THE FINISH LINE, CAST THE CROWN
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
THERE HAVE BEEN 4,224 (2016) HORSES RUN THE RACE, 13 HORSE HAVE WON THE TRIPLE CROWN.
The Crown of Thoroughbred Horse Racing is the Triple Crown:
1. Kentucky Derby, The Run for the Roses
2. Preakness Stakes. The Run for the Black-Eyed Susan
3. Belmont Stakes. The Test of the Champion
In the history of the Triple Crown 13 Horses have won, out of almost 5,000 runners.
WE ARE HEADED TOWARD THE BEMA SEAT OF GOD’S JUDGMENT. AT THIS JUDGMENT SEAT OF JESUS CHRIST
THERE WILL BE REWARDS GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL TO THE CROSS OF JESUS.
Are we serving Jesus with our words, attitudes and deeds? The crowns are free gifts to those that refused to quit and look back. Someday Jesus will be HANDING OUT SOME CROWNS. JESUS WANTS US TO REFRESHED, ENCOURAGED AND RENEWED KNOWING SOME DAY IF WE STAY FAITHFUL JESUS WILL REWARD US.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
My dear friend, Jesus is a rewarder… Jesus desires to encourage us through our life time to exert effort of His Kingdom..
*STEPHANOS is the Biblical term for crown. This is a little different than what a King or Queen wears.
STEPHANOS would translate more like REWARD or a LAUREL WREATH. The Laurel Wreath was used in Greek Olympics, this crowning was an award to the winner of contest.
The crown is an award God’s gives… the crowns of God are a gift or an award for beyond the call of duty or service.
On an anchor it is the lowest part of the anchor where the arms are joined to the shank.
CROWN: a distinction or reward for achievement, to confer honor, dignity or reward upon, to be at the summit, outward sign of approval.
Crowns are given as an award to a champion or an overcomer.
Crowns were often a garland or a wreathe.
Crown of thorns made of thorn branches to mock and make fun of… The Roman soldier places on the head of Jesus. A torn is an INVOLUTED LEAF. (selfish)
A CROWN IS BEYOND THE FREE GIFTS LIKE ETERNAL LIFE, ETC. CROWNS ARE SPECIAL GIFTS AND REWARDS FOR STEPPING UP TO GREAT AND MORE EXCELLENCE IN EFFORT AND WORKS.
The crowns that Jesus will give are eternal, incorruptible, and will be a TOKEN beyond average service.
THE INCORRUPTABLE CROWN, OR EVERLASTING CROWN, SOME CALL THIS THE VICTOR’S CROWN
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. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
We are all running in a race, we must run WITH THE GOAL IN SIGHT. We must have self-control and self-discipline. We are running for more than exercise. We gladly gIve “SACRIFICE.” Someday at the BEMA SEAT OF GOD, JESUS WILL GIVE CROWNS TO THOSE THAT HAVE LIVED PLEASING TO HIM. We might have to give up some of the things of this world we love to receive this crown.
THE CROWN OF JOY, THE SOUL WINNERS CROWN
What brings you joy? What brings joy to God? One thing that brings joy to God is WINNING LOST SOULS and going after the ONE. (Leave the 99)
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
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
THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
The crown of righteousness will be the TOKEN of a life lived in doing good righteous deeds while living on earth. They SPOKE RIGHTEOUS WORDS, Had good attitudes, Their DEEDS were faithful and pleasing to God’s word! The crown wearers made the choice of doing right. They avoided the wrong, bad toys of daily life. One mark of the righteous is KEEPING THEIR WORDS PLEASING TO GOD.
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.
Will you wear a crown of righteous in heaven? Are you making the world a better place to live and die? Are you kind?
THE CROWN OF GLORY, THE SHEPHERDS CROWN, or THE TEACHER’S CROWN.
The average church loses 1/3 of the active members a year. It is said 50% of those that come to the Lord this year will be out of church next year. I can take you to a church sign that says: VISITORS WELCOMED, MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED.
We know many are won by one. We need teachers, one on one workers,
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.
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.
THE CROWN OF LIFE OR “THE MARTYRS CROWN”
Seems many say they are willing to die for Jesus, but they are not willing to live for him? Are we willing to help the LEAST OF THESE?
The crown of life is much more than eternal life, it is the CROWN OF LIFE. The crown of life will go to those that endured the storms, trials, pain, and persecution of real daily life. Everyday life is not always easy. Trials are temporary. Hang in there, press forward --- Jesus has A CROWN OF LIFE FOR YOU.
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.
We must stay strong and rely on God’s plan. Jesus will HONOR those people that have stood faithful in seasons of testing and learn to thrive.
Revelation 2:10 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.
CONCLUSION: WE MUST NEVER FORGET THAT GOD IS A REWARDER OF THOSE THAT DILIGENTLY SERVE HIM. We need to put forth GREAT EFFORT AND APPLY OUR HEARTS TO STRIVE FOR THE CROWNS OF GOD. God has crowns that will never rust, never fade. Are we working to attain the CROWNS THAT WILL BE GIVEN IN HEAVEN?
One more note about the CROWNS… It is recorded that those closest to the HOLY THRONE OF GOD OF GOD CAST DOWN THEIR CROWNS AT JESUS’ FEET.
Revelation 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
I ask for your help? Will you please tell other preachers of my work? Please?
