God is Just & Judge (2)

Youth Group

Spring 2022

Nathan Schweitzer

Much of the material is adapted from Knowing God, JI Packer & Logos’ topical outlines resource.

God is Judge

Introduction:

Question: Do you believe in a God who will judge you one day? What do you picture that judgment looking like?

Ask the question: How do you really respond emotionally to the idea that there is a Powerful Being who made you, knows you, knows everything you do & think, and will one day evaluate you? Do you have room for that in your image of God?

“The final proof that God is a perfect moral Being, not indifferent to questions of right and wrong, is the fact that he has committed himself to judge the world.”

n Packer, J. I.. Knowing God (p. 143). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

Talk Bible!

Question: How much does God act as a judge in the Bible?

Constantly (JI Packer’s list): in the Garden of Eden, through the flood, at Sodom and Gomorrah, in Egypt, against the Golden calf worshipers, against Nadab and Abihu who offered strange incense on the altar, against Korah who rebelled in the wilderness, against Achan for stealing, Israel for not trusting in the wilderness, and for all the idolatry and murder and injustice Israel committed – he sent them into exile for an entire generation (lost). In the NT, he judged the Jews for rejecting him, Ananias and Sapphira for lying to God, Herod for pride, Elymas for opposing gospel work, the Corinthian Christians for taking communion with wrong hearts.

Is God’s judgment (or evaluation) reserved for non-Christians only?

What reasons do you have for believing God will only judge those who don’t believe in Christ? Which is the right answer: Romans 14:10 (we will all stand before judgement seat of God) or John 5:24 (he who believes will not come into judgment)

John 5:24 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Romans 14:10 ESV

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;

Will Christians be judged?

Yes, evaluated or assessed. (1 Cor. 3:12-15)

1 Corinthians 3:12–15 ESV

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

How does God’s Judgment impact my everyday life?

Your salvation is secure, but your obedience will be evaluated (post-game review).

You don’t have to right every wrong. God will deal with the cheaters.

You don’t have to dish out revenge.

You don’t have to be a social justice warrior.

#4 Rescue the poor, speak for the outcasts, etc. as a means of doing good works like God commanded and representing Jesus in this world, but you don’t have to be a social justice warrior or make justice happen.

Bible: What kind of Judge is God?

Ask two questions about the character of God when looking at these passages. 1) Who or what is God judging? 2) What do you learn about God’s justice or judgment from the passage? Look for description words or ideas.

God’s Justice is impartial (1 Pet. 1:17)

1 Peter 1:17 ESV

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,

God’s Justice is inescapable (Heb. 2:2-3)

Hebrews 2:2–3 ESV

For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,

God’s Justice is infallible (Heb. 4:13)

Hebrews 4:13 ESV

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Is God’s Justice (Retribution or Punishment) Fair?

1. What does the Bible say? 2 Cor. 5:10 (what is due) and Rom. 2:6-8 (according to his works)

2. What are principles of fair punishment?

His justice is part of ending the battle between evil and good. Eternal judgment may seem unfair, but as we’ve talked about before: sin against an eternal God has eternal consequences, there’s a way out with Christ, judgment in hell has degrees of punishment, and it’s final closure on the story of the battle between good and evil.

“It is unthinkable that the present conflict between good and evil should last throughout eternity.” – Leon Morris

"If no sin were punished here, no Providence would be believed; and if every sin should be punished here, no judgment would be expected” – John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence