## Will I Be Held Accountable?

## II Corinthians 5:10

The Bible says God's ways are not our ways because man looks on outward physical matters, while God looks at the heart attitude and operates in the spiritual realm. If we are going to serve God effectively, we must take our focus off of physical matters and concentrate on the spiritual. Our life will only make sense and have purpose and meaning as we live in the spiritual realm, focused on eternal matters.

This lesson is designed to keep our focus on these eternal matters by detailing our final accountability to the Lord Jesus Christ as His servant.

I. What is the "Judgment Seat of Christ?"

A. God will judge every human being that has ever lived.

(PROV 29:26) "MANY SEEK THE RULER'S FAVOUR; BUT EVERY MAN'S JUDGMENT COMETH FROM THE LORD."

(HEB 9:27) "AND AS IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE, BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT:"

B. God judged the sin of the world at Calvary.

1. By placing our faith in Jesus Christ, we do not have to fear judgment of our sins because He took our judgment upon Himself.

(1 PET 2:24) "WHO HIS OWN SELF BARE OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE TREE, THAT WE, BEING DEAD TO SINS, SHOULD LIVE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS: BY WHOSE STRIPES YE WERE HEALED."

(2 COR 5:21) "FOR HE HATH MADE HIM TO BE SIN FOR US, WHO KNEW NO SIN; THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM."

(GAL 3:13) "CHRIST HATH REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW, BEING MADE A CURSE FOR US: FOR IT IS WRITTEN, CURSED IS EVERY ONE THAT HANGETH ON A TREE:"

C. Our judgment will be for our service to the Lord Jesus Christ after our salvation. This event is called the "Judgment Seat of Christ."

(2 COR 5:10) "FOR WE MUST ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST; THAT EVERY ONE MAY RECEIVE THE THINGS DONE IN HIS BODY, ACCORDING TO THAT HE HATH DONE, WHETHER IT BE GOOD OR BAD."

(ROM 14:10) "BUT WHY DOST THOU JUDGE THY BROTHER? OR WHY DOST THOU SET AT NOUGHT THY BROTHER? FOR WE SHALL ALL STAND BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST."

II. What will we be judged for at the Judgment Seat of Christ?

A. We will be judged for our work as a servant of Jesus Christ. cf. I Co. 3:11-15

B. Our work will be judged for the MOTIVE behind it and the quality as opposed to the quantity.

1. "Of what SORT (what kind) it is. v13

2. Heart attitudes will be more important than actual works.

3. If the proper attitudes are developed, the proper works will come naturally.

(1 TH 2:4) "BUT AS WE WERE ALLOWED OF GOD TO BE PUT IN TRUST WITH THE GOSPEL, EVEN SO WE SPEAK; NOT AS PLEASING MEN, BUT GOD, WHICH TRIETH OUR HEARTS."

(EPH 6:6) "NOT WITH EYESERVICE, AS MENPLEASERS; BUT AS THE SERVANTS OF CHRIST, DOING THE WILL OF GOD FROM THE HEART;"

III. What are the negative consequences of this judgment?

A. Paul said in speaking of the Judgment Seat of Christ in II Co. 5:11…

1. That the "terror of the Lord " should motivate us to serve Him and persuade others.

2. A Christian should never fear going to hell, but there are some things to beware of in relation to the final judgment.

B. Some Christians will be found:

1. Ashamed for not living for the Lord Jesus Christ at His appearing.

(1 JOHN 2:28) "AND NOW, LITTLE CHILDREN, ABIDE IN HIM; THAT, WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR, WE MAY HAVE CONFIDENCE, AND NOT BE ASHAMED BEFORE HIM AT HIS COMING."

2. Suffering loss because their works were temporal and not eternal.

(1 COR 3:15) "IF ANY MAN'S WORK SHALL BE BURNED, HE SHALL SUFFER LOSS: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; YET SO AS BY FIRE."

3. Losing rewards because they lived in sin rather than for Jesus Christ.

(2 COR 5:10) "FOR WE MUST ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST; THAT EVERY ONE MAY RECEIVE THE THINGS DONE IN HIS BODY, ACCORDING TO THAT HE HATH DONE, WHETHER IT BE GOOD OR BAD."

(GAL 6:7-8) "BE NOT DECEIVED; GOD IS NOT MOCKED: FOR WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP. {8} FOR HE THAT SOWETH TO HIS FLESH SHALL OF THE FLESH REAP CORRUPTION; BUT HE THAT SOWETH TO THE SPIRIT SHALL OF THE SPIRIT REAP LIFE EVERLASTING."

C. Remember that appearances are many times very deceiving.

1. We shouldn't be fooled by outward appearances, in our own life as well as the lives of others.

2. Many people only APPEAR to be servants of the Lord. cf I Co. 1.27-31

(LUKE 16:15) "AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, YE ARE THEY WHICH JUSTIFY YOURSELVES BEFORE MEN; BUT GOD KNOWETH YOUR HEARTS: FOR THAT WHICH IS HIGHLY ESTEEMED AMONG MEN IS ABOMINATION IN THE SIGHT OF GOD."

3. Be sure to invest in heavenly rewards instead of earthly rewards.

4. The servants of the Lord will be revealed at the Judgment Seat of Christ. cf Col.3:1-4

(MAT 6:19-20) "LAY NOT UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES UPON EARTH, WHERE MOTH AND RUST DOTH CORRUPT, AND WHERE THIEVES BREAK THROUGH AND STEAL: {20} BUT LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN, WHERE NEITHER MOTH NOR RUST DOTH CORRUPT, AND WHERE THIEVES DO NOT BREAK THROUGH NOR STEAL:"

IV. What rewards are obtainable?

The rewards obtainable at the Judgment Seat of Christ can be seen by studying the five crowns in the New Testament:

A. Crown of Righteousness - 2Ti. 4:8 - given to those who love the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. The Bible closes with "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Revelation 22.20

2. Our overriding desire should be, at all times, to be with the Lord. Philippians 1.23-24

B. Crown of Life - Revelation 2:10 - the martyr's crown.

1. Also seen in James 1:12 as given to those who endure temptation.

2. This is the same as the martyr's crown because we overcome temptation by dying to self. Romans 6:6-11

C. Incorruptible Crown - I Cor. 9.25 - given for temperance or moderation.

1. The context of I Cor. 9:18-27 deals with temperance or moderation in all matters (physical, spiritual and mental) to be a testimony to others.

2. This is balanced by remembering that some have infirmities for the purpose of glorifying God.

3. Paul is a great example. 2 Cor. 12:7-10

D. Crown of Rejoicing - I Thess. 2:19 - the soul-winner's crown.

1. Given to those who win people to Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:1

2. Called the crown of rejoicing because it produces rejoicing in heaven when someone gets saved. Luke 15:7

E. Crown of Glory - 1 Peter 5:4 - the shepherd's crown. Given to those who pastor or shepherd people in the word of God.

1. The New Testament is very clear that ALL saved people are to be actively teaching someone the word of God, not just preachers. Ep. 4:11-16

2. It requires great wisdom, which can only be obtained through the word of God. Proverbs 4:7-9

V. Why should we be concerned about the Judgment Seat of Christ?

A. The focus on the return of the Lord Jesus Christ is one of the most practical doctrines for everyday living in the Bible.

B. Notice in the following verses how many practical character qualities are produced by focusing on the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Patience. James 5:7-8; II Thess. 3:5

2. Peace. I Thessalonians 4:13-18

3. Joy. I Thessalonians 2:19

4. Holiness. I Thess. 3:13; 1John 3:1-3

5. Confidence. Ph. 1:6, 1 John 2.28

6. Diligence in service. II Timothy 4:1-8

7. Righteous living. Titus 2:11-14

8. Faith even in difficult times. I Pe 1.5-7

C. The rewards we receive on earth are all temporal and will perish.

D. The rewards we receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ are eternal and will never perish. 2 Cor. 4:17-5:4

E. By constantly focusing on the Judgment Seat of Christ, we will naturally develop a desire to please God rather than men.

F. Developing this attitude is the surest way to handle criticism and opposition. II Co. 5:6-9, I Co. 7:23