Title: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Bible Book: 2 Corinthians 5 : 10
Author: Donald Cantrell
Subject: Judgment; Bema Seat
Objective:
Introduction
2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
The Clint Eastwood movie “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” had its debut in 1966. The movie was the third in the trilogy of spaghetti westerns between director Sergio Leone and actor Clint Eastwood. The movie was a huge hit in the theaters and well worth the $250,000 that Eastwood received and the 10 % royalties that he would get from the movies USA viewership: The bible also tells us that there is coming a day when the theme of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” will be very real and relevant. This day will be very real, riveting, and a day of reflection. The entire family of Christianity will be summoned before the “Judgment Seat” of Jesus Christ. We will not be there to discern our salvation, which has already been determined and settled. The fact that you are at this judgment speaks eternally that you are a child of God.
I was watching the reality show “Chrisley Knows Best” the other night and it made me think about the basis of this sermon. Todd Chrisley was about to be interviewed by a national magazine about his family. Before the reporter arrived, Todd had just found out that his oldest daughter had given his youngest daughter her ID Card. The youngest daughter, Savannah; was 17 years old and she was going to use the ID to get into a place that didn’t allow minors to enter.
Todd called the family together and told them that he would deal with the matter once the reporter was gone and the interview was over. What does this have to do with this sermon you may ask? The judgment seat of Christ is for family only. Some things only need to be dealt with behind the scenes. This will be the setting in heaven. There will be nobody outside the family allowed to witness this event. The events of this setting will be extreme, the emotions of this event will be extreme, and the magnitude of this event will be extreme.
The Christian will be brought before his Savior. He is not there to be condemned; he is not there to be questioned about his salvation. He or she will have their life inspected to see if it will be a time of rewarding or a time of regretting. I am not sure we fully understand the magnitude of this future event.
I. The Judgment Seat Expected
The term “Judgment Seat” is found 10 times in the New Testament. The people living in biblical days fully understood what it meant to stand before a judgment seat. The judgment seat is not some erroneous idea that was just made up, its concept makes sense and should be expected.
A) Practical Expectation “Logically Speaking”
As we live from day to day, it does not take us long to realize that there are consequences for our decisions and our choices. Our work is often inspected at the workplace. Our work is inspected as we attend classes at school, the teacher will review our work and grade it. Logically speaking the judgment seat makes perfect sense.
B) Personal Expectation “Literally Speaking”
Rom 14:10 KJV - But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Rom 14:12 KJV - So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
2Co 5:9 KJV - Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
2Co 5:10 KJV - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2Co 5:11 KJV - Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
The apostle Paul makes it very clear that each one of us will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. This will a literal event and Paul says we will each give an account for the lives that we have live, whether good or bad. Then Paul says something that is a bit disturbing and alarming, he tells his audience that due to knowing “the terror of the Lord” he persuaded men to follow God; because one day his life would be an open book as he stood before Christ.
In this series we previously looked at “The Signs and the Seasons” of bible prophecy, then we discussed “The Sightings and the Sounds” of bible prophecy. Our third sermon dealt with the rapture of the church with a sermon titled “Taken” and fourthly we discussed “Left Behind”, a sermon concerning those that go through the tribulation period. As followers of Jesus Christ we are not going to waltz into heaven popping bubble gum and wearing flip flops.
The Christian is going to be standing before the God of this universe and the creator and crafter of everything in existence. I find it appalling in the age that we live in seeing Christians give no thought of eternity.
In this age we live in Christians want to act like the world, dress like the world, it’s like they are afraid they might miss something that feels good, looks good, or tastes good; and in turn they devalue Christianity, the church, themselves, and God.
There will be a day of reckoning. We will stand before a Holy and a Just God, one that is no respecter of people. We will not waltz into heaven and do handstands upon the streets of gold. In heaven there will not be parades and dancing in the streets, Paul said knowing the terror of the Lord; I try to live a life that is worthy and honorable to God.
Every Christian is going to stand before God, and in turn he will pull up the events of their lives. The bible says that they will give and account of each thing, whether good or bad. This tells me that we should live our life with an eternal perspective.
II. The Judgment Seat Explained
In biblical days there were three different types of seats for Judgment, we will briefly look at them. The actual term for judgment seat is “bema” which refers to a raised step or platform.
A) Seat for Disputes & Appealing “Judicial Arena”
This judgment seat was one used in the court of justice, for judicial matters or legal matters. We find this type of seat mentioned in various places, one example was Paul standing before the bema seat of Gallio.
Act 18:12 KJV - And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
This type of judgment seat was used to settle disputes and grievances.
B) Seat for Discipline & Addressing “Military Arena”
The second type of judgment seat was one used in the military; it was a place where the commander would administer discipline or gather his troops and address them.
C) Seat for Distribution & Acknowledging “Athletic Arena”
The third type of judgment is one that was used at athletic games. This is where the judges gathered to enforce the rules and to give out the rewards. In numerous places Paul symbolizes the Christian life as that of an athlete. We need to run the Christian life as a race and follow the rules, therefore we can be rewarded at the end.
III. The Judgment Seat Examined
The bible is very clear about the coming judgment. We are not left on our own to wonder about this mighty event to come.
A) The Place of this Judgment
Paul says that we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
1 – Heavenly Location
Eph 2:6 KJV - And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Mar 16:19 KJV - So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Luk 22:69 KJV - Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
Act 7:55 KJV - But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Act 7:56 KJV - And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Rom 8:34 KJV - Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Eph 1:20 KJV - Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Col 3:1 KJV - If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Heb 1:3 KJV - Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
2 – Holy Lord
2Co 5:11 KJV - Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
B) The Period of this Judgment (I Cor. 4: 5)
We have established clearly that there is going to be a future judgment for every Christian. Now we need to determine exactly when this judgment will occur. The bible tells us clearly that it will be after he comes. This will be after the rapture, when he comes back for us and takes us to heaven.
1Th 4:16 KJV - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 KJV - Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 KJV - Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1Co 4:5 KJV - Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
1 – One Period has Ended “Church Age”
2 – One Period has Begin “Tribulation”
C) The Participates of this Judgment
The judgment seat of Christ is for his children, those that have truly been born again. We will be here to have our lives up for review and hopefully be rewarded for our faithfulness.
1 – The Raptured that were Selected
1Th 4:16 KJV - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 KJV - Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 KJV - Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
2 – The Redeemed that were Saved
This will be a period of review and rewarding, not one of condemnation. The Lord is not bringing you before his throne to condemn you for your sin. The Christian will stand before his Lord and Savior and I believe God will review his life and discern the over all pattern of his life and determine if he has built upon it with the proper works.
Jhn 3:17 KJV - For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Jhn 3:18 KJV - He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Rom 8:1 KJV - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Heb 8:12 KJV - For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Thankfully those of us that have been saved will never have to stand before God and be judged concerning our souls. The moment we were saved we became free of any type of condemnation.
D) The Purpose of this Judgment
The primary reasons for this judgment will be reviewing and rewarding.
1 – Time of Reviewing (II Cor. 5: 10)
2Co 5:10 KJV - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
a. Review our Life (Rom. 14: 12, Heb. 4: 13)
Rom 14:12 KJV - So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Heb 4:13 KJV - Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Heb 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.
b. Review our Service (I Cor. 3: 13)
1Co 3:13 KJV - Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
c. Review our Words (Matt. 12: 36)
Mat 12:36 KJV - But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
d. Review our Motives (Matt. 6: 1 – 2, Matt. 20: 16)
Mat 6:1 KJV - Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Mat 6:2 KJV - Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
2 – Time of Revealing (Rom. 14: 10 – 12, I Cor. 3: 12 - 13)
Rom 14:10 KJV - But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Rom 14:11 KJV - For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Rom 14:12 KJV - So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
1Co 3:12 KJV - Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 KJV - Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
3 – Time of Rewarding (I Cor. 3: 14)
1Co 3:14 KJV - If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
4 – Time of Remorsing (I Cor. 3: 15)
1Co 3:15 KJV - If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
E) The Principles of this Judgment
This judgment will be conducted in a way that will leave no room for dispute or doubt.
1 – Fairness will be used to Judge
2 – Thoroughness will be used to Judge
3 – Graciousness will be used to Judge
F) The Particulars of this Judgment
1 – The Crown Incorruptible (I Cor. 9: 24 – 27)
1Co 9:24 KJV - Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25 KJV - And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Co 9:27 KJV - But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The incorruptible crown, that's for the one who obeyed the Lord's command and made self-sacrifice and disciplined his life to live for God.
2 – The Crown of Righteousness (II Tim. 4: 8)
2Ti 4:8 KJV - Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
The crown of righteousness, that's to all who love His appearing. That means everybody who is so in love with Jesus Christ that the looking for His coming dominates their life.
Tit 2:13 KJV - Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
3 – The Crown of Life (James 1: 12, Rev. 2: 10)
Jas 1:12 KJV - Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Rev 2:10 KJV - Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
The crown of life, that's for the guy who went through the persecution and martyrdom for Jesus' sake.
4 – The Crown of Rejoicing (I Thess. 2: 19)
1Th 2:19 KJV - For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
The crown of rejoicing is the soul winners' crown.
Pro 11:30 KJV - The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Rom 10:15 KJV - And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
5 – The Crown of Glory (I Peter 5: 1 – 4)
1Pe 5:1 KJV - The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
1Pe 5:2 KJV - Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1Pe 5:3 KJV - Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1Pe 5:4 KJV - And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
The crown of glory, this is the shepherd's crown, that's for the elders, and the pastor teachers.
IV. The Judgment Seat Emphasized
But listen, beloved, I hesitate to say this, but yet I say it because it's in the word of God. Some of you are going to be there and you're going to suffer loss. You're not going to receive the full reward that you could have received. Why? Because you haven't lived the kind of life you should have lived. You haven't ordered your priorities. (John MacArthur)
Let us look at some verses that will clarify the following statement. We need live like we will be accountable for our lifestyle.
A) It May Be a Day of Shame
1Jo 2:28 KJV - And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
B) It May Be a Day of Sorrow
2Jo 1:8 KJV - Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2Jo 1:8 ESV - Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.
Rev 3:11 KJV - Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Rev 3:11 ESV - I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
C) It May Be a Day of Subtraction
1Co 3:12 KJV - Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 KJV - Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 KJV - If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 KJV - If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The link to this audio sermon can be found and downloaded at:
www.antiochbaptistdalton.com
Pastor Cantrell can be reached at the following:
(706)218-5646 or (706)695-6499
Dr. Cantrell has over 28 books in print that can be found on the above website or at:
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