08.11.2021 | THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
2 Corinthians 5:9 – “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.”
2 Corinthians 5:10 – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
Judgment Seat – Bema – Raised platform upon which judges and honored guests would sit upon during Olympic Games; the raised platform from which rulers would make judicial decisions or declarations.
Acts 18:12 – “When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat.”
Bema – Platform or raised place
“The place of authority from which are made announcements, declarations, and judgments.” – David Jeremiah
In the Olympic Games, in ancient Greece, the rewards were given from the judge sitting on the Bema.
The apostle Paul takes the picture of the Bema from the Olympic Games and places it in an eternal perspective.
2 Corinthians 5:10a – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.”
Romans 14:10 – “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
Romans 14:12 – “So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God.”
What is the judgment seat of Christ?
Believers standing before Jesus Christ and giving an account of what they have done on earth for Him and in His Name.
It is not a judgment of condemnation. (Romans 8:1, John 3:17)
It is not an exposure of all our sin. (Hebrews 10:17)
It is not a determination of whether we enter into heaven or not. (Romans 10:13, Ephesians 2:8)
It is a time of accountability before the Lord. What have we done with all that He has given to us?
Have we walked in the good works He ordained for us?
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
“Our faithfulness in performing the good works God ordained for us is the basis of evaluation at Christ’s judgment.” – Toney Evans
“The purpose of this judgment is for Christ to assess every believer’s earthly works to determine what rewards are received.” – David Jeremiah
Who is the Judge at this judgment? Jesus Christ
Who are the people that are judged? Every believer
What is judged? Our works for Jesus Christ. What we have done for Him in this life.
2. What is judged as we stand before Jesus Christ in that Day?
2 Corinthians 5:10 – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.”
a. Our life for Christ
2 Corinthians 5:10b – “That each one may receive the things done in the body…”
b. Our words
2 Corinthians 5:10 – “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”
c. Our faithfulness
Matthew 25:21 – “His Lord said to him, ‘Well done good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’”
d. Our motives
1 Corinthians 3:11 – “For no other foundation can anyone build than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 3:12 – “Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,”
1 Corinthians 3:13 – “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.”
1 Corinthians 3:14 – “If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.”
1 Corinthians 3:15 – “If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
Appear – Reveal, uncover, make visible, make known what is hidden.
“The things we do out of sincerity and love for Christ will stand the test and be rewarded, while the stuff we do to impress others will burst into flames before our eyes.” – Toney Evans
Study questions to help us prepare for our final test:
1. What am I doing with my time?
2. Who am I really serving with my talents?
3. Am I generous? What do I give to God financially?
4. What do I spend my time praying about?
5. Do I have a heart for the Gospel?
6. How deeply do I love God?
7. How deeply do I love people?
“In the end we will be judged by how much we have loved.” – Pastor David Burr