Bema Judgment

The color of our skin, the size of our income, and our fame or lack of it will suddenly be irrelevant.

D. Individually

E. Graciously

God will not be venting anger.

Jesus will not be angry, but disappointed.

VI. What will be judged at the Bema.

1 Cor. 3:9-15 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

A. Those indestructible and worthy objects: gold, silver, and precious stones

1. How we treat others.

Heb. 6:10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Matt. 10:41,42 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

2. How we exercise our authority over others.

Heb. 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.

Jas. 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

3. How we employ our God-given abilities.

1 Cor. 12:4, 11 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

1 Pet. 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

4. How we use our money.

1 Tim. 6:17-19 17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Give our tithes.

Give offerings to church, missions, needy.

Spend our money on daily.

In what we invest.

5. How we spend our time.

Eph. 5:15,16 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

6. How much we suffer for Jesus

Mt. 5:11,12 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven