The Crown of Glory
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 11/29/2020
Foundation Scriptures:
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1 Peter 5:1-4 NKJV
1. The Crown of Glory (Crown #4).
a. The Crown of Glory is awarded to pastors and elders who were faithful ministers of the Gospel.
b. It is for all those who were called of God, who obeyed Him in their calling, and who faithfully served His people.
c. Ephesians 4:11-13 NKJV — And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
d. God has called some people to be in full-time ministry and He has called others to serve in a “ministry of helps” capacity.
e. 1 Corinthians 12:28 KJV — And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
2. Shepherds of the Flock.
a. 1 Peter 5:2
b. The people belong to God, not man—they are His sheep, His flock.
c. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, and we are under-shepherds, who answer directly to Him.
d. When He comes, He will award the Crown of Glory to the shepherds who carried out their responsibilities diligently and in a spirit of love and truth.
e. As ministers of the Gospel, we are responsible to faithfully tend the flock of God; nurturing, guarding and guiding them.
f. Ministers must have a good attitude about their calling.
g. The Lord wants you to do it willingly—not by coercion or constraint or compulsion.
h. Do it because you want to do it; do it because you want to please God!
i. We should not be dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits belonging to the office (Vs. 2 AMPC).
j. Never minister to God’s people for a money motive nor any other selfish reason.
k. Do not calculate what you can get out of it.
l. What we should do is be spontaneous, be cheerful, and be eagerly happy to serve.
3. Lead by Example.
a. 1 Peter 5:3
b. Ministers are in a place of leadership but should never use that authority to dominate others.
c. Never be arrogant, dictatorial, or overbearing and do not bossily tell others what to do.
d. Rather, be a good example to the flock (the congregation).
e. You can be both firm and kind, tenderly showing them the way.
f. Be a pattern and model of faith and Christian living.
g. Live what you believe and practice what you preach!
h. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 AMPC -— But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].
4. Work Together to Build the Kingdom of God.
a. Everyone has their part to do.
b. Leaders are to lead in the Spirit of Christ and the flock is to respect and work with the leadership that the Lord has placed over them.
c. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ERV — Now brothers and sisters, we ask you to recognize the value of those who work hard among you—those who, as followers of the Lord, care for you and tell you how to live. 13 Show them the highest respect and love because of the work they do. Live in peace with each other.
d. We do the work, but God is still in charge.
e. He is the Boss and He pays the wages!
f. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 ERV — I planted the seed and Apollos watered it. But God is the one who made the seed grow. 7 So the one who plants is not important, and the one who waters is not important. Only God is important, because he is the one who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have the same purpose. And each one will be rewarded for his own work. 9 We are workers together for God, and you are like a farm that belongs to God. And you are a house that belongs to God.
g. Give it ALL you’ve got, but don’t try to do it in your own strength!
h. Colossians 1:28-29 AMPC — Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One). 29 For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me.
i. Lean on the Lord—He will empower you with superhuman energy!
5. The Reward of Your Labor.
a. 1 Peter 5:4 says that when the Chief Shepherd appears, those who have earned it will receive the Crown of Glory that does not fade away.
b. The Greek word for “crown” is stephanos, which is the crown awarded at the games.
c. It was made of olive or laurel and soon faded.
d. The Crown of Glory, which the Lord will give to His under-shepherds, is eternal and will outlast the ages.
e. Hebrews 6:10 AMPC — For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name’s sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do.