Scripture: Acts 24:24-25

C.I.: The Day of Judgment is Coming…

Today a new series…Upon hearing about “the judgment to come,” Felix became afraid. – Is this a day to fear?

I. “Judgment”: What is It?

A. Various Views Concerning “Judgment”

1. Extra-Biblical Views… (and how the Bible responds)
a. Annihilation: “When you are dead you are like rover, i.e., dead all over!”
1) These people do not believe a loving God could create or cast someone into a place like hell.”
2) “The Bible says, ‘God is love,’ (I John 4:8). Would a loving God really torment people forever? Would you do so?” “You Can Live Forever,” Watchtower Bible, 1982, p. 81.
3) But Jesus believed in a literal hell. – Comparing the un-R. to the R., – He said, “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life,” (Matt. 25:46).
b. Reincarnation: The rebirth of a person’s soul into another body (Karma: good to good, bad to bad)
1) Certain sects of Hinduism – teach that a soul must migrate up/down – until Nirvana is reached
2) Yet, “It is appointed unto man once to die, after this comes the judgment,” (Heb. 9:27).
c. Rewards & Punishments experienced here on earth (Modern-Day Sadduceeism):
1) Job: (Job 4:7), “Whoever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright destroyed?” – (Job. 1:8), “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a blameless & upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.”
2) Blind man: (Jn. 9:1-3), “As they passed by they saw a man blind from birth. – And His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned…?’ – Jesus answered, ‘It was neither this man….”
3) The example of Jesus: (I Pt. 2:23), “He committed no sin nor was any deceit….” – (Isa. 52:14), “His appearance was marred more than any man.”

B. “What will Happen to You on the Day of Judgment?”

1. You will personally stand before the Judgment seat of God – (quote II Cor. 5:10)!
a. For the non-believer this will be a terrifying time – (they will realize how wrong they were!).
1) They will be alone except for their conscience – (Rom. 2:15-16), “…their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, - on that day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”
2) Because of the holiness of God – they will speak forth their own confession of sin – (Isa. 6:5), “Woe is me for I am ruined! – Because I am a man of unclean lips; and I live among….”
b. For the Christian this will be a glorious time – (We will realize how right we were!)
1) The believer will not be alone – (I Jn. 2:1; II Tim. 4:1), “…we have an Advocate with…!”
2) Finally we will be allowed to look upon Him who has saved us from all our sins – and praise His holy name – (Rev. 7:9-10), “And I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every tongue… - standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and they cry out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation to our God who sits on the throne...

2. Your entire life will be examined and judged before God’s throne.
a. For the non-believer this will be a time of shame, embarrassment, heartache and pain.
1) They will be judged because of their deeds - (Rev. 20:12), “And I saw the dead, the great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which was the Book of Life; and everyone was judged from the things written in the books, according to their deeds.”
2) They will be judged by their words – (Matt. 12:36-37), “…every careless word that men shall speak, they shall give an account for on the day of judgment. – For by your words you will….”
3) Their judgment will be based on how their lives compare to the words of Jesus – (Jn. 12:48).
b. For the believer this will be a time of exoneration
1) This is not because Xns are perfect (Rom. 3:23) – it’s because of the grace & mercy of God – who does not count our sins against us – (Rom. 4:7-8; 8:1), “Blessed are those who lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. – Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” – There is now therefore no condemnation for those….”
2) Our lives will be examined before the throne: for Xns = blessings; non-Xns = sorrow, shame!

3. The Sentence You Receive will be in Keeping of the Choices You made

a. The non-believer will finally understand the selfishness of their sinful choices.
1) At its core – sin is about doing/not doing – precisely what we want – without concern for God.
2) (I Cor. 6:9-10), “Do you not know the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?….”
3) (Rom. 1:28-32), “…Although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death [eternal separation from God], they not only practice the same, - but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”
4) Thus, the verdict rendered in judgment – will be in keeping with the choices they’ve made in this life! – Since they chose to live apart from God and for their sins in this life – God is doing nothing more than agreeing with their decision. – If this is their choice - they would be as uncomfortable in heaven as they would be un-welcomed! - Matt. 7:7 is TRUE for everyone!
b. The believer will receive God’s blessings according to their choices…
1) God blessings will be distributed according to our deeds:
(i) For those who are persecuted for righteousness sake – (Rev. 2:10), “…be faithful until…”
(ii) Those who serve as elders – (I Pt. 5:4), “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will….”
(iii) All who are saved – (II Tim. 4:8), “In the future theres laid up for me the crown of R…”

C. Choices to Make in View of the Judgment:

1. The better we understand the nature of the judgment – the more our lives will be changed.
a. (Rom. 12:1), “I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, - that you present your bodies as a living & holy sacrifice, - acceptable to God, - which is your spiritual service of worship.”

2. Since people are lost because of their sin – we MUST share with them the message of salvation!
a. The more we understand the reality of the Judgment – the more we will share the message of salvation – with those whom we/God loves! – (II Cor. 5:11), “Knowing the fear of the Lord….”
b. God wants you saved: the cross proves His love for them - (Jn. 3:14-16).
c. Your response proves your love for Him - II Pt. 3:9; Mk. 16:16.