08.18.2021 | EVERY BELIEVER AND THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
EVERY BELIEVER AND THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
2 Corinthians 5:10a – “For we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
Who is the Judge?
Who is being judged?
What is being judged?
What is the Greek word for “judgment seat”?
The purpose of the judgment seat of Christ is for us to give an account of our lives since we received Christ.
Romans 14:12 – “So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God.”
The judgment seat of Christ is not a place of condemnation, but commendation.
1. What kind of life is rewarded on that Day?
What is Jesus looking for as He reviews our lives?
A. A Life of Faithfulness
1 Corinthians 4:2 – “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”
Matthew 25:14 – “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.”
Matthew 25:15 – “And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability, and immediately he went on a journey.”
Matthew 25:19 – “After a long time the Lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.”
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.’”
B. A Life of Service
Matthew 25:21a – “…Well done, good and faithful servant.”
John 13:14 – “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
C. A Life of Faith
Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
D. A Life of Hearing and Obeying the Voice of God
John 10:27 – “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
E. A Life of Walking in His Authority and Power
Mark 3:14-15 – “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and cast out demons.”
F. A Life of Sharing the Gospel and Fulfilling the Great Commission
Mark 16:15 – “…Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
G. A Life of Intercessory Prayer
Matthew 26:40b – “Could you not watch with Me one hour?”
H. A Life of Love
1 Corinthians 13:13 – “Now abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.”
2. What are the rewards given?
In the Olympic Games, the winners were awarded a crown of olive leaves from a certain tree.
We too are awarded crowns on that Day!
A. The Incorruptible Crown – those who walk in self-control
1 Corinthians 9:25 – “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”
B. The Crown of Rejoicing – the soul winner’s crown
1 Thessalonians 2:19 – “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”
Proverbs 11:30b – “He who wins souls is wise.”
C. The Crown of Life – those who overcome temptation
James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
D. The Crown of Righteousness – those righteous in Christ and loving His appearing
2 Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
E. The Crown of Glory
1 Peter 5:2-4 – “Shepherd the flock of God, which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion, but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly, nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
Revelation 4:10 – “The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne…”