The Judgment Seat Of Christ Series

THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

Please open your Bible to 2 Corinthians 5, for today’s message, “The Judgment Seat of Christ.” This message is so important that I tremble at the thought of not getting this right.

Of all the sermons I have preached, this sermon and this series on the Eternal Rewards is among the most important. If Christians truly knew the seriousness of the Judgment Seat of Christ, it would fill them with a holy fear to live a godly life. Many Christians are totally unprepared for the moment when they stand before Jesus Christ at His Judgment Seat. I believe the main reason why there is such a lack of holiness and zeal for the Lord is because most Christians do not understand the impact the judgment Seat of Christ will have on them in eternity. I assure you it is the most serious moment you will ever encounter, and it is imperative that you are prepared for that day. By God’s grace, it is my prayer this message will open your eyes to the importance of being prepared for the Judgment Seat of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:9 We make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men... NIV

THE BEMA SEAT

In the very near future, every born-again believer will stand before Jesus Christ to give an account of the life we lived on this earth. Imagine that moment. Imagine standing before Jesus, the eternal King of the ages, at His Judgment Seat and not being prepared for it.

For those who are prepared, it will be a moment of great joy. But for those who are not prepared, it will be a moment of deep shame. It is absolutely imperative that you are prepared for that day, because the decision Jesus makes that day, will last forever.

That’s why now, right now, is the only time you have to prepare for eternity. I cannot stress enough how important this is.

THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

What the Judgment Seat of Christ about?

First, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:9, this moment is so important that your number one goal in life is not riches and fame, or the American dream, but to please Christ. He said, “we make it our goal to please him…”

Why? Because at the Judgment Seat, Jesus will determine if your life on earth was pleasing to Him, and in this series, I will show what that means. But for now, know that it is vital that you live to please God and not the world.

Second, Paul says we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. The word “all” refers to all believers and the word “must,” tells us it is a sure thing. It is not an option…

Every believer must appear before the Lord of heaven at His judgment seat. The Greek word for “appear” is phaneroo, which means to be “turned inside out.” That means He will personally evaluate, and examine every point of our lives including our motives, to determine our faithfulness to serve Him, follow Him and obey Him.

This judgment is not to condemn us. This judgment is an opportunity to reward those who were faithful and pleasing to God in their daily life regardless of the hardships and trials they encountered. God is keeping an accurate record of every action of your life, good or bad. And on this day, He will examine what we did and our motive for doing them.

For example, He knows every good you have done in His Name and for His glory. No matter how small the deed, He knows it, and He wants to reward you for it, even something as small as giving someone a cup of cold water.

At the Judgment Seat, He will search every crevice of your heart, not to condemn you, but to reward you. It is His sincere desire to find something in your life He can reward. I think the Lord will try to give everyone something, but there are those who will receive far more than others because of their faithful sacrifice in giving and serving to please God.

However, many Christians, including me, will be shocked and embarrassed, because we used our time on this earth for ourselves, and not for Christ. Remember, Jesus said; store your treasures (where?) in heaven and not on earth, which means we must have an eternal perspective. But sadly, many Christians are not living for eternity, and they will be greatly ashamed and embarrassed before Christ.