THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #184 | THE LIFE OF MOSES #165
Pastor Christopher Choo,
Lesson 3870
THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #184
THE LIFE OF MOSES #165
MOSES AT MT.SINAI#64
THE TABERNACLE OF MOSES ( Part 23)
THE GOLDEN FRONTLET ON THE HIGH PRIEST'S HEAD: HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD #5
The 5 Heavenly Crowns of Believers ( Part 3 )
What Is the Significance of the 5 Crowns?
The world infects all who are not immunized against sin.
Sin leads to an insatiable longing for earthly pleasures which it tries to satisfy with anything but God.
The author John Piper has said: “God left us here to spend our lives preparing to go home. This radical pursuit of God’s well done has often cost those who have gone before us everything. And if we focus our lives upon Christ’s well done it may cost us dearly, even our life: but it will be worth it."
That is why believers are told to be faithful to the cause of Christ so that they will resist the temptations of the world and win the highest accolade from Christ . Oswald Chambers described it as "our utmost for His Highest."
That is what the crowns signify - our heavenly reward for our earthly achievments in extending the kingdom of God.
As sons and daughters we get Christ’s life. As His servants we get His reward. And He says He is coming back quickly ( Rev.
22:12 ). For God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Conclusion
The 5 Crowns are for believers as such. There are five. Will you get one?
Are you saved? Do you have the crown of life?
Are you winning and discipling people? Will you get this crown of rejoicing?
Are you Spirit controlled? Will you get the unfading crown?
Are you looking for Jesus? Will you get the crown of righteousness?
Are you serving Christ’s church, His sheep? Will you get the crown of glory.
The crowns are offered to:
The Steadfast Racer that resists all Disqualifiers gets the Unfading Crown in I Corinthians. 9:25-27.
The unselfish Worker who faithfully wins souls gets the Crown of Honor in I Thessalonians 2:19; Phil 4:1.
The Victorious Warrior who faithfully watches for Christ gets the Crown of Righteousness in II Tim. 4:8.
The Example to the Flock who faithfully shepherds gets the Crown of Glory in I Peter 5:3-4.
The Faithful Witness who is loyal unto death gets the Crown of Life in Revelation. 2:10; James 1:12.
When we as believers are not actively pursuing God we are like the author Lewis who said: “We have turned our back to the breathtaking beauty of God and fallen in love with our shadow. To seek God foremost is a difficult duty indeed. It may cost you your friends. It may cost you your reputation. It mayy cost you your life. But it will be worth it. Because the steadfast love of the Lord is better than life (Psalm 63:3)!”
