The Bible speaks of the judgment for believers, otherwise known as “The Judgment Seat of Christ,” this is where God rewards true believers for what they did with their lives while they were here on earth, whether good or bad
(10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
The Judgment Seat of Christ
(13) their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
(14) If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
(15) If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
How will our works be judged?
The Bible often mentions “crowns,” as rewards. What are the following crowns awarded for?
(25) Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
(26) Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
(27) No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Winning and overcoming.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (NIV)
(19) For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?
(20) Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
Daniel 12:3 (NIV)
(3) Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
(7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
(8) Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
James 1:12 (NIV)
(12) Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Revelation 2:10 (NIV)
(10) Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
(1) To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
(2) Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
(3) not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
(4) And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
(2) Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?
(3) Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
What Will Be Judged?
At least four specific areas of stewardship will be judged.
1. Time
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)
(15) Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
(16) making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
(17) Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Colossians 4:5 (NIV)
(5) Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
Discuss how we should use our time, and what we should do with the time we have?
2. Money
(11) So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?
(12) And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
(13) “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Discuss how God wants us to use wealth. What are true riches?
3. Effort
Luke 19:11-26 (NIV)
(11) While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.
(12) He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.
(13) So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
(14) “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’
(15) “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
(16) “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’
(17) “ ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
(18) “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’
(19) “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’
(20) “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth.
(21) I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’
(22) “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow?
(23) Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’
(24) “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’
(25) “ ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’
(26) “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV)
(6) For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Discuss how we will be judged based on how we use our resources and effort.
4. Responsibility
Believers—
Matthew 13:12 (NIV)
(12) Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.
Luke 12:47-48 (NIV)
(47) “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.
(48) But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
How should believers live up to their responsibility?
Teachers —
Matthew 5:19 (NIV)
(19) Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)
(17) Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
James 3:1 (NIV)
(1) Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
John 9:39-41 (NIV)
(39) Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
(40) Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
(41) Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
How should teachers live up to their responsibility?
Did We Do What We Were Created to Do?
(10) For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Who are we?
What were we created for?
Who has prepared the work for us to do?
Ask
Do you have any questions about the judgment of believers and rewards?
Application
How can we make sure that our work will stand the test of fire?
a) Motive – Why are we doing it?
(4) My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
(5) Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
b) Power – Whose power is it?
(4) My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,
c) Obedience – Who are we obeying?
Hebrews 5:8-9 (NIV)
(8) Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered
(9) and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
Romans 4:13 (NIV)
(13) It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
Prayer Model
Lord Jesus, please help me to use my time and resources effectively, so that I can accomplish what You have given me to do.
Key Verse
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”