Christ Church

Sermon #1938: Final Judgment

Ben Zornes on

Final Judgment:

The final judgment is a sobering topic. We sometimes avoid it, for fear of feeding a stereotype about conservative believers being obsessed with hellfire and damnation. But the final judgment is the endpoint of the creation, the moment that all of human history is moving towards. It is described throughout Scripture as a moment of glorification for God. And it is also described as a moment of great joy and celebration for God’s people. (Ps. 58:10-11, 2 Thes. 1:6-7, Rev. 22:12).

Resurrection

The first thing that happens is that Christ returns and all the dead rise again (1 Thes. 4:16, John 5:28-29). Paul says that in the resurrection our natural body is transformed to a spiritual body (1 Cor. 15:44, 2 Cor. 5:2, 4, Mat. 22:29-30). God is resurrecting your body because Jesus is a complete savior.

A Just Judgment

The Final Judgment is the judgment where our works are perfectly judged (2 Cor. 5:9-10, Rom. 14:12, Rev. 20:12). It will be the judgment where the judge knows all things perfectly, including the most hidden and secret things (Eccl. 12:14, Rom. 2:16, 1 Cor. 4:5, Heb. 4:13). It will perfectly take into account how much revelation we had received, whether Scripture or merely our own consciences (Rom. 2:12).

What about Grace?

But so far this sounds like it completely ignores the Gospel and turns salvation into salvation by works. What about Eph. 2:8-9 and Gal. 2:16? There are some additional elements that we need to add here.

Glory – First, the resurrection that precedes the final judgment is a resurrection into Christ’s glory (Mat. 25:31, Col. 3:4, Phi. 3:21, 1 John 3:2).
Jesus as Judge – Second, note that God makes a point of revealing that when we are judged, the judge will be Jesus (John 5:22, Acts 10:42, 17:31). This explains how the judgment can actually be good news (Rom. 8:34-35). The judge is the one who has already determined that we would stand as judges alongside him (Mat. 19:28, Jud 14, 15, 1 Cor. 6:2, Rev. 20:4).
Judged in Christ – Lastly, we need to understand that it is at this moment that we will see the reality of our union with Christ, unlike anything that we’ve experienced here. We will walk through this judgment with:

  1. Our sins completely forgiven (Is. 43:25, John 3:18, 36, 5:24, Rom 8:11, Thes. 5:16-18, Heb. 8:12 (cf. Jer. 31). Our sins, to the extent that they are revealed in the final judgment, will be revealed as forgiven and not as outstanding debts. In fact, we ourselves are told to both forget our sins (Phi. 3:13) and to remember them (Luk. 7:47, Eph. 2:11).
  2. Our obedience not as the grounds of our justification (Rom. 3:20), but as the proof of it (Mk. 5:15). It is not a time of boasting, but rather a further praising of God’s grace (Mat. 25:31-46)

So Judge Not

The final judgment is a comfort to saints, promising us a coming satisfaction off all that we feel missing in the here and now (Rom. 14:10-13, James 4:12).

Did you enjoy this message? Consider sharing it!

Read Full Article

Psalm 73 – Nevertheless

Joe Harby on

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Introduction

This Psalm marks the first of 11 Psalms that are attributed to Asaph (along with Psalm 50). Asaph was one of the Levites appointed by David to lead the Israelites in singing (1 Chron. 6:39). And he presided over the singing at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple.

The Temptation 1-3

The Psalmist begins with a basic statement of faith. God is good to his people (Heb. 11:6). But then Asaph confesses how his own faith in this promise was challenged when what he saw in this life did not square with what he understood God’s promise to be. He was caught by an envy of the “peace” that the wicked seemed to have.

The Luxury of the Wicked 4-9

He describes for us now the effortless luxury of the wicked. They seem to have no fear of death. And troubles do not touch them as they do others. Note the “therefore” in verse 6. Because of this apparent ease, they become proud, wearing their arrogance like a badge. And this pride drives them to mock God and his people.

Is My Obedience in Vain? 10-14

The wicked live lives of rebellion and then mockingly asks if God even notices them. Then the righteous begin to wonder the same question. What is the point of obedience if the reward for obedience is a trial, and the reward of disobedience is prosperity? The complaint sounds very similar to that of the prodigal son’s older brother (Luke 15:29-30).

The Sudden Realization 15-20

But the faithful man catches himself and sees that he is reasoning like the ungodly man (v. 13 cf v. 11). The turn comes, however, when he goes to worship. Worship opens our eyes and gives us a different and more eternal perspective. The temptations that Asaph had wrestled with were temptations that come from having a very momentary perspective. God brings a sudden change. This is why we are regularly called to wait on the Lord.

Nevertheless 21-28

“Nevertheless” means despite all that I see around me at this moment, I know this to be true about God. He is my portion and I trust him. He takes me by the right hand and receives me to glory.

Read Full Article