Recently my wife and I watched some of the 2024 Paris Olympics. We really enjoyed the Field and Track. Maybe because our children were in sports, and we spent time with them.
Over 10,000 Athletes from 200 countries competed at Paris, and 25 world records were broken.
One young woman, Sydney Mclaughlin-Levrone is breaking one world record after another in the 400-meter hurdles, and after she ran, they put a gold crown on her head. The sports commentators say she has two special coaches that have helped her very much. One said, “she will probably give or put that gold medal in her coach’s hands.”
Gold crowns remind me of something in the Bible. It talks a lot about rewards and crowns.
In ancient Greece, crowns were awarded during the Greek games by the rulers for symbols of honor. They were usually woven wreaths of leaves.
That term was used figuratively in the New Testament of the rewards of heaven God promises to those who are faithful.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
• The Imperishable crown - 1 Peter 1:4 ...to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,...
• The crown of Rejoicing - 1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
- Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
- Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
• The crown of Righteousness - 2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
• The crown of Glory
- 1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
- Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
• The crown of Life - Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
We seek to serve out of love not for Salvation but just for the love of Christ. Hebrews 10:2425 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Only Christians qualify. See you in church next Sunday.