“THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST”
TEXT: 1Cor3:1-23
SUBJ: JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
THEME: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE J.S. OF CHRIST
P/S: E.C. SHOULD REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE J.S. OF CHRIST
T/S: BECAUSE OF 3 ASPECTS CONCERNING IT AS SET FORTH IN TEXT/SCRIPTURE.
INTRO: The young people have been reading (or should be reading) through their NT. As I have been reading along with them there was one particular thing that stuck out at me this week. Covering the 30 chapters that we were to have covered there was a specific topic that I came across in both Romans 14 and once again in 1Cor3….and that was pertaining to The Judgment Seat of Christ. I want to this morning look at it a bit closer and see what we can learn before we must stand before the God of Heaven and give an account. The Judgment Seat of Christ is a very sobering subject and we can never exhaust in one service what all we need to know but I do want to give a brief overview by way of introduction to get to the aspects on which I want to cover this morning. 1stly concerning this topic we see ………..
ü The PERIOD of this Judgment - Rev 4:1-2 “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” This will transpire directly after the Church being “caught up”.
ü The PLACE of this Judgment - 2Cor510b “before the judgment seat of Christ;” (In the Presence of God’s Throne)
ü The PERSON of this Judgment - Rev 4:2 “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.”
Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Rom14:10b “for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
2Cor5:10a “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;”
Note: The Person of this Judgment is Our Lord Jesus Christ. He, and not we, will be carrying out a thorough and trustworthy conclusion of ALL the things that you and I have done.
ü The PARTICIPANTS of this Judgment - Rom14:10b “for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
1Co 3:7-9 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
2Cor5:10a “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;”
Note: This is not the Judgment for the Sinner, but rather the Saint and it is not for Sins but rather for Service. All those that have accepted Christ were given talents/talent and this is now the place for that to be rectified.
ü The PURPOSE of this Judgment - Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
ü The PARTICULARS of this Judgment –
Now we come to the main topic of which I want us to look at this morning and that is The Particulars. Now we have already covered by introduction and laying a groundwork the Who, the Why, the Where now I want us to look closely into the What and with that being said I want to Preach on this subject……”THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST”.
I. IT WILL BE A TIME OF REVEALING vs7-13
Note: Only one opinion will matter on this day - Christ's - pressures
from other People, Pastors or Parishioners won't matter
A. REVEALING OUR MATERIALS vs12 “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;”
B. REVEALING OUR MOTIVES vs7 “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”
C. REVEALING OUR MANNERS vs8 “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.”
Note: Mt6:19-21 culminates a lesson by Christ to His disciples and He states to 19 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” Is it possible that what Christ has gone on to prepare for you He possibly is building with the Materials you are sending Him?
Appl: When that time comes for all things to be judged what will it Reveal for you, for me?
II. IT WILL BE A TIME OF REWARDING vs14
Note: This aspect of The Judgment Seat of Christ is one that has many people confused. Those that are proponents of losing your salvation do not have a clear understanding and perspective of the Judgment Seat of Christ. They think they lose their salvation where the Scriptures teach you lose your Rewards. Gal 6:7-9 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
The Scriptures teach that there will be 5 Crowns that the believer can be Rewarded with.
A. The CROWN of LIFE - The Martyr's Crown
Note: This Crown is mentioned 2x’s in Scripture:
· James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” Given to those who "endureth temptation”
· Rev 2:10 “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Given to those who have been tested almost beyond human endurance "The Martyr's Crown”.
B. The CROWN of GLORY - The Shepherd's Crown
Note: The shepherd or Pastor's Crown, given by the Chief Shepherd
when He shall appear 1Pet 5:2-4 Feed the flock of God which is
among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but
willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither
as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the
flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive
a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
C. The CROWN of REJOICING - The Soul Winner's Crown
Note: Given to those who have turned many to righteousness. Those
brought to Jesus by us will be our "Crown of Rejoicing"
at His coming. 1Thess 2:19 “For what is our hope, or joy,
or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our
Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?”
D. The CROWN of RIGHTEOUSNESS - The Lover’s Crown
Note: This is the crown for those who "Love His appearing!"
and will be given in "that day" "the day of His
appearing!"
2 Tim 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Those who "love His appearing" will be getting ready along the journey of life in order to qualify for this Crown. The Blood of Jesus saves, yet how we live in accordance with God's Holiness will determine if we receive this Crown.
E. The CROWN of INCORRUPTION - The Victor's Crown!
Note: Why strive for a crown or trophy that is going to fade and
tarnish with time? "Incorruptible" means there will
be no devastation or tarnishing of this crown. This is the "Victor's
Crown" and is for those who "keep their body" those
who do not yield to their fleshly lusts; who do not permit themselves
to be diverted from the Master's vineyard. 1 Cor 9:25-27 “And
every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as
one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring
it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached
to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
And what will we do with these crowns, rewards, trophies in
Heaven?
Rev 4:10b-11 “... cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power:
for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are
and were created."
Appl: Will you have anything to cast before the Throne?
III. IT WILL BE A TIME OF REGRETTING vs15-17
A. BECAUSE OF ACTIONS – 2Cor5:10b “that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
B. BECAUSE OF ATTITUDES – Mt15;18-19 “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”
C. BECAUSE OF APATHY - lack of interest in anything, or the absence of any wish to do anything.
D. BECAUSE OF ACQUAINTANCES – Eph 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
E. BECAUSE OF ABILITIES – Your hid Talent
F. BECAUSE OF AFFECTIONS – Col 3:1-2 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
G. BECAUSE OF AMBITIONS – Lk 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Note: And the list could/will go on and on for many of those who chose not to see the importance. Paul said it this way 2Co 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
The biggest Regret will be because of shame (Nothing done for the One Who did all for you and I!)
Appl: All of us will have something to Regret the difference
will be in how much. And that’s the purpose of Preaching…..to
allow God a time and opportunity to show us our wrong and give
us and opportunity to correct what we can.
Inv: Hymn 407 “Is Your All On The Altar”
Serving with Gladness,
Ps 3:3
East London, South Africa