Since the first Sunday in January:
- Full of the Spirit – that is already IN us
- Full of the Word – that is already IN us
- Full of Joy – that is already IN us
I told the story – that I mostly accepted Jesus, so I didn’t go to hell – I was afraid of that:
- People that do that can walk away after knowing they won’t go to hell
- Obviously, I didn’t receive Him and go off and do my own thing
- I’ll see you Jesus in heaven
- I pursued Him – I still am
Once He got on the inside of me though:
- We come to be saved from sin and wrath
- We’re also made new, alive, the righteousness of God in Christ
- We come into relationship with Him!
- We have His promise
What is another reason for staying WITH Him?
TODAY: Why Are We Doing This?
2 Cor. 5:10 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. (NKJV)
- This means something to those who believe Jesus is Lord – the Son of God – and our saviour
As with everything: There is more than one way to focus on things
- We can focus on the short term
- Or focus on the long term
- We can focus on the LITTLE picture
- Or focus on the BIG picture
- We can focus on earthly things
- Or focus on heavenly things
I have found focusing on:
- The short term, the little picture, and earthly things
- Doesn’t bring me the same level of hope, joy, or vision
Living life with an eye on the RIGHT things – the BIG things – on eternity:
- Brings much more hope, joy, and vision
Let’s back up and answer this question:
Q: What is the Judgment Seat of Christ?
“In the Grecian games in Athens, the old arena contained a raised platform on which the president or umpire of the arena sat. From here he rewarded all the contestants: and here he would reward all winners. It was called the “Bema” or “Reward Seat”. It was never used as a judicial bench”. – (L. Sale-Harrison)
The Judgment Seat is translated from one word:
- The word – BEMA
- “we must all appear before the BEMA”
- BEMA: a step, footstep, foot-breadth, space to set the foot on
“A saint will never again come into judgment on account of his natural or inherited iniquity, for he is already dead judicially with Christ, and is no longer known or dealt with on the footing of his natural responsibility. As a man he has been weighed and found wanting. He was born under condemnation, to a natural heritage of wrath, and nothing good has been discovered in his flesh; but his guilt has been obliterated by the blood of his Redeemer, and he is freely and justly pardoned for his saviour’s sake. Because Christ is risen from the dead, he is no longer in his sins. He is justified by faith and is presented in the name and on the merits of the Just One before God: and of this new and ever blessed title to acceptance the Holy Spirit is the living seal and witness. Into judgment, therefore, on his own account he cannot come…” – (Arthur Pridham)
The BEMA of Christ:
- In order for anyone to appear before the BEMA Seat – one must first be born again, washed in blood of Christ.
At this Seat, our works will be evaluated for rewards, not to validate salvation.
- The one difference between the Judgment Seat of Christ and The Great White Throne Judgment.
- Those at the White Throne Judgment will be condemned.
- No man’s works will be accepted without the blood of Christ.
This is why, at the BEMA of Christ, a man may lose rewards for poor service, but not lose his salvation.
- Salvation is a gift of God that the Christian cannot work for.
- The purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ is to reward the saints of God who have overcome this world.
John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. (NLT)
A few more thoughts on BEMA of Christ
2 Cor. 5:10 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. (NKJV)
Q: How will Christ judge the Church?
- What will be the things He will look for?
- At this time Christ will not judge to condemn.
- The above scripture seems to imply that Christ will judge the good and the bad in our lives.
The word (bad) here, deals NOT with ethical or moral evil, but rather its meaning is worthlessness, or good for nothing, the impossibility of any future gain ever coming forth from it. This notion of worthlessness is the central focus.
Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost: summed it up this way. “Thus, the judgment is not to determine what is ethically good or evil.
But rather that which is acceptable and that which is worthless. It is not the Lord’s purpose here to chasten his children for their sins, but to reward their service for those things done in the name of the Lord.”
Scriptures That Promise of Rewards for Service:
1 Cor. 3:8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labour.
Luke 14:14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (ESV)
Matt. 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. (ESV)
Rev. 22:12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. (NLT)
It doesn’t cost to serve God – it pays
Tend to Relationships They Affect Eternity
Rom. 14:10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; (ESV)
We established the BEMA seat is for rewards – to give them or not to give them
- Not to determine our salvation
Two things mentioned:
- Judge and despise
I asked the Lord: If the BEMA seat isn’t judicial, but a reward seat, then why does Rom 14:10 connect our behaviour to our rewards?
- This is what came to me
- It’s the attitude, diligence, and motivation that we serve with that determines the kind of reward – whether gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble
- Jesus was moved with compassion and healed
Some aren’t moved with compassion, but with competition
Some are moved because they love people, others use people to better themselves
Relationships Affect Anointing
Psa. 133:1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
Psa. 133:2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!
Psa. 133:3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. (ESV)
- A lack of grace or anointing – affects many things
- It could be one of the reasons Romans 14:10 connects our behaviour with eternity
SUMMARY:
- We are assured a place in heaven and eternity because of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- The BEMA of Christ is the seat of rewards. The rewards are either given of not given.
- It isn’t the area of responsibility we serve in that brings the best rewards, but our faithfulness, attitude, and motives that makes the difference.
- It’s of utmost importance we maintain right relationships with our brothers and sisters in the Lord, as our relationships affect eternity.
