Christian Service in Light of the Judgment Seat of Christ

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 3:9-17

Introduction

There are numerous references to the Judgment Seat of Christ in the New Testament. This is the major passage that deals with the subject.

The Judgment Seat of Christ is a prophetic event that will occur after the Rapture. It will happen “when the Lord come” (1 Cor. 4:5).

It is a major theme of the New Testament.

See:

  • Romans 14:10-12
  • 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
  • 1 Corinthians 4:5
  • 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
  • Ephesians 6:8-9
  • Colossians 3:24-25
  • 2 Timothy 4:1
  • Revelation 2:23

You must understand the distinction between the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:10-15).

  • The Judgment Seat of Christ is for the saved to review their service.
  • The Great White Throne Judgment is for the unsaved and concerns their salvation.

The context is important.

The Apostle has just addressed:

  • Carnal divisions within the church (Vs. 1-4)
  • Wrong attitudes toward ministers (Vs. 5-9)

The Apostle now exhorts them concerning the fact that the Corinthian church is God’s building (Vs. 9b) and that they are to be careful how they build in the local church in light of the fact that they will give an account at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

The figure of a building is a common figure for the local church.

The church is called:

  • “An holy temple in the Lord” (Eph. 2:21)
  • “An habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph. 2:22)
  • “The house of God” (1 Tim. 3:15)

Therefore, we must build right in the church and in our Christian lives.

Sermon Outline

  1. The Masterplan for Building Right (Vs. 9-11)
  2. The Materials for Building Right (Vs. 12)
  3. The Motivation for Building Right (Vs. 13-15)

I. The Masterplan for Building Right

(Vs. 9-11)

A. The Architect of the Building

(Vs. 10-11)

1. Paul’s Enablement in the Work (Vs. 10a)

The church at Corinth had not been built in Paul’s own strength and wisdom.

God had given Paul:

Grace to Build the Church

We need God’s grace to save, but we also need God’s grace to serve.

Grace is needed to build a local church.

God’s work can only be done in God’s way and with God’s power.

Wisdom to Build the Church

The blueprint for the building of the local church came from God.

This was a church built by God’s wisdom, not man’s.

The word “masterbuilder” carries the idea of an architect.

Another builds upon the foundation already laid.

The pattern for New Testament churches has been set down for us in the Scriptures.

We are to seek to emulate the Apostolic pattern.

2. Paul’s Establishment of the Work (Vs. 10b-11)

Jesus Christ Was the Sole Foundation

Paul’s ministry was Christ-centred.

His ministry was characterised by the preaching of Christ and His cross in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ is the sole foundation for any New Testament church.

To try and build on any other foundation is to build on quicksand instead of the rock.

Christ is the foundation and focus of our faith.

The church is built upon His Person and His Work.

We must get our Christology razor-sharp accurate:

  • His eternality
  • His deity
  • His virgin birth
  • His sinless life
  • His vicarious death
  • His blood atonement
  • His resurrection

The Foundation of Personal Salvation

The only foundation for your personal salvation is Christ.

You must come to rest on His finished work, not your own works, as the ground for your salvation.

B. The Admonition to the Builders

(Vs. 10b-11)

1. The Practice of Their Building

Paul exhorts them to:

“Take heed.”

There are different ways in which we can build upon our foundation in Christ.

We are to ensure that the way we build the work of God is a continuation of the Christ-centred, Spirit-anointed establishment it had in its inception.

There is a special challenge to preachers.

It is possible for a church that was founded and established as a work of the Spirit, with Christ central, to later take a different direction under a man who builds according to human wisdom.

2. The Parameters for Their Building

A foundation not only provides support for the building but also establishes its boundaries.

What we build is to be:

  • Consistent with the foundation
  • In conformity to the foundation
  • Within the confines of the foundation

Our ministry must be Christ-centred and Christ-honouring.

It must be in accordance with the standards of Christ’s Word.

As we seek to build up the church of God as individual members, we should ask:

How are we building our lives?

II. The Materials for Building Right

(Vs. 12)

We have a new and permanent standing in Christ once we become Christians.

But we have a choice as to what kind of lives and ministries we will build upon that privileged position.

Paul contrasts building with choice materials and building with cheap materials.

A. The Eternal

1. The Catalogue of the Right Materials

The first group consists of:

  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Precious stones

These materials were used in the construction and adornment of important buildings and temples.

They represent that which is:

  • Of God
  • Imperishable
  • Of eternal value
  • Consistent with God’s Word

2. The Characteristics of the Right Materials

They are:

  • Precious
  • Permanent

They represent:

  • Service done God’s way for God’s glory
  • Service according to godly wisdom
  • Service done in God’s power
  • Service done according to God’s Word

B. The Temporal

1. The Catalogue of the Wrong Materials

The second group consists of:

  • Wood
  • Hay
  • Stubble

These were common building materials used in ordinary houses.

2. The Characteristics of the Wrong Materials

They are:

  • Perishable
  • Temporary

They represent:

Compromised Service

Building according to worldly wisdom rather than God’s Word.

Many churches today are built with the wood, hay, and stubble of worldly wisdom rather than biblical truth.

Many Christians likewise build their lives according to worldly principles rather than God’s Word.

Carnal Service

Service done:

  • In the wrong way
  • For the wrong reasons
  • With self at the centre
  • For man’s approval rather than God’s glory

III. The Motivation for Building Right

(Vs. 13-15)

Paul adds further weight to the exhortation by reminding believers that they will all give an account at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

A. Our Service Will Be Revealed

(Vs. 13)

1. The Time of the Revealing

The Judgment Seat of Christ is the day when every believer’s service will be made manifest.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…”
(2 Corinthians 5:10)

“Every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
(Romans 14:12)

The true character and quality of our Christian service will be brought into the open.

2. The Test at the Revealing

Our works will be tested by fire.

The purpose is not punishment.

The purpose is to reveal the true quality of our service.

The fire speaks of:

The Fire of God’s Holiness

“For our God is a consuming fire.”
(Hebrews 12:29)

The Fire of God’s Word

“Is not my word like as a fire?”
(Jeremiah 23:29)

The Fire of Christ’s Omniscience

Christ Himself will review our service.

His eyes are described as:

“A flame of fire.”
(Revelation 1:14)

B. Our Service May Be Rewarded

(Vs. 14)

1. The Criteria

Only that which survives the fire will remain.

The wood, hay, and stubble will be burned.

The gold, silver, and precious stones will endure.

2. The Crowns

Five crowns are mentioned in the New Testament:

  • Incorruptible Crown (1 Cor. 9:25)
  • Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thess. 2:19)
  • Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8)
  • Crown of Life (James 1:12)
  • Crown of Glory (1 Pet. 5:4)

3. The Commendation

The greatest reward will be to hear Christ say:

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

C. Our Service May Be Reduced to Ashes

(Vs. 15)

What Can Be Lost

Works can be burned up.

Rewards can be lost.

What Cannot Be Lost

The believer himself remains saved.

The Judgment Seat of Christ reviews service, not salvation.

“He himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

D. Our Strife Will Be Recompensed

(Vs. 16-17)

1. The Reality of the Church’s Character

The church is:

  • Sacred
  • Spirit-indwelt
  • Holy

The reality of the Spirit’s presence in the assembly should fill us with reverence and caution.

2. The Certainty of God’s Correction

The principle is one of sowing and reaping.

If a believer damages God’s church, God takes that matter seriously.

The warning applies to:

  • Pastors who corrupt churches
  • Believers who spread false doctrine
  • Christians who sow discord
  • Troublemakers who damage the church’s testimony
  • Self-centred believers who undermine unity
  • Insubordinate members
  • Embittered Christians who poison others against the church

Believers who damage Christ’s church can expect severe chastisement in this life and loss of rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Conclusion

How should we respond in light of our future standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ?

1. Judge Ourselves Now

Search our hearts and confess the “wood, hay, stubble” service before we face Christ at the Judgment Seat.

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”
(1 Corinthians 11:31)

2. Build with the Right Materials

Seek the Lord’s power and help to build for Him with the correct materials for the future.