The Judgment Seat of Christ

Pastor Keith Hassell

Foundation Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:9-11

I. Two Judgments

A. Judgment Seat of Christ is for believers who have Christ as their foundation. They will be given degrees of rewards for the deeds they have done in the body.

B. White Throne Judgment is for unbelievers where each will be judged according to their deeds and will receive degrees of punishment (Eccl. 12:14; Isaiah 3:11; 59:18; 65:6-7; Matt. 11:23-24; 10:15; 18:6-7; 23:13; Luke 20:47)

C. Hebrews 9:27 It is appointed unto men once to die and then the judgment

II. Salvation is based on His righteousness given to us

A. Isaiah 64: 6 Our righteousness is as filthy rags

B. 2 Corinthians 5:21 God gives us His righteousness

C. Derek Prince, Eternal Judgment: “Obviously, where the believer receives salvation on this basis, it would be utterly illogical for God to judge, or even to call into question, His own righteousness, imparted to a believer.”

D. John 3:18 He who believes is not condemned

E. Romans 8:1 No condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus

F. Hebrews 9:28 “To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”

III. The Judgment Seat of Christ will reveal what we invested in

A. Illustration: Suppose you had a rich uncle who left you two million dollars provided that you agreed to the following conditions:

1. You must spend the money in one week

2. You must spend it on tangible assets (no stocks, bonds, insurance, etc.)

3. You must keep all your assets at you house

One thing about the future: A fire would take place in your house

What would you invest in? Gold, silver, precious stones.

B. I Corinthians 3:9-15 There is a fire coming!

1. There are no opportunities to reinvest after we die

2. There are no opportunities for rewards after we die

3. How we serve God in heaven is forever determined by how we live this life!

C. Martin Luther (Living in Light of Eternity by Stacy & Paula Rinehart): “Four centuries ago, Martin Luther said that on his calendar there were but two days: “Today” and “That Day.” He recognized that all the days of his earthly existence were preparation for that momentous day when he would stand before God in eternity and give account for his life.”

IV. Ready or not, here He comes! (The judgment of believers will take place when He comes)

A. Isaiah 40:10 “Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.”

B. Isaiah 62:11 “Indeed the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world; Say to he daughter of Zion, ‘Surely your salvation is coming; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.”

C. Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His holy angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”

D. I Corinthians 4:5 “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.”

E. I Thessalonians 3:12-13 “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”

F. Revelation 22:12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.”

G. J. Hudson Taylor (British missionary to China and founder of China Inland Mission) wrote: “I saw further that all through the New Testament the coming of the Lord was the strongest motive for consecration and service, and the greatest comfort in trial and affliction. I learned too that the period of His return for people was not revealed, the important thing being to be ready for Him as to be able, whenever He might appear, to give account of one’s stewardship with joy, and not with grief.”

V. How do we make ourselves ready?

A. Revelation 19:7-8 The bride has made herself ready

B. All believers will have the basic tunic of Christ’s righteousness. Some will have garments of fine linen given to them because of their righteous deeds---manifestations of the righteousness of Christ within them, i.e. the “fruits of righteousness”

1. Philippians 1:9-11 “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

VI. Rewards: Laying up treasures in heaven

A. Revelation 4:9-10 The Twenty Four Elders cast their golden crowns before the One who sits on the throne each time the four beasts cry out “Holy, holy, holy!”

B. Luke 12:20-21 (Rich Fool) “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

C. Matthew 6:19-20 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

D. Luke 6:22-23 (rewards worthy to suffer for) “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when the exclude you, and revile you and cast your name out as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.”

E. Luke 6:32, 35 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them . . . But love your enemies, do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.”

F. Luke 14:12-14 “When you give a dinner or supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

G. I Timothy 6:17-19 “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, not to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they may be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

H. Hebrews 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”

I. Revelation 2-3 Those who overcome shall receive eternal rewards and blessings

J. Daniel 12:3 “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.”

VII. Don’t lose your reward

A. For the sake of the flesh: Genesis 25:29-34; Hebrews 12:15-17 Esau sold his birthright for a momentary gratification of the flesh. Although he could be forgiven, he wept but could not regain what he had lost.

B. For the sake of others: Colossians 2:18 “Let no one cheat you of your reward”

VIII. Maintain the Fear of the Lord

A. The Day of Christ appearing is coming. It will be a day when all believers will stand before Him to give account.

B. Every work and motive of the heart will be passed through the fire. Only that which is left will be given a reward.

C. What stands at our feet today? Wood, hay, and stubble? Gold, silver, and precious stones?

D. Will you hear the Master say on that Day Well done, good and faithful servant?

E. God has given us plenty of forewarning so that we might be prepared.

IX. Things to Consider

A. On what basis am I defining success for my life?

B. Am I doing what others expect of me rather than what God expects of me?

C. Am I controlled by the fear of man or the fear of God?

D. Am I demonstrating a servant’s heart toward God and others?

E. Am I sitting in God’s chair by judging and criticizing others?

F. Am I pleasing God in my work? In my home? In my marriage?

G. Am I being a good steward of my time? Money? Talents?

H. Am I seizing the time and opportunities given to me?

I. Am I obeying the directions of the Lord for my life?

J. Am I living my life so as to please the Lord?