THE CHRISTIANS’ CROWN TODAY

All Topics, Authority, God's Promises, Hope

PULPIT TODAY SERMON

Robert D. Pace

How would you like to wear a crown today? You can! And we will investigate how in today’s message.

Introduction

The Bible speaks of a day when all Christians will be rewarded. This occurs at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-12) and is likely the venue where Believers will be awarded their crown (or crowns), which signify how they have triumphed through Christ during their earthly journey. This adornment also represents one’s faithful service of love in the Kingdom of God (John 14:15). Christians that have been faithful over a little will be rewarded with rulership over much (Matthew 25:23).

The Bible mentions 5 different crowns that await a Believer’s arrival into Heaven: (1) The Crown of Life; (2) The Crown of Rejoicing; (3) The Crown of Righteousness; (4) The Crown of Glory; and (5) The Incorruptible Crown. (A study of each is quite edifying!) While these diadems are wonderful, they cannot be worn in this present life. That’s because the Christian race is not over! These 5 headpieces are reserved strictly for the hereafter. However, there is a crown that Christians can wear today and that’s what I want to discuss.

In light of hermeneutical fairness, I need to approach this topic with a caveat. The Bible rarely cites a specific, visible crown that is provided for Believers in this life. Thus, while my remarks concerning this crown are genuine; they are also symbolic. Let me explain.

    In Leviticus 8:19 and Exodus 29:6 God commanded Moses to adorn Israel’s High Priest with a literal crown when it says: “And he set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden plate, the holy crown, as the Lord commanded Moses.” In Zechariah 3:5 Joshua the High Priest is also mentioned as wearing a crown/turban.

    We see too that God permitted Israel’s kings to wear crowns in their course of service.

But the New Testament never mentions a physical crown of silver or gold that belongs to Christians now. However . . . there are passages that identify a figurative crown Believers can wear today.

    Psalm 103:4 says, “[The Lord] redeems your life from the pit, [and] who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.”

    Psalm 8:5 says: “Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”

If you could glimpse into the spiritual dimension and see with the eyes of angels you would perceive this crown of “steadfast love and mercy.” You would see Believers adorned with the glory and honor of Christ Jesus.

(Transition) As real as these spiritual crowns are I also believe there is one other that Believers wear today. But before I identify it I want to first explain the significance of a crown.

The Significance of a Crown

1. A crown is a symbol of exaltation and is meant to be seen (Psalm 132:17-18; Ezekiel 16:11-14).

2. A crown represents a position of authority (Revelation 6:2).

3. A crown represents a victorious one; a champion (Revelation 2:9-10).

4. A crown represents kingship and royalty (Isaiah 28:5).

5. A crown shows that one is separated from the masses and given a special identity (Exodus 39:30; Isaiah 62:1-3).

As you can see, the Bible shows that God placed regal significance upon a crown. And that’s why God has reserved a specific crown for each Believer in heaven. It’s a trophy that will never fade or lose its meaning. And you will wear it throughout eternity! But let’s return to the present. What about that crown God has for Christians today? What is that crown? The answer: It is my belief that Christ provides a glorious Crown of Hope for all willing to claim it! And I want to explain what makes the Crown of Hope significant.

(Definition) Hope is defined as “desire with the expectation of good.” It is “a deep, settled longing for something that most certainly will arrive.” Genuine hope is not a dreamy, whimsical “wish upon a star.” It is solid and sure. Its reality is as certain as the rising of the sun.

With that definition in mind, let me reiterate point 5 (from above) that expresses the significance of a crown. “A crown shows that one is separated from the masses and given a unique identity.” Do you see what this means?

    The Crown of Hope is what separates Christians from the despairing mass of humanity.

    The Crown of Hope keeps us conscious of the promises, blessings, and rewards that are in Christ both now and forever.

    The Crown of Hope is the spiritual adornment, wrapped around our mind, which generates sound thinking and keeps us “on track.”

    The Crown of Hope is what testifies: “I’m trusting and hoping in God, and I will never be put to shame” (Isaiah 49:23).

    The Crown of Hope is Abraham wore when Romans 4:18 says, “In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”

Hope is the virtue that God wants every Christian crowned with today!

(Transition) For the next few minutes let’s investigate the spiritual enrichment that comes from wearing the Crown of Hope that Christ provides today.

Provisions of the Crown of Hope

1. The Crown of Hope testifies that Christ in us is the guarantee of glory.

    “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

    “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4).

2. The Crown of Hope reminds Christians that their future is secured by Christ Jesus.

    “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13).

3. The Crown of Hope reminds us to persevere and remain faithful and in so doing we will receive all the promises of Heaven.

    “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (24) For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? (25) But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:23-25).

    “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12).

    “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. (10) Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:9-10).

4. The Crown of Hope reminds us to anticipate the Lord’s Return.

    “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, (12) training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, (13) waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).

    “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (3) And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

5. The Crown of Hope expects a reward for suffering.

    ‘Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

6. The Crown of Hope assures us that hope in Christ shall never bring disappointment.

    “Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.” (Isaiah 49:23).

7. The Crown of Hope reminds us that God will resurrect our mortal bodies and give us an immortal body like unto Christ’s.

    “Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial” (Acts 23:6).

    “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (24) For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? (25) But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:23-25).

    “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (2) Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (3) And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:1-3).

8. The Crown of Hope reveals that hope itself is an essential virtue of the Christian life (1 Corinthians 13:1), so much so, that without hope life has no meaning.

    “My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; (18) so I say, “My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the LORD” (Lamentations 3:17-18).

    “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle and come to their end without hope” (Job 7:6).

9. The Crown of Hope reminds us that we have God’s constant assistance throughout life’s tests, struggles, and opportunities.

    “Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame” (Isaiah 49:23).

10. The Crown of Hope reminds us that God is always working for our good.

    “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (2) Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, (4) and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, (5) and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:1-5).

What provisions! What promises! All through the Crown of Hope in Christ Jesus!

I encourage all Believers to maintain a spiritual practice of placing the Crown of Hope upon your head as a reminder of what is yours through Christ.

Conclusion

As we wear this Crown of Hope we acknowledge that it is not a trophy for our victories or accomplishments. Rather, it represents what Christ has done and promised on our behalf. Thus, we rejoice in hope as we wear this crown.