DO NOT ALLOW SOMEONE TO TAKE YOUR CROWN

DO NOT ALLOW SOMEONE TO TAKE YOUR CROWN

A sermon preached by Rev. Fortune Nwaiwu on Sunday 28/04/2019

'I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown’− Rev. 3:11 NLT.

We thank God, brethren, for his unfailing love and grace to sustain us to these days. Let’s wave our hands to him, the Most High God as a token of honor to him. Join me as I sing this song:

I’ve decided to follow Jesus 

I’ve decided to follow Jesus

I’ve decided to follow Jesus

No coming back, no coming back

Do you know that anyone who has decided to follow Christ has as well embarked on a spiritual journey? The journey is like a race athletes run expecting a wonderful crown at the end. It should be noted that a crown is never given to people that are not successful in the course of the race. You may do well at the beginning of your race, but how you end is a matter of importance. If you end well, you will be entitled for your glorious crown, and if not you will receive a crown of disgrace and failure. 

From the Scripture, Rev. 3:7-13, Jesus Christ encourages every member in the church of Philadelphia to hold on to their faith. Though they have little strength, their faith is certified and the time to give them their crown has not yet come but they only need to hold on to their faith so that no one will take away their crown. On this note, we see that if we are not careful in the manner we run this Christian race people may take away our crown. Say God forbid!

a. Saul’s disobedience to God leads to his doom, and someone else takes his crown ̶    2 Samuel 1:10 “So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord. 

Note: to compromise in the instructions of God may strip off your crown. And your backsliding and fallout of faith will take away your crown, so be careful so that no one takes away your crown. Crown is a symbol of authority, power and honor.

Saul was crowned as the King of Israel. He was not careful to obey the instructions of God to destroy all the Amalekites because of their sin against Israelites. When the Israelites were coming out of the Egypt to their promised land, the Amalekites refused to allow them pass through their territory, and now God has ordered Saul to destroy every living soul including animals in Amalek but Saul spared King Aggag and some fatling sheep and goats. Since he failed completely to carry out God’s instructions, God allowed a stranger from Amalek living in Israel to take away his crown. Not only that someone else took his crown but he was badly wounded, and then fell on his sword. He died and no chance again to reclaim his crown. Now your kingship crown may be taken away from you if you fail to abide in the instructions of God. Every ruler, be it chief, king, president, pastor, commissioner, police officer or senator should be careful to rule in the fear of God. Your position in wherever you find yourself is not a rank to intimidate others. 

b. Judas position as a disciple of Christ was taken by another man, Mathias. ̶ ‘for it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.’  Acts 1:20. 

When Judas has risen to the rank of being a disciple of Christ, he misused his position to betray his master, and his crown awaiting him was taken by another man. He died and his family became desolate. It is very shameful. He started the race and ended in disgrace. Whoever shall betray you shall be disgraced.

c. The crown of glory: Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life’ ̶ Prov. 16:31. 

Live a righteous life, make peace with your neighbours, and be humble, respectful and truthful.

There was a man who happened to be the most elderly man in his village. One of the things that contributed to his long life was he always stood on the truth. He never sided for anyone who was wrong. As the most elderly man in the village, the villagers usually gathered in his palace for important discussions, and a serious issue was brought to him that one of their wives stole an item in one woman’s shop. It happened that the criminal was the wife of the village chairman, and nobody wanted to say anything because they were afraid  of him. But many who committed one offence or the other, the village chairman had really dealt with, some were thrown into police custody while others were punished in one way or the other. Now the village chairman’s wife had stolen fish from a woman’s shop, the chairman had nothing to say about the issue except this elderly man who realized the importance of saying the truth. This is because truth adds more years to everyman. Since his people did not want to investigate into the matter, the elderly man asked them never to convene in his family again. Thus, truth and honesty are very important qualities needed in any child of God.

God bless you.