tremendous Husband and father.He loved Sister Brenda, who was also awesome too. Both of them has left us too soon.But when she went home less than 2 years ago, you could see that his heart was aching for his wife.Recently, he was on a zoom call with many of his church members, and we enjoyed his company.We didn’t know that would be our last time talking.But God knew,God knew it was time for him to get his crown.God knew it was time for him to get his Crown of Righteousness for loving that Christ would appear.God knew it was time for him to get his Crown of Rejoicing for being a soul winner.God knew it was time for him to get his Crown of Glory for helping his Pastors to oversee the work of the Lord.But most of all, God knew it was time for him to get his Crown of Life for enduring temptations.The Winans would sang it something like this:ChorusIf I labor, God is gonna give me a crown, a crownI believe I'll work in the vineyardSun is going down(chorus)Did the Lord not say, whatever's right I'll payDid the Lord not say, work while it is dayDid the Lord not say, He would take us awayIf I labor, God is gonna give me a crown, crownI believe I'll work in the vineyard (repeat)Sun is goin' down (x3)(Pop & Marvin Winans ad lib out)Celebration - Yes sir my brother and sisters the Sun is going down on all of us, but if we labor, God is going to give is a crown.Ain’t that alright.Ain’t the Lord alrightIsn’t He worthy to be praise?Come on and help me praise Him!Come on and help me magnify Him!Come on and help me to exalt Him!Yes sir, one day we all shall wear crowns as kings and queens in God’s kingdom if we live right and endure until the end.

But Jesus shall wear the Crown of Crowns, because He is the Lord of Lords and He is the King of kings and He is Everlasting the Father.

Come on and give Him glory!