Religion & Spirituality
The judgement seat of Christ has received a lot of attention. Along with truth, there is false belief and miscommunication regarding it. Today it is my goal to support truth, clear up the miscommunication and correct the false belief.I. Who will appear – We -Only Christians will appear. Old Testament Saints, Tribulation Saints, those saved during Millennium will not appear. Just New Testament Saints will appearII. It is not an option to appear – Must- Every believer is going to appear before the Lord; now is the time to prepare.III The Judgement seat will be a place of Revelation - AppearA. Appear - Be laid bare, be revealedB. As we live and work here on earth, it is relatively easy for us to hide things and pretend; but the true character of our works will be exposed before the searching eyes of the Savior. He will reveal whether our works have been good or badC. The character of our service will be revealed 1 Cor 3:13D. The motives that impelled us will be revealed 1 Cor 4:5IV. The Judgement Seat of Christ A. The bema seat was the platform in Greek towns where orations were made or decisions handed down by rulers. (Matt 27:19; Acts 12:21; 18:12). It was where the awards were given out to the winners in the annual Olympic Games.B. Place of award not condemnation 1 Cor 3:10-15; Rom. 14:101. Christians are saved by faith Eph 2:8-9), but they will be judged according to the good or evil deeds they have done issuing from that faith (Eph 2:10; 1 Thes 1;3). 2. This is a judgment to determine rewards, not eternal destination. Salvation is not the issue here.C. Not to be confused with the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) – A judgment to determine eternal destination, not rewards.V. The judgement Seat will be a place of Reckoning as we give an account of our ministries Rom 14:10-12VI. The Judgement Seat will be a place of RecompenseA. Believers will be recompensed for the things they have done in their earthly lives, while in the body.B. Because of the gracious work of Christ on the cross, we will not face our sins (John 5:24; Rom 8:1); but we will have to give an account of our works and service for the Lord.VII. The Judgment Seat will be a place or Reward (1 Cor 3:10-15; 4:1-6) Recompense will be according to what he has done, whether good or bad A. Good – worthwhile 1 Cor 4:5; Eph 6:8 B. Bad – worthless 1 Cor 3:15; Col 3:25 Conclusion: The judgment seat is real. Are you even going to be there? Are you a Christian? Do the deeds done in your body support that faith you claim has saved? If you are going to be at the judgment seat as you are a Christian what is it going to be like? Are you going to get a participation award? Yes, saved but like the unwise steward you did nothing with your salvation other than escape hell. Is it going to be a time when you expect great reward or to find out that most of your acts are wood, hay and stubble as they were done with the wrong attitude? Is it going to be a time where you are surprised at the rewards received as you have done so much more for the cause of Christ than you even imagined? Time this morning does not allow me to explain in detail what happens to these rewards. They are given back to Christ as a love offering. What are you after the judgment seat going to have to give back to Christ as a love offering?