Rewards - The Crown of Life

"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."  (James 1:12)
 
"This reward could be called the lover's crown.

Love God

God says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

But we don’t love God. We love other things more than God. This is what sin is—dishonoring God.

Therefore, the Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

And,  “…the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

“The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4).

Rewards for Believers

 "There is a vast difference in the doctrine of salvation for the lost, and
 the doctrine of rewards for the saved. Salvation is "the gift of God; not as
 a result of works" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is received by faith in the
 finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:36). Rewards are according to
 the works of the believer (Matthew 16:27).

How Do You Repent from Sin?

http://www.godlife.com/hope/prayer-letter/how-do-you-repent-from-sinScripture: “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” I John 1:8-9

A Testament Is Born

How We Got Our Bible, Canon to King James

Could Matthew take shorthand?—and other intriguing reasons the New Testament may have emerged surprisingly early.

A C C U S A T I O N S AGAINST EARLY CHRISTIANS

“BEHOLD how they love one another.” This was a hallmark of the early Christians. Yet these same believers were the object of repeated persecutions and oppression for almost the first 300 years. 

Why were the believers so hated in the Roman Empire? What were they guilty of? What were the charges against them?

EARLY CHURCH EVANGELISM, JUSTIN MATYR :

JUSTIN MATYR, a leading second century Apologist for the faith, was a pagan philosopher who was converted to Christ through the witness of an old man by the seashore. Justin wrote vigorously to clear up misunderstandings of the faith by Christianity's opponents. He was martyred at Rome about 165.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE TWELVE APOSTLES?

The Calling of The Apostles Peter and Andrew.

It wasn't from among the respected religious leaders in Jerusalem that Jesus called his Apostles but from ordinary workers in remote Galilee.

A LOOK AT THE EARLY CHURCH : FOUNDATIONS OF OUR FAITH:

This current set will deal with the early church, the first few hundred years up to the time of the Emperor Constantine. At that point, the church received legal status and went on to become the official faith of the Roman Empire. This first issue in the cycle takes a broad look at life, worship, and ministry in the early church. We hope this will whet your appetite to feast more on this critical period.

Accusation The Trial and Testimony of the Early Church

PROGRAM 3 ACCUSATION

NIGEL as CAECILIUS: You people are happy to benefit from all that is ours, living in this greatest time of all history. But where is your gratitude? You are all anti-social snobs. You will not show proper respect for our anniversary festivals. You will not sacrifice to the genius of the emperor. You will not fight and join the empire.