Second Corinthians 5:10: A Christian's Most Important Appointment

A Christian’s Most Important Appointment, 2 Corinthians 5:10

This Appointment is the Judgement Seat of Christ

What is the Judgement Seat (Bema Seat Greek)

The Judgement Seat was an elevated seat in the square at Corinth where Roman magistrates sat to administer justice, and where the athletes who distinguished themselves in the arena received their reward.

Believers will not be judged for their sins (that judgment took place on the cross), They will be judged for their works whether good or bad

A. We Must Stand Before the One Who Saved Us

1. An appointment only for believers

2. Lost people not judged until later (The Great White Throne)

Revelation 20:5, 11-15

3. Not one Christian will be excused (“We must”)

4. Not one Christian will be left out (“all”)

5. Think of who we will be meeting

a. The One who came down to save us

b. The One who endured the cross for us

c. The One who arose for us

d. The One who has taken away our sins

e. The One who has heard our prayers

6. We ought to live with this meeting in mind

B. We Must Stand Before Who Knows All About Us

1. “We must all appear” (be made manifest)

2. Standing before the One who knows His sheep (John 10:27)

a. Nothing will be hidden from Him

b. No way to bluff our way through this meeting

3. Some things Jesus knows about us

a. What occupies our minds

b. What we read at home and at work

c. How we spend or give our money

d. The degree of our dedication

e. The secret desires of our hearts

4. What adjustments ought you to make before that meeting?

a. What changes in priorities?

b. What changes in goals?

C. We Must Stand Before the One Who Commissioned Us

1. Each Christian has been commissioned to serve

a. We are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)

b. We are to be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8)

c. We are to be His lights in a dark world (Philippians 2:15)

2. Rewards given affected by how we have lived (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

a. What we have done in the body

b. Whether good or bad

3. Rewards to be given at this appointment (Revelation 22:12)

a. The Incorruptible Crown--1 Corinthians 9:25

b. The Crown of Life--James 1:12

c. The Crown of Rejoicing--1 Thessalonians 2:19

d. The Crown of Righteousness--2 Timothy 4:8

e. The Crown of Glory--1 Peter 5:4