English Service by Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

THE BEMA SEAT

SERIES: THE END OF DAYS

TEXT:I CORINTHIANS 3:10-15

As our journey through the events surrounding the “end of days” continues we come to an event that will take place in heaven while the great tribulation period is going on here on earth. When Jesus Christ returns for His church in the rapture, the world will be thrown into a time of great tribulation, but while this is happening on earth, there are two great events that will be taking place in heaven. These two events:

  1. The judgement seat of Christ which is also called the BEMA SEAT.
  2. The marriage supper of the lamb. Today we will discuss the judgement seat of Christ – BEMA SEAT. Next Sunday by God’s grace we will look at “the marriage supper of the lamb.

The judgement seat of Christ is an event that is spoken of in several passages of the scripture. Let us read (II Corinthians 5:10, Roman 14:10-12) these verses and our text this morning all speak of the same event. The BEMA seat refers to a time when every true child of God will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ and give an account of their   service to the Lord.

On that day and time our labor and works will be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ. Our works will not only be judged but they will all be rewarded.

On this day we may hear the Lord say “well done thou good and faithful servant.”

It is that day that I want to preach about this  morning. It will be heaven’s coronation day. Now allow the Lord to speak to your heart today, please be ready when that day arrives. This passage of the scripture reveals to us three aspects of that great day. Let us learn:-

I.  IT WILL BE A DAY OF INTIMATE DISCOVERIES (I CORINTHIANS 3:10-13)

  • The Apostle Paul describes the Christian life as a building.
  • He tells us that he laid the foundation
  • It is our duty and responsibility to build on that foundation, let us build correctly.
  • In verse eleven (11) it is clear that this event of the BEMA seat is an event for true believers only.
  • This is an event for saints not for sinners.
  • If you are not building from your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will not be at the judgement seat of Christ (BEMA SEAT)
  • If you will not be at the judgement seat of Christ (BEMA) you will either be in the great tribulation or burning in hell.
  • My lost friend, I want to remind you that without Jesus Christ you are a lost sinner, you are heading to an eternal hell.
  • I want to remind you that you are today one day closer to eternity than you were yesterday.
  • You truly need to prepare to meet God.
  • Now what will be discovered about the saints of God on that day?
  1. OUR METHODS WILL BE DISCOVERED (I COR 3:10)
  • Paul tells us that ‘how’ we build on the foundation will pass under the scrutiny of God’s eyes in that day.
  • When God saved your soul, He placed you on a foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Since you got saved you have been building something, you have been building a life.
  • This life you are building can either be a thing of glory to God or disgrace before God!!
  • When we stand at the judgement seat of Christ or at the BEMA seat, we will answer for how we have built our lives.
  • In Paul’s day, in every city there was a place called the BEMA or judgement seat, it was from this raised platform, usually in the center of town or City Centre, that announcements were made, judgements were made, judgements rendered and commendations handed out.
  • It was at the BEMA seat that rewards were given out to the winners of great games, it was here that crown were given to them.
  • All public proclamations came from this BEAM seat.
  • Now, at the BEMA seat of Christ there are two issues that will not be raised.
  1. Salvation – salvation for the soul was forever taken care of at the moment of conversion.
  • Nothing can ever change the state of the believer’s soul.
  • If a person is truly saved, that person is saved forever.
  • All lost sinners, unbelievers will not appear at the BEMA, but they will appear at the Great white throne of God to be condemned forever in hell.
  1. Sin – sin was taken care of forever at Calvary when our Lord Jesus Christ died. In John 19:30, when Jesus Christ died, He died once for all sin of the world (II Corinthians 5:21)
  • Now, when a sinner places his/her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, all his sins, are forever taken care of.
  • All his sins will not be mentioned when we arrive at the BEMA seat.
  • At the BEMA seat what will be dealt with is the manner in which we have lived our earthly life from the moment of conversion until the day we died or raptured.
  • How we used our responsibilities, privileges and opportunities.
  • Every born again believer is a steward, God has given us time 24/7, He has given us money, gifts, and abilities to use for His glory.
  • God has given us opportunities for service and ministry.
  • He has told us to occupy until He comes (I Peter 4:10, I Cor. 4:2)
  1. OUR MATERIALS WILL BE DISCOVERED (I COR. 3:12)
  • The Bible tells us there are two possible categories of materials from which we can build our spiritual house.
  1. There are worthy materials –Gold, silver and precious stones.
  • This refers to things that are precious, valuable and beautiful and hard to find
  • This are things that withstand time and fire
  1. There are worthless materials – wood, hay and stubble.
  • These refers to things that are temporary, ugly cheap and easy to find.
  • They speak of things that are done out of the will of God. Things that are done out of selfishness.
  • God for example will judge.
  1. How we treat others (Heb. 6:10, Matt 10:41-42)
  2. How we exercise authority over others (Heb. 13:17, James 3:1)
  3. How we use our God given abilities (I Cor. 12:4)
  4. How we use our money (II Cor. 9:6-7, Mal. 3:8-10)
  5. How much we spend our time (Psalm 90:12, Eph. 5:16)
  6. How much we suffer for the Lord (Rom. 8:18, I Cor. 4:17, Matt 5:11-12)
  7. How you run the race God has chosen for us (Heb. 12:1, Phil. 3:13-14)
  8. How many souls we witness to and win to Jesus (Pro. 11:30, Dan 12:3)
  9. How much we love the rapture (II Tim 4:8)
  10. How faithfully we are to the word of God and flock of God (Acts. 20:26-28, I Peter5:2-4)
  11. OUR MINISTRY WILL BE DISCOVERED (I COR. 3:13)
  • The Lord will apply the fire of His judgement to the things we did in his life and they will be made “manifest” made known publicly.
  • Our motives for serving God will be known.
  • There are those who serve God to be seen of man and those who serve God for his glory.
  • On that day, every work, every secret thought, every self-serving motive will be revealed for all to see.
  • The fire of Christ’s judgement will make the truth known.
  • It will be a day of intimate discoveries
  1. IT WILL BE A DAY OF INTENSE DELIGHTS (I COR. 3:14)
  • Although many things at the BEMA seat will be unpleasant, the judgement seat of Christ will also be a moment when all our trials are made worthwhile. It will be a crowning day.
  • If our work survives the fire of judgement of Jesus Christ, there will be a reward.
  • Those things that remain will be basis for rewards.
  • There will be five crowns that are available as rewards to the faithful saint of God.
  1. The incorruptible crown awarded for faithfulness to the Lord (I Cor. 9:25)
  2. The crown of life for the person who endures and overcomes temptation (James 1:12)
  3. The crown of rejoicing – this is for the soul winners (I Thess. 2:19)
  4. The crown of righteousness – this will be given to those who anticipate and live in the light of the second coming of Jesus Christ (II Tim. 4:8).
  5. The crown of glory – this will be given to the faithful ministers who give themselves to lead and feed the flock of God. (I Peter 5:4)
  • Why is He going to give us crowns? This is because we will cast these crowns at His feet to honor Him (Revelation 4:9-11)

III. IT WILL BE A DAY OF IMMENSE DISAPPOINTMENTS (I COR. 3:15)

  1. It will be painful time, while some of our works will remain, other works will be destroyed before our own eyes.
  • There will be many tears right here in heaven!!
  • However, after this event is passed, Jesus Himself will wipe the tears away, and the past life will be remembered no more (Rev. 21:4)
  1. The believers will suffer loss” this means that the believer will lose the rewards he could have earned had his life been what it should have been.
  2. The believer who may see his work burn will still be saved, though as through fire.

CONCLUSION

  • There are two ways to ruin a good building
  1. A faulty foundation
  2. Faulty materials
  • Determine what foundation you are building your faith on.
  • Only those houses built on the Lord Jesus Christ, His death and His resurrection will stand (Matt. 7:24-27)
  • All other foundations will perish in the waves of God’s great wrath.
  • If you are on the right foundation, what kind of materials are you building with?
  • Are you saved? Are you built on the only sure foundation?
  • Heaven’s coronation day is coming. How it turns out is all up to you. Amen.

 

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Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

Rev, Dr. Willy Mutiso is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Athiriver. He is widely known for his practical and dynamic teaching style which helps people apply the timeless truths of Scripture to their everyday lives.

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