CROWNS---REWARDS Dr. Jobe Martin Biblical Discipleship Ministries

“STEPHANOS” crownThe word, “STEPHANOS”, translated means crown and occurs 18 times in the N.T., for thou hast created all things,“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne and worship him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns (stephanos) before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”Revelation 4:10,11

Matthew 27:29 “And when they had plaited a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head.” Mark 15:17 John 19:2 John 19:5 1 Corinthians 9:25 Philippians 4:1 1 Thessalonians 2:19 2 Timothy 4:8 James 1:12 1 Peter 5:4 Revelation 2:10 Revelation 3:11 Revelation 4:4, 10 Revelation 6:2 Revelation 12:1 Revelation 14:14 Revelation 9:7

THE FIRST AND LAST USE OF “STEPHANOS” (CROWN) Matthew 27:29 “And when they had plaited a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail King of the Jews!” Revelation 14:14 “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.”

THE FIVE CROWNS (ETERNAL REWARDS) FOR TRUE CHRISTIANS The Incorruptible Crown The Crown of Rejoicing The Crown of Righteousness The Crown of Life The Crown of Glory

THE FIVE CROWNS (ETERNAL REWARDS) FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS Incorruptible Crown = Paul Crown of Rejoicing = Paul Crown of Righteousness = Paul Crown of Life = James and John Crown of Glory = Peter

THE INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Corinthians 9:25 The “Incorruptible Crown” is for being temperate in all things (self-control). You keep your body “in subjection.” v.27

CROWN OF REJOICING “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” Philippians 4:1 These are people Paul evangelized.

CROWN OF REJOICING or crown of rejoicing“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” 1 Thessalonians 2:19 The Crown of Rejoicing is for standing fast in evangelizing the lost.

CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8 Apparently so few believers will be looking for Jesus to come for them (Rapture) that God has a special crown for them.

CROWN OF LIFE “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12 You persevere and endure the trials and temptations of life because you love the Lord.

CROWN OF LIFE “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will thee give a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10 unrenounced The Crown of Life is for those who die for their unrenounced faith in Jesus (martyr)

CROWN OF GLORY “…Feed the flock of God….And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:1-4 This crown is for those who take leadership in teaching the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

DON’T LOSE YOUR REWARD! “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility (delighting in self-abasement) and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,…” Colossians 2:18

DON’T LOSE YOUR REWARD! “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.” 2 John 8 “Behold I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Revelation 3:11

“WELL DONE!!!!” “His Lord said unto him, Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21, 23 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

CROWNS ARE EVIDENCE Crowns are part of the evidence that only those deeds (works) done AFTER receiving the Lord Jesus as Savior have eternal value before our Holy God. There are NO DEEDS (works) that I can do to help earn my eternal salvation. Eternal Life is an absolute gift of Jesus to us. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!” Acts 16:31b

EPHESIANS 2: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

SALVATION COMES FIRST, THEN WORKS THAT COUNT FOR ETERNITY 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; Titus 3:4-8

TITUS 3:4-8 (CONTINUED) 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Crowns are rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ: Bema Seat Judgment of Believers: 2 Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Crowns are rewarded based on the “works before ordained” that we as Christians should walk in them. Thus the works in no way achieve or guarantee our salvation, but follow our salvation in service to our Lord. What does this mean?

This means that there is nothing that I can do before I receive Lord Jesus as my Savior to help to earn my eternal salvation. Salvation is a gift, it is not earned! –Attending church regularly won’t help, –Giving money to the church won’t help, –Giving money to charities won’t help, –Helping the poor and orphans and widows won’t help, –Attending Bible studies or fasting won’t help, –Donating my time to charities won’t help, etc., etc… Go back to slide #18 again: Ephesians 2:8-10!

As true Christians we should be doing all the things, and more, listed on the previous slide in the power of our Lord Jesus and for His glory. We will be given the various crowns for the good deeds done as Christians. There are no crowns and there is no salvation even for deeds of righteousness which we have done before receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6a

The Bottom Line Regarding Crowns: At the Judgment of Believers (this is not the Great White Throne Judgment which is the unbeliever’s judgment; see: The Judgments at ) the Lord Jesus will give crowns for service done by His bride, the true church of Believers, in His power, within the framework of His Word and for His glory. Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus!