SERMON EYES Don't Judge Me! by PASTOR BOB STRETCH
Te following is an abridged sermon, orginally delivered in July 2021, fom the series, "Revisiting God's End- Times Program. — Editor"
“Don’t judge me!” You have probably heard those words, or at least some form of them. A version seasoned with indig- nation is, “How dare you judge me!” I heard those words while seeking to help an addict. The individual was killing himself with substance abuse and wrecking his family. Yet he told me, “Don’t you judge me!” Yet every person will one day be judged by the just and righteous God.
Big Idea: There are two major judgments spoken of in
the New Testament. It is those two judgments that we will examine together.
First, there is the Bema Seat judgment. We find this in
2 Corinthians 5:6-10. But who exactly are the “we” in these verses. Paul was born-again by the Spirit of God, and was writing to other born-again believers in Corinth. So, the “we” in the passage are believers who were regenerated by the Holy Spirit.
Why did Paul call this the Bema Seat? In New
Testament times the Bema referred to a chair on a raised platform that one approached by means of steps. The word was employed when speaking of Pilate’s seat in Matthew 27:19 and John 19:13. The word was also used in the book of Acts in relation to the Bema of Herod and Festus. The Bema was used to examine deeds done and to render justice. Yet there was another usage for the Bema; it was also used to recognize and reward good and honorable service. I believe it was this second usage that Paul em- ployed in 2 Corinthians 5:6-10.
What does it mean “to appear” before the Bema Seat?
It does not mean to merely put in an appearance. The meaning has to do with something that will be openly revealed. In that day, standing before the Lord Jesus, the truth about our service for Him will be revealed. All pre- tenses will be stripped away. The value of our service will be made clear, as well as our motives for serving.
Someone may ask, “Isn’t the Bema Seat the judgment
for a Christian’s sin? Absolutely not! Please let this truth take root in your hearts: as a believer, your sin was judged at the cross! “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1, nasb).
“But doesn’t the phrase, ‘whether good or bad,’ refer to
the bad things I’ve done as a Christian?” The word trans- lated “bad” in this verse carries the sense of worthless or useless. For our service to be good, it must glorify the Lord and advance his kingdom. Bad service glorifies us and is often done for the approval of others.
Secondly, there will be the Great White Throne
judgement. This is described in Revelation 20:11-15. While the word, “throne” is used some 30 times in Revelation, this throne is unique. This throne is great because of the One who sits upon it. It is great because of its sobering signif- icance and ultimate authority it represents. On that day there will no debating guilt or innocence. All the wicked dead will appear, “. . both small and great.” There will be famous people and nameless people because God is no respecter of persons.
The standard for God’s judgment is the exhaus-
tive records that God has kept of every person’s life. An omniscient God has recorded every thought, word, and act of every person who has ever lived. But God also records the name of every person who believes on Jesus Christ for salvation. This is recorded in The Book of Life. This book is mentioned in Philippians 4:3, and in Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 21:27, and 22:19.
Then there will be the awful, eternal punishment of
unending torment in the Lake of Fire. This should be terri- fying for anyone who has not trusted Jesus Christ.
Truth for us: First, I want to speak to believers here. Ministry for Christ
can be difficult, but it can also be exciting. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus told the disciples something important. Jesus had sent them out. When the disciples returned, they recounted the things they had done. Jesus said that he saw Satan falling from heaven, but told them, “Rejoice not in this, but that your names are written in the Book of Life.” As a Christian your identity is in Christ, not in your service for Him.
Let me address the person who has yet to believe in
Jesus Christ. You might think, “Why would a loving God send people to hell?” Well, the God who is love is also the God who is holy and just. He must punish sin. But sin has already been paid for by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The real tragedy is people who refuse the salvation He offers us. Each person has a clear choice; plead guilty and throw yourself upon God’s mercy and grace by believing in Jesus Christ who died in your place, or remain in your sin to face a hopeless eternity. What will you
choose? Pastor Bob Stretch, lead pastor at Faith Evangelical
Church in Henderson, Nebraska, earned a diploma from Moody Bible Institute and a Bachelor’s degree from Calvary Bible College. He and his wife have been in full-time minis- try together for over 40 years. They served overseas as global partners, and have pastored several churches in the U.S. They moved to Nebraska in 1997.
FELLOWSHIPFORWARD.ORG 17
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24
