LBC Sermons & Messages

II Corinthians 5:10

This event occurs after the rapture of the saints and is a time when Christ evaluates the life of the believer. It is not a judgment to determine if we belong in heaven, but to determine rewards to be given to the believer based upon their life after they had accepted Christ as their savior.

God will examine our motives and attitudes as he evaluates our thoughts, words and deeds (Rom 2). Our quality of our works will be tested by fire and those, which survive, will be rewarded. I suspect it will be for each one of us a time of sorrow and joy. (I Cor 3:9-15).

Good works are those things, which glorify the Lord (Matt 5:16; Matt 26:7-10; I Tim 6:18; Matt 10:40-42).

There are three parables given by Christ, which gives us further information concerning this judgment. Matt 25:14-30 (talents) reveals that rewards are based upon faithfulness of using what abilities and spiritual gifts that were given to us, using what we have. Luke 19:11-27 (pounds) shows that rewards are based upon our faithfulness in the opportunities that we had, and the rewards are not based upon results. Finally Matt 20:1-16, rewards are based upon our willingness to serve.

There will be crown rewards (II Tim 4:8, loving the return of the Lord; I Cur 9:25-27, life of self discipline; James 1:12, being faithful under trials; I Theses 2:19, based upon our ministry of edification; I Peter 5:1-4, faithful service). There will also be service rewards (Col 3:23-25; Eph 6:5-8 which will be based upon our attitude). Finally there are universal rewards (Rev 20:6; I Cur 6:2-3, our life now will determine what we will do during the millennium).

I Cur 4:5 reveal that Christ will give praise to each of his people.

Salvation is great, not only does he save for all eternity but also rewards us for our service. Which should behoove us to heed I Cur 10:31 “do all to the glory of Christ”.