Judgment Seat of ChristTag Archive -

3 Reasons Why I Believe in Eternal Rewards

September 6, 2011 in Radical Hope,Spiritual Formation with 0 Comments

Rewards? Inheritance?

When most Christians encounter the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles on eternal rewards and an inheritance in His coming Kingdom we’re initially surprised. “Why would Jesus want to reward me for my faithfulness? Eternal life seems reward enough!”

Though it may seem incredible, an honest reading of the New Testament connects our willingness to trust Him enough to obey and suffer for Him during our life on earth with His desire to reward us with significance in His coming Kingdom.

Our eternal destination is decided by our belief. In all His teaching, Jesus identified only two places to spend eternity: heaven or hell. All who believe in Him, trusting Him as their Savior who made payment for their sin, receive eternal life and spend eternity with Him in heaven (John 3:16-17).

Once we believe, our experience of eternal life is based on our faithfulness to Jesus. While there is no good hell or bad heaven, Jesus offers eternal rewards to those believers who trust Him enough to remain faithful during our lives on earth (Matthew 6:23; 1 Timothy 6:18-19).

It may be the greatest difference between Christians today and the early church. The original readers of the New Testament lived with a healthy respect for and desire for eternal rewards: Jesus wants to reward you in heaven for your faithfulness to Him on earth. 

Here are 3 Reasons Why I Believe in Rewards:

Jesus and the Apostles told us to seek rewards in heaven.

  1. The doctrine of rewards and our inheritance in the Kingdom explain the warning passages in the New Testament.
  2. The warnings are not against losing our salvation but are warning us to remain faithful to receive the reward and the inheritance Jesus wants to give us.
  3. Rewards, like the rest of the Christian life, are secured by grace through faith
  • God the Father prepared the works we will be rewarded for in eternity past (Ephesians 2:10).
  • God the Spirit gives us both the desire and power to accomplish these works on earth (Philippians 2:13).
  • God the Son promises to reward us at His coming (Revelation 22:12).

Question: Why do you feel many Christians resist the truth that Jesus wants to reward our faithfulness to Him in His coming Kingdom?

Monday in 1 John 3:10-23: The Portrait of a Confident Christian!

March 14, 2011 in Bible Teaching with 0 Comments

Series 47 / 86 First John

Week 9: Love Like a Christian!

(1 John 3:10-23)

Our ninth week of daily devotions in the Book of First John center on the John’s discourse on resisting the world. You’re going to need your Bible and I’ve provided the Study Notes on this website that you can either bookmark, or print. Be sure to scroll down to the notes outlining and commenting on the 1 John 3:10-23. Or you may want to download the word document: 1jn3.10-23nn I hope this helps those of you who are committed to journaling this year.

Monday: 1 John 3:10-23–The Portrait of a Confident Christian!

(more…)

1 John 3:10-23 Study Notes: Love Like A Christian!

March 12, 2011 in Bible Teaching with 0 Comments

Series 46 / 86 First John
Here are the study notes for next week’s morning studies and devotions from the Book of First John. We will be covering 1 John 3:10-23. If you want to download a copy to print: 1jn3.10-23nn

Love Like a Christian!

1 John 3:10-23

Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and truth (1 John 3:18).

The joy of fellowship is not confined to our existence here on earth as Christians. A day is coming when every believer will stand before the Savior to give an account for his or her life. John’s extended exhortation to live in fellowship with Christ now so that we will have confidence at His Coming is marked by the inclusio—that you may have confidence at His coming judgment (2:28; 4:17). This introduces a new idea to the discussion of the joy of fellowship: The joy or lack of it at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).

(more…)

Friday in 1 John 2:28-4:19: Are you prepared to stand before Jesus?

March 10, 2011 in Bible Teaching with 0 Comments

Series 44 / 86 First John

Week 8: Confidence at His Coming!

(1 John 2:28-4:19)

Our eighth week of daily devotions in the Book of First John center on the John’s discourse on resisting the world. You’re going to need your Bible and I’ve provided the Study Notes on this website that you can either bookmark, or print. Be sure to scroll down to the notes outlining and commenting on the 1 John 2:12-17. Or you may want to download the word document: 1jn2.28-4.19nn I hope this helps those of you who are committed to journaling this year.

Wednesday: 1 John 2:28-4:19–Live for the Life to Come!

Are You Prepared to Stand Before Him?

John makes it perfectly clear that those who live in fellowship with Christ by abiding in Him and loving His people will be the ones who stand confidently, but those who follow the false teachers will shrink away in shame. He devotes a major portion of his letter to the confidence (2:28; 4:17) he desires for them at the Judgment Seat.

Friend, how prepared are you for your time before the Lord Jesus?

Challenge to Disciples:

I want to close our time together this week with the same challenge I gave our congregation on Sunday:

You will be there, and He will call your name!

You know now what every believer will wish they knew then! You do not have to shrink away in shame. If you knew Christ was coming next week, what would you change about your life?

Do it!

Thursday in 1 John 2:28-4:19: Abiding and Loving!

March 9, 2011 in Bible Teaching with 0 Comments

Series 45 / 86 First John

Week 8: Confidence at His Coming!

(1 John 2:28-4:19)

Our eighth week of daily devotions in the Book of First John center on the John’s discourse on resisting the world. You’re going to need your Bible and I’ve provided the Study Notes on this website that you can either bookmark, or print. Be sure to scroll down to the notes outlining and commenting on the 1 John 2:12-17. Or you may want to download the word document: 1jn2.28-4.19nn I hope this helps those of you who are committed to journaling this year.

Thursday: 1 John 2:28-4:19–Abiding and Loving!

Today we will answer the question, “How can I live today so that I will be confident at His Coming?”

Since 1 John is all about fellowship with Christ, we would expect that fellowship has something to do with our confidence or shame at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Sure enough, the simple answer to the question, “How do I live today so that I will be confident at His Coming” is—live in fellowship with Him!

Connect the Dots: Fellowship with Him Now, Confidence When He Comes

The same two commands that tell us how to have fellowship with Him today will dominate the discussion of how to have confidence before Him at His Judgment Seat—abiding and loving. Look at our bracketing verses again:

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed at His coming (2:28).

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment…. (4:17)

Intimacy with Christ and His people is not only Christ’s will for us today, it is also the key to confidence at His Coming!

Are You Abiding in Christ?

If you are following Christ and living in His presence, you are abiding. This means that your life is open and honest before Him—avoiding sin and confessing it when you do. It also means that you are responding to His love as you obey and serve Him with a willing heart. Does that describe your life today? If it does, you will stand before Him confidently.

If you are loving your fellow Christians, you are pleasing Him. This means that your fellowship in a local church is marked by submission to authority and selfless devotion to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Does that characterize your life today? If it does, you will stand before Him confidently!

Ask Christ to probe your heart for ways you can live to please Him more and love His people more. If you ask Him to do that today, you will be happy you did when He comes again!

Wednesday in 1 John 2:28-4:19: Confidence or Shame?

March 8, 2011 in Bible Teaching with 0 Comments

Series 43 / 86 First John

Week 8: Confidence at His Coming!

(1 John 2:28-4:19)

Our eighth week of daily devotions in the Book of First John center on the John’s discourse on resisting the world. You’re going to need your Bible and I’ve provided the Study Notes on this website that you can either bookmark, or print. Be sure to scroll down to the notes outlining and commenting on the 1 John 2:12-17. Or you may want to download the word document: 1jn2.28-4.19nn I hope this helps those of you who are committed to journaling this year.

Wednesday: 1 John 2:28-4:19–Confidence or Shame?

The introduction to this section that encourages us to live in fellowship with Christ now so that we will have confidence at His Coming, begins with one of the most significant Judgment Seat verses in Scripture—1 John 2:28.

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed at His coming (2:28).

This verse presents the only two options for a believer on that day—confidence or shame. Since we will be without sin as we stand before Him, this confidence and shame will be pure and honest.

Confidence—the pure (without sin, no boasting, no ambition, only loving Him) joy of knowing that we lived for Him. Freedom or boldness of speech that comes from a clear conscience—the openness of good friends who have nothing to hide or fear.

Shame—the pure (without sin, no defensive protests, only loving Him) regret of knowing that we did not live for Him.

Two Choices

Those are your only two choices. Imagine staring into the face of Christ. Just the two of you as you see your life from His perspective—you see what He sees!

  • No hiding—it’s all there.
  • No spinning—all of your excuses are gone.
  • No attorney to defend you or counselor to explain away your decisions.
  • The look in His eyes says it all!

Here is what you and I know today. We have a good idea of how we will feel when we stand before Him, if He came right now. We know, because the Spirit is telling us. You know if you are living for Him or not. This isn’t some perfectionist standard. This is the general orientation of your life. Tomorrow we will look more specifically at how we can make sure that we are living the type of life He will affirm. But for today, ask the Holy Spirit to tell you the “grade” you would receive today. I’m sure He will let you know. Ask Him to teach you tomorrow how to improve your grade!

Tuesday in 1 John 2:28-4:19, the Judgement Seat of Christ

March 7, 2011 in Bible Teaching with 0 Comments

Series 42 / 86 First John

Week 8: Confidence at His Coming!

(1 John 2:28-4:19)

Our eighth week of daily devotions in the Book of First John center on the John’s discourse on resisting the world. You’re going to need your Bible and I’ve provided the Study Notes on this website that you can either bookmark, or print. Be sure to scroll down to the notes outlining and commenting on the 1 John 2:12-17. Or you may want to download the word document: 1jn2.28-4.19nn I hope this helps those of you who are committed to journaling this year.

Tuesday: 1 John 2:28-4:19–The Judgment Seat of Christ

(more…)

Monday in 1 John 2:28-4:19: Unlocking the Mysteries of 1 John!

March 7, 2011 in Bible Teaching with 0 Comments

Series 41 / 86 First John

Week 8: Confidence at His Coming!

(1 John 2:28-4:19)

Our eighth week of daily devotions in the Book of First John center on the John’s discourse on resisting the world. You’re going to need your Bible and I’ve provided the Study Notes on this website that you can either bookmark, or print. Be sure to scroll down to the notes outlining and commenting on the 1 John 2:12-17. Or you may want to download the word document: 1jn2.28-4.19nn I hope this helps those of you who are committed to journaling this year.

Monday: 1 John 2:28-4:19–Unlocking the Mysteries of 1 John!

(more…)

1 John 2:28-4:19 Study Notes: Confidence at His Coming!

March 7, 2011 in Bible Teaching with 0 Comments

Series 40 / 86 First John

Here are the study notes for next week’s morning studies and devotions from the Book of First John. We will be covering 1 John 2:28-4:19. If you want to download a copy to print: 1jn2.28-4.19nn

Confidence at His Coming

1 John 2:28-4:19

Abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence before Him (1 John 2:28).

As a father protecting his little children, John warns his friends that the false teachers who have left their assemblies will steal the greatest joy any believer will ever know—the joy of life in the family of God. The theme of First John is fellowship—that experience of intimacy with Christ and His people only available to those who belong to Him. The passion of John is, “don’t lose it by listening to these lying teachers. True joy is based on apostolic truth and is only possible in fellowship with God” (1:1-4).

(more…)

Friday in 1 John 2:28-3:10: What are you displaying?

March 4, 2011 in Bible Teaching with 0 Comments

Series 39 / 86 First John

Week 7: Live Like a Christian!

(1 John 2:28-3:10)

Our seventh week of daily devotions in the Book of First John center on the John’s discourse on resisting the world. You’re going to need your Bible and I’ve provided the Study Notes on this website that you can either bookmark, or print. Be sure to scroll down to the notes outlining and commenting on the 1 John 2:12-17. Or you may want to download the word document: 1jn2.28-3.10nn. I hope this helps those of you who are committed to journaling this year.

Friday: 1 John 2:28-3:10, What are you displaying?

(more…)

Page 1 of 212»