Enduring Tests that Lead to Receiving Crowns
I. THE CENTERPIECE OF GOD’S PURPOSE IS TO JOIN HEAVEN AND EARTH TOGETHER
A. The centerpiece of God’s purpose is to fully establish His Kingdom rule over all the earth as He joins the heavenly
and earthly realms together at the Second Coming of Jesus.
9 Having made known to us the mystery (hidden plan) of His will… which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in
the… fullness of the times He might gather together in one ALL things in Christ, both which are in heaven
and which are on earth--in Him. (Ephesians 1:9-10)
B. Heaven speaks of the supernatural spirit realm where God’s power and presence are openly manifest. It includes
the realm of angels and is the place believers go for the last 2,000 year as a “temporary holding pattern” for disembodied
spirits. Earth speaks of the material physical realm as the place where human process and human emotions and physical
sensation reach their fullest expression. The earthly realm requires a resurrected body to fully relate to it.
II. ALL BELIEVERS WILL STAND BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
A. The Greek word for the “judgment seat” of Christ is “bema seat” or place for reward.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in
the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
5 The Lord comes who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the
hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
B. God’s promises to give the crown of life to all who He approves.
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved (found consistent), he will
receive the crown of life…promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12)
10 Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)
C. There are nine NT references to the crown that a believer may receive from the Lord. Twice the crown is referred to
with the descriptive title the “crown of life” (James 1:12, Revelation 2:10); once the “crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8);
once the “crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4). The different titles probably refer to different nuances of the same reward
(1 Corinthians 9:5, Revelation 3:11, 4:8).
D. The crown of life refers to our capacities to experience and impart God’s life (zoe), glory or the anointing of the
Spirit. In our resurrected body we will all have different spiritual capacities and abilities (1 Corinthians 15:41-42). The
authority to impart God’s life or anointing in our ministry to others in the age-to-come is central to understanding the crown
of life. There will be great joy in having the grace to participate in ministry assignments that are especially near and dear
to Jesus.
41 There is one glory of the sun…another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:41-42)
E. There are two Greek words describing two different types of crowns in the New Testament. One is the crown of a
ruler (Gr. diadem), the other is the crown of a victor (Gr., stephanos) who won a race in the Greek athletic games. The
Greek word “stephanos” denotes a victorious athlete who won a race (not a political ruler).
F. The saints will be rewarded for gaining victory over sin as we resist temptation with endurance.
1 …Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus… (Hebrews 12:1-2)
G. Crowns are only given to overcomers who have endurance in resisting temptation (Revelation 2:10; 3:11). God
esteems and rewards our works. All our obedience is forever remembered by God, therefore, our lives have great dignity
even in the midst of the mundane and routine of life. He dignifies every righteous act in our life. What we do has
significance forever.
H. Stephanos crowns are only given to those who persevere in their fight against temptation (v. 12).
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith
produces patience (endurance). 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking nothing (in obedience in preparation for the Judgment Seat of Christ). 5 If any of you
lacks wisdom (revelation in a trial), let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and
it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting (drawing back in double-mindedness),
for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose
that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the
lowly brother glory in his exaltation (to be seen at the Judgment Seat of Christ), 10 but the rich in his
humiliation (seasons of testing that humble him), because as a flower of the field he will pass away (if all he
has is riches without humble obedience). 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it
withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man (without mature
obedience) also will fade away in his pursuits. 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he
has been approved (found consistent), he will receive the crown of life…promised to those who love Him.
(James 1:2-12)
I. Paul desired to receive the prize of the upward call (crown of righteousness/crown of life). This prize is to walk in the
fullness of the calling in which God ordained for us (in the age-to-come).
10 That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being
conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I
have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ
Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press
toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are
mature, have this mind... (Philippians 3:10-15)
J. Paul presents the Christian life as a champion marathon runner who needs endurance in their preparation with
discipline and restraint (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). A champion must continually keep his end goal in view. The runner must
put aside all extra weights that slow him down. Paul kept his long term goal in mind. The issue here is in running the “right
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize (stephanos crown)? Run
in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now
they do it to obtain a perishable crown (stephanos crown), but we for an imperishable crown (heavenly
stephanos crown). 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty (lack of vision or focus). Thus I fight: not
as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached
to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
K. We are made complete by bringing all the major issues in our life (not sinless perfection) into obedience. Then we
continue in this with endurance until the end. Paul knew that many are disqualified before the end of the race because
they lose their vigilance. Paul had not yet attained because his race (life) was not yet finished. We must continue until the
end to receive the reward.
26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.
(Revelation 2:26)
L. Paul was not assured of finishing the race with the highest reward until his final days in prison in Rome when he
knew the time of his death had come.
6 I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 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 4:6-8)
III. FAITH INVOLVES RECEIVING TESTIMONY THAT WE ARE PLEASING TO GOD
1 Now faith is the substance (title deed) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the
elders obtained a good testimony (about their lives). 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice
than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous…5 By faith Enoch was taken away so
that he did not see death…for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God…24 By faith
Moses…25 choosing rather to suffer affliction…26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the
treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward…32 For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon…of David and
Samuel and the prophets…33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness…35 And others
were tortured, not accepting deliverance (by compromising), that they might obtain a better resurrection.
36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment…39 All these,
having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise (New Jerusalem)…
(Hebrews 11:1-39)
A. David received a testimony about his life before God in the age-to-come.
4 The LORD God of Israel chose me above all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever…
(1 Chronicles 28:4)
B. The apostles received a testimony about their life before God in the age-to-come.
28 Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the
Throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of
Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)
C. Jesus told people to take up their cross with view to receiving eternal rewards.
lf, and take up his cross, and follow Me…27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father…and then
He will reward each according to his works. (Matthew 16:24-27)
IV. WALKING IN OUR FULL POTENTIAL IN THE AGE-TO-COME
2 We…rejoice in hope (confidence) of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces perseverance (endurance); 4 and perseverance, character; and character,
hope. 5 Now hope (to experience eternal glory) does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured
out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit… (Romans 5:2-5)
A. Paul wrote about walking in our full potential in God in the age-to-come. We rejoice in trials only by knowing that our
struggle produces endurance which then produces proven character in us. These are essential for all who want to walk in
their full potential in the age-to-come. This is more than a determination to think positively about a negative situation or to
try to make the best out of it. Endurance refers to spiritual fortitude that stays steady under pressure and is made even
stronger by, more pressure.
B. Proven character means the quality of "having been proved or openly manifest to others”. It strengthens our hope
or confidence by allowing us to see the future even more clearly (as the fog clears). Jesus said that only the pure in heart
can see clearly (Matthew 5:6). Sufferings do not weaken our hope, but they change us so that we increase in our ability to
see with confidence. Hope is not static but is like a muscle that grows weaker without use or stronger with use. Difficulty
makes us review often why it is we need to endure instead of quit by giving up and giving in. As we regularly review our life
we see more clearly. The lack of reviewing causes hope to diminish.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested
(refined through constant use) by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus
Christ… (1 Peter 1:6-7)
C. We rejoice in hope or confidence in the future knowing it will not disappoint us; that is, it will not allow us to be put to
shame (v. 5). Wholehearted Christians need not fear that their judgment will "put them to shame" as the Spirit bears
witness in us (Romans 8:15).
28 Abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His
coming. (1 John 2:28)
17 Love has been perfected…in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is,
so are we in this world. 18 …Perfect love casts out fear. (1 John 4:17-18)