Sermon Central
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Crowns For The King's Kids
Contributed by Andy Grossman on May 13, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: Crowns the Christian will wear
“Crowns for the King’s Kids”
May 18, 2008
I have been telling you for years that if you are a King’s kid – then that means you are princes and princesses. Isn’t that what we call the children of a king? There’s Prince Charles and Prince Andrew and Prince William. There’s Princess Fergie and Princess Di and Princess Beatrice. These are all the king’s kids, in one way or the other, and they are all heir apparent to the throne of England. That means it is possible for any one of them to be king or queen some day. A lot of their relatives would have to die to make it possible – but there is a slim possibility they could inherit the throne one day.
We, Christians, are of royal family, too. The Scripture says,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God…”
”I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”
”Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
”Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you.”
The King of kings says in His Word that, as His children, we have an inheritance – we have a part in His kingdom. We don’t know exactly what it will be – but we know Him. We know He is good and the creator of all that is good. So Paul says we have been called to ‘riches’; we have been called to a ‘glorious’ inheritance. Peter says it will never perish, spoil or fade. And it is kept in heaven for you. One of my favorite verses says,
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9
Can you understand that? Can you wrap your mind around that idea that you are a part of a royal family with an inheritance that would make the King of England’s look puny in comparison? God has plans for you. God has wild, fantastic, wonderful plans for you and for me. I don’t know what they are just yet – but I know they are good.
Along with those plans and that inheritance, God has revealed that we will receive a number of crowns. A prince or a princess ought to have a crown – don’t you think. Well, God says we have one – or actually more than one. The first one we get here on earth. It’s not so nice – but it is so necessary. It is a crown like our Saviors. 1. It is a crown of thorns. The bible says,
“everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” 2 Timothy 3:12
”Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13
You WILL have to wear a crown of thorns in this life. If they persecuted Jesus – they well persecute you. This is NOT our inheritance. This is not our kingdom. This is not our home. We are just passing through. And as strangers and aliens – we will wear a crown of thorns. Satan, the world, our own fleshly bodies will see to that. But it will be worth it. First of all, in this life – it builds our character. It gives us opportunity to grow and mature and to become Christ-like. So your trials of life are meant to make you better. God would not allow them if that were not so. If you are given a crown of thorns to wear – wear it patiently and proudly and use it for what it is meant for – for personal growth.
It will be worth it to wear the crown of thorns, secondly, for eternity. Paul wrote:
“If we died with Him – we will also live with Him. If we endure – we will also reign with Him.”
(2 Tim 2:11-12)
So after we have worn the crown of thorns for awhile – we will exchange it for another crown. We call this crown – the “Crown of Life”. The bible says,
