What Happens at the Judgment Seat of Christ? by David K. Bernard Podcast recording (no venue stated in the delivered transcript) Kind: teaching Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10, Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 3, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 Source: https://acts238.life/repository/sermons/david-k-bernard--what-happens-at-the-judgment-seat-of-christ Published by Acts 2:38 Life from the sermon transcript on that page. Free to copy and share with attribution. ------------------------------------------------------------ yes well let's talk a little bit more about judgment first of all we have many passages of scripture that tell us were saved by grace through faith not of Works Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8-9 so we must be very clear when it comes to Salvation we're saved through Jesus Christ through his death burial and Resurrection which as we know in the New Covenant we apply to our own lives through repentance water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and and so that is all that comes by the grace of God that's not our works that save us that's the new birth experience I just mentioned that's the application of God's grace to our lives that's the expression of our faith in God and it's God who does the work so we must be very clear that in the last judgment uh if you're saved you're saved by the grace of God however there are many other passages of scriptures that says everyone will be judged according to their works now for those who who are not saved their Works will include sins and their Works will condemn them but what about people who are saved even though we're saved by grace we're saved so that we can live a holy life and produce good work so the same passage Ephesians 8 through 9 that says you're saved by grace through faith not of Works verse 10 goes on to say we're created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God has before hath before ordained that we should walk in them so God definitely expects us to produce good works and there are also passes of scripture that will be rewarded according to our works now that doesn't mean anybody's saved without the gospel or without the new birth or say by our works but that means that for the same people God will take their good works into account now how he will do this I'm not really sure I think perhaps in the millennial Kingdom where Jesus Christ rules and Reigns on Earth for a thousand years with his Saints it's very likely that people the save will be rewarded according to their works by positions of Honor or influence or you know know what happens in the millennial Kingdom I don't be on that I don't know in eternity how God will bless us I think all the save will enjoy the rich blessings of God but there are going to be some rewards and so in that regard I'd like to look at First Corinthians chapter 3. because it explains it in Greater detail First Corinthians chapter 3 verse 11 I'm reading the new King James it says for no other Foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid which is Jesus Christ so I think that's talking about your salvation so he's making it clear when it comes to Salvation it's Jesus only through Jesus Christ but then he explains that our life is like a building on that foundation so like when you come to God you're saved you're born again that's your foundation but your Christian Life after that is like a building being built on the foundation so he explains now if anyone Builds on this foundation with gold silver precious stones wood hay straw each one's work will become clear for the day we'll 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 he has built on endures he will receive a reward if anyone's work is burned he will suffer loss but he himself will be saved yet so as through fire so like second Corinthians which you've already referenced First Corinthians is also written to the church so this last statement he'll be saved it's not talking about a sinner can suddenly slip into salvation based on his good works that's not what he's talking it's to the church and it opens and closes with this understanding you're talking to save people so given the fact you're saved through Jesus Christ what about your life so you can liken your Works to gold silver precious stones wood hay or stubble now we're not talking about sins because that would condemn you but we're talking about works so let's say um I work on a job I earn some money I I buy a car I buy some Recreational Equipment now in eternity that's not going to mean anything now it's not sinful to buy recreational commit equipment it's not a sin say to go play golf or a racquetball in my case or hunting or fishing those aren't evil those won't condemn me to hell those aren't sinful but those don't really Advance the kingdom of God in any meaningful way so in eternity do I get it do I expect to be rewarded because I played racquetball no I don't now I guess there's some connection of if I'm taking care of my body and being a good Steward and and so forth but getting proper rest Recreation is is an important concept but do I really expect an in eternity or in the millennial Kingdom I'll get a reward because I played racquetball no as far as the kingdom of God is concerned it's not sin but it's wood hay or stubble uh but if I taught a Bible study and won a soul or if I spent time with my child and they grew up and they're saved that's going to be an of Eternal value so I'll receive an eternal reward you know I the reward might simply be their presence would be rewarding up but the point is there are some things I do in this life that while they're not bad they're not wrong they could be good they really don't have an eternal value and I'm not going to be rewarded for them but there are other things I do in this life that will actually have eternal value there actually will change people's Eternal Destiny my destiny my family's definitely are people that I come in contact with so those Works will last for eternity so I think what the Apostle Paul is saying if you take all the things of your life and it's like a house so the things that you just did for yourself are you did for your this life only that's going to be like building a house of wood it's not bad it serves a purpose but if a fire comes it gets burned up it's lost there's there's no Eternal value after the fire's over there's nothing left but other things you did for the kingdom of God your prayer your teaching Bible study your study of God's word ministry in whatever way serving the church serving uh advancing the kingdom of God serving other people helping them be saved or discipled or encouraged well those things are going to last so even if you imagine this life is like like a fire and when this life is over you know everything is burned up well those Works will be like gold silver precious stones they will survive the fire and they will last into the next life and so it's an admonition uh not that you can't do wood hay and stubble but get your priorities right if you really want something of Eternal value make sure you invest in things in this life that will make a difference like gold silver and precious stones as the analogy so it's make sure you get your priorities right make sure you spend plenty of time on things that will make a difference for eternity and the promise is if you do that you will definitely receive a reward Jesus even said if you just gave a cup of cold water in my name uh then you would you would not lose your reward so if you received a profit in the name of a prophet you received a prophet's reward so even though you may not have a prominent public Ministry that everybody lauds if you're supporting the kingdom of God in unknown ways yet uh in eternity in the life to come you will receive a reward so it's a it's an encouragement to believers that God will reward us of course you know even the works we do it's because of the Lord enabling us I think at the end of the day we will be rewarded we will be honored will we will be blessed but we'll give all the glory to God because ultimately he's the one and he alone who is Worthy