The Righteous Judge - Part 2

By Lee Simmons

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." ( Heb 10:19-36)

Lord, we think of Moses who pleaded with You and said he would not go unless your presence went with him. Father we don't ever want to be satisfied -- we want more of you Father, so please come and fill this place...not just this physical place in which we meet, but fill our individual temples. Oh God please manifest your presence in glory and in might. We are here to receive more of You and to hear more from You. So we ask a fresh and and anew that as your word comes forth it would come into an open heart. We ask it in Jesus name, Amen.

I remember when I was in Junior High, that I would get a call to go to the office. I spent a lot of evenings after school in detention. But one day I got a call from the guidance counselor. She looked at me and said I was in danger of failing the eighth grade. She started asking me, class by class, what I was learning. I couldn't answer her questions. I did barely get through eighth grade, but over and over I would here from my teachers, counselors and parents that I could do better. But I just coasted through those days, until April of 1964 when something happened that changed my life. The first thing that happened was that I invited Jesus Christ into my life to become my Lord and Savior. In June of 1964 I was at my sister's High School graduation. I sat out in that hot football field and waited till they finally got to my sister. While I was waiting I noticed that their were little marks next to their names. Some had one star or two stars or other marks of distinction. These markds indicated honor role, high honor roll or national honor society. I looked at that program and I said, in three years when I graduate, there is going to be a star next to my name.

The next year as I started tenth grade I was determined to do my best. I was actually going to do homework and try to get things done on time. Slowly my grades began to improve. Then in June of 1967 I sat once again on that football field and waited for my name to come up. When I turned over that program and saw the star next to my name I remembered that statement I had made three years earlier. Now, I never went to any learning center or had a tutor, but something had changed within me that said I am now going to give my all and do my best, and it made a big difference in my life.

Now the Bible calls all of us to do our best for Him. Some of us wish we had a great voice, or that we could teach or preach or have all these various titles after our names. But God wants us to apply whatever we have in the work of the Lord. He just wants us to do our best.

Often times the work of the Lord is the thing that comes last for us. We get so busy and so involved with every thing else, that all of a sudden, at the last minute, maybe we rushh through our Sunday school lesson preperation or report. Or maybe if we don't have anything else going on, we might get involved in an outreach ministry for the Lord. But often times, instead of giving God our best, we give God our worst. God expects us to have an attitude of excellence and to do the best that we can with what we have. We will be held accountable some day for all that was expected of us.

In verse 10, of second Corinthians 5, it says that we all must stand before the judgment seat of Christ in order to receive the things that are due us.

All believers must stand before the Judgment seat if Christ. But it is not to determine whether or not we are going to go to heaven; that is already settled. This judgment will determine our rewards from the Lord for our faithful service to Him. The Bible says a lot about judgment and many people think "well I am a Christian and I don't have to think anymore about judgment", but that is not the case. In fact, for the Christian, when we think of judgment, there is a past judgment, there is present judgment and there is a future judgment.

The past judgment, for the Christian, has to do with our salvation. When you and I invite Jesus to come into our life as Lord AND Savior, our sins are washed away, they are nailed to the cross, they are covered with the blood of Jesus. The judgment for our sins is taken care of because Jesus has paid the price of our redemption. That is why we find this wonderful promise in John 5:24: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." The Bible promises that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We have passed from death to everlasting Life.

We also read in verse in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." When we come to Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ. It is nothing I have done. It is because I have trusted Him as Lord and Savior. So my sins have been judged and nailed to the cross. This is the past judgment. Never again will God bring of those past sins as a reason to send you to Hell. That will never happen. You sins are under the blood of Jesus and though they were as red as crimson, they are now as white as snow.

There is also a present judgment for Christians. The Bible often calls this pruning or chastening. Hebrews 12:6-8 says: "For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons."

Don't despise the chastening of the Lord. God loves us so much that when we come to Him in Salvation, He has a walk and a way prepared for us as He lives His life through us. He loves us enough that if we get out of that path, He will correct us in order to get us back on His path.

For example, at the church of Corinth, Paul deales with one aspect of this present judgment with regard to communion. He said that before you eat of that bread and partake of the cup a man must examine himself. Because if you don't examine yourself, you will bring judgment upon yourself-- if you have mistreated and misused the things of God. In fact that is why Paul says there were many in that church were sick or even dead (Ed. note - before their time) because of God's judgment upon them.

That is why when we are sick, must first pray for forgiveness for the sin in our life, before we pray for healing. So there is a present judgment when we step out of God's way. Look at David. Did God forgive his adultery? Yes. But did David pay a price in judgment? Absolutely yes. We read about how that sin affected the members of his family. Was he forgiven? Yes. Were his sins washed away? Yes. Was there a price to pay? Yes.

There was a past judgment and a present judgment, but there is also a future judgment for Christians. It is the "Bema" judgment. "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" (2 Cor 5:10). The word "judgment" used in this verse is the Greek word "Bema". This is not the same judgment as the "Great White Throne" judgment of Revelation chapter 20 and 21 where the unsaved who stand before God, whose names were not found written in the Lamb's book of life, are cast into the Lake of Fire.

The "Bema" seat judgment is for Christians. In the Greek culture, the Bema seat of judgment was for rewards; such as was given out at the Olympic games. The judge would pass out the laurels, those wreaths of victory, for those who persevered to the end and won the race. It was a judgment for rewards and so it will be for the Christians. We all must appear at this judgment and each will receive what is due him for those things that were done while we were alive; whether good or bad.

Before God calls us to glory, God has first called us to serve Him. He has calls us to use those gifts He has given us in service to Him. Jesus spoke about the same thing in the parables. In Matthew 25 we find the parable of the talents. Some were given ten talents, other were given five and others were given one. And Jesus told them to use these talents and when He came back there would be an accounting to see how well they used what was given to them. To those who had invested wisely, He said "well done good and faithful servant."

In Luke 19, we read about the parable of the Minas (Editor's note - each servant was given about three months salary). Here each servant was given equal amounts -- equal opportunity. In the earlier parable, talents were given based on ability, and the two who invested wisely were called "good and faithful servants"; these will enter into the joy of the Lord.

You see God has given each and every one of us abilities and gifts we can use as we would serve him. The day will come when we will receive the things due us. 1st Corinthians 3:9-15 is a parallel passage:

"For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become manifest; 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. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

Each and every one of us are to be involved in building -- building and ministering in the lives of those around us. We are to be involved in a building project. How are you building on the foundation of Christ? Is it a work of gold, silver and precious stones or is it hay, wood and stubble. God knows what kind of a work it and it will be shown for what it is. You can deceive yourself and say you did the best you could, but on that day it will be revealed with fire. God will test the quality of the work we have done for him. It is not about quantity, but about doing the best we can with what God has given us. It is not only what we do, but how we do it (our attitude). If your work does not survive in the fire of God's testing, you will suffer loss and not receive your reward .... and although you will still be saved, it will be by the skin of your teeth.

So what does God want us to do? "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." You see God never called any of us to be successful as the world counts success, but to be faithful to things He has given us and to do our very best for Him.

Our motive is also important. Look at verse 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; and then each one's praise will come from God." Wait till the Lord comes then He will judge. It is not our place to judge another man's work. God will judge and bring to light the hidden motives and hidden things of darkness. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Cor 5:10)

In first Corinthians chapter 3 we talked about awards, here it speaks of receiving the things that are due us. The Bible often speaks of the "things that are due him" as crowns. There is the "Crown of Righteousness" (2 Tim 4:8), the "Crown of Life" (James 1:2), the "Crown of Glory" (1 Peter 5:4), and more crowns for soul-winning and faithfulness. These are rewards for faithfulness to Him. In Revelation chapter 4 we read about the souls around the throne in glory. One thin they do to demonstrate their love and adoration for the Lord is to tae off their crowns and cast them before the feet of the Lord. Don't you want to have some crowns to cast before the feet of the Lord?

For all that God has done for me I want to do my best for Him. The Bible says that whatsoever you do for the Lord, do it whole heartedly as unto God and not unto man. God says there is still a judgment for believers, not one to determine heaven or hell, but one to determine rewards for faithfulness and service for the Lord. I wonder if we were to go to glory right now and stand before that throne, would we hear the words "well done good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord?" Or would we barely make it as escaping through the fire, with all our works which were nothing more than wood hay and stubble of no value as seen in the all consuming fire of the light of the Lord?

I have been thinking a lot about my home church. What I want to say to them is so important, because I am where I am today, because of them. I think of faithful people who ministered to me that helped me to be where I am today. I sat in Sunday school classes where I threw spit-balls and paper airplanes and the teachers didn't quit. I think of those dear teachers, and if you are a teacher, and you look at the worst case scenario of a kid that you think is going to be the biggest flop, think of me. That is how I was, but I had godly teachers and a pastor who took me aside, shared the good news with me, and led me to Christ. I'll never forget the night he was driving me and a friend to a youth activity. I thought Oh no he found out. I'll never forget that time, when I thought he was going to rebuke me for all those things I shouldn't be involved in as a new Christian. He said: "Lee, have you ever considered going into the ministry. I said are you kidding? The last thing I ever wanted to do was to be in front of people. But he said, Lee I believe God may be calling you to the ministry. And he asked me to pray about it and I prayed. Be careful about what you pray about. He invested his life in me and I can remember a deacon in that church who, after I did something really stupid, that he put his arm around me and gave me some great admonishment in my life. I remember them sending me to a camp and paying for the expenses. It was their that God called me to full-time ministry. I look back almost 35 years ago at those people who invested their life in me and I know God will say to them some day "well done good and faithful servants."

God has given everyone of us talents, gifts and abilities. We can give him the scraps or do our all for Him. But God wants us to give our all. He wants us to give our all to our family and our marriage. Our first ministry is at home for our families. I would just give enough to keep it going. That is not right, we need to give our all. God has called us to be faithful ministers for Him. Some day we will stand before Him and what will He say? I expected more of you then this or well done good and faithful servant.

Father, you have not called us to be successful, but faithful. Lord, many of us would look at the past and say we haven't made it, but You are more interested that we finish the race with faithfulness. Lord, we know we will stand before you some day and Lord to receive the crowns to cast at your feet. Oh what a joy. Lord we ask that you teach us to faithful and help us to surrender our stubbornness, our will and our all to you. Let your word be at work in us. Do your mighty work in us Father...we ask it in Jesus name.

It is the believer that will stand before Christ to receive the rewards, but if you have not yet invited Jesus into your life to be your Lord and Savior, then you will appear before a different throne to be judged. And everyone who's name was not found written in the Lamb's book of life was thrown into the Lake of Fire. If you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your name is not in the Lamb's Book of Life; but it can be by trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior. If have never been saved and born again with a new Spirit, then you can be today. The Bible says that to as many who received Him, to those He gave them the power to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. If you are not sure of your salvation, then pray this simple prayer with me.

So I am going to pray a prayer of invitation to receive Jesus into your life. It is not like saying an "our Father" or like reading a prayer card, it is not the words that are significant but what it means. You are going to ask Jesus to save you from your sins, to come into your heart, to be the master of your life and to take you to heaven when you die. So if you are not sure of your salvation today, and the desire of your heart is for Jesus Christ to come into your life to be your Lord and Savior, make this your prayer. Dear Lord, I am a sinner. I confess my sins to you and right now ask you to forgive my every sin. I invite you right now into my life, to be my Lord and my Savior. Thank you for coming into my life. May never be the same again. Make me a new person in Jesus Christ for I thank you in Jesus name. Amen. Father we thank you. We thank you for the body and blood of Jesus and as we come around your table, help us to come with a heart cleansed by the blood of Christ, with an attitude of gratefulness and a desire to walk in the holiness you have called us to. We thank you and praise you in Jesus name. Some people give their all to their sports or their hobbies, yet those around them get nothing. Some of you know things are not right in your family because things like sports or hobbies are more important than your family. You need to give your all to God and your family. ==========================================================================

If you have prayed this prayer, please let us know by EMAIL or by correspondence. It would be a real blessing to us. And if you would like a cassette tape of this message, please send $3.00 to cover costs to: Faith Chapel 200 Gillespie Avenue Syracuse, N.Y. 13219 (315) 468-2745

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"Watch and pray, therefore, that you would be counted worthy to escape the judgment that is coming upon the earth and be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).

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