For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not (persuaded) the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved [Fall reversal], where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator
I. Why Judgment?
Ac 17:30 ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has ordained; given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead Rev 11:18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth.
A. To demonstrate and vindicate God's Justice
Jn 12:48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him:the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day Rm 1:32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. 2:1 you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who "will render to each one according to his deeds": 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness----indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first...Greek 11 For there is no partiality with God
B. To motivate and reward faithful believers
Ps 62:12 to You, O Lord, belongs hesed; For You render to each one according to his work. Job 34:11 For He repays man according to his work, And makes man to find a reward according to his way. 1Cor 3:13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
2Cor 5:9 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. Eph 6:8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Col 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality Rev 22:12 I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
C. To Glorify God
Ps 96:9 worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. 10 He shall judge the peoples righteously.13 for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth Ps 9:7 He has prepared His throne for judgment. 8 He shall judge the world in righteousness, And He shall administer judgment... Mt 16:27 the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Mt 25:31 Son of Man comes in His glory, all holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory (judge inherit depart)
II. Who Get's Judged?
A. Believers behaving well B. Believers behaving badly C. Unregenerate
Lk 19:8 I restore 4x. 9 Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. 11 because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. 13 servants...Do business till I come 14 citizens hated him...We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.17 Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities. 19`You also be over five cities. 26...to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him 27 But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me. Pr 11:31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.
III. What Get's Judged?
Ecc 11:9 Rejoice in your youth, Walk in the ways of your heart...But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. 12:13 the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. Mt 7:1 Judge not,
A. Works Faithfulness Obedience Faithfulness/Stewardship
Rm 14:12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God Jn 5:27 has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth: those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation Rev 2:23 all churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works Mk 10:29 no one who has left father or mother or wife or children or lands,for My sake and the gospel's 30 who shall not receive a 100x now in this time with persecutions, and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
B. Words spoken
Mt 12:36 I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. Mt 5:22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, `Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, `You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.
Words heard Mr 6:11 whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
C. Thoughts, intents, attitudes
Rom 2:16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel 1Cor 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.
Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response: “A man is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose” 1. Why do some think that God stops being just to be loving, or that nothing unpleasant will happen to believers as a result of their disobedience? 2. What is the value/benefit of those things that cause us to miss out on God's blessing? Are they worth it? Why do we sin? 3. How does knowing that you're doing what pleases God give you worth and value? How can it eliminate/reduce temptation to do wrong? 4. How can you insure that you will do well at the judgment seat of Christ? What role can the Body play in helping you? |