Thank you for taking the time to read the Weekend Sermon. I am always happy when it comes time to post the sermon each week. I hope that all of you are having a good week.
This week has gone very well in writing. I am thankful to the Lord for this, and I am praying that it will continue into the future. I am still hoping to find an additional job that will be just what I am looking for. Please pray about this if you would.
In other prayer requests, please remember to pray that the fires in California will be extinguished. Pray for those who have been affected by the fires, and pray for the safety of the firefighters.
I heard this morning that there is another outbreak of Ebola in the Congo. Please pray that this will be brought under control.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the troubled areas of the world. Pray for peace in Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, South Sudan and Libya. Wherever you know that there is conflict, pray for peace.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us all pray for Mali and Malaysia. Pray that many in these two nations will hear about the life changing power of Jesus Christ.
During the course of the last few weeks, we have been in a series of messages regarding who is Jesus. Today, we will continue looking into that subject as we look into the fact that Jesus is judge.
A couple of years ago, we did a study on the Weekend Sermon about the Apostles' Creed. During that study, we learned that a section of the Creed mentions that Jesus will return to judge both the living and dead. When Jesus returns, He will bring justice and judgment to this world.
Sometimes, it is hard for us to remember the fact that Scripture clearly states that Jesus is the judge. We often hear messages about the love and mercy of Jesus. Of course, Jesus is the man of love who extends His mercy to all. However, we have to present a complete picture of what the Bible says about the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 5:22 tells us that all judgment has been given to the Son by the Father. Since Jesus came to this world and sacrificed His life for the salvation of all who believe, the Father has passed the right of all judgment over to Jesus. Everyone who has ever lived will stand before Jesus as judge one day.
The Bible tells us in Hebrews 9:27 that it is appointed to everyone that one day they will die. After death comes the judgment. What this means is that after a person dies, the outcome of their eternal destiny is sealed. If a person has made Jesus the Savior and Lord of his life, the person will enter into the joy of the Lord. Those who have rejected the Lord Jesus will hear the words, "Depart from me, I never knew you."
Those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus will not have to worry about their eternal destiny. Salvation is by grace through faith and not of works. When we repent of our sins and come to Jesus, He takes away our sins, and He gives us His righteousness. We are then in Christ.
Those who have believed in Jesus will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. We see this in II Corinthians 5:10. I believe that this happens when a Christian passes away. It is not a judgment about salvation, it is an account we give to Jesus about what we have done in service to Him while we were on this earth. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 that the Lord is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Those who have used their time on earth to serve the Lord and to make this world a better place will be recognized by the Lord for their service.
Several places in the Bible speak about crowns that the Christian will receive for actions that were done on the Lord's behalf. Jesus also spoke about laying up for ourselves treasures in Heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Some people will have great rewards in Heaven. They have served the Lord faithfully while on earth. Some have even given their lives for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Others have put their faith and trust in Jesus, but their lives have not been about producing fruit for the Kingdom of God. They will not have the same rewards in Heaven as someone who has gone full out in their efforts to serve the Lord Jesus.
I have no idea what form these rewards will take. I do know this, Jesus as the judge will only do that which is right and that which is just. He will do good to all who have trusted in Him.
I believe that the parable of Jesus about the talents is a good example of what I am speaking of here. One servant received ten cities in the parable while another received five. They didn't have the same reward, but they were rewarded for what they did do for the master.
Of course, we are never to serve the Lord for the purpose of getting some type of honor or reward. We are to serve the Lord because we love Him with all of our heart, and we want to do what pleases Him and what brings honor and glory to His holy name.
Now, there is another judgment that the Bible talks about. Revelation 20:11-15 says that one day, there will be a Great White Throne Judgment. Those who have refused to accept Jesus will stand at this judgment. The Bible says that those whose names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life will be cast away.
There is another judgment that Jesus will preside over. It is the judgment of the nations as described in Matthew 25. This teaching of Jesus tells us that many will stand before Jesus claiming that they knew Him. However, Jesus says that He didn't know them. Jesus said that they did not do good to the least of those among them. Those who are able to enter into the Kingdom are those who did good to the least of these.
This is not a works based judgment. Those who are truly filled with the love of Jesus will express their love in service. Those who love Jesus will serve the least among them just as they are serving the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
I hope that you have made your peace with the Lord Jesus. I hope that you have accepted Him into your life as Savior and Lord. If you have, you have passed from death to life.
Knowing that all of us who believe will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, let us commit ourselves to faithfully following the Lord. Let us obey His commands and teachings. Let us work to make this world a better place for Jesus' honor and great glory.
Next week, we will continue with our series on who is Jesus. On Monday, I will post the verses. On Wednesday, I will post the next chapter in my book about Toby. May God bless you all. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment