The Judgment Seat Of Christ

• You will see that the emphasis is on rewards. God want to commend us, not punish us

Other New Testament passages that talk about the ‘bema’ or ‘the judgement seat of Christ are:

• e.g. Romans chapter 14 verses 8-10.

• e.g. 1 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 4-5.

In fact in 1 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 5b the apostle Paul says :

“When the Lord comes, he will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. And then God will give to everyone whatever praise is due”.

• Although the Judgment Seat (the Bema) will be a solemn and serious time:

• When our lives and motives are examined and reviewed by Jesus Christ himself.

• Notice the passage ends with words of encouragement, not terror:

• And then God will give to everyone whatever praise is due”.

Ill:

We have recently seen two sides to the athlete Paula Radcliff.

• Their was the face of udder despair and total disappointment at the Olympic games.

• When she failed to complete the race and sat in the roadside totally disappointed.

• Then a few weeks later there was the face of sheer joy and victory;

• As she came in first at the New York marathon.

• What a contrast:

• The difference was all down to winning and losing.

God would have us be aware that at a future time:

• The rewards, the medals will be given out;

• He wants us to be winners not losers, rejoicers not regreters!

Quote: the Bible commentator Paul Barnett:

“The sure prospect of the judgement seat reminds the Corinthians – and all believers – that while they are righteous in Christ by faith alone, the faith that justifies is to be expressed by love and obedience and by pleasing the Lord. Our “confidence” that we will be “with the Lord” is to be held in tension with the “fear of the Lord”, from which we serve him”.

(2). When will this event take place?

• Bible scholars are unsure (and so am I),

• But I will say that I am 100% confident that it will happen:

• Sometime after the Lord returns!

• Remember: “I’m on the welcoming party not the planning committee!”

Quote: J. Oswald Sanders:

“It is neither possible nor necessary to fix an exact timetable for these events –

it is the certainty of them that is important”.

• Rather than speculate or talk about things that I am unsure of;

• I want to be more productive.

• Because the Bible does tell us;

• How we can please the Lord, how we can be winners, how we can win the Gold medal!

(3). My obligation (responsibility):

Reading: Matthew chapter 25 verses 14-30.

THIS IS A SIMPLE STORY TO UNDERSTAND:

(a).

• The man going on a “journey” represents Jesus.

• Even a child could work that one out!

(b).

• The three servants who all receive a ‘talent(s)’ are his true followers;

• As we apply this parable this would be symbolic of all Christians (you & me).