(1 Thessalonians 2:17-20)…..But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?” We would do well to ask ourselves the same question…..
- What is our hope? – For what do we long with desire and expectation?
- What is our joy? – What gives us true happiness and satisfaction?
- What is our crown of rejoicing? – What provides the highest degree of joy in our lives?
Is our answer the same as Paul’s? Should it be? The Thessalonians were Paul’s “hope because he hoped to see them at the coming of the Lord (2:19). They were his “joy” or “crown of rejoicing”, in anticipation of seeing them in the presence of Jesus (2:19). And they were his “glory” and “joy” – not just in the future, but in the present as well (2:20). So, Paul’s hope, glory, and joy were his brethren in Christ, especially those he had taught and brought to the Lord. Due to the salvation that God has granted us, and the works He has prepared for us (Ephesians 2:8-10), there are crowns to be given to believers in Christ. There is…..
- The Crown of Life – (James 1:12)
- The Imperishable Crown – (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
- The Crown of Righteousness – (2 Timothy 4:5-8)
- The Crown of Glory – (1 Peter 5:1-4)
- The Crown of Rejoicing – (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
The Crown of Rejoicing is the soul winners crown
- One of the greatest privileges given by God is that He would use us to bring others to salvation
- By witnessing with our mouth – (Acts 1:8)
- By witnessing with our life – (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
- Is there a “Crown of Rejoicing” in your life?