EDIFICATION COMPLEX of the SOUL - # 11, Surpassing grace in eternity with crowns. (8-24-25)

----------------------The bible lesson begins about 37 minutes in ----------------------------------------------
Surpassing Grace
1. Definition
a. Surpassing Grace is the optimum in spiritual achievement. It is the maximum place of blessing and reward, and the ultimate in glorifying Jesus Christ. Surpassing Grace connotes something beyond supergrace and beyond time.
b. There are two special blessing in the grace plan of God.
1) Supergrace blessings, rewards & blessings in time.
2) Surpassing Grace, superior rewards, and blessings that will last for all eternity.
c. Surpassing grace is the status of special blessings and rewards in eternity for believers who break the spiritual maturity barrier. Trying to reach the goal of becoming spiritually mature is a great motivator to keep us moving forward in God’s plan for our lives.
d. Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
2. The Judgment Seat of Christ is the time of distribution of surpassing grace blessings.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad worthless.
a. The Judgment Seat of Christ eliminates any necessity of judging or maligning any other believer. Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that you be not judged.
b. Read: Romans 14:10
c. Believers can lose supergrace blessings, but not their salvation.
d. Read: 2 Timothy 2:10-13
3. Crowns are some of the highest decorations given in eternity. Based on scriptural references, Christian theology describes five heavenly crowns that believers can be awarded for their faithfulness and service. The New Testament, which uses the Greek word stephanos (a wreath or garland for a victor) to describe these distinct rewards for different aspects of Christian life.
a. Crowns are given to believers who break the spiritual maturity barrier.
b. The Crown of Righteousness is given to the mature believer for breaking the maturity barrier.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8) in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteous- ness, 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.
c. This wreath or crown is the total fulfillment of spiritual progress. This crown is given to every supergrace believer who holds on to his status as a mature believer after breaking the spiritual maturity barrier.
d. Every believer who receives Dying Grace also receives this reward.
4. The Crown of Glory,
a. This crown is awarded to pastors who faithfully study and communicate Bible doctrine to their congregation.
b. The size of the congregation never has anything to do with the evaluation of the pastor.
c. No pastor can take his congregation beyond his own spiritual growth. His messages must reflect his own personal study. He must be faithful.
d. When the pastor is faithful and consistent in studying the Word, two things happen: he reaches maturity, and he teaches consistently enough so that those who are positive to doctrine will also reach maturity.
1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading Crown of Glory. Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
5. The Crown of Life
a. The crown of life is awarded for consistent filling of the Holy Spirit, consistent perception of doctrine, and consistent perseverance under testing.
b. Maximum production of divine good through the execution of the plan of God must be exercised.
c. These rewards are only given to believers who reach spiritual maturity and remain there until death.
6. The Incorruptible Crown
a. Awarded to believers who demonstrate self-discipline and faithfulness in their Christian walk, resisting worldly temptations and for successfully running in the spiritual race. b. Most believers don’t know that they are running a race to win the prize (rewards and decorations) that our Lord will give to those who discipline their body and mind to win life’s spiritual race..
7. The Crown of Rejoicing
a. Given to those who have actively led others to faith in Jesus Christ. It is a reward for being a "soul-winner".