Resurrection Life of Jesus Church
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
PART 48: JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
RLJ-1947
JOHN S. TORELL
JANUARY 28, 2024
RECONCILIATION
After outlining the three steps to resolving a conflict between believers in Christ, Peter came to Jesus and asked him about forgiveness. He wanted to know how many times we should forgive those who have hurt us. Matthew 18:21
Jesus’ response must have shocked Peter as he thought he was generous in forgiving seven times, but the God-man advocated seventy times beyond that. (70 x 7 = 490) verse 22
Peter and the other men must have been shocked at the words of Jesus since the Old Testament advocated an eye for eye and a tooth for a tooth. Exodus 21:23-25
The Son of God had taught earlier that humanity was to be meek and kind instead of demanding retribution. Matthew 5:38-45
PRICE FOR UNFORGIVENESS
Jesus was emphatic that the church would be ruled by love and forgiveness.
To illustrate the point, He said the Kingdom of Heaven was like a certain king who was auditing his servants. Matthew 18:23
One servant owed the king ten thousand talents, which is equal to $3.8 million today. verse 24
The king perceived the man could not repay such a large sum and subsequently ordered the man and his family to be sold as slaves. verse 25
The servant fell down and begged for time to repay his debt. verse 26
The king showed mercy and went so far as to forgive the entire amount. verse 27
Sometime later the same servant found a fellow servant that owed him a hundred pence or $3,200 in today’s money. It was a measly amount but the forgiven servant took him by the throat and demanded immediate repayment. verse 28
The man begged for time to repay the debt. verse 29
The forgiven servant showed no mercy and ordered his fellow servant thrown into prison until the debt was paid. verse 30
When the other servants discovered what had transpired, they recounted the events to the king. verse 31
The king summoned the forgiven servant and rebuked him for his wicked behavior, reminding him of the grace that had been extended to him. Would it not have been possible to show the same mercy to his fellow servant that owed such paltry sum in comparison? verses 32-33
The king furiously ordered the wicked servant sent to prison tormenters until the former debt was satisfied. verse 34
The same thing happens in churches when members turn against brothers and sisters in Christ who have displeased them in some way. They bring a matter before the church and won’t rest until the offender is censured or cast out. This infighting is responsible for the loss of church members and an abuse of the system Jesus instigated in the previous message for settling conflicts.
STRONG WARNING
Jesus issued a strong warning about forgiving your brothers and sisters in Christ. Failure to heed this warning will put you in the same position as the forgiven servant. God the Father will turn you over to tormentors until your debt is satisfied. verse 35
JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
Jesus did not explain who the tormentors were and how this punishment would be carried out. He left the disciples to their own thoughts of how and when it would take place. The rest of the story was revealed to the apostle Paul some 30 years after Jesus’ ascension.
1. Paul taught of judgment that will take place in heaven for believers in Christ. There is no foundation other than Jesus; He is our salvation. 1 Corinthians 3:11
2. Salvation is by grace. It a gift of God that can never be earned. Repentance and accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior bestows salvation. Acts 3:19; Romans 10:8-13; Ephesians 2:8-9
3. Once we are saved, it is necessary to build upon that foundation as we live it out. We can do things that are eternal or live for the moment with nothing to show for it on the other side. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
4. Paul stated there will be a Judgment Seat of Christ in heaven. Only believers in Christ will be taken to this courthouse with the purpose of rewarding or punishing them for their actions after they were born again. 2 Corinthians 5:10
5. Every sin committed before the time of salvation won’t be brought up since it was covered by Jesus on the cross. However, every unconfessed sin will count against us at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Each believer has the power to judge themselves on earth and repent. 1 Corinthians 11:28-31; 1 John 1:5-10
TERROR OF THE LORD
Paul wrote about the terror of the Lord in conjunction with the Judgment Seat of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:11
Paul’s letter to the Hebrews shows that he was given additional understanding from the Holy Spirit concerning willful acts of sin and the punishment that can be expected from God. Hebrews 10:26-31
We can therefore conclude there will be angels meting out punishment to believers in Christ after they have been adjudicated at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Matthew 18:34- 35
So shall my heavenly Father also do unto you…
SUMMARY
Few pastors teach on the Judgment Seat of Christ. The general belief in churches is that once you are saved and die, you will be taken to heaven and all your sins on earth are forgiven. There is no accountability for unrepented sins committed by a Christian after salvation.
There are two things that will happen at the Judgment Seat of Christ:
1. Accountability for your life on earth after salvation.
2. Rewards will be based on merit and our eternal positions will be settled.
Since most Christians are ignorant about the Judgment Seat of Christ, they are not preparing themselves, and there will be much regret in heaven. Most pastors will be cursed by their members for failing to teach about eternal accountability.
You are hereby warned!
Remember, it’s not so important how you begin your life after salvation, but how you finish it!
Do you have an ear to hear with?
