We can be involved where our identity is found in rescuing, or helping people, wanting to be needed. Those kinds of things then lead you into relationships that are dependent. The people never grow, never mature, never get released, and frequently this is a problem when you try to get groups to multiply - that they all attach so strongly to the leader, and he never built them to Christ, and now either the leader doesn't want to let go of them, or the person doesn't want to let go. These are problems. These are real things, that hinder us in our journey, and then a wrong focus.
We just set our eyes on the wrong thing, and when we have a wrong focus in our life, then we do end up being de-energised, and you get discouraged very easily. It says: set your focus looking to Jesus - setting your eyes on Him, who, for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross and the shame. That's the first one, that's the crown, the Incorruptible Crown. There was a lot in that one! The others don't have quite so much, but I found as I've studied them, I've seen more in each one of them. That's the first crown, the crown for running the race diligently, with your eyes fixed on the prize, and doing the discipline in your life, to maintain your walk.
The second one that's mentioned there, is called the Crown of Rejoicing. Remember, we're not sure whether it's: a literal crown, which is visible and seen; or whether it's a form of honour that God puts on us. It's hard to know, it could be both.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 – “What is our hope, or joy, or Crown of Rejoicing? Is it not you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at His coming? For you are our glory. You are our joy”.
The Crown of Rejoicing is the reward God gives for soul winners. Each time the Crown of Rejoicing is mentioned, it always has to do with people, and the winning of people. Everyone that you've helped lead to Christ, win to Christ, or played a part in them coming to Christ - that person will be a part of the crown, or reward, because God places such value on people. The church has got to maintain its value on people too. We need to value soul winning. I find it distressing, when you come to the altar call, how many people just switch off, rather than actually being in a place of intercession prayer, participating in the warfare needed, for that person to come to Christ; then helping make them welcome, being a friend to them, incorporating them into their circle. It's like… hello? Don't you understand that this is God's heart, that God places high value on souls, that in heaven there's rejoicing over every soul that repents? We need to rejoice as well.
The simplest thing is just when they get saved give a big clap. When they get saved, smile and welcome them, you know, connect with them, be part of the journey. There's so much in that, and usually the reason people don't engage like that, is because soul-winning is not in their heart; and because soul-winning is not in the heart, then they don't celebrate, or participate, in the joy of soul winning. Think about this: the souls that are won in our church, are won by a corporate effort mostly; so therefore, there's a corporate reward for this - so we need to be a soul-winning church. If we become a soul-winning church, then the reward that God puts upon us then, is distributed around those who participate in it; so those who are involved in intercessory prayer, then you're part of that journey; and those who are in the prayer room, and they don't even get seen - they're part of winning that Crown of Rejoicing. Paul talks about soul-winning in 1 Thessalonians 2:2-11. He's got quite several things he outlines, about the way he works with people
1 Thessalonians 2:2 – “After we had suffered before, and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God, in the midst of conflict. Our exhortation did not come out of error, or uncleanness, nor deceit. For as we've been approved of by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak not as pleasing men, but as pleasing God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, as a cloak of covetousness – God is our witness. We didn't seek glory from men, either from you or others, when we might make demands as apostles. We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother nurses her children; affectionately longing for you, well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel, but also our own lives, because you become dear to us. For you remember our labour, our toil, labouring day and night, that we might not be a burden to you, we preached to you the gospel of God. You are our witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe, as you know we exhorted and comforted and charged you as everyone a father does his own children”.