Illustrations/Introduction
"I'm going to crown you!" Threat of punishment? Tentative victory in game of checkers? Child's play? Pageant winner? We do not live in regent state, so not very familiar with royalty. Prince William turning 18 was a big event in England. Who will inherit the throne, inherit the crown?
And, we do not give crowns to victors in athletic events any more--we give trophies, medals. So is hard to understand the Biblical/NT use of the word crown. In Greece, it was usual word for wreath placed on head of victorious athlete or military leader. We have many depictions of Roman leaders with such a wreath or crown.

I. Bible Backgrounds
Stephanos--Stephen. But word is much richer than simply a name, although such a name certainly spoke to the hopes of a parent for that child.
Quick look through concordance reminds that Jesus was mocked with crown of thorns (Mt. 27:29; Mk. 15:17; Jn. 19:2,5)--4 occurrences. And that is the end of the word in the Gospels. Word never appears in Luke's writings, so does not appear in Acts. Most frequent use is in Revelation--eight times out of 18 occurrences of the noun form, almost half. Noun used only six times in remainder of NT in six different books, 1 Cor., Phil, 1 Th, 2 Tim., Jas, 1 Pet.
Is also a verb form--3 times, twice in Heb. 2:7,9 in reference to Ps. 8 and Christ's exaltation, once in 2 Tim. 2:5. Interesting, although perhaps not particularly significant. Total then of 21 occurrences. Eight times in Rev., four in gospels, two in Heb but really in same passage, two in 2 Tim., five in five different books.
Five times in Paul. Not much to go on, but what can we learn?

Generally may be described as references to the ultimate crown. 1 Cor. 9, contrast of two crowns--one that does not last, one that lasts forever, an imperishable crown. Paul referred to his readers as his crown (Phil. 4:1; 1 Th. 2:19) and glory. 2 Tim. 4:8, receive crown of righteousness after death. Jas 1:12, crown of life. Crown of glory is promised to faithful elders at Jesus coming, an unfading crown, 1 Pet. 5:4. Paul writes of receiving a crown only when one follows the rules in 2 Tim. 2:5.
Catches attention, since I am studying preaching, ministry this summer, and preaching primarily out of the Pastorals, esp. 2 Tim.

II. Reviewing Rewards--God's Rewards

• A. God's rewards are often described in the Bible by the illustration of ancient athletic contests.
• B. Rewards are in the future, rewards are not given in advance. Rewards are given after the athletic event is over.
• C. God's rewards are certain, no deed worthy of a reward will be overlooked or ignored. Everyone who wins is rewarded.
• D. God's rewards are identified with glory, and eternal life. Crown of righteousness. As unfading, imperishable, lasting.
• E. God's rewards are often based on less than obvious criteria. Paul describes his converts as his crown. "Will there be any stars in my crown?"
• F. God's rewards are the result of certain characteristics of a person's life. Those who love his appearing, those who run rigorously, those who compete according to the rules.

III. Specific Scriptures--2 Tim. 2:5 (cf. 1 Cor. 9:25-27), 2 Tim. 4:8

• A. We are in a contest. What does it take to win--to receive the crown? Strict diet, possibly. Grueling exercise, likely. Strict training. It takes self-control, discipline, the ability to abide within the guidelines, rules, norms. This is what it takes to run. Running. Study running, how to run, how to place foot, breathing, integrating body functions, activities, movements. But finally, must run. Build endurance. What does it take? Discipline. Run when don't feel like running. Run when too tired to run. Run for sheer love of running. Run as if your life depended on it. "Run, Forrest, Run."
• B. Run according to rules. I have a starter pistol in my closet. Start correctly. Run in correct lane. Run without interfering with others. This is 2 Tim. 2:5.
• C. Run with purpose. Run with desire. Run to receive the prize, to receive the crown.
• D. The reward comes when one finishes the race, keeps the faith, 2 Tim. 4:8

IV. Some Suggestions
Here we hope to be practical.

• A. When--Do it now. Age works against you. Establish your habits while you are young. May get harder as one gets older. Harder to change. Also, age works against us in that the cares of this world become more intense with age. Also, we get into the "business as usual" mode.
• B. Who--Do it for others. Refuse to build a kingdom around your private life. We often build walls instead of bridges. We often lose our desire for self-control.
• C. How--Do it carefully. Evaluate life closely. Evaluate every corner. Evaluate how you spend time, esp. leisure time. What do you read? Watch? Think about?
• D. How--do it regularly. Repeat and renew commitments. Renew promises to friends, spouse, ministry in the kingdom, in the church.
• E. Why. To receive a crown.

Conclusion:
The crown is not for everyone. I recently received a missions bulletin. Village chief's wife died. Was sad occasion, but joyous. We will see her again in heaven because she had been baptized. Not to diminish one's initial response to the will and way of God. Important, imperative. If you have never begun, entered the race, must do so. Encourage you to respond in just a moment when sing the invitation song.
But there is much more. Not saved solely because we have begun a walk of obedience. Must continue that walk. With discipline, consistency, daily, with self-sacrifice, with careful evaluation, regularly spiritual exercise. To receive a crown. A crown that God gives, a crown that is reflected by the people in our lives. If you have not continued, encourage you to respond to inv. When we sing in a moment.
Joy of ministry--return to church where one worked. See your stars, see your crown. Those you taught. Those you baptized. Those you nurtured. And to see them teaching, baptizing, nurturing others. This is my latest convert. And the message continues. Crown after crown after crown. 2 Tim. 2:2.

Will there be any stars in your crown?
Run to receive a crown. The race is not over, it is ongoing. Run the race this week. Endure. Make full proof of your service to God. Do the work of ministry.
Run obediently, run faithfully, Run for the crown. "Run, Christian, Run." These are the words that echo to us, from the great cloud of witnesses. Run. Begin the race today. Run for the crown. If you desire to respond to God with recommitment to enter or run race, come now.