FROM THE CROSS TO A CROWN

FROM THE CROSS TO A CROWN

On our recent vacation to the Midwest, we left South Dakota and headed into Nebraska. We came into Cambridge late at night. Cambridge is a small town, and it looks like “they fold up their sidewalks” at night and very few streetlights. But as we left the city heading to my brother-in-law’s home out in the country side, we looked up to the hill and there lighting up the whole area was the cross of Jesus Christ, all lit up and shining in the darkness. It literally took my breath away! It took a lot of work and patience to put that cross up on that hill and nearby is a sign: “Jesus Saves”, and it is also lit for all the world to see and I started singing the old hymn: “Jesus Saves!” Praise the Lord!  And in the daytime, the cross literally by hydraulics goes back into the ground. It reminds me that the cross of Jesus Christ lights up our darkness, whatever that darkness. And it the darkness of the night of sin, it points men and women to the place where Jesus took our sins, and praise the Lord, “Jesus Saves!”  And so this morning I want to point you to the cross once again.

I love the old hymns and sometimes I don’t think we sing them enough. In particular is the old hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross.” It means a lot to me and to you out there. Because of the cross and our Lord’s sacrifice we have salvation, we have eternal life with Him.

When I think of the cross, I also think of the crosses we bear each day. Remember what Jesus said in Luke 9:23:“And He said to them all, if any man will come after me, let Him deny  himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” What cross you are bearing today? Is it a body filled with pain, cancer has returned again and we can only pray that a miracle will come through much prayer and much treatment. Is there a troubled marriage, unsaved children, financial worries? Some of us senior adults have lost our hearing or part of it.  Our bodies are stiff with pain and have faced much illness and loss of strength. Some of our eyes have become dim, and there are many other crosses we bear.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it someday for a crown.

But someday, after we have walked with Jesus and daily carried our “crosses” to the Lord, whatever they may be, we will lay those down after all those years of clinging to that “Old Rugged Cross.” And He promises His faithful ones glorious crowns, and I look forward to that day, a day of joy, when old things pass away and our new life begins forever with Jesus.

So today I want to share the five crowns promised to faithful believers, after a life of service for Him, as we lay our crosses down. He will award each one of us a beautiful crown.  We imagine crowns with jewels, gold, silver and the like. We can only imagine on earthly terms what those crowns would be like and some will receive multiple crowns, as the Word says.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all

Run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may

Obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate

In all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but

We for an imperishable crown.

I Cor. 9:24,25

This crown is the incorruptible crown. This crown is to believers who faithfully run the race, who point men to Jesus. God calls some to do things that will require some sacrifice in the way they will live and conduct their lives, and some serve as missionaries in far off countries, and even today we hear stories of men and women who have given all to serve in dangerous places.  Basically run whatever race that God has set out for you and be the best you can be for God. Be willing to make sacrifices there may be to successfully complete the mission God has set out for you.

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of

Rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus

At His coming? For you are our glory and joy.

I Thess. 2:19,20 and Daniel 12:3

This is the crown of rejoicing. This one is awarded to those who faithfully are witnesses to the saving grace of God and leads souls to Jesus. This crown is also called the soul winner’s crown. It seems to indicate here that God will be giving a crown to those who have been witnessing to others leading people to Christ. Telling others about the grace of God, telling others about Jesus, is the greatest thing that you can do for someone while here on this earth. When you lead someone to Jesus, you have just been used a vessel of God.

Blessed in the man who endures

Temptation; for when he has

Been approved he will receive the crown

Of life which the Lord has promised to

Those who love Him.

James 1:12

This is the crown of life: for those believers who endure trials, tribulations and severe suffering, even unto death (see Revelation 2:8-11). This crown is also referred to as the martyr’s crown.

Jesus says that He will give this crown to those who undergo severe hardship, testing, tribulation and/or physical death on His behalf. Probably being willing to die for your faith in God would be the ultimate sacrifice. It is the greatest act of courage and love you can show God. And I think of those recent martyrs in the Mideast who literally laid down their lives, refusing to renounce their faith in Christ. And oh the joy, when they met Jesus face to face and received their crowns!

Finally, there is laid up for me

The crown of righteousness, which the Lord,

The righteous Judge will give to me on

That Day, and not to me only but

Also to all who have loved His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8

This is the crown of righteousness, given to those who love the appearing of Christ, who anxiously wait and look forward to the day when He will return for His saints. This crown is given to those who have lived and good and righteous life for God while living down here on earth.

If you are a believer and you have been made righteous before God and the Father as a result of Jesus dying on the cross for all our sins. This means that the righteousness of Jesus has now been imputed to you.  And Oh, how I wait for that day when Jesus splits those clouds and we see Him face to face.

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you,

Serving as overseers, not by compulsion

But willingly, not for dishonest gain

But eagerly nor as being lords over

Those entrusted to you, but

Being examples to the flock;

And when the Chief Shepherd

Appears, you will receive the

Crown of glory that does not fade away.

I Peter 5:2-4

This is the crown of Glory and also called the pastor’s crown and will be given to ministers who faithfully feed the flock of God. This would also include preachers, teachers, faithful Sunday School teachers, missionaries and all those who teach the Word of God in their respective ministries. This crown may signify the importance and sacrifices of bringing up others into the ways of God.

God can use you to teach and shepherd others. God shows you the extreme importance that He is placing on those who teach and preach the Word. Being willing to each and educate others after they are saved is one of the greatest things you can do for them this side of heaven.

From the cross to the crown, oh, what a future we have in Jesus. We bare daily those heavy crosses, but just think of the glory crowns you will wear.

AND WHEN THE BATTLE’S OVER

And when the battle's over we shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown!  Yes, we shall wear a crown!
And when the battle's over we shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem
Wear a crown (wear a crown)
Wear a crown (wear a crown)
Wear a bright and shining crown;
And when the battle's over we shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem.

(Isaac Watts)

Blessings in Jesus' Name.

Pastor Sharon