Gold, Silver, or Bronze? - Part B

The evaluating and wording of service rendered to Christ. From the moment you're saved until the day you go to heaven.

All of that will be evaluated again. We are not saved by your saved to do exactly what Paul writes in Ephesians 210 for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works throughout the New Testament. It's plain to see that in heaven there will be differences of rewards and differences of positions because of our works. What's in it for me that's off of the motivating factor for most of us when choosing what we should get involved going to expend time and energy and money on something we want to know how it will benefit us well to the hearing correct was your weekend edition Skip Heitzig examines what's in it for those of us who have chosen to follow Christ and his ultimate destiny is heaven. If you've ever wondered if this Christian journey will be worth the trip.

Stick around will examine that issue in just a moment but first we want to let you in on this month's connect with Skip resource offer comes to mind when you think of great godly women probably Jesus's mother Mary, maybe Ruth, the unlikely ancestor of Christ. What about you here's a New York Times best-selling author Eric the taxes clearly God created us male and female in his image and it's leaning into who we are as women for women that is going to show God's greatness. Discover how the lives of some of the latest women in history can show you the path to true greatness in your own life as a woman made in God's image, that's what you'll find in this month's inspiring resource by Eric metathesis everyone the seven women.

I think you see a different side of femininity seven women is our thank you for your gift of $35 or more today to help connect more people to God's word and right now will also send you a special bonus resource pastor skips next message CD collection on prominent women from Scripture connectwithskip.com/offer to get online securely or call 800-922-1888 was hard to think of anything being a better motivation of the chancellery of the presence of God in heaven but like all those great game shows.

God says to us there's more. What more is there open your Bibles once again the second Corinthians as you find your place will catch up with Skip Heitzigs continues with her study gold, silver or bronze do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown. We do it for an imperishable crown of the Olympic athletes, trains and trains to stand before the judge at the bema seat to receive a reward of a leaf. It's gonna fade away in a couple weeks a few days we do it we serve Christ wholeheartedly is working to get an imperishable crown. Probably the most grueling of all bike races is the Tour de France never watch that a television I'd always thought it be great to be there not to participate but to watch though I like to bicycle that were talking 2000 miles of bicycling to the mountains of France, grueling one of the participants called it the annual madness when it's all said and done, you know what you get if you win the Tour de France than what $100,000, maybe $10,000 note, you get a nice little bicycle jersey that great 2000 miles working working working a little bicycle jersey and the ability to say I finished and one the Tour de France that's marvelous but short-lived. That's Paul's point in that text I just read. It's short-lived in perishable crown.

We work for an imperishable. All right, back to this judgment seat of Christ. What kind of judgment will this be. Let me first say what it will not be when we talk about standing before the judgment seat of Christ. This is not referring to the great white throne judgment. In Revelation 20. That's for unbelievers only that's for Christ judges the wicked in their banished forever. Not speaking about that you and I will never face judgment for our sins ever is already settled. Romans chapter 8 verse one there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

And Jesus said in John chapter 5 whoever believes in me, or hears my word and believes in him who sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death into life.

So this is not a judgment for our eternal fate that's already settled by the way were not saved by any works right were saying the Bible says Ephesians 2 by grace you have been saved through faith that not of yourselves, not by works with any man should boast. So it's not that. Nor is the bema seat. Some kind of competition to see if you can out live your friend or get a bigger met by mansions bigger than your mansion where I could be doing that in heaven, and of some people get the idea that in heaven God is in a throw in the DVD that the video of your life and goal world sees every little thing you've done you get them all in Paris because of it. I heard about a preacher who died and he went to heaven and there was Peter course, he's always in every lame joke like this. And Peter was there and the preacher noticed a New York taxi driver also in heaven who got a bigger reward and the preacher did and the preacher was miffed over this. He said look Peter, I've given my whole life to love my congregation in this Cabdriver gets like the biggest reward I can imagine bigger than my. What's up with that Peter said look Rev. here in heaven. It's our policy to reward results.

Preacher was all ears. Peter continued Rev. when you gave a sermon what would often happen preacher hung his headset. I know a lot of people fell asleep.

When I would speak Peter said exactly that's different with this guy. Anybody got a disguised taxicab.

They stayed awake.

Not only that, but they pray the whole time will I don't think the bema seat judgment is going to be like that.

It's not an idea of comparison. It talks about in verse 10 receiving something in its put in Greek in the middle voice it's reflexive would be best translated each will receive for one's self. This is an individual evaluation between you and Christ. So what is the judgment seat is what it is is the evaluating and rewarding of service rendered to Christ. From the moment your saved until the day you go to heaven.

All of that will be evaluated again. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved to do good works exactly what Paul writes in Ephesians 210 for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, and throughout the New Testament. It's plain to see that in heaven there will be differences of rewards and differences of position because of our works. Here's a smattering of texts, Matthew 620 Jesus said don't lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven were moth or rust cannot destroy. Matthew 25 Jesus gave a parable of the talents which is like a big bag of money. These are temporal resources and he said I will say well done good and faithful servant.

You were faithful over a few things, so I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord, the joy will be at that point the reward that is given. Revelation 22 verse 12 Jesus says I am coming quickly.

My reward is with me to give to everyone according to their works and how many times in the sermon on the mount to Jesus, talk about doing something so that people will see you versus doing it privately. When no one sees you, whether it's giving alms are praying, don't do it publicly because Jesus said you already have your reward, but do it in secret. Your father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

When will he reward you openly at the bema seat judgment of Christ. That's when all of those rewards are given to believers. I like you to turn one book back with me. Go to first Corinthians chapter 3 for a moment. I trust you brought your Bible, you will certainly need one to look at that first Corinthians chapter 3 is a parallel tax to what were reading this morning.

Same guy Paul writing to same church. Corinthians verse nine of chapter 3 says for we are God's fellow workers.

You are God's field, you are God's building.

According to the grace of God which was given to me as a wise master builder I laid the foundation, and another builds on.

But let each one take heed how he builds on speaking about building your life and what things you do and the analogy will be different materials that you use that will last or not for no other foundation can anyone lay which is laid, that's Jesus Christ. So the foundation we build on his Peter. It's not any institution or organization is Christ himself. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver and precious stones was a long-lasting and valuable wood, hay and straw can say those are very temporal and not very valuable. Each one's work will become clear for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which is built on endures, he will receive a reward. The bema seat. The reward seat. Anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

So this is the reward seat.

Everything will be evaluated, tested, and a verdict will be rendered based upon works that we do in life for Christ. Now that the judgment seat of Christ takes a load off of us. Now what it means is you and I don't have to look at other believers works and what they do in the church and get all miffed because nobody's volunteering like I am.

You want to do that you don't ever get angry at another brother or sister for performing or not performing because it says in Romans 14 verse 10. Why do you judge your brother, why do you show contempt for your brother, for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Here's the here's the bottom line. Then there is a record In heaven of everything done on earth by saved and unsaved, and we will be rewarded accordingly.

God will be the judge.

Christ himself who is impartial and perfect is a great text out of the last chapter of the Old Testament, Malachi chapter 3 go some like this. Those who fear the Lord and who meditated on his name.

The Lord heard and a book of remembrance was written before the Lord.

For those fears God keeps a record of all those things said and done for him. Another question about this bema seat. This payment tossed judgment is what is is can it take place in the future or what point brothers a lot of disagreement on that. Some say the moment you die. It's a one by one, judgments of the moment you die in Christ presence. That's when it takes place for you next person dies takes place for them.

That's one thought. Some think it will happen in the intermediate heaven from between the moment of your death and the coming of Christ at the rapture of the church. Others believe it will take place at the rapture when you receive a resurrection body because they say were being judged for what we did in this body. Others say will take place during the tribulation period between the rapture and the second coming.

While the tribulation is going on the earth will be being rewarded in heaven.

There's another thought I'd like to propose it could take place at the end of the tribulation.

After the second coming, but before the thousand year millennial reign of Christ on the earth. I like to turn to a passage of Scripture annual chapter 12 let's turn to Daniel 12 look at just a couple of verses together quickly. Daniel chapter 12 is about the end of days the end of the end and then that last chapter of the book of Daniel chapter 12 verse 9 He Said Go Your Way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.

Many shall be purified, made wide and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly and not of the wicked shall understand. But the wise shall understand watches from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be 1290 days. Blessed are. Oh how happy is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand 335 days. What on earth is he talking about what we know something from other portions of Scripture we study this before we know that in that last period of history, the tribulation. Seven years Daniel 70th week. There will be 3 1/2 years from the midpoint, the abomination of desolation to the coming of Jesus Christ and it will be according to Revelation 11 and 12 exactly 1260 days. That's 3 1/2 years and 360 day per year increments.

The ancient reckoned so here in verse 11 we have an additional 30 days what's gonna happen during the 30 days is a possibility. Matthew 25 could happen during that period. The judgment of the nations and how the nations of the world treated the nation of Israel. The brethren of Christ. But then look in verse 1245 more days is -1335 days and blessed is the one who makes it to the end. What happens during that time.

Probably the mop up after Armageddon. Quite a slaughter. The set up for the millennial kingdom and the whole governmental structure will be set up in you and I are to rule and reign with him during that time. The Bible says so. It could be that the bema seat. The payment tossed judgment. The reward judgment takes place at that time in that transitional period between the second coming, the mop up of Armageddon and just before we get into the millennial reign of Christ seems to make sense because Jesus gave a parable in Luke 19 of the nobleman and he said you were faithful over a little. Therefore I will give you authority over 10 cities.

It's an administrative capability of serving during that time. That's a possibility let's go back and finish up this text.

Look at the last verse in our three verses that we chose this morning.

Verse 11. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord we persuade men but we are well known to God.

And I also trust are well known in your consciences.

This last verse gives what is to be our earth word occupation.

What happens in the in between. From now until the day we enter heaven. What should we be doing pulses will knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men there's a phrase in that verse that most people do not like. Can you guess what it is. Terror of the Lord. People do like to think that in fact they will interpret this very differently. They'll say that's a bad translation. It should be rendered. The fear of the Lord that reverential awe that motivates us and gives us the impetus, etc. that is a possibility. Paul could simply be saying knowing how awesome it's going to be to stand before Christ and be rewarded that prompts me to persuade Christians to live solely for Christ to give it their utmost to run the race. However, the word fear here fa Boston Greek can range from reverential author of the Lord all the way to panic and terror and it could mean that he's not just thinking of how awesome it's good to be for us to stand before Christ. Thus, a reverential but the terror for unbelievers who don't know Christ that it motivates us knowing that everybody's understand to give an account to be really bad for them who don't know Christ, read a text to you. This comes from Peter you can jot it down so to first Peter chapter 4 verse 17 and 18. What Peter writes for the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God, and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God. For now, if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear could be the same thought that Paul is saying I know how awesome it's going to be to be in glory, and to be rewarded for what we do for Christ on earth, but for unbelievers it's going to be sheer terror because of their future judgment. Therefore, with everything in me. I want to persuade as many men and women to come to saving faith in Christ as possible. Either way, both are true right we always want to persuade Christians to wholeheartedly follow Christ to make Christ.

Their aim, we wanted persuade as many unbelievers to get saved as possible. Christian when you die, your going to heaven. We know that, but my question this morning is what are you doing until you get to heaven a preacher asked a group of Sunday school students. How many of you want to go to heaven they'll raise your hand except for one little boy folded his arms shook his head, preacher, notice it said young man you want to go to heaven shook his head no, I don't want to go to heaven. The preacher was lives unbelievably signally minute you don't want to go to heaven when you die tickets at all when I die I sound like you want to get a group to go tonight.

Chances are you're not going to heaven tonight. God willing, you'll be with us for a long time and you have many years to live until you go to heaven.

What are you doing Thomas Guthrie used to say heaven will be for enjoyment. Now is the time for employment. Jesus said the same thing work. He said while it is yet day for the night is coming when no man can work. So's CT studies to say there's only one life. 12 soon be passed only what's done for Christ will last and will stand before him.

Every one of us will appear and will give an account for everything we did.

Paul's hope is that none of us will ever have to say I did I waste my time and energy on that worthless pursuit is nothing at all to do with eternal well the only thing that certain in this day and age we live in is that things are uncertain. However, you don't have to have any uncertainty about eternity, you can mill beyond the shadow of a doubt what will happen after you pass through the threshold of death that something you don't know yet. Skip said now is the time to change that.

All it takes is a humble heart and a willing mind to yield to Christ.

Confess your sin receive forgiveness and walk with God.

The remainder of your days if you'd like to know how to do that. If you'd like to start the journey right now, please don't hesitate to call us at numbers 100-922-1888 or you can learn more when you click on the know God link and connect with script.com and I also like to remind you if you want a copy of today's message from Skip gold, silver, bronze all you need to do is call us at that same number 1-800-922-1888. Each copy is just six dollars including shipping. You can also get this entire series from the edge of eternity for only $39 plus shipping. Call today 1-800-922-1888 or write the connection. That's PO Box 95707, Albuquerque, NM 87199 course of all that is correctly. Skip God, what would it take for us to experience heaven on earth will explore this more next time here and connect with the presentation of connection so God is never changing true and ever-changing time