Casting Crowns 1 Corinthians 3 10 15 VOICE

Casting Crowns

1 Corinthians 3: 10 -15 (VOICE) 10 Like a skilled architect and master builder, I laid a foundation based upon God’s grace given to me. Now others will come along to build on the foundation. Each serves in a different way and is to build upon it with great care. 11 There is, in fact, only one foundation, and no one can lay any foundation other than Jesus the Anointed. 12 As others build on the foundation (whether with gold, silver, gemstones, wood, hay, or straw), 13 the quality of each person’s work will be revealed in time as it is tested by fire. 14 If a man’s work stands the test of fire, he will be rewarded. 15 If a man’s work is consumed by the fire, his reward will be lost but he will be spared, rescued from the fire.

Our Building Methods Will Be Discovered 10 Like a skilled architect and master builder, I laid a foundation based upon God’s grace given to me. Now others will come along to build on the foundation. Each serves in a different way and is to build upon it with great care. 11 There is, in fact, only one foundation, and no one can lay any foundation other than Jesus the Anointed.

Our Master, the Lord Jesus, has entrusted us with His business and He will require that each of His stewards give an account of their service unto Him when He returns. 1 Pet. 4: 10. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ” 1 Cor. 4: 2. “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. ” We will answer for the lives we are living in this world.

But, this judgment will not determine whether or not we get into Heaven. That was decided when you received Jesus as your Savior. This judgment will not take into account our sins. They were paid for at the cross. Praise God!

Our Materials Will Be Discovered

What is important to us? Will it be worth anything in heaven’s eyes? Are we busy making a name for yourself, or are we living for a prize that will never fade away? Whose attention do we clamor for? Whose approval do we really want? Who have we set up to be the judge over your lives?

There Are Worthy Materials - Gold, Silver and Precious Stones.

There Are Worthless Materials - Wood, Hay and Stubble.

Just how does one determine the difference between works that will burn and works that will endure the flames of judgment? Let’s look at some areas that are sure to be judged by the Lord.

How We Treat Others - Heb. 6: 10; Matt. 10: 41 -42 How We Exercise Authority Over Others Heb. 13: 17, James 3: 1 How We Use Our God-given Abilities 1 Cor. 12: 4; 1 Cor. 12: 11; 1 Pet. 4: 10 How We Use Our Money 2 Cor. 9: 6 -7; 1 Cor. 16: 2; Mal. 3: 8 -10 How We Spend Our Time Psa. 90: 12; Eph. 5: 16; Col. 4: 5; 1 Pet. 1: 17 How Much We Suffer For The Lord Rom. 8: 18; 2 Cor. 4: 17; Matt. 5: 11 -12; Mark 10: 29 -30.

How We Run The Race God Has Chosen For Us Heb. 12: 1; 1 Cor. 9: 24; Phil. 2: 16; Phil. 3: 13 -14. How Effectively We Control The Old Nature 1 Cor. 9: 25 -27. How Many Souls We Witness To And Win To Jesus Pro. 11: 30; Dan. 12: 3; 1 Thes. 2: 19 -20. How We React To Temptation James 1: 2 -3. How Much We Love The Rapture 2 Tim. 4: 8. How Faithful We Are To The Word Of God And To The Flock Of God Acts 20: 26 -28; 2 Tim. 4: 1 -2; 1 Pet. 5: 2 -4.

Our Ministry Will Be Discovered

We cannot look around us and tell much about a person's works by what we see. However, on that day, there will be no hiding from the truth! Every motive, every work, every secret thought, every self-serving motive will be revealed for all to see! The fire of Christ's judgment will make the truth known!

Men may not see the value of our service, but Jesus takes perfect note and He will reward us fairly for our sacrifice for Him. (Mark 9: 41) (Matt. 25: 34 -40)

We will be rewarded for how we lived our faith here on earth. Matthew 16: 27 --“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. ” Ephesians 6: 8 --“You know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does. ”

1 Cor. 3: 8 – “The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. ” Philippians 3: 14—“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ”

Why is He going to give us crowns?

Revelation 4: 9 -11 (VOICE) 9 And when the living creatures declared glory and honor and thanksgiving to the One seated on the throne, the One who lives throughout all the ages, 10 the twenty-four elders fell prostrate before the One seated on the throne, worshiped the One who lives throughout all the ages, cast their golden wreaths (crowns) before throne, and chanted to Him. 11 24 Elders: Worthy are You, O Lord; worthy are You, O God, to receive glory and honor and power. You alone created all things, and through Your will and by Your design, they exist and were created.

There are five different crowns available as rewards for believers. It is conceivable that we might receive more than one! The Incorruptible Crown - Awarded for faithfulness to the Lord - 1 Cor. 9: 25 -26. The Crown of Incorruption is given to those who live a disciplined life. Competing in this game of life means that winners "do not run like a man running aimlessly, ” but have a purpose, and a goal in life.

The Crown Of Life - For the person who with patience endures trials and overcomes temptation - James 1: 12. "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life. ’

The Crown Of Rejoicing - This is the soul winners crown - 1 Thes. 2: 19 -20, and is given to those who joyously express their faith, leading others to Christ.

The Crown Of Righteousness - This will be given to those who anticipate and live in the light of (eagerly wait for) the return of Jesus. - 2 Tim. 4: 8

The Crown Of Glory-This will be given to the faithful ministers who give themselves to lead and feed the flock of God 1 Pet. 5: 1 -4. Those who are faithful in ministering the Word. The apostle Peter gave us these guidelines: "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of ’Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseer. . . as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. "

If we are on the right foundation, what kind of materials are we building with? Are we using gold, silver and precious stones? Are we building a life to the glory of God? Are we building with good actions and attitudes? Heaven's Coronation Day is coming. How it turns out is all up to us.

Those crowns we receive, we cast before His feet, signifying that His position and authority is greater than ours. We will fully realize that we are only present in Heaven because God Himself allowed us to be. Better yet, HE MADE A WAY FOR US TO BE THERE WITH HIM!! The only way that we could have a crown is because: - God loved us - He extended His Grace toward us - He sent His Son to die for us - He gifted us to serve - He equipped us for victory

Hang in there, our time here is brief. Psalm 39: 4 (NLT) 4 “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is.

References Getting Crowned -- Pat Cook Heaven’s Throne Room – Dennis Davidson A Pile of Crowns – Kevin L. Jones HEAVEN'S CORONATION DAY – Alan Carr