We Need Christmas Because We Have A Judgment Problem Series

WE NEED CHRISTMAS BECAUSE WE HAVE A JUDGMENT PROBLEM

John 3:16-19 (NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19  This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

Romans 14:8-13 (NIV) If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9  For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10  You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11  It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" 12  So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13  Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 (NIV) So 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.

Revelation 20:12 (NIV) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

Revelation 20:15 (NIV) If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

INTRODUCTION: THERE IS A SAYING THAT GOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS, “ITS ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL SOMEBODY GETS HURT.” THEN IT TURNS INTO A CRISIS.

AS WE GO THROUGH THIS LIFE, WE ARE CONSTANTLY PUT IN THE POSITION WHEREBY WE ARE ASKED TO MAKE JUDGMENT CALLS.

RECENTLY I HAVE WATCHED SOME YOU TUBE VIDEOS, CALLED, “CAUGHT IN PROVIDENCE”. THESE VIDEOS SHOW A COURT JUDGE MAKE SOME INTERESTING DECISIONS DEALING WITH THE LIVES OF PEOPLE AND THEIR TICKETS. WHAT AMAZES ME IS HIS KIND SPIRIT AND HIS FAIR JUDGMENTS BASED ON THE FACTS AS HE SEES THEM.

TRANSITION: THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT THE TWO TYPES OF JUDGMENT THAT AWAIT EACH AND EVERY PERSON WHETHER ALIVE, OR DEAD. WE CANNOT AVOID THEM, YET WE CAN CHOOSE WHICH ONE WE WILL FACE.

OUR CHOICE CENTERS AROUND THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST! WE CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH AT CHRISTMAS, AND WE ALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DETERMINE OUR DESTINY THROUGH WHAT WE DO WITH CHRIST

I. THE CHOICE OF JUDGMENT

John 3:16-19 (NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19  This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

a. GOD’S MOTIVATION REGARDING JUDGMENT IS LOVE

i. GOD’S LOVE IS SACRIFICIAL

1. IT IS EXPRESSED WITHOUT THE ASSURANCE THAT A DESIRED RESPONSE WILL BE RETURNED

2. IT SEEKS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE LOVED

ii. GOD’S LOVE IS UNIVERSAL IN ITS OFFER

1. DIRECTED TO ENTIRE WORLD

2. NONE ARE EXCLUDED

3. ALL ARE INCLUDED

iii. GOD’S LOVE IS UNKNOWN IN ITS FULLNESS

1. Ephesians 3:19 (NIV) and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

2. WE CANNOT KNOW WHAT MOTIVATES THE EXPRESSION OF GOD’S LOVE

iv. GOD’S LOVE IS UNBROKEN IN ITS MINISTRY

1. Romans 8:35-39 (NIV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

36  As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,