WE NEED CHRISTMAS BECAUSE WE HAVE A JUDGMENT PROBLEM
John 3:16-19 (NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Romans 14:8-13 (NIV) If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
2 Corinthians 5:9-10 (NIV) So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Revelation 20:12 (NIV) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
Revelation 20:15 (NIV) If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
INTRODUCTION: THERE IS A SAYING THAT GOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS, “ITS ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL SOMEBODY GETS HURT.” THEN IT TURNS INTO A CRISIS.
AS WE GO THROUGH THIS LIFE, WE ARE CONSTANTLY PUT IN THE POSITION WHEREBY WE ARE ASKED TO MAKE JUDGMENT CALLS.
RECENTLY I HAVE WATCHED SOME YOU TUBE VIDEOS, CALLED, “CAUGHT IN PROVIDENCE”. THESE VIDEOS SHOW A COURT JUDGE MAKE SOME INTERESTING DECISIONS DEALING WITH THE LIVES OF PEOPLE AND THEIR TICKETS. WHAT AMAZES ME IS HIS KIND SPIRIT AND HIS FAIR JUDGMENTS BASED ON THE FACTS AS HE SEES THEM.
TRANSITION: THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT THE TWO TYPES OF JUDGMENT THAT AWAIT EACH AND EVERY PERSON WHETHER ALIVE, OR DEAD. WE CANNOT AVOID THEM, YET WE CAN CHOOSE WHICH ONE WE WILL FACE.
OUR CHOICE CENTERS AROUND THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST! WE CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH AT CHRISTMAS, AND WE ALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DETERMINE OUR DESTINY THROUGH WHAT WE DO WITH CHRIST
I. THE CHOICE OF JUDGMENT
John 3:16-19 (NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
a. GOD’S MOTIVATION REGARDING JUDGMENT IS LOVE
i. GOD’S LOVE IS SACRIFICIAL
1. IT IS EXPRESSED WITHOUT THE ASSURANCE THAT A DESIRED RESPONSE WILL BE RETURNED
2. IT SEEKS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE LOVED
ii. GOD’S LOVE IS UNIVERSAL IN ITS OFFER
1. DIRECTED TO ENTIRE WORLD
2. NONE ARE EXCLUDED
3. ALL ARE INCLUDED
iii. GOD’S LOVE IS UNKNOWN IN ITS FULLNESS
1. Ephesians 3:19 (NIV) and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
2. WE CANNOT KNOW WHAT MOTIVATES THE EXPRESSION OF GOD’S LOVE
iv. GOD’S LOVE IS UNBROKEN IN ITS MINISTRY
1. Romans 8:35-39 (NIV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. GOD’S LOVE, ONCE ACCEPTED IN AND THROUGH THE PERSON OF CHRIST CANNOT BE NEGATED, DIMINISHED, OR ABATED
v. GOD’S LOVE IS UNENDING IN ITS CHARACTER
1. Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
2. GOD’S LOVE IS LIKE THE GOBSTOPPER OF WILLY WONKA FAME
vi. GOD’S LOVE IS UNRIVALED IN ITS EXAMPLE AND CHALLENGE
1. 1 John 3:16 (NIV) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
b. GOD’S PERSONIFICATION OF HIS LOVE
i. SEEN IN THE GIVING OF HIS SON
1. CHRISTMAS TIE IN
ii. CHRIST CAME AS A GIFT TO BE RECEIVED, NOT A PRIZE TO BE EARNED
iii. ONE IS SAVED BY BELIEVING – SALVATION
1. SALVATION BRINGS ETERNAL LIFE
2. ETERNAL LIFE IS A NEW QUALITY OF LIFE
a. WE POSSESS ETERNAL LIFE AT SALVATION
b. WE POSSESS ETERNAL LIFE FOREVER
Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
iv. CHRIST CAME AS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
1. AS WE HAVE SAID BEFORE, THE PURPOSE OF LIGHT IS TO ILLUMINATE
2. CHRIST CAME TO ILLUMINATE SALVATION, NOT CONDEMNATION
3. APART FROM CHRIST, MAN ALREADY STANDS CONDEMNED.
4. GOD TAKES NO PLEASURE IN THE CURRENT STATE OF MAN
a. NO PLEASURE IN OUR UNBELIEF
b. DESIRE FOR ALL MEN TO BE SAVED
Ezekiel 18:23 (NIV) Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
Ezekiel 18:32 (NIV) For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!
1 Timothy 2:4 (NIV) who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
WHAT WE DO WITH THE LIGHT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN – TO EITHER STAY CONDEMNED OR ACCEPT GOD’S GIFT OF SALVATION DETERMINES OUR COURSE OF JUDGMENT.
Hebrews 9:27 (NIV) Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,
THERE ARE NO MULLIGANS FOR HEAVEN
II. OUR CHOSEN PATH OF JUDGMENT
Romans 14:10 (NIV) You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
2 Corinthians 5:9-10 (NIV) 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Revelation 20:12 (NIV) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
Revelation 20:15 (NIV) If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
a. THERE ARE TWO TIMES OF JUDGMENT THAT CONCERN US AND THE NEED FOR CHRISTMAS
i. FOR THE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST THERE IS THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST – THE “BEMA” SEAT
1. AT THIS JUDGMENT, HELL IS NOT THE ISSUE. NO ONE GOES TO HELL
2. NO UNSAVED PEOPLE ARE PRESENT
3. IT HAPPENS AFTER THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH
4. THE BELIEVERS SERVICE FOR CHRIST IS BEING REVIEWED
a. HOW WE USED OUR GIFTS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CHRIST
5. “BEMA” DOES NOT CARRY WITH IT THE IDEA OF PUNISHMENT, RATHER IT COMES WITH THE THOUGHT OF REWARD
Every three years the Corinthians had contests in the stadium outside Corinth known as the Isthmian Games. They lasted for weeks. The contestants were professional athletes. Upon entry, they had to certify they had been in training twelve months and had followed rigid rules and guidelines. The contestants were under the supervision of many judges.
If a person appeared to be the victor in an event, he was not declared victorious until the judges met and agreed that no rules had been broken. If they agreed, the judge led the athlete to the middle of the city square of Corinth. In the center of the square was a stone platform that was 40 feet long, 20 feet wide, and about 8 feet above the ground. This stone was called the "Bema." Athletes were awarded with laurel wreaths called the "victor's crown." The Bema did not conjure up ideas of guilt and punishment, but insisted on victory, reward, and honor.
6. THIS APPEARANCE IS INDIVIDUAL TO EACH BELIEVER, NONE IS EXEMPT
7. “APPEAR” – MAKE MANIFEST – AS ALWAYS CHRIST SEES EVERYTHING WE HAVE OR HAVE NOT DONE AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST
8. SERVICE, NOT SALVATION IS THE ISSUE
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (NIV) If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.
14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
9. AND EVEN THESE REWARDS – CROWNS ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE ARE LAID AT THE FEET OF JESUS – REV. 4
THIS IS THE FIRST OF THE TWO JUDGMENTS, AND THE SPECIFIC JUDGMENT FOR WHICH WE HAVE A CHRISTMAS. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST PROVIDED AND ALTERNATIVE TO THE ROAD WE WERE ALREADY ON AND TO THE JUDGMENT THAT AWAITED US THAT WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT NOW!
ii. THIS IS THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT
Revelation 20:12 (NIV) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
Revelation 20:15 (NIV) If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
1. THIS IS RESERVED FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER TRUSTED IN CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD
a. NO GOES TO HEAVEN AT THIS JUDGMENT
b. THOSE WHO HAVE TRUSTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR ARE PRESENT, BUT ONLY AS WITNESSES
c. THIS JUDGMENT OCCURS AT THE END OF THE 1,000 YEAR REIGN OF CHRIST ON EARTH
d. IT IS USED TO DETERMINE THE DEGREE OF PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE WHOSE NAME WERE NOT WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE – THOSE WHO NEVER TRUSTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD
e. THE BOOK OF LIFE CONTAINS ONLY THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST
2. THE NATURE OF THE JUDGMENT
a. IT IS EXPERIENCED – THERE IS NO ANNIHILATION
b. DESCRIPTION OF HELL FROM THE BIBLE
i. HELL IS A PLACE OF CONSCIOUSNESS. WE KNOW WHERE WE ARE AND OUR SURROUNDINGS
ii. HELL IS A PLACE OF TORMENT
1. WE EXPERIENCE THE PAIN
2. WE EXPERIENCE THE SUFFERING
3. WE EXPERIENCE THE COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM GOD – REV 20:14 CALLS THIS THE SECOND DEATH
iii. HELL IS A PLACE OF DARKNESS
1. PHYSICAL DARKNESS
2. SPIRITUAL DARKNESS
iv. HELL IS A PLACE OF SORROW AND ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM LOVED ONES AND FROM GOD
1. IT IS UNPARDONABLE
2. IN THE STORY OF LAZARUS AND THE RICH MAN, WE ARE TOLD THAT NO ONE CAN TRAVEL FROM HEAVEN TO HELL AND NO ONE CAN TRAVEL FROM HELL EITHER
v. HELL IS A PLACE OF HOPELESSNESS. THE JUDGMENT OF HELL IS ETERNAL
vi. HELL IS A PLACE OF FIRE
vii. HELL IS A PLACE OF UNANSWERED PRAYERS
viii. THERE IS NO DEBATE
1. REMEMBER THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST PROVIDED US THE ALTERNATIVE TO THE ROAD WE WERE ALREADY ON – WE WERE CONDEMNED ALREADY
THE BIRTH OF CHRIST PROVIDED EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US WITH THE ALTERNATIVE TO OUR DESTINY. WE ARE LEFT WITH THE CHOICE TO ACCEPT GOD’S GIFT OF SALVATION OR TO REJECT THE FREE GIFT HE HAS FOR US.
IT IS NICE TO TALK ABOUT CHRISTMAS, GO RIDE AROUND AND SEE THE LIGHTS, FIND THAT PERFECT GIFT FOR SOMEONE, ETC.
YET THERE ARE MUCH MORE ETERNAL THINGS IN PLAY HERE. FOR THE PERSON WHO DOES NOT KNOW JESUS, AND ASK YOURSELF, “DO YOU JUST KNOW ABOUT JESUS, OR DO YOU KNOW HIM AS YOUR SAVIOR”.
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE MADE THAT DECISION TO TRUST CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR – TO OPEN THE REAL PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS, DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT WAS ALL GOD INTENDED FOR YOU – TO SIMPLY AVOID THE JUDGMENT AT THE END OF TIME. PERHAPS THIS IS THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WHERE YOU START BUILDING ON YOUR FOUNDATION
