Sermon Outline

Part 1: Our Predestined Appointment
Series: Countdown to Judgment

Dr. Charles Stanley

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

I. Introduction: With each passing moment, we come closer to an unavoidable appointment with the Lord. As believers, we must all one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ, where our rewards will be adjusted according to what we have done, good or bad.

II. The Misunderstanding About our Predestined Appointment

      A. We have an inadequate view of salvation. Some Christians willingly receive the blessings of being God’s children but reject the responsibilities that come with that privilege. Eternal security is not a license to take life easy after we are saved. Although we were saved by grace, we were created for good works (Eph. 2:8-10). God will hold us accountable for how we spend our time and resources.

      B. We have an inaccurate perspective of accountability before God. We will all stand before the judgment seat of God (Rom. 14:10-11), where we will give an account of our lives. From God’s point of view, squandering our gifts and skills amounts to poor stewardship, which is a very serious matter (Matt. 25:14-29).

II. The Certainty of our Predestined Appointment

     A. The judgment seat of Christ: This is where believers will be judged according to their deeds. Christ’s judgment of His followers will be one of rewards for service to Him, not punishment.

      B. The great white throne of judgment: This is where all people will be judged on the basis of how they responded to Christ (Revelation 20:11-15). People whose names are not recorded in the book of life will be lost for eternity. This is a judgment of condemnation.

      C. Everyone will face judgment one day. We never know when our lives will be taken from us. It’s not enough to be saved. It’s best that we be ready to stand before the Lord and give an account of our lives.

III. The Place of This Predestined Appointment

      A. The Bible refers to the Bema Seat. In ancient times, that was the name of a judge’s chair. He would make decisions regarding defendants’ guilt. The same seat was used to honor victorious athletes who had competed in the Olympic games.

      B. Judgment of all believers will take place in heaven simultaneously. Jesus Christ will judge us all individually but concurrently. Just as He can hear the prayers of all and yet speak to each one of separately, He can handle the judgment of billions of people at once. Since He is omniscient, He will even be able to take into account our abilities and the hardships we faced.

IV. The Preparation for This Predestined Meeting

      A. Receive Christ as your personal Savior. If you have not done so already, ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and give Him control of your life.

      B. Reevaluate your lifestyle. An outwardly godly lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean you will earn heavenly rewards. If you honestly review your life, however, the Holy Spirit will bring any problems to light. Ask yourself, What is at the center of my life? What do I think about the most? Is Jesus Christ central to my conversations, conduct, motives, and thoughts?

      C. Reconsider your priorities. Paul wrote, “We have as our ambition, whether at home [with the Lord] or absent, to be pleasing to Him” (2 Cor. 5:9). Check your motives to be sure that something other than God is not consuming your attention and energy.

      D. Renew your commitment to godly living and faithful service on a daily basis. Begin each day by giving control of your life to Jesus Christ. Allow Him to work through you to touch the lives of others.

V. Conclusion: The clock is ticking down the minutes to our unavoidable appointment with God. Each of us will have to give an account for how we have spent our lives. Since none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, take steps now to prepare for the day of judgment.