My 2010 Resolutions | Part 5


Topic Verse is Proverbs 2:4 but let's back up to verse 1-5.  Verse 4 tells us to search for her as silver and hidden treasure.  What does 'her' refer to? 

In 2 Chronicles 1 Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge.  God answered him:

"Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge.  Therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor."

Wisdom.......A treasure worth seeking;  Amen?

Proverbs 2:1-5

If you accept my words

and store up my commands within you,

turning your ear to wisdom

and applying your heart to understanding,

and if you look for it as for silver

and search for it as for hidden treasure,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Paul writes:  My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3

What is the Ultimate Treasure we are searching for?  Five Crowns in Heaven.

A skilled master builder lays a foundation, and another builds on it.  But each one must be careful how he builds on it, because no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid-that is Jesus Christ.  If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, each one's work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire;  the fire will test the quality of each one's work.  If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward.  If anyone's work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 HCSB

Before we jump into the five crowns let's look at Psalm 103.  Read the entire chapter then let it sink in.

1. Praise the LORD, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2. Praise the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits-

3. who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

4. who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

5. who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6. The LORD works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

7. He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel:

8. The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

9. He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10. he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

11. For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13. As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14. for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

15. As for man, his days are like grass,

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16. the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

17. But from everlasting to everlasting

the LORD's love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children's children-

18. with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

19. The LORD has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

20. Praise the LORD, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

who obey his word.

21. Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will.

22. Praise the LORD, all his works

everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Now moving on to the Five Crowns in Heaven!  If you want to research this more simply google Crowns in Heaven and you'll get enough links to make your mind explode.

1. The Crown of Self-Denial

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.  1 Corinthians 9:25 HCSB

2. The Soul Winners Crown

Paul refers to the Philipians as his joy and crown.  Paul was a soul winner for Christ.  Paul lead by example teaching them to set their minds on heavenly things...their reward in heaven. Philipians 4:1

Works of faith, labor of love, steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:19.. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?  Is it not you?

3. The Crown of Righteousness

Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8

4. The Crown of Glory

You will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

1 Peter 5:4

5. The Crown of  Life

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10

Change has a price tag of self-denial-disipline-control.

You may have to give up some things you treasure;

To gain the real treasure of a transformed life.

You crown the year with Your goodness;

Your ways overflow with plenty. Psalm 65:11 HCSB

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV