Agape Christian Center

WHAT ARE THE SIX CROWNS

Revelation 4:10 (NLT)
10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,

1. It is from this verse that we get the belief that we will all present our crowns to Jesus.

2. It shows that He is the King over all Kings.

a. He made is to be kings and priests

3. If you think about it, a crown is an insignificant gift for the One Who created the universe.

Revelation 4:11 (NLT)
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

4. This will be our declaration to Him.
5. But what are:

a. the crowns that we will present to Him

b. and how do we earn them

6. The first crown is easy to obtain.

#1. THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

2 Timothy 4:8 (KJV)
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.

7. This crown is earned by keeping an eye out for His return.

8. We could call this “a watchers crown”.

a. but not all believers will get one

b. why
2 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)
3 Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. 4 They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”

9. Some folks will see the Lord’s return as a joke.

#2. THE INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN

1 Corinthians 9:24 (KJV)
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

10. Your life is like a contest.

1 Corinthians 9:25 (KJV)
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.

11. The key to winning this crown is to be...

temperate - Gk - enkrateuomai

- pronounced “eng-krat-yoo'-om-ahee”

a. to exercise self-restraint

b. to stay in control

1 Corinthians 9:26 (KJV)
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

12. Paul states that he is not exempt.

a. but what needs to be kept under control

1 Corinthians 9:27 (KJV)
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.



13. Your body!

subjection - Gk - doulagōgeō

- pronounced “doo-lag-ogue-eh”

a. to be a slave driver

14. The implication is that you do not let your body:

a. dictate what it wants despite knowing better

b. cravings, lusts, appetites, addictions

15. The bottom line is that you stay in the game despite what life or satan throws at you.

16. This is also called “the runner’s crown”.

a. because life is like a marathon run



#3. THE CROWN OF LIFE

17. This next crown is for those who have suffered unfairly in life.


Matthew 5:11 (KJV)
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

revile you - to be verbally abused or criticized

persecute you - being treated with hostility or treated wrongly for a long time

say all manner of evil against you falsely - your accused of things you didn’t do

for my sake - all because you love and want to serve Him

Matthew 5:12 (KJV)
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

18. This puts you in league with the prophets of old.
James 1:12 (KJV)
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.

endureth temptation - temptation could be anything

19. Temptation to:

a. quit, give in, give up, leave or divorce

b. retaliate

c. give into lust, cravings, addictions or appetites

Revelation 2:10 (KJV)
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.

prison - literal and/or emotional

tribulation - hard and difficult times

a. that shakes your faith, trust and confidence

faithful unto death - even if it kills you

a. think of martyrs

20. It’s for those who choose to remain faithful until Jesus comes or takes them home.

#4. THE SHEPHERDS CROWN

1 Peter 5:1 (KJV)
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:

21. Elders are defined in several ways in this verse.

1) Seniors who have walked with God for a long time and help guide others.

2) Especially shepherds, meaning pastors.

3) Presbyters, bishops and overseers of the churches.

1 Peter 5:2 (KJV)
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;

22. These church leaders are supposed to:

feed the flock - preaching, teaching, mentoring, training, trying to set the example

taking the oversight thereof - keep a careful eye out

a. for potential people to do ministry

b. for wolves, goats (trouble makers)

c. disgruntled or hypersensitive members

d. possible new church leaders and ministers
not by constraint - not because you're being forced to

but willingly - you understand your doing it for God

a. not to climb the corporate ladder

not for filthy lucre - your not in it for the money, recognition, title or position

but of a ready mind - always ready and willing

1 Peter 5:3 (KJV)
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Neither as being lords over God's heritage - not being bossy and telling others what to do

being ensamples to the flock - being loving and tender as the need demands

23. These are the 8 qualifications for this crown.
1 Peter 5:4 (KJV)
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

#5. THE MORNING STAR CROWN

24. To some folks this crown is questionable.

Revelation 2:26-28 (KJV)
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star.

25. Notice the qualifications for this crown:

he that overcometh - you refuse to let the devil and circumstances t stop you

and keepeth my works unto the end - you do whatever needs to be done for the ministry

a. whether it is teaching or preaching

b. cleaning, vacuuming, taking out the trash

c. doing whatever a pastor needs done

26. You will earn:

power over the nations - you will assist Jesus in governing the nations

And I will give him the morning star - a prestigious crown for exceptional servanthood unto Jesus

27. The ext crown I feel is the most important one that demonstrates your love towards God.

#6. THE CROWN OF REJOICING

28. Also known as “the soul winners crown”.

a. winning others to Jesus




1 Thessalonians 2:19 (KJV)
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?

29. You receive this crown at the rapture.

Proverbs 11:30 (KJV)
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

30. Winning souls is the wisest thing you can do to serve God.

a. you unload hell and load up heaven





Prayer of Salvation

Dear Lord,
I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask that you forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross to save me. You did for me what I could not do for myself and I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life. Lord, I love you. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. Thank you that I will spend eternity with you.

Amen


Biography: Teaching and Sermon Notes
Dr. John Pelizzari has been serving God since 1982. He is married to Dr. Karen Pelizzari. He is founder and Senior Pastor of Agape Christian Center in Belton, Texas. He is a Certified Teacher in Theology from Calvary Bible Institute. He has a Bachelors degree from Calvary Theological Seminary and a Doctorate from Southwestern Christian University. In addition, he is a Certified Faith Based Counselor from the Faith Based Counselor Training Institute, a Certified Faith Based Clinical Counselor and a Board Certified Faith Based Clinical Therapist from the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling. He is a Certified Pastoral Member, Teacher and International Representative of the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling on Creation Therapy. His memberships include the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches and Ministries International, the American Association of Christian Counselors, and the International Charismatic Bible Ministries.
His apostolic calling has founded Called and Chosen International: a fellowship of churches and ministries working together for the cause of Christ that spans the globe.
Dr. John has a vast multimedia ministry which includes a library full of sermon notes and life changing messages, along with in-depth study guides ranging from the Book of Revelation to the Hosts of Heaven. He is a teacher of the Word and a trainer of the ministry, desiring to mold disciples after the Kingdom of God and launch ministers into their gifts and calling.
For more information please contact us at:
Agape Christian Center
321 North Penelope Belton, Texas 76513
www.agape-tx.org 254-939-WORD


Bibliography
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3. Nelson, Thomas. Nelson’s Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1980.
4. Mears, Henrietta. What the Bible is All About. Ventura: Regal, 1999.
5. Halley, Henry H. Haley’s Bible Handbook. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing, 1965.
6. Nelson, Thomas. Nelson’s Three-in-One Bible Reference Companion. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
7. Young, Robert. Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible. Grand Rapids: Eerdmann’s, 1970.
8. Dake, Finis Jennings. Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible. Lawrenceville, GA: Dake, 1963.
9. Vine, W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1989.
10. Wilson, Walter L. A Dictionary of Bible Types. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1999.
11. Robert T. Boyd, World’s Bible Handbook. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1983.
12. Dake, Finis Jennings. God’s Plan for Man. Lawrenceville, GA: Dake, 1949.
13. Flavius Josephus. The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged. Trans. William Whiston. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1987
14. Freeman, James M. Manners and Customs of the Bible. Plainfield, NJ: Logos, 1972.
15. Tenney, Merrill C. The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1967.
16. The Works of Philo: Complete and Unabridged. Trans. C. D. Yonge. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1993.
17. The Book of Enoch. Public Domain.
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19. The Book of Jubilees. Public Domain.
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21. Wikipedia


Prayer of Salvation

Dear Lord,
I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask that you forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross to save me. You did for me what I could not do for myself and I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life. Lord, I love you. Help me to live everyday in a way that pleases you. Thank you that I will spend eternity with you..

Amen