"The Supreme Court"
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Introduction: The SCOTUS has been in the news a lot lately and for good reason. A majority on the court has just shredded 2,000 years of social and moral principle in one fell swoop! The reaction by Christians has been one of outrage and righteous indignation for the most part. I have personally witnessed anger, frustration, doubt and even despair but there is a bigger picture, there is a truth that transcends the moment, that is there is coming a day when a judge will come unlike any other judge in all of history. Let's take a few minutes to acquaint ourselves with this judge. The Bible tells us the name of this judge:
I. Jesus Christ is the returning judge
a. His day
Notice that our text indicates that that there is a "day of judgment" and God Himself as ordained it. The date was set in eternity and according to the Lord Jesus himself only the Father knows the day and the hour of our Lord's coming
b. His descent
The angels told His disciples that Jesus was coming again. We know that He left into the clouds and that He is coming back in the clouds.
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
The Jesus we shall see when He returns will be far different than what the Apostle John saw when he walked with Jesus in Galilee and Judea. We have a description of Him provided by John in the first chapters of the Revelation.
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
c. His designation
The Bible tells us that Jesus came the first time as the Savior of the world but that He is coming this second time to judge the world.
ILL - Charles Spurgeon offers this warning: "If you haven't looked at Christ on the cross, you'll have to look at Him on the throne--with great trembling. The sacrificial death of Christ will be brought before the eyes of all who refuse to accept His free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. In Bethlehem He came in mercy to forgive sin. In the future He will come on the clouds in glory to establish justice. What will we do without a Savior? On the day of judgment there is nothing we can do if we have not trusted Christ."
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
II. Jesus Christ is the revealing judge
Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
How many of you are old enough to remember a television show called, "I've Got a Secret?" The show starred Gary Moore with Henry Morgan, Bill Cullen, Betsy Palmer, Bess Myerson. The premise of the show was that a guest comes on the show and the panel would ask questions and try to guest the person's identity, occupation or something that they had done or accomplished. It was great fun to watch back in the day of black and white TV. But the day is coming when the Judge Jesus will shine the light of His truth on all of our lives and there will be no secrets, not even one. Did you know that there is a record of your life in heaven? Did you know that every word, thought and deed is recorded in that book? Did you know that there is a book that has the names of all Christians in it?
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
He will expose our:
a. Our vices -- our conduct
b. Our virtues -- our character
c. Our values -- our convictions
III. Jesus Christ is the righteous judge
a. The reckoning
1 Peter 4:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
Matthew 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
PAYDAY SOMEDAY
ILL - An Atheist farmer often ridiculed people who believed in God. He wrote the following letter to the editor of a local newspaper:
"I plowed on Sunday, planted on Sunday, cultivated on Sunday, and hauled my crops on Sunday; but I never went to church on Sunday. Yet, I harvested more bushels per acre than anyone else, even those who are God-fearing and never miss a service."
The editor printed the man's letter and then added this remark:
"God doesn't always settle His accounts in October."
The editor was right.
b. The ruling
ILL - "All roads lead to the judgment seat of Christ."
Green, Keith
At the end of every trial, after all the evidence has been heard, the judge renders a verdict!
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.
c. The results
Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
ILL - An umpire named Babe Pinelli once called Babe Ruth out on strikes. When the crowd booed with sharp disapproval at the call, the legendary Ruth turned to the umpire with disdain and said, "There's 40,000 people here who know that the last pitch was ball, tomato head." Suspecting that the umpire would erupt with anger, the coaches and players braced themselves for Ruth's ejection. However, the cool headed Pinelli replied, "Maybe so, Babe, but mine is the only opinion that counts." Believers need to realize that God's judgment is the only one that counts and resist the temptation to argue over disappointments. We need to rely on God's sovereign choices for us regardless of whether they seem popular or not at the moment.
