Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 3:10-16

It is graduation season across the country. Whether it is high school or college, when you graduate, you are celebrating the passage and reward at the end of a journey! That’s a great picture of what Pastor Ryan discussed today.  The final commencement! Scripture calls it the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Some important conclusions about the Judgment of Believers:

The Judgment Seat is a Place of Grace.  Look at Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. How much condemnation is there? A little? Nope. There is NO condemnation remaining. So the judgment seat isn’t going to be a chance for Jesus to brow beat you and say, “I know the rules say I have to let you in, but I really regret doing so. I know what you did!” It is a place of grace!

It’s Not Unwise to Seek the Prize. ¹⁴ If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.   It’s okay to be motivated by pleasing Jesus and enjoying the rewards he has waiting for us. We don’t know exactly how they’re going to be handed out or what they’ll look like or what we’ll do with them, but if the Bible keeps speaking of them, they are apparently REALLY GREAT!

Mud and Hay Will Waste Away.  Back in our passage – v.15: ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Paul said we’d stand before God at the judgment seat and give an account for our lives – “whether good or evil.”

The word translated evil in the ESV can also simply mean worthless. When we stand before God, it’s not going to be to receive condemnation. It’s going to be to celebrate those parts of our lives where we participated in the eternal work of the Kingdom. When we fed the poor, cared for the sick, shared the love of Jesus, and the times we invested in leading others to love Him more. And then we’re going to see some of the stuff that took up WAY too much of our time and say, “Why did I spend so much time on _________? That was so worthless in light of eternity.”

Paul’s challenge to all of us:

Take your eyes off of the temporary!

If you live life for the temporary, you will be continually unfulfilled.

If you need Jesus, invite Him to take over your life.

If you know Jesus, invite Him to probe your heart right now. 

Share / Discuss: 

When you think about meeting Jesus, what emotions do you feel? Anticipation? Excitement? Fear?

What motivates you to do what you do every day?

Complete this statement:  In light of eternity, why do I spend so much time on _________?