Christ, The Judge

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you a judge?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that CHRIST is Appointed Judge of the world.

IV. TEXT:

Acts 17:31 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”

V. THESIS:

CHRIST is the Judge not us.

VI. TITLE:

CHRIST, the Judge

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Main theme: Missionary Campaigns in the Early Church

B. Author: Dr. Luke, the beloved physician

C. Date written: uncertain, probably 62 A.D.

D. Purpose: To document the growth of the early church.

E. To whom written: Specifically, Theophilus

Acts 1:1 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach

F. Key words: Holy Spirit and the Church

G. Key verses: Acts 1:8, Acts 2:42-47

Acts 1:8 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 2:42-47 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—

all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. GOD has set the day to judge the world.

"For he has set a day for judging the world with justice"

2 Timothy 4:8 (New Revised Standard Version)

From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Romans 2:16 (Phillips NT Bible)

We may be sure that all this will be taken into account in the day of true judgment, when God will judge men's secret lives by Jesus Christ, as my Gospel plainly states.

2 Timothy 4:1 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom:

John 12:47-48 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.

But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.

John 9:41 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

“If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.

John 15:22 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin.

To the unbelievers, everything is sin, there's little sin, mortal sin, cardinal sin, etc. To this dying world, to lie is not that worst as to kill. But in GOD's Words, sin is defined as not knowing CHRIST as LORD, MASTER, and SAVIOR.

B. By CHRIST, GOD will judge this world.

"by the man he has appointed"

CHRIST is both GOD and man. CHRIST is the Perfect Mediator between GOD and man and He's the Second Adam.

Hebrews 12:24 (Amplified Bible)

And to Jesus, the Mediator (Go-between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].

1 Timothy 2:5 (New International Version)

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Hebrews 8:6 (New International Version)

But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.

1 Corinthians 15:45-47 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit.

What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later.