A trained and experienced musician can hear errors in a piece of music that my untrained ear cannot hear. He can detect if the pitch is slightly flat or if a measure was somewhat rushed. He judges the music from a different perspective than I do. He has a far better understanding of what it should sound like if it were played perfectly.

The same will be true at the judgment seat of Christ. We may look at the life of a fellow-Christian and think that he had an exceptional work for the Lord or we may think a Christian did nothing of value for the Lord, but in both cases the Lord may see it differently.

Transition

This evening we are going to focus our attention on two facts that we must remember about the Judgement Seat of Christ.

The Christian Life is Like a Building (v.9-13)

Some Bible teachers think this section only applies to pastors, teachers and evangelists. However, the reference to “each man,” “every man,” and “any man” in the context makes it clear that a broader application is intended. God expects every Christian to build his life on Christ’s foundation for the glory of the Lord.

Building materials are our deeds

  1. Two kinds of building materials are noted (v.12):
    1. “Gold, silver, and precious stone”: things spiritually valuable, done in the power of the Spirit, in the will of God, in obedience to Scripture, for the glory of God, and for eternity.
    2. “Wood, hay, and stubble”: things spiritually worthless, done in the power of the flesh, in the will of man, in disobedience to Scripture, for the glory of man, and for this life.
    3. These materials represent the Christian’s deeds, the work he does for Christ after becoming a Christian (v.13). We are not saved by works but we are saved to work (Eph 2:10, Col 1:10).
  2. What you do for Christ is VERY important. We are saved to serve the Saviour. Christ will hold each of us accountable for the deeds we do for in this life.

The deeds that Christ will judge include:

  1. Our study of the Bible (2 Tim 2:15)
    (2 Timothy 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
  2. Our treatment of other believers (Heb 6:10; Mat 10:41-42)
    (Hebrews 6:10) For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
  3. Our words (Mat 12:36)
    (Matthew 12:36) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
  4. Our faithful use of God-given abilities (Mat 25:21)
    (Matthew 25:21) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
  5. Our acts of kindness (Mat 25:35-40)
    (Matthew 25:35) For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: (36) Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. . . .
  6. How we use our money (1 Tim 6:17-19; 2 Cor 9:6-7)
    (2 Corinthians 9:6) But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. (7) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
  7. Our labour for the Lord (1Co 15:58)
    (1 Corinthians 15:58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
  8. Our endurance of temptation and trials (Jas 1:12)
    (James 1:12) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
  9. Our suffering for Jesus (2 Cor. 4:17; Rom. 8:18)
    (2 Corinthians 4:17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
  10. How well we control our flesh (1 Cor 9:25-27)
    (1 Corinthians 9:25) And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (26) I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: (27) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
  11. How well we run the race God chooses for us (Phil 2:16; 3:13-14; 1 Cor. 9:24)
    (Philippians 2:16) Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
  12. How much we look for the Lord’s return (2 Tim 4:8)
    (2 Timothy 4:8) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
  13. Our submission to spiritual leadership (Heb 13:17)
    (Hebrews 13:17) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
  14. A pastor’s shepherding of his flock (1 Pet 5:2-4)
    (1 Peter 5:2) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (3) Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. (4) And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
  15. Our stewardship of what God gives us (1Cor 4:2)
    (1 Corinthians 4:2) Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

    1. The bodies God gave us (1 Cor 6:19-20) “What know ye …”
    2. The tongues God gave us (Psa 34:13) “Keep thy tongue …”
    3. The minds God gave us (Phil 4:8) “Finally brethren …”
    4. The time God gave us (Eph 5:16) “Redeeming the time …”
    5. The children God gave us (Pro 22:6) “Train up a child …”
    6. The money God gives us (Pro 3:9-10) “Honour the LORD …”
    7. The Gospel God gave us (Mark 16:15) “And he said unto …”

Christ Will Test the Quality of Our Deeds (v.13-15)

He will uncover the truth.

  1. Each person’s work will be made manifest (visible) for what it really was (v.13) – perhaps publicly.
  2. The day (of judgment) will declare it (make it plain). This includes our motives (Mat 6:1).
  3. The true value of our work for Christ will be revealed (uncovered) by fire. God’s fire will reveal all activities with selfish motives, all service done in pride, every good deed done with a bad attitude, every kind word spoken from a carnal heart, and every Christian duty done mechanically, and every tithe dollar stolen from God.
  4. All hidden deeds will be uncovered (good or bad). God’s fire will reveal the hypocrites as well as the unsuspected spiritual giants. Secret prayer warriors, consistent tithers, and faithful witnesses will glow in the fire. Those who have guarded their hearts and thoughts will shine. Ever service done for God’s glory will endure the flame.

He will use fire to test our deeds.

  1. Fire will try every man’s work. This word “try” comes from a Greek word meaning to test (in the hope and expectation that the test will prove successful).
    1. The fire God uses to test our work may be the Word of God, (Jer 23:29) “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”
    2. Or the fire may be Christ’s eyes (Rev 1:14), “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;” Nothing worthless will endure the holy gaze of the Lord.
  2. Some deeds will abide the fire (v.14).
  3. Other deeds will be burned up (v.15).
    ² We “will not be held responsible for that which was give to others, but . . . only for what has been given to us.” (Chafer)

Conclusion

This evening we have much to soberly ponder. Life is not about you and me. It is about serving the Lord sincerely from the heart. If you have not been doing very well, now is the time to confess and change.

Song: Have I Done My Best – 368
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Judgment Seat of Christ
How will Christ judge us?
3 May 2015 pm – 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 – Bema – Scott Childs