Sermon Central
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Will Your Work Stand In God's Judgment?
Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 18, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: What motivates our work will determine whether it will stand before God’s judgment. Christians are encouraged to examine their own work now rather than experience embarrassmnet at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
WILL YOUR WORK STAND GOD’S JUDGMENT?
“For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it be good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14
I. THE PHARISEE WORKED TO BE SEEN AND PRAISED BY MEN.
“But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.”
Matthew 23:5.
The “phylactery” was one of two small square leather boxes containing slips inscribed with scriptural passages and traditionally worn on the left arm and forehead by the Pharisees during morning weekday prayers.
II. NEHEMIAH WORKED FOR GOD’S GLORY.
“So the wall was finished in fifty-two days. And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.” Nehemiah 6:15-16.
III. PAUL WORKED THAT MEN MIGHT COME TO KNOW CHRIST.
“For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.” I Thessalonians 2:9.
IV. JESUS WORKED FOR OUR REDEMPTION AND DELIVERANCE
"I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work." John 9:4.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee on the earth. I have finished the work which Thou hast given Me to do.” John 17:3-4.
V. EXAMINE THYSELF…WHAT MOTIVATES YOUR WORK?
“Let each one examine his own work….” Galatians 6:4.
To rightly judge your work now can keep you from embarrassment at the Judgment Seat of Christ, consider:
“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.”
I Corinthians 3:13-15.
