The Judgment 1. Aim: To study the events connected with the Day of Judgment which will be an exhortation to be prepared Acts 17:30-31

Acts 17:30-31 “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent...”

Acts 17:30-31 “because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” a. Paul was speaking in Athens to an audience of leading philosophers of that day. Even though Paul barely even knew most of these people, he loved their soul, and knew they were not serving the one true God, so he taught them about the judgment so that they might repent b. A study of the judgment is healthy for our soul. It is sobering and thought provoking. Many have obeyed or been restored after considering the truths of the Judgment.

“He has appointed a day” The Scriptures Teach: Certainty of Judgment Persons to Be Judged Basis of the Judgment Who Will be the Judge The Decisions are Final Events of That Day “He has appointed a day” We will discuss these things which the scriptures teach about the judgment: (1) Certainty (2) Persons to be judged (3) Basis of the judgment (4) Who will be the Judge (5) The decisions are final (6) Events of that day

I. Certainty of the Judgment “He has appointed a day” I. CERTAINTY OF THE JUDGMENT A. Acts 17:31 - He has appointed a day

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” Heb. 9:27 Matt.25:31-33 Ecc.12:13-14 B. Heb. 9:27 tells us that judgment will come just as sure as death will come C. Many writers affirm this truth: 1. Ecl. 12:13-14. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” 2. Mt. 25:31-33 -“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” D. Judgment is a day that is set aside 1. We can't put if off or decide not to attend 2. We can't miss it or avoid it. 3. It is for all; --- young or old, rich or poor, good or bad, black or white, Male & female, educated and uneducated Judgment Day is set

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Matt. 24:36 1. Even though the judgment day is certain the exact day is uncertain - no man can know when it is going to be!! MATT 24:36. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” 2. There will be a day of judgment just as surely as we have had a day of birth and will have a day of death.

“the world” II. Persons To Be Judged II. PERSONS TO BE JUDGED A. Acts 17:31 --- “the world”

Every person since Adam.... “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” Rom. 14:12 When the Roll is Called up yonder, I’ll be there A. Greatest crowd ever assembled - every individual from Adam until the end of the world will be there. The Atheists, criminals, false teachers and all Godly people will be in that number. B. Each person in that crowd will be judged - individually 1. We can’t think of the judgment as “we”, “They”, or “us” -- but think of it as “I”, or “Me”. 2. Rom. 14:12 - “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” 3. We will not be judged as congregations, nor families, nor counties, nor states, nor nations. 4. God will judge each one individually 5. Song - “When the Roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.” – usually that song is associated with heaven, but in a very real sense when the judgment roll is called, every single person will be there giving an individual account before Almighty God

III. Who Will Be The Judge ? “He [God] will judge the world” III. WH O WILL BE THE JUDGE A. Acts 17:31 – “He (God) will judge the world

He will Judge Through Christ ! “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom” 2 Tim. 4:1 A. He will judge through Christ - 1. 2 Tim. 4:1 - “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom” B. The Bible will tell us in 2 Tim. 4:8 that Jesus will be the judge, and He will be a righteous judge 1. There will be no mistakes made at the judgment 2. Money or position in life will not change Jesus - no bribes 3. We will stand or fall on our own record 4. Justice will be given on that day. 2 Tim.4:8 Righteous Judge

IV. Basis of the Judgment “According to what he has done” 2 Cor. 5:10 IV. BASIS OF THE JUDGEMENT A. We will be judged according to our lives - 2 Cor. 5:10 - “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

“Who will render to every man according to his deeds” What Will Be Judged? Deeds “Who will render to every man according to his deeds” Rom. 2:6 Our deeds will be judged - Romans 2:6 - “Who will render to every man according to his deeds” Every action that I have taken in life, whether they be good or bad, will all be before me at the judgment

What Will Be Judged? Words “for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matt. 12:36-37 Words - Matt. 12:36-37 -“for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Every single word that has every been uttered from my mouth will stand with me on that great day

What Will Be Judged? Words “in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” Rom. 2:16 1. Secrets - Rom. 2:16. “in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” Secrets = concealed, private, It is hidden from others but not from God ! 2. deeds, words, secrets, all will be facing me at the judgment. This should inspire us to want to please God 3. But, yet, we also realize that we will all fall miserably short of God’s perfection in our deeds, thoughts, and words. 4. But for the Christian, that is when Christ steps in at the judgment and exclaims, “this one’s with me”. But we have to be a faithful Christian in order for Christ’s cleansing blood to be there for us at the judgment

Obey Gospel = Forgiven 1 Jn. 1:7 “walk in the light” Hear John 12:48 Believe John 8:24 Repent Luke 13:3 Confess Matt. 10:32-33 Baptized Mark 16:16 Faithful Matt. 24:13 Obey Gospel = Forgiven 1 Jn. 1:7 “walk in the light” “Jesus...cleanses us” B. When we obey the gospel we are forgiven of all past sins 1. Repentance requires that we turn away from these sins. When we obey God’s plan of salvation... 2. Our sins are washed away - remitted 3. As we continue to walk in the light (follow God’s commands), the blood of Jesus keeps us cleansed - 1 Jn. 1:7 “if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 4. If we are living a righteous life we have the blood of Christ that will make an atonement for our sins. 5. If we are Christians, we have nothing to fear in the judgment

A. But notice also the judgment will not be like a trial, but a sentencing 1. There is nothing in the Bible to suggest that God will hear evidence for and against a person and then reach a decision. No jury, no judge, no defenders. 2. Jesus pictured it as all nations being gathered before Him and then they were separated - the righteous on the right hand and the wicked on the left hand. 3. The purpose of the judgment is to pass sentence upon those on the left hand and announce the reward for those on the right hand. 4. Only those that have Jesus standing by their side will be saved

V. All Decisions Are Final “The word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” John 12:48 V. ALL DECISIONS ARE FINAL A. Jn. 12:48 - “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”

The decisions are final Cannot be changed No higher court to which we can appeal Judge makes no mistakes A. The decisions are final 1. They can't be changed or set aside. What they are is what they will be for eternity 2. There is no higher court to which we can appeal after we are sentenced at the judgment – like on earth (no appellate court) 3. The judge (Jesus) makes no mistakes. He has already told us what he will do at the judgment - “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” 4. All decisions are final!!

VI. Events of That Day

# 1 Jesus will return in clouds “... This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11 Acts 1:11 Apostles had just watched Jesus ascend to heaven and angel said to them - "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

# 1 Jesus will return in clouds “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.” Rev.1:7

# 2 Those alive will be changed “...but we shall all be changed.” 1 Cor. 15:51-52 1 Thess. 4:15-17 Lord descend with shout Alive shall be caught up # 2 Those still alive will be changed 1. 1 Cor. 15:51-52 - “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be change, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 2. This will be in an instant 3. 1 Thess. 4:15-17 – tells us that: a. The Lord will descend with a shout and trumpet of God b. Those who are still alive will undergo that change of form and be caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air and always be with the Lord

# 3 The Dead will Arise Good Evil “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth...” Jn. 5:28-29 # 3 The dead will arise 1. Jn. 5:28-29 - “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth— those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” 2. Every person who has died will be resurrected 3. There will be two groups of people a. The sad – those who have lived a life of evil (not according to God’s commands) b. The glad – those who have done good (obeyed God) Good Evil

# 4 The sad will be weeping Lk. 13:28 “weeping and gnashing of teeth” Matt. 13:42 “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” # 4 The sad will be Weeping 1. Lk. 13:28 “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.” 2. Mt. 13:42 - “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” 3. Those unprepared will be afraid and weeping – and for good reason you consider the description the Bible gives of those in eternal hell

# 5 Glad - love His appearing “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:8 # 5 The glad will Love His appearing 1. II Tim. 4:8 - “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2. Those prepared will welcome this judgment day. They will be glad, and rejoice that this day has finally arrived, the pinnacle of their very existence

# 6 The Great Separation “... and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” Matt. 25:31-33 # 6 The Great separation - Mt. 25:31-33 - “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.”

# 6 The Great Separation Husbands and wives Parents and children Friends and neighbors 1. Husbands and wives = Parents and children 2. Friends and neighbors 3. It will be a sad day for those who are separated from their families and loved ones.

Look Forward -- Prepared The Judgment Fear ? -- Not Prepared Look Forward -- Prepared 1. What is your attitude about the day of judgment? a. If you fear meeting God and standing before Him then it could mean that you are not living right b. Christians who are faithful should look forward to the coming of Christ and the day of judgment c. 2 Tim. 4:6-8 - “the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not only to me only, but to all that love His appearing.” 2. Do you need to obey the gospel or be restored? This could be the last opportunity you have before the judgment because we do not know when it is going to be. Are you ready? Can’t prepare after death - must do it now !! Are You Ready ?

GOD’S SIMPLE PLAN FOR SALVATION Rev. 2:10 1 PET. 3:21 baptism JN. 12:42 confess LK. 13:3 UNTIL DEATH OBEDIENT repent JN. 6:29 believe ACTS 3:22 hear