The Record Is On File
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Introduction:
We all live in a world that is given to “records.”
Birth records, death records, property transfers, bank records, and social security numbers...just about every thing that deals with a person’s life is on some kind of record.
If I had just an inkling of information on a total stranger I could with a little leg work find out anything I would like to know about them.
As long as we live we will never
be able to escape the record keeping system of the world.
What do records show about us?
They tell information about our lives, where we live, how much money we have in the bank, if we are or not a citizen, etc.
Have you thought about what kind of record your life is making for the world to see?
The Bible text for this morning reminds us that “all” will one day stand before the “judgment seat of Christ” and give and accounting of our life’s record.
Now let me remind us that the judgment seat of Christ will not be about the sins that we have or will commit.
Our sins were judged at the cross on that fateful day when Jesus died for the sins of the entire world.
Yes, our sins will and can affect our service to Christ, but they will not be considered at the judgment seat of Christ.
The judgment seat of Christ will reveal our lives as to how they were lived for Christ…our service to Him.
We still sin daily and those sins will have an affect upon our service, but praise God those sins have been forgiven at the cross.
The Psalmist reminds us that God has not only forgiven our sins (past, present and future) but has forgotten them and in essence discarded them His presence.
Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.” KJV
Oh, we need to be remorseful for those sins indeed. Why?
Every sin that you or I commit is like a slap in the face of Jesus.
Oh if we could only remember that when we give into sinful desires.
But I’m glad that I can go directly to Him through the conviction of the Holy Spirit when I sin and seek immediate forgiveness for them, even though Jesus knew of them before I committed the act.
That’s how I know that I’m His. If I can sin or you can sin and we feel nothing but joy then something wrong with the picture.
So let this be a barometer of your position before Jesus.
The Bible says that nothing will be hidden from Jesus.
1 Corinthians 4:5 says - Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Have you ever thought what it is going to be like when we stand before Jesus at the judgment seat?
Will we plead our case? Will we give excuse after excuse for not serving more faithfully? Will we try to bargain with Jesus?
I think we will be like anyone who stands before a judge in a court of law. Quiet and attentive.
Illustration: I got a ticket for an illegal pass one time. When I went before the judge I was all ready to defend my position, but when I was asked by the judge, “How do you plead? I simply couldn’t muster enough defense to say anything but “Guilty as charged! Even though I was probably innocent.
We will stand before Him and wait His word.
When we stand before Christ our lives will be laid open before the tribunal of Christ.
The judgment seat of Christ will reveal our lives of service for Christ exactly as they have been.
As one commentator puts it, the judgment seat will be about “not only the amount of our service, but also its quality, and even the very motives that prompted it will be brought into review.
One can only imagine what its going to be like, but in the scheme of things it will what’s right and fair.
I’m sure that each one of us must conclude that our service has not been the best, the quality wasn’t up to par, and maybe our motives were a bit off base at times.
So get ready for that day is coming!
So what can we do in the mean time?
We can “recommit” our lives to Him right now…seeking His presence in our lives, seeking His guidance in our service.
Will He truly say to you? Well done!
You’ll have to answer that question for yourself based upon what you know about your own life.
We may look good on the outside, but inwardly we know that we have issues…we all do.
I have my issues and you have yours.
Most of them brought on by our own actions.
The judgment seat has to do with service, not salvation.
If we are saved that’s a done deal, but our service is about reward and loss at that time.
It’s the wood, hay and stubble kind of thing.
There is coming a day when each one’s work will become clear.
Every hidden agenda will be revealed.
Every ego will revealed.
Every act will be known.
We need to exercise care in how we as Christians are living this life that we have been given to live.
Service that was true service will not be affected by “fire” of God.
Notice 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 says. Pay close attention to it.
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
In other words, the gold, silver and precious stones of our life will not be affected by the “fire” of the judgment, but the useless wood, hay, and stubble will succumb to the “fire.”
The fire here is not the “fire” of eternal damnation, but rather the judgment of Jesus upon man’s service.
The fire will test each one’s work, of what sort (kind of work) it is.
If service is profitable, then we will be rewarded.
If service is useless and wasted, loss of reward will occur.
Don’t end up saved and get to heaven to have your rewards taken from you.
To put this in simply down to earth understanding -- If we are building in accordance with the teachings of the Bible, then our work will stand the test in that coming day.
Listen! Today each one of us needs to consider our “service” to the Lord.
Is your service what it should be?
Are you “serving” with hidden agendas, serving to inflate your ego, or merely acting in service?
The Record is on file! Your record. My record.
I don’t know about you but I want what I’m doing to count for something.
I want to “touch lives” by my life.
I want to be an example of a “good and faithful” servant don’t you?
What would happen in the church today if everyone would be serious about their stand before Almighty God?
We had a group of people that would not only love Christ, but live their lives that Christ would be exemplified in that life.
Last Sunday night if you remember we talked about man’s profit and loss.
I’m sure that I’ll have some service that will not measure up to the “fire” of God at the judgment seat of Christ.
I know I’ve not always been a faithful servant with what God has given me…and you probably would have to agree with me.
Not about me, but rather about yourself.
Do you want to be found faithful when it all is said and done?
Then take care of those issues today.
Remember the point: We are making a lasting record of our lives.
Everything we do or not do is being “recorded” as a testament of our service.
When Jesus looks at our record will He say, “Well done!” or “You should have done better!”
Remember salvation is not the question today--that’s established if we have made Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Service is an important thing to consider this day.
Of course, if you’re not saved you should consider that very importantly.
If you are saved, then you should really take a long hard look at the measure of service you are given to the cause of Christ and His church.
Let the record speak truthfully today in your own life.
After all, each day we enter another chapter in the “record of our life.”
This sermon is a copyrighted submission of the author, Curtis G. Brock. Use is granted as long as source is quoted.
