The Judgment Seat of Christ

Introduction: Have you ever stood before a judge? I have! I’ll not bore you with the details… stop your wondering why your pastor stood before a judge. By the way, at the time I wasn’t a pastor, and I was about ten years old.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Do the crime, pay the time?” Well, anyone who commits a crime in our country will stand before a judge to be sentenced. Sometimes it’s a light sentence, and other times it is a severe sentence. It all depends on the type of crime.

In the same way that people on earth stand before an earthly judge, so every person that has ever lived will stand before Jesus Christ, the heavenly judge, the righteous judge. He knows all the facts, and nothing is hidden from His sight. His judgment is righteous all together. Someone has penned, “You will stand before Him as your Savior, or you will stand before Him as you Judge.” Which will it be for you?

In Ecclesiastes 12:14, we are reminded,

For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Is this taught in the New Testament? The answer is, yes! Our study on the Judgment Seat of Christ is based on two key Scripture verses. They are:

· Romans 14:10 - 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.

· 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 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.

Christians, those who have believed in Him will stand before Him at what is called the Bema Seat Judgment of Christ (or the Judgment Seat of Christ).

What is a Bema Seat? Well, this takes us back to the days when the Greeks held their athletic games. In Paul’s day athletes would gather and complete against one another. Just like they do in the Olympics today. At the stadium there was a throne where the ruler was seated. When the games were finished the athletes received their reward from the ruling dignitary. The reward wasn’t a gold, silver, or bronze metal. No, it was a wreath made from leaves. This crown was called the victor’s crown.

What about the Unsaved?

The Unsaved, those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and their need for a Savior will stand before Him at the Great White Throne Judgment Seat. We will be looking at this judgment in a latter chapter. You read about the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation 20:11-15.

Christians will NOT be judge on whether they will go to heaven. No, this was decided the moment you believed in Him and called upon Him for salvation. That issue is a done deal. It is called, eternal security (See John 10:28-30; Romans 8:29-39; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; Hebrews 7:25). Once you are in Christ you can never be out of Him. The Bible calls this, Eternal Salvation.

Unbelievers, however, WILL be judge based on their refusal to believe and to call upon Jesus Christ for salvation. They will stand before the rightful ruler of the universe, and they will be judge based on two things: First, that their name is not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Second, for all the deeds they did on earth.

Based on these truths, how then should we live today? Knowing that all people everywhere will stand before Jesus Christ someday, how should we live in the present?

What is the foremost important decision that you could ever make in your life? It is to make sure that you KNOW Jesus Christ as your Savior and that He is Lord of your life.

The Bible says,

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13For “whoever calls on the name of the Lordshall be saved.” (Romans 10:9–13)

Do you know that you are saved? Next, are you ready to stand before Jesus Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ? How can we prepare for that day today?

I. Learn to do Good Works – 1 Corinthians 3:9-15

According to 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, all our works done here on earth will go through a fire. One man wrote, “God will examine our works and test them against the fire of His holiness.” Yes, the quality of our works shall be tested by the holiness of God. Where our works done out of the right motive and for the right reason?

What are some good works that we can be involved in while we walk this earth? (See handout) Well, allow me to walk through the teachings found in the New Testament. These truths are for the believer. I just want to highlight a few things we can be doing today.

· Let our light shine – Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Notice that Jesus placed an emphasis upon “that they may see your good works…”

Live for Jesus in the everyday mundane things of life. In your sphere of influence make a difference.

· Worship the Lord – Matthew 26:10

But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.

Here we have a woman that anointed the feet of Jesus with some very expensive fragrant oil. Jesus’ disciples become indignant. They said that the oil should have been sold, and that the money be given to the poor. But Jesus responded with what we read in verse 10,

For she has done a good work for Me.

This woman took the time to worship Jesus.

· Be a good citizen – Romans 13:3

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

I question this verse considering our present world leaders. It seems to me that a lot of our world leaders are calling good evil and evil good today. Do evil and you are praised and rewarded but call something evil and you are canceled.

However, this is NOT the way government is supposed to work. No, leaders of nations are supposed to support citizens who do good. Citizens should not have to be afraid of the “authority” when they are being good citizens.

As Christians we ought to be the best citizens! The world ought to be able to see all the good we are doing around us. By the way, most of the things that has brought health to the world has been inspired by Christians doing good.

· Art

· Politics

· Ending slavery

· Hospitals

· Schools

Are you aware that according to 100 years of Nobel Prizes between 1901 and 2000 reveals that 65.4% of the recipients have identified Christianity as their religious preference?

· Practice doing good works – Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

God created us and fashioned us for good works. The word, “workmanship” in the Greek is “poiēma” and we get our English word poem from that word. In other words, all of us who know Christ are a poem unto good works. Our lives ought to be lived as a poem that tells a good works story.

Speaking of poems, I like this one by Paul Gilbert,

“You are writing a Gospel, A chapter each day, By deeds that you do, By words that you say. Men read what you write, Whether faithless or true; Say, what is the Gospel According to you?”

· Be fruitful – Colossians 1:10

that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Underline the words,

Fruitful in every good work

By the way, I believe if we really want to know how to be fruitful that we need to spend some time in John 15. It tells us the secret – we must abide in Him. We read in John 15:4,

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

· Professing godliness – 1 Timothy 2:10

but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

This verse speaks to women, and they are told to live in such a way that their lives profess godliness, with good works. You see a godly life will produce a life of good works.

· Show kindness – 1 Timothy 5:10

well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

Time doesn’t allow me to slowly walk through the rest of these verses, but I do want to highlight them. How else can we do good works?

· Be a giver – 1 Timothy 6:18

Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,

· Live out the Scripture – 2 Timothy 3:17

that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Repeatedly we are told to practice and do good works. Why do you suppose we have so many Bible verses about doing good? Because we shall all stand before God and give account to Him of all we have done.

Here are some of the ways the Bible reminds us to practice good works:

· Showing yourself a pattern of good works – Titus 2:7

· Zealous for good works – Titus 2:14

· Maintain good works - Titus 3:8,14

· Stir up love and good works – Hebrews 10:24

· Make you complete in every good work to do His will – Hebrews 13:21

All our good works according to 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 are seen as gold, silver, and precious stone. But what about the wood, hay, and straw? Well, this brings us to our next point.

II. Watch out for Evil Works

The Bible doesn’t speak about bad works, no, it speaks about evil works. All of us know the evil that is around us today.

Here is what the New Testament teaches us about evil works.

· The world can be evil – John 7:7

Listen to what Jesus taught His disciples,

The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.

Here are a few evil works in our world:

Murder: In Los Angeles on Mother’s Day (5-8-22), Angela Flores, 38 murdered three of her children (8,10,12 years-old) with the help of her 16-year-old son. That is pure evil.

Sex Trafficking: It is estimated that 24.9 million people are being sex trafficked around the world. The State Department estimates that between 15,000 and 50,000 women and girls are trafficked each year into the United States. That is pure evil.

Illegal Drugs: China, India, and Mexico produce fentanyl, and the drug cartels around the world t push their drugs upon weak souls in our cities around the world. Their works are pure evil.

· Citizens in society can be evil – Romans 13:3

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.

Have you noticed all the evil works that are done by citizens in our society? In Los Angeles people are warned not to wear jewelry in public because people are being robbed on the streets. Stores are having people walk in and walk out carrying items out the door without the intention of paying for them.

· Individuals can be evil – 2 Timothy 4:18

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me from His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

· Cain, the firstborn child was evil – 1 John 3:12

Not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

When Jesus speaks to the Church of Ephesus in Revelation 2:2, He says,

I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

We all need to remember that nothing gets past the all-seeing eyes of Jesus Christ. He sees everything!

III. Be ready to be Rewarded for Good Works

God will reward the faithful. In 1 Corinthians 3:14 we read,

Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

Scripture speaks of:

· His own reward – 1 Corinthians 3:8

· A just reward – Hebrews 2:2

· A great reward – Hebrews 10:35

· A full reward – 2 John 8

What are the rewards found in Scripture for faithful Christian service? The Bible speaks of five crowns that will be given to God’s people. They are:

1. The Incorruptible Crown – 1 Corinthians 9:25

This crown has often been called “the victor’s crown.” This crown will be given to those who run the race that is set before them. It is running the race that God has for your life. Every person must focus in on how God wants them to be running their own life.

This crown will be given to all those who bringing your body under subjection – 1 Corinthians 9:27

We are to lay aside every weight and sin that hold us down. Throw off the extra weight so that you can run with endurance the race that God has set before you.

2. The Crown of Life (Martyr’s crown) – Revelation 2:10

Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

This crown has also been called “the Martyr’s crown” or “the suffering crown.” Many in the Christian faith have suffered for the cause of Christ.

James wrote,

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12)

Many are suffering in our day and age. Many have died and are dying for their testimony.

Consider what Jesus commends said to the church of Smyrna,

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10).

3. The Crown of Glory (Elder’s crown) – 1 Peter 5:2-4

This crown has been called “the shepherd’s crown.” It will be rewarded to the faithful shepherd who cared for God’s flock – the sheep of the fold. They have been faithful when it comes to preaching and teaching the Word of God. They were busy making disciples of God’s people.

A pastor preaches, teaches, and protects God’s people. Christ is the good shepherd, the great shepherd, and the chief shepherd, but pastors are under-shepherds. We follow the example of Jesus Christ. If I seek to do what Jesus did, I shall be rewarded.

4. The Crown of Righteousness (Those who love his appearing) – 2 Timothy 4:8

This is a crown that every saint can receive, but you must be looking forwarded and longing for the second coming of Christ.

In the last chapter I told you about a man named, Glenn LaBolle. Glenn lived for two words: Perhaps Today! He believed that Jesus Christ could come for His people any moment.

Do you live as if this could be our last day here in earth? We should if we want to receive the crown of righteousness.

Knowing that Jesus could come back at any time should keep us busy about our Father’s work, and it should keep us holy, and ready for the master’s return.

5. The Crown of Rejoicing (Soul-winner’s crown) – 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

The crown of rejoicing is also called, “the soul-winners crown.” It will be a crown given to those who are wise and winning souls. They are busying sharing the gospel of Jesus with whoever they encounter. They share Jesus with urgency, and so should we.

Who have you personally won to Christ? Who will be in heaven because of you? Have you led anyone in the sinner’s prayer and watched them converted before your very eyes?

The Million Dollar Gospel of John

Did you find your million dollars in your seat? Okay, it wasn’t really a million dollars, but it was meant to look like a million dollars. It was the cover for the Gospel of John. But it looked like it was actual money, right?

I want you to take that Gospel of John and give it away to someone you know who needs Jesus Christ. Tell them, if I could give you a million dollars or this book with a cover of a million dollars, I would still choose to give you this book. Why? Because the contents of this book are worth more than a million dollars.

Tell people about Jesus! Tell your family, neighbors, and friends. If not you, who will tell them?

Costco Evangelism

The story of Diana Girrado in Costco. A few weeks back Debbie and I were shopping in Costco. She sent me off to find something and when I rounded an aisle, I saw Diana Girrado visiting with another lady. As I got close, I heard her sharing Jesus Christ with this woman. When I reached her, Diana introduced me as her pastor to the lady. She said she was telling her about Jesus, and then shared me that this lady has a sick son. I was asked if I would pray for her son. So, right in an aisle in Costco the three of us bowed our head and prayed.

When that lady left Diana shared with me that Costco is one of her favorite places to talk with people about Jesus.

Yes, there is coming a day when we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, and we shall be rewarded. In Revelation 3:11 we read,

Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

And back in 2 John 8 we have the following warning,

Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

M.R. DeHaan, said, “To come to Christ costs you nothing, to follow Christ cost you something, to serve Christ will cost you everything.”

Conclusion: When it comes to future rewards, we can suffer loss and yet still be saved. In 1 Corinthians 3:15 we read,

If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Don’t forget that our salvation is not based on works (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are not saved by our works, but we are saved unto good works.

Next, make sure you are confident that your salvation is secure. In 1 John 5:11-12 we read,

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Our works however will be tried and tested. Knowing this ought to affect the way we live our lives today. Live for that day!