Hello and welcome to another edition of the Weekend Sermon. I am happy to be with you today as I always look forward to the time during the week when I can post another message. I hope that all of you are having a good day.
I am making some big decisions about work and life in the next couple of weeks. I would ask that you please pray for me as I make these decisions. I do not like the changes at my current job at all. I just want to make a major change in my life, and I need to figure out how best to accomplish it. Also, if you would pray for a health concern. I have to have some problems tended to this week. Please be in prayer for me. Thank you.
In other matters, please pray for an end to the Zika virus. I also heard that there are still a few scattered Ebola cases in Africa. Please pray for an end to these terrible diseases. Also, pray for peace in this world. Nigeria is experiencing a problem with terrorist attacks and Sudan, South Sudan and Central African Republic need our prayers.
Let us pray that the message of Jesus will reach around the world. Let us pray specifically this week for Comoros and Saudi Arabia.
Over the last several weeks, we have been studying the Apostles' Creed and the doctrines which it has to teach us. Last week, we examined the current ministry of Jesus as He is seated at the right hand of God the Father.
This week, we will focus on the phrase, "He shall come to judge the living and the dead." The subject of the final judgment is not something that most of us want to focus on. It causes anxiety in our hearts. However, the Bible is quite clear that all will stand before Jesus who is the judge. But, the judgments of the believer and the unbeliever are very different.
To begin, let's look at what Jesus Himself said about the last judgment and His role in this matter. In John 5:22 and 5:27, Jesus tells us that all judgment has been given to Him by the Father. The Father doesn't judge anyone. All judgment has been given to the Son because He is the Son of Man.
We think of Jesus as our Savior, Lord and Friend. He is also the judge of all of humanity. However, this is a good thing, because Jesus doesn't look at outward appearances. He looks at the heart. He knows what is in people, and He knows what is in the heart of person and what motivates a person. His judgment is just and right and good.
Now, when will Jesus judge the living and the dead. Jesus Himself answers this question in Matthew 13:49 and in Matthew 25. Jesus said that He would judge all when He returned at His Second Coming. As we saw last week, Jesus is currently seated at the Father's right hand. One day, Jesus will arise, and He will come again in power and great glory. He will send His angels to separate the righteous from the unrighteous. Matthew 25 says that Jesus will separate the nations as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
The first judgment that will be made is between those who are in Christ and those who are not. Jesus knows who are His own. Those who have called upon Jesus in repentance and faith will be redeemed. Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 25, that those who have a right relationship with Him will have evidence of their faith by their works. Those who have feed the hungry, clothed the naked and done good to the least of these have demonstrated clearly that they are followers of Jesus Christ.
The Bible also speaks of a judgment that believers in Jesus will experience. II Corinthians 5:10 says that all Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. This is not a judgment to see if we will go to Heaven or not. It is a judgment of reward for those who have done things for the Lord. Jesus said that those who have faithfully followed Him will be rewarded in the world to come.
When believers stand before the judgment seat of Christ, their works will be judged. Those works that are not done for Jesus are described as wood, hay and stubble. When the fire of judgment comes, those works are burned up, and nothing remains. Those works that are done to honor Jesus are described as gold, silver and precious stones. The fire does not consume them, and they remain.
Also, the Bible speaks about various crowns that will be awarded to Christians based on their faithfulness and service to the Lord. I have posted a sermon about these crowns a couple of years ago. Those who are interested might want to go back and read about those.
The Bible is clear that only what is done for Jesus will remain. Jesus will reward us for all the good we have done for Him. If we have tried to do what is right and make this world a better place, Jesus will reward us.
When I stand before Jesus, I want to have something to show for my life. I don't want my life to be all wood, hay and stubble. I want to have a crown to cast before the feet of my Savior. We as followers of Jesus should all live to serve our Lord and do what pleases Him in this world.
Now, the Bible also says that Jesus will sit as the judge at a horrible judgment of those who have rejected Jesus. The Bible describes this in Revelation 20 as the great white throne judgment.
At this judgment those who have rejected Jesus will stand before Him. The books will be opened, and anyone whose name is not found written in the Lamb's Book of Life will be cast away from the presence of the Lord. I hope and pray each day that no one will have to appear before this judgment.
No one has to appear before the great white throne. Jesus came to take our sin and punishment. He came to provide forgiveness. Anyone who will ask Jesus to forgive them and come into their life as Savior and Lord will never stand before the great white throne. Those who accept Jesus will have their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and they will spend an eternity with Jesus.
If you have never invited Jesus to be the Lord of your life, I hope that you will turn to Him today. If you are a Christian, but your life is not producing those things that will last for all of eternity, I pray that you will devote your life to going full out in service for the Lord so that you will hear Him say "Well done you good and faithful servant."
Next week, we will continue with our series in the Apostles' Creed by looking at the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. I will post the verses on Monday, but there will most likely not be a review this Wednesday as I have some medical appointments. May good bless you all. Amen.
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