RP

Five Crowns
The five crowns available at the bema: "Judgement Seat of Christ"
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgement 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.

Crown of Life

James 1:12 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.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
Ephesians 5:8. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
10. Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Philippians 1:9. And this I pray,
that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10. That ye may approve things that are excellent;
that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
Rev. 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold,
the devil shall cast some of you in prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days:
be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

~ For those who rightly divide God's Word to stand approved before God.

{ Life : Eternity with God - Death : Eternity separated from God }
1. Renew your mind to God's rightly divided Word:
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2. Speak the rightly divided Word:
1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed [proved] of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak;
not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth [approves] our hearts.
3. Focus on the accomplishments of Christ:
1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
4. Abundantly share:
2 Corinthians 9:13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed
subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
5. Approved of God:
1 Corinthians 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it,
because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try [approve] every man's work of what sort it is.

Crown of Rejoicing

   1 Thessalonians 2:19. 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?
20. For ye are our glory and joy.
   2 Timothy 4:8 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.

   ~ For those who win others to the Lord Jesus Christ after they have rightly divided the Word.

Crown Incorruptible

   1 Corinthians 9:24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?
So run, that ye may obtain.
25. 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.

      ~ For those who exercise self-control in all disciplined training.

Crown of Glory

   1 Peter 5:1. The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder,
and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly;
not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3. Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

    ~ For those leaders or elders in the Body of Christ who become examples to the flock.

                                                { Elder : Teacher, Doers of the Word }
I. Being taught by the Holy Spirit of God:
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name,
he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
        [tupos] Greek word for ensamples - English would be the word type, copy, likness. . .
II. Following example of good christians:
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me,
and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
III. Become an example to the other believers of the accomplishments of & in Christ:
1 Peter 5:1. The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the
sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint,
but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3. Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples [tupos] to the flock.
4. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Crown of Righteousness

   2 Timothy 4:7. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8. 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.
      ~ For those who love Christ's appearing.

The Believer's Crowns
Revelation 4:1-11
I. Who shall obtain these crowns? Every child of God shall obtain them,
Enjoying Christ in all His fullness. John saw no uncrowned heads in glory (Revelation 4:4).
II. How shall these crowns be obtained? We by God's grace, not by our works.
First, We have no good works (Romans 3:10-12).
Second, grace and works are mutually exclusive, and will not mix (Romans 11:6).
The parable of the workers in the vineyard clearly teaches us that all God's children will receive the
same reward, and that this reward will be obtained by grace alone. (Matthew 20:1-16)
III. What shall Christ's people do with their crowns? Cast their crowns before the throne,
"You are 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 4:11).
By this act they signify that they received their crowns from Him and by His grace,
and that they are unworthy to wear them in His presence, and that He alone is worthy of them all.
                               "Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne!"

In Closing :
( John 19:5 ) This world gave Jesus a crown of thorns, then crucified Him as a man.
( Rev. 19:11-16 ) But His return will be as who he always was, is, and will always be.
" KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS "

Wheeler

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