This week brings us to the close of 1 Thessalonians 2. The focus of this remarkable chapter is evangelism. The Holy Spirit concludes that great section by highlighting the joy one receives when leading others to Christ.
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” (1 Thessalonians 2:19–20)
KJV Bible
Having led people to the truth of God’s Word and witnessed the Holy Spirit’s conviction upon their life, seeing them accept Christ as Savior, I can genuinely say it is a fantastic experience. Unfortunately, too many believers have not experienced such hope, joy, or, might I say, rejoicing. The Holy Spirit uses these three words to describe the incredible feeling that many experiences as they witness Christ.
The word “hope” means feeling hopeful about the future. We live in a depressed and dark world. There is not a lot of hope surrounding the future when we view things through the eyes of humanity. Every day and night, the news reports all the bad and ugly in the world. Watching such information makes one wonder if there is any hope for tomorrow. However, when you become involved in the things of God (i.e., witnessing) and see God do miracles, hope abounds. The future becomes bright knowing God is alive and His promises are true. So it is when you witness a soul come to know Christ as Savior. Along with each new spiritual birth springs forth a bud of hope. A hope that is based upon the Biblical fact that one day we will be with the Lord, and all who are saved will enjoy His bountiful blessings.
Joy speaks to anything that causes cheer and dispels gloom. O, what joy there is to see a lost soul find true meaning in Christ! O, what joy to see the spiritually dead resurrected in Christ! O, what joy there is to see a person give themselves to Christ and observe the tremendous change in their life. There is no greater joy in this earthly life than to see people give themselves to Christ. At that moment, all gloom is dispelled. Even after salvation and you meet that person listening to their testimony of all God is doing in their life, joy comes, and gloom retreats. It is no wonder Paul saw the Thessalonicans as his hope and joy.
The third description we see here is the “crown of rejoicing.” The word “crown” here is a prize to be won. It is similar to a crown, a trophy, or a medal won through competition. The winner is awarded a prize. Thus, each believer involved with leading a person to Christ receives a “crown of rejoicing.” It is not a future crown. No, you receive a crown when that person accepts the Lord. The person to whom you were a witness becomes your crown. They are the prize. Their life is a testament to God’s grace and your faithfulness as His servant. Witnessing is teamwork. The Holy Spirit is doing the heavy lifting as you simply be the instrument through which He works. Therefore, you and the Holy Spirit rejoice each time you lead someone to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is an excellent time of rejoicing. Additionally, the new believer becomes a constant “crown of rejocing” that you enjoy now and forever.
Here is another thought from our text. The Holy Spirit poses a rhetorical question.
“Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?”
KJV Bible
It is a simple statement that we, as believers, will be in His presence when He comes. Later, we will note in 1 Thessalonians 4 that Christ will come and rapture all saints out of the earth. When He does, every believer will unite with Him in the air. Thus, all of us will be in His presence when He comes, even the one who just accepted Him as Lord. The point is this. Your willingness to be His faithful witness resulted in another person being added to Heaven. They will now join us as we meet Christ in the air!
For this reason, every person you influence for Christ becomes your glory and joy! Leading people to Christ is a beautiful action we should willingly engage in.