The Five Crowns - God’s Crown Standard In Ministry
Crowns And Rewards... a very important subject and reality for every Christian and Church.
While it remains true that non- believers, those who never excepted Christ as Lord and Savior, are judged for their anti-- works, those who have accepted Christ are judged for their works.
As Christians, we are saved by grace through the doorway of faith. We are not saved by works, but are saved to carry forward in good works. The good works of the Christian, and all Christians in the Church age are commendable, however, there are five categories of Christian works that are of special importance to God. These five categories are rewarded with crowns, as they have operated within the guidelines of God’s Crown Standard.
The LORD advises believers to walk in righteousness and earn “treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal.” ( Matt. 6: 20).
These “treasures” are referred to in other passages of Scripture as “crown” Jesus promises that when He returns, He will reward us with the crowns that we had earned and encourages us to hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” ( Rev. 3: 11). The New Testament highlights five special crowns for believers:
1. The Crown of Glory: For Faithful Servants.
“And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” ( 1 Pet. 5: 4).
Those who have served Jesus Christ, such as helpers, leaders and pastors in the churches will receive their reward from God. Today, sadly, many serving in the churches are operating on visions and concepts not based in the Word of God. For such there will be no crown. They cannot be classified as faithful servants if they have not served the cause of Christ, but have fallen prey to a vision for the church in which they operated contrary to the Word of God. The crown for faithful servants is rewarded for servants found operating in the actual cause of Christ. The faithful servants have often given thanklessly of their time and resources led by the Spirit of God in the truth of
His Word. They shall receive a crown of glory for they truly have been Faithful Servants.
2. The Crown of Rejoicing: For Soul Winners
“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 Thess. 2: 19).
Evangelism. Evangelists are those who have won others to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Evangelists will experience joy because the new believers are their spiritual children. That a man or woman could be 60 years old in the flesh, yet newborn in Christ, remains true. The Ministry of evangelism by design carrie’s forth in the task of changing peoples minds by changing people’s hearts. The soul is composed of the mind, will, and emotions. The soul winner is an individual specializing in presenting the truth of Christ to others to the effect that the new convert has believed in their mind ( soul) penetrating beyond it... into their heart. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness. Because Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, the evangelist presents the Word of God to the mind of men, and the Holy Spirit intervenes assisting the soul winner, eventually, and possible quite quickly... perhaps in just an instant reaching a given individuals heart with the Word of faith.
In these last days, there are many who purportedly have been led to Christ through promises of riches, finances, houses, land, and numerous blessings from God. There remain others who have come through the doorway of mental ascent, because the aforementioned approaches are not valid and possess no faith, these are merely false converts. They have no bornagain experience. Supposed evangelists using such methods most assuredly are themselves not converts.
The evangelist found tendering the Word of God in the process of soul winning is the evangelist found pleasing God, for he/ she presents opportunity for the potential convert to enter into the kingdom of God by way of the strait gate. The Crown of Rejoicing is reserved for soul winners doing so in God’s prescribed manner.
3. The Crown of Righteousness: For Those Who Love His Return
“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 Tim. 4: 8). This crown will be given to all believers who long for the return of Christ. New Testament Christians are advised to remain watchful for the imminent return of their Lord. We must live in active, participatory Christianity, as though we have many years until His return, simultaneously living in anticipation and holiness as though He will return today. The quality of believers awaiting the return of Christ is tremendous. These are the type Christians that love the study of God’s Word and thrive on prophecy. They eagerly await the return of Christ while serving.
4. The Incorruptible Crown: For Victorious Lives of Purity
“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 Cor. 9: 25).
Scripture teaches that “unto the pure all things are pure” ( Titus. 2: 10 c). Scripture also teaches that we go from faith to faith, meaning that we are capable of progressing in our understanding of God. God is holy and is working to create a holy people.
The Christian seeking a life of purity is the Christian that pleases God. As Christians, we do not compete against each other, our standard is Christ and His purity. The Bible tells us that we are to be over- comers of self and temptation. Paul tells us that we must exercise discipline, spiritual discipline, if we are to experience victory in Christ.
5. The Crown of Life: For Christian Martyrs
“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 give thee a crown of life” ( Rev. 2: 10).
Christ promises a crown of life for all of Believers through the ages that have suffered martyrdom for their faith in Him. Truly, His followers have experienced persecution every century. Even today an estimated 100,000 Christians per year are martyred for their faith globally. As the world hated Christ without cause, it also hates His followers without cause. Scripture points to the fact that conditions on earth for Christ followers will not improve, despite falsity theologies that state they shall. The Bible remains steadfast on this issue in contrast.
The biblical reality is that darkness and light simply cannot dwell together. There is no co- existence for those denying God’s existence, as they seek to eliminate the spirit of holiness found in the heart of believers. Scripture points to the sad truth that the false or apostate church will one day think they do God service by killing true believers.
As we view the crowns that God promises it becomes apparent that God has a “Crown Standard” of all that He considers ministry. Reality for the New Testament Church and every believer, is that service to God be found commendable, thus rewardable in His eyes, it is best therefore, to be found doing the things established as rewardable under the Crown Standard. One day every ministry will be judged by the Crown Standard. The gold ( ministry considered pure by God) will have the dross ( ministry considered impure by God) removed, and separated from it. That which remains is Crown Standard ministry because such pastors, helpers and churches remained on track with and alongside God’s will, thus, rewardable. That is why the most important ministry is the ministry of God’s Word to the world.