Bible Study 2 Corinthians 5:9-11

Prayer

Message

Introduction

Presenting Ourselves Pleasing to Him

Would you agree that when we accepted Christ that our lives should reflect Christ- centered lifestyle from that point? In other words, we’ve entered into a relationship for both the here and now and the hereafter. I say that to say that the changes we long for in our lives can happen right now and not just to wait for our eternal bodies and the eternal change that awaits us.

Can we enjoy heaven on earth in Jesus Christ? We can enjoy times as such, but we are not immune to the sins of this fallen world are we.

We looked last week as Paul reminded us of the assurance of the resurrection and knowing that we will inherit a home in heaven. Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:6–8 “6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

So Paul offers us encouragement and hope in that promise of heaven and all that heaven will have in store for as it relates to our bodies and new home. And Paul goes on to add that while we await that transition He has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee.

I titled our study tonight “Presenting Ourselves Well Pleasing to Him.”

Our Aim: Living Lives Acceptable to Christ

2 Corinthians 5:9–11 “9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 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. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”

So Paul says, therefore”. This is what we are to do as we await our home for eternity. There is a preparation period. There is something we are to be doing. If we are to meet Christ and live with Him in eternity, you need to begin practicing living like me.

2 Corinthians 5:9 “9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.”

Do you realize that when we practice living a life acceptable to God that it has its promises affixed to that action?

Romans 14:18 “18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.”

Now Brother Luke, you know that is not true. We are called a peculiar people, Bible nerds and we will not win a popularity contest today. Do you believe the Bible to be true? Do you believe there are more good people today than bad people? Note: I said good, I did not say perfect.

The Mayor of Montgomery defended the leadership of Montgomery for the incident the other night downtown where two wee killed and 12 were injured. He went on to say that law enforcement was all around and responded quickly. In other words, no actions can be taken to totally eradicate evil obviously until Jesus comes again.

But the majority of people will appreciate the new you found in Christ Jesus. You will have a greater touch on the world living as a Christ follower and as a Christian example.

Oh dearly beloved, do you want to be accepted by people in the here in now?

When we act like Christ we will draw people to us.

John 12:32 “32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.””

In fact, I believe that can be a measure for us. When we are living a life of isolation, or reclusive, or of a confrontational nature, and we are pushing people away I believe we can quickly surmise if we are acting like Christ.

Let’s take a few moments and gather solid understanding of these next verses and this doctrine of the Judgment Seat of Christ.

The Context: The Judgment Seat of Christ (v.10)

How would you define the Judgment Seat of Christ?

The Judgment Seat of Christ is the post-resurrection evaluation of believers’ works — not to determine salvation, but to assess faithfulness and reward.

The Bible describes three main future judgments, and it’s crucial to differentiate them:

Judgment Subjects Timing Purpose Scripture

Bēma (Judgment Seat of Christ)Believers After the rapture / resurrection To evaluate works and assign rewards 2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10–12; 1 Cor 3:10-15

Judgment of the Nations Survivors of Tribulation At Christ’s 2nd Coming To determine who enters the Millennial Kingdom Matt 25:31-46

Great White Throne Judgment UnbelieversAfter the Millennium To determine eternal punishment Rev 20:11-15

Paul is speaking specifically to believers. The “judgment seat” (Greek: bēma) was a raised platform where rewards were distributed after an athletic contest — not where guilt or innocence was determined.

Paul deliberately used this image because his readers in Corinth (home to the Isthmian Games) understood it vividly (1 Cor 9:24-27).

Thus, it is a celebratory but solemn judgment — Christ as Rewarder, not Condemner.

Romans 14:10–12 “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. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Romans 14:10-12

The issue here is not salvation, but evaluation — an assessment of our works after salvation.

You Are Right: Sin’s Penalty Is Paid in Full for the Believer

You’re exactly correct that for believers, Christ bore the full penalty of sin — past, present, and future.

Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

John 5:24 – “He who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment.” This means the judgment seat of Christ is not punitive. We will not be judged for our sins, because those were judged at the Cross. Rather, we will be judged for our stewardship — how we lived as redeemed people.

You Are Also Right: Consequences on Earth Still Exist

Even forgiven sin can have temporal consequences. Your examples are spot-on:

David (2 Samuel 12) – forgiven, but faced ongoing consequences.

Paul (Acts 9:15–16; Gal. 6:7) – forgiven, yet endured suffering. These earthly consequences are disciplinary or corrective, not eternal or condemnatory.

You could also note Galatians 6:7–8 “7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

God’s forgiveness restores relationship, but it doesn’t necessarily remove earthly repercussions.

The “Reward System” You Mention Is Biblical

Yes, the Bema Seat is about reward, not retribution.

What is the Standard? Faithfulness in Life and Service

What is examined?

Motives – 1 Cor 4:5 – “He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts.”

Deeds – 2 Cor 5:10 – “According to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

Words – Matt 12:36 – “Every idle word men may speak.”

Use of time, talent, and treasure – Matt 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27 (Parables of the Talents and Minas).

Faithfulness to calling – 1 Cor 3:12-15 — building on the foundation of Christ with gold/silver/precious stones (enduring works) or wood/hay/stubble (empty works).

The Outcome: Rewards or Loss of Reward

Scripture teaches a range of crowns (symbols of honor):

Crown of Righteousness – for loving His appearing (2 Tim 4:8)

Crown of Life – for enduring trial faithfully (James 1:12; Rev 2:10)

Crown of Glory – for faithful shepherds (1 Pet 5:4)

Incorruptible Crown – for disciplined Christian living (1 Cor 9:25)

Crown of Rejoicing – for soul-winning and service (1 Thess 2:19)

Loss of reward doesn’t mean loss of salvation.

1 Cor 3:15 – “If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” Believers may stand “empty-handed” before Christ but still eternally secure.

⏳ VI. The Timing and Setting

The bēma occurs after the resurrection/rapture of the Church and before the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

1 Thess 4:13-18 – resurrection of believers.

Rev 19:7-9 – the bride is arrayed in “fine linen, bright and pure,” representing “the righteous acts of the saints” (suggesting rewards already given). Thus, the bēma precedes Christ’s visible return with His saints in glory (Rev 19:14).

🙌 VII. The Motivation: Reverence and Reward, Not Terror

Paul’s theology blends holy fear and holy longing:

Fear – of wasting life or disappointing the Lord (2 Cor 5:11).

Love – because “the love of Christ compels us” (2 Cor 5:14). Believers live not for fear of punishment but for joyful accountability — to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

🪔 VIII. Practical Implications

Our salvation is secure, but our service still matters.

Every ordinary act done for Christ (Col 3:23-24) will be remembered.

Our motives matter — hidden pride or self-promotion will be exposed.

Our time on earth is stewardship training for eternity.

A Practical and Heart-Level Takeaway

Paul’s motivation in verses 9–11 is not fear of losing heaven but the desire to please Christ and to hear, ‘Well done.’ You might emphasize:

v.9 – “Therefore we make it our aim to please Him” – That’s the believer’s motive.

v.10 – “For we must all appear…” – That’s the believer’s accountability.

2 Corinthians 5:11 “11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”

v.11 – “Knowing therefore the terror (or awe) of the Lord…” – That’s the believer’s reverence.

“Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord…”

The word “terror” (Greek: phobos, from which we get “phobia”) doesn’t mean panic or dread for believers.

It means a deep reverence and awe — an understanding of the seriousness of standing before a holy God.

In modern language:

“Because we understand how awesome, holy, and all-seeing the Lord is — and that everyone will one day stand before Him — we take this calling seriously.”

Paul isn’t afraid that God will condemn him; rather, he’s motivated by the weight of accountability and the awe of Christ’s authority.

“…we persuade men…”

Paul’s awareness of judgment moved him to urge people to be reconciled to God (see v.20).

He wasn’t manipulating; he was pleading from conviction.

“Persuade” here means to reason with, to appeal to people’s hearts and minds about the truth of the gospel.

In other words:

“Because we know eternity is real, we do everything we can to convince others to turn to Christ before it’s too late.”

This captures Paul’s evangelistic heartbeat — he’s not casual about the gospel because he knows what’s at stake.

“…but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”

Some critics in Corinth doubted Paul’s motives. They thought he was self-promoting or overly zealous.

Paul says, “God knows my heart — and I hope you do too.”

His integrity wasn’t for show; it was genuine before God and transparent before people.

In today’s words:

“God knows my heart is right, and I hope you can see that too. My goal isn’t to build my name but to honor His.”