Striving for the Crown

Introduction:
An incorruptible crown has been promised to Christians. This crown is a symbol of our reward of heaven & eternal life. Paul made a reference here to the Olympic games that were so common in Greek culture. The crown winners received in the Olympics were corruptible. Today there is often great celebration, competition to obtain corruptible crowns. Christians can have an incorruptible crown—the right to an eternal inheritance. Are you looking forward to this inheritance? Tonight, we will spend time talking about the incorruptible crown.

I. What is this incorruptible crown?
    A. 1 Cor. 9:23-24—it is a prize.
        1. 1 Pet. 5:4—Peter calls this crown a crown of glory
        2. 2 Tim. 4:8—Paul calls it a crown of righteousness.
    B. Rev. 2:10—Jesus calls it the crown of life.
    C. These things all reduce to the same thing.

II. Who is the giver of this crown?
    A. 2 Tim. 4:8—the Lord.
    B. What an honor! See Mt. 25:34-39 for a picture of the judgment.
        1. Must serve Him in order to obtain it! Eph. 2:10

III. Who will wear this incorruptible crown?
    A. Answer: 1 Cor. 9:25-26—the Christian who runs/fights & pleases God.
        1. Discipline oneself is needed.
        2. FC Christians had to suffer persecution; trials; false teachers; etc.
    B. Lk. 14:26-27—involves a love for the Lord above all else.

IV. What is the value of this crown?
    A. The one who wears this crown will have victory over sin
        1. 1 Cor. 1:1-2; 6:9-11; Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21
    B. The one who wears this crown will have victory over death
        1. 1 Cor. 15:54-58
    C. The one who wears this crown will have victory at the judgment
        1. Mt. 25:34; 1 Cor. 9:23-27

Conclusion:
    A. Don’t put all your emphasis on material things. Will not profit much in the end!
        1. Mt. 16:26
    B. Live your life in a way that you will obtain this incorruptible crown!



Striving for the Crown Introduction: An incorruptible crown has been promised to Christians. This crown is a symbol of our reward of heaven & eternal life. Paul made a reference here to the Olympic games that were so common in Greek culture. The crown winners received in the Olympics were corruptible. Today there is often great celebration, competition to obtain corruptible crowns. Christians can have an incorruptible crown—the right to an eternal inheritance. Are you looking forward to this inheritance? Tonight, we will spend time talking about the incorruptible crown. I. What is this incorruptible crown? A. 1 Cor. 9:23-24—it is a prize. 1. 1 Pet. 5:4—Peter calls this crown a crown of glory 2. 2 Tim. 4:8—Paul calls it a crown of righteousness. B. Rev. 2:10—Jesus calls it the crown of life. C. These things all reduce to the same thing. II. Who is the giver of this crown? A. 2 Tim. 4:8—the Lord. B. What an honor! See Mt. 25:34-39 for a picture of the judgment. 1. Must serve Him in order to obtain it! Eph. 2:10 III. Who will wear this incorruptible crown? A. Answer: 1 Cor. 9:25-26—the Christian who runs/fights & pleases God. 1. Discipline oneself is needed. 2. FC Christians had to suffer persecution; trials; false teachers; etc. B. Lk. 14:26-27—involves a love for the Lord above all else. IV. What is the value of this crown? A. The one who wears this crown will have victory over sin 1. 1 Cor. 1:1-2; 6:9-11; Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21 B. The one who wears this crown will have victory over death 1. 1 Cor. 15:54-58 C. The one who wears this crown will have victory at the judgment 1. Mt. 25:34; 1 Cor. 9:23-27 Conclusion: A. Don’t put all your emphasis on material things. Will not profit much in the end! 1. Mt. 16:26 B. Live your life in a way that you will obtain this incorruptible crown!