Sunday School Lesson Outlines

Heaven Series - Crowns

There are a lot of benefits and rewards to being a child of the King.

Matthew 16:27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and will then recompense every man according to his deeds." NASB

Make no mistake - your salvation is not your reward. Salvation is a free gift.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." NASB

Crowns are rewards you earn, and there are five of them that you can earn!

Crown #1: The Crown Of Life
This crown is promised to those who love God and endures trials and temptations.

Revelation 2:10 "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." NASB

This crown is also mention in James 1:12.

James 1:12 "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the drown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." NASB

Our love for God gives us the strength to endure. Hebrews reminds us of Jesus' endurance under the supreme test, and begs us not to rely on our own personal strength.

Hebrews 12:1-2 "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." NASB

Crown #2: The Crown Of Glory
This crown can be earned by those who take care of or lead God's flock.

1 Peter 5:1-4 "Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory." NASB

Some believe this crown is reserved for pastors, and still others say for pastors and teachers - but any Christian can earn this crown. It has to do with helping believers grow in Christ so they can serve in God's kingdom; disciple making.

Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." NASB

Jesus' last command should be our first. We are charged with the responsibility of discipling the nations. Jesus commands us to be disciples and to make disciples.

Crown #3: The Crown Of Rejoicing or Crown of Joy
This is the soul winner's reward.

Jesus said "I will make you fishers of men." You will add men and women to the kingdom because of the testimony you give with your life and your lips. Paul led the Thessalonians to Christ and that would have earned him the crown of rejoicing at the last day in Christ's presence when Jesus comes back.

1 Thessalonians 2:19 "For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?" NASB

If you are faithful to proclaim Christ to others during this life, then this crown will belong to you on that day.

Crown #4: The Crown Of Righteousness
For those living with the expectancy of the second coming.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." NASB

Jesus wants us to live waiting and watching for His return, dedicating our lives to building the Kingdom. My father (pastor) used to say "always be looking out the window for Christ".

Crown #5: The Incorruptible Crown or Victor's Crown
The Incorruptible crown is won by those who did not give into (or yield to) their fleshly lusts and worldly pleasures.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 "And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified." NASB

Personal discipleship and self-denial will secure the incorruptible crown. The world today says if it gives pleasure - do it. But Jesus has a challenge.

Luke 9:23-24 "And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.'" NASB

The crowns are not won for any heroic deed of faith - but for obeying the simple command of Scripture. The Bible tells us to take this matter seriously, seeking the things that will count for eternity. Crowns are for those who go the extra mile - the King James Version even mentions striving.

The best part about crowns, ironically, is that we don't keep them. We will lay them down at His feet as it is He that is worthy of all that we have obtained in this life.

Revelation 4:9-11 "And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne,, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 'Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created.'" NASB

We have only scratched the surface on this subject. Hopefully, through reading this there has been a new interest in the study the crowns, and what an honor it will be to place as many as we can at His feet. He gave his Son for us. The crowns represent our willingness and understanding to live our earthly life in total love, humility and obedience to Him. The thief on the cross may not have a crown to lay at His feet as he was saved moments before he died. Therefore, some may have more crown than others. I, for one, wish to live my life as to gain as many heavenly riches to lay at His feet, because He is worthy of more than I could ever do or give.

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