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Text: James 1:12; Revelation 2:10

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Listen as Dean Self teaches on the Crown of Life also known as the Martyr's Crown.

 

Intro- Talbot Seminary study states that there is an average of 165,000 martyrs each year.

1. What gave those martyrs the courage to face death and stay true to their convictions?

2. Do I have what it takes to face death and stay true to Christ?

            - Let’s look at the verses to see if we can get a handle on what it takes.
 
I. James 1:12

* Blessed = to be spiritually prosperous
* endures temptation = “to remain under” or “tested”!

dokimazo- a testing in the hope and expectation that it would be found approved. 
I Corinthians 3:13 is a good example.  The purpose is to approve the works done under the power of the Holy Spirit and the expectation is great to a point that God will give a “well done, enter into the joy of the Lord”

peirazo- a testing to pierce, search or attempt to find a fault or putting a man to the test with the intention of breaking him under that test.  Revelation 2:2 is a good example.  The test here was to test them to a point that they would give themselves away because of their evil intentions.

diadema = to bind around. It was a ribbon or turban and speaks or kingly authority

stephanos  = victor’s crown given to champions of athletic events for their superior training and victory in their race. This crown was named after Stephan the first martyr in the New Testament.

In this verse, we have a Christian being solicited to do evil. He has successfully met the test by refusing to sin. His reward is the “stephanos of life”!
 
Note: The Greek reads like this-the crown of the life is his reward.

THIS IS NOT ETERNAL LIFE (Ryrie says it is!)

1. The believer already has eternal life at the moment of salvation.
2. If he did not have eternal life, he would not be able to overcome the temptation.
3. The reward is given for what the believer has done, whereas, salvation is what Christ has done. (not by works-Ef.2:8,9)

 

unto = up to the point and including death. (Phil. 2:8)
tribulation = is the Greek word : “thlipsis” - to crush by applying heavy pressure.
death = means death! 

Revelation 14:14 - we see Christ with the last “stephanos”(the victor’s crown)

 

1. You are indestructible till God is finished with you. (Ps. 31:14,15) “But I trust in thee, O Lord; I said, Thou art my God. My times are in Thy hands; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from them that persecute me.”

2. Death is tamed! (I Cor. 15:55) “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

3. Nothing matters more than knowing God’s purpose for your life and nothing can compensate for not knowing it!

4. You were not put on the earth to be remembered! You were put here to prepare for eternity.

5. Life is a temporary assignment! (Ps. 39:4-6) “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered - how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire life is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”