Holy Rewarded
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Today I as we continue with my end of days sermon series I want to speak with you about the judgement seat of Christ. And my hope is that it will encourage and inspire you to be all and do all that you can do or be for the kingdom of God in this life and to enjoy the blessings of doing so in the life to come.
10 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.
What Is the Judgement Seat of Christ?
What Is the Judgement Seat of Christ?
The judgment seat of Christ is also referred to as the Bema Seat.
Bema is a greek word meaning judgement
Bema is a greek word meaning judgement
Romans Bēma, “Judgment Seat”
In the Graeco-Roman world, a bēma was a raised platform in a public setting that was used for official business. Often, this platform would have a bench or official chair where magistrates or judges would sit while they pronounced legal decisions.
They had a Bema in the city of Corinth and Paul is explaining to the church that as the church we will stand before the Lord and give an account for how we lived our lives after receiving salvation.
The Bible teaches use that all people will be judged for how they lived their lives.
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
It is important at this time to make a clear distinction that the Bema seat of Christ is not the same event as the Great White Throne Judgement.
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
The great white throne judgement is an event for those who reject the Lord and instead live in the ways of the world. It happens at the end of the millennial reign of Christ which is when His earthly kingdom on earth is established for 1,000 years.
The Bema seat is a judgement for those who are Christians and the judgement is not for salvation but for rewards on how our lives were lived after being saved by putting our faith in Jesus Christ.
Who Participates in the Bema Seat?
Who Participates in the Bema Seat?
10 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.
Paul says that we must all appear. Notice he uses the word we to include himself. Paul is speaking about those who are followers of Christ including himself. Then he changes from we to say each one for what he has done. This means that while all of the Church will attend this event that it is still and individual judgement on a person by person basis.
10 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Again we can see in this text that Paul is teaching that all believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Where Does the Judgement Take Place?
Where Does the Judgement Take Place?
10 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.
Verse 10 tells us that the judgment takes place before the judgement seat of Christ. Again remember that the Bema seat is raised platform.
We also know that Jesus will be the one who is judging each Christian and also the world at the great white throne judgment.
22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,
This means that God the Father has given God the Son all authority to judge all created things. Therefore we can conclude that Jesus will be on the judgement seat and we will stand before Him.
When Does It Happen?
When Does It Happen?
The next thing you may be wondering is when will the Judgement Seat of Christ happen.
5 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.
We can read in this text that the judgement is not pronounced until after the Lord comes. As we discussed two weeks ago during my message on the Rapture of the church, Jesus is going to call the church to meet Him in the sky and we will be with Him for the marriage supper of the Lamb when the world is going through the seven years of tribulation on earth.
However, the bema seat takes place before the marriage supper of the Lamb, therefore we know that the judgement seat of Christ event for the church happens just after the rapture of the church.
12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.
Again we can see that Jesus is coming quickly and the rapture happens in an indivisible amount of time. Also we can read that Jesus is bringing His reward with Him which is for His believers and not a judgement that takes place for the sinners and unsaved.
Why is There a Judgement Seat?
Why is There a Judgement Seat?
Again it is important to clarify that the judgement which Christians experience at the Bema seat of Christ is not for salvation. This is because our faith in Jesus Christ saves us and washes away our sins by the power of His atoning blood.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Said differently we are saved by Christ’s dying not by our doing. The grace of God has been extended to us through our faith in Jesus Christ.
10 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.
We can see once again in today’s anchor verse that every believers life will be reviewed and rewarded whether good or bad. The word bad is the word fallos in the greek which means worthless not evil as some translations use. Meaning we will be judged on things we have done since salvation being good or being worthless things meaning things that are worthy of honor or a reward. I don’t feel we will be judged on sin because our faith in Christ has washed away our sins and the then the Lord forgives sin it is as if it never happened.
The Lord knows our intentions behind what we do.
5 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.
There is a reminder in this verse that a person can do good things but have the wrong motive or the wrong heart in doing them. Since the Lord sees the intentions behind why we do what we do even though someone may do a good thing if they are doing it with bad or worthless motives it would not be something worthy of honor or getting a reward for. Conversely, if a believer does a good thing with a pure heart and motive then a reward would be appropriate.
Rewards
Rewards
So when we think about the rewards we will receive at the Bema seat of Christ the first thing to understand is that any and all rewards we get are from the grace of God.
5 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.
If you are a Christian do not have a mindset that the Lord won’t have anything to reward your for. God will find something in every believers life to praise. He is a loving Father and takes delight in His children and sees the good in your life. I heard someone say that all of our cups will be full in heaven but some will have bigger cups and I think that is a good way of explaining it.
When thinking of what kinds of rewards are there in heaven one of our first thoughts is that of crowns. While a different lesson for a different day there are different types of crowns such as the incorruptible crown, the crown of life, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, and the crown of rejoicing.
We also read in revelation that we will cast our crowns at the feet of Jesus. This is symbolic of the believer returning all glory to God. However, you will still have your blessings in heaven.
For example, when we not only believe in Christ but also live for Christ, we will be given the gift of a greater capacity to glorify the Lord. Think of light bulbs they all shine light but some are brighter than others.
3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Closing
In closing I want you to remember how we live today determines the life we live for eternity. Yes being saved it the most important thing that anyone can ever do. But after being saved using the blessings the Lord has given you with your time, talent, resources or callings to help others with a pure heart will not only ensure that you make it to heaven through your faith in Jesus Christ but also that you will hear the words well done good and faithful servant and receive the additional blessings the Lord has for you!
Prayer