R243 The Judgment Seat. Pt.1

We all could use some encouragement. I will find it together today on The Encouraging Word with Dr. Don Wilton. It's all about the Bible itself. Welcome to this time of teaching with Dr. Don Wilton well-known author evangelist seminary professor and so much more. Many of you know him best for the last 20 years as being the pastor to America's pastor Dr. Billy Graham as a matter fact, if you haven't read that book Saturdays with Billy. You can find your way to get a copy on our website and TE WR online.org, and speaking of great Wilton's writing great books will also find Dr. Wilson's on Dr. Greg will look available on our website right now. That's TE WR online.org resources that will help encourage you towards God's word balanced on the word together ahead of the second Corinthians chapter 5 with Dr. Don Wilton you see in John chapter 5 Jesus healed the man at the pool of Bethesda. The religious leaders took exception to what he had done and in John chapter 5 Jesus defames what he did. Not that he have to defend what he did but being God.

He defended what God does. Amongst the many things that Jesus says in John chapter 5 Jesus told these people that he did what he did because all judgment is given onto him by the father. This issue of the judgment of God is an awesome subject. We have looked at these possible weeks and I will, God willing, conclude this series on the judgment next Sunday. We've looked at it from many different angles. The Bible teaches us that they are all true. People in life you read the full God or you're against God.

The Bible teaches that there are two judgments. Those who belong to Jesus Christ. Those who are full God are going to stand before the judgment seat of Christ we going to continue looking at that today and next week, but those who have said no to the Lord Jesus Christ are going to stand before the great white throne judgment. Now the Bible says there are not any two groups of people and two judgments but they are off to eternal destiny, the one destiny. The Bible calls heaven all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ, and who will be judged by the judgment seat of Christ will go to heaven to be with Jesus Christ, forever and forever.

Those who say no to the Lord Jesus Christ, and who reject his love will stand before the great white throne judgment in the Bible say is that there is eternal destiny is to be cost away from the presence of Almighty God, to a place called hell that we are delighted that you get a day because we are considering for the second week the judgment seat of Christ.

The Bible teaches us that if you know and love the Lord Jesus. The Bible says that you do not have the freedom just to live this life exactly the way you want to live it. Just because I'm a born-again believer.

The Bible does not say that I have a license to do exactly what I'm want to do because ultimately I'm going to heaven. Anyway, onto I went into a home this week. One of the questions that Auster, I say to her, you know anybody else here who's going to heaven and she said yes my mom is going to heaven and I said how do you know that she said because my mom is given a heart to Jesus and you see friends. The question is not whether or not we going to heaven to be with Jesus Christ. The question is this. What do I do en route to heaven.

I've still got this life to live. Do I have a license as a believer to just live this life anyway.

I so desire. Well today on the subject is going to be accountability.

Accountability. The Bible teaches us and shows us among many other places that there are eight major areas in which and for which I am going to be held accountable to God, not in terms of whether I go to heaven but in terms of what God expects of me and next week. Subject is going to deal with the rewards that Christians again to receive from God in heaven. For the life that they moved up on this earth.

I'm going to give you all a of these areas of accountability just like that you're ready then we going to come back and go through the number one God's glory.

Number two time.

These are the criterion by which we are going to be held accountable before God as Christian people. Number one God's glory. Number two time number three possessions number four witnessing number five prayer prayer number six WordPress the words which we have spoken number seven attitude and number eight our works. Now that's going to confuse some people get a because the Bible says that I'm not say, by virtue of my works and you are exactly right.

And I'm going to explain that in just a moment, but the Bible says my friend that I as a born-again believer and held accountable for the works that I do on the basis of the fact that I am what I am because of who I am in Christ Jesus accountability. We will accountable people on we will have a system of accountability. I hope that every one of us has someone or some people to be accountable to.

I hope that I am accountable.

I make myself accountable, I'm accountable.

First of all to God, I'm accountable second goal to my wife Karen. I am accountable to the deacons to the chairman of deacons. I'm accountable to those who pray for me.

I am accountable to those who love me.

I am accountable to my family. I'm accountable to this church into this congregation who love me. I'm not a little unto myself. We operate within the context of accountability. I want you to turn with me in your Bibles to second Corinthians chapter 5.

Why are you turning their I want to tell you something that happened to me many years ago. Some of you may or may not know that my father is a Baptist preacher well I grew up as a preacher's kid. I grew up sitting down there in the pew and watching my dad preacher listening to him that I hope I don't let some of you parents down here tonight or encourage some of the young people hub. I would want to do that but I want you to know that I wasn't always altogether quite so happy about having to go to church up up up up up up just like maybe someone here today. I made a young man this morning and the early service. Our precious young fellow.

I don't think he was too happy about going to church but EE was looking terrific by the end of the service and he certainly set up when I say this, but you know I remember one time I say to myself, so what is this, a boy of your caliber. I worked this all out.

I rationalized I said yes. The church, the parsonage where we lived was right next to the church folks. I mean, it was almost on top of the church.

My dad when he preaches if he were to preach right ear right now. You'd hearing in Columbia. I say to myself, so why go to church. Make yourself a peanut butter sandwich and listen to dad in the context of your beautiful home and so I went home that day never told anybody about it had the best time you've ever seen came to lunch time.

My father is he always did at lunchtime turn to the family and said family. How was the service today. I live in the course that I have never well what a worship service. I mean, it was just it was just outstanding. You know, my two brothers they've always been known for their treachery. They knew that I wasn't there. They didn't even kick me on the table. Can you believe that they just let me sink deeper and deeper into my criminality. Well I tell you what we got into the car. That afternoon with my father and just out of the blue I know God prompted me to do this. I certainly didn't do it myself.

I turned him and I say DMG dad.

I haven't seen Mr. Joe, chairman of deacons. He said you haven't I said no sir, he was just inclined.

What about five minutes later he said to me was somewhat did you think of the choir this morning about all dead. I mean to listen folks, I could say whatever was correct. I mean it was unbelievably inspirational. You could just sense it in the car. It was one and he said and you thought the preaching I preach. I said dad I have neighborhood. You preach market. I tell you, you reared back, you were inspired.

I mean, that was the most powerful message I have ever heard you preach. He said when my dad says son I know something's about to happen. He said son in the first place. Mr. Joe, the chairman of deacons led the entire worship service this morning. He said in the second place, the choir didn't sing a lady saying today and he said son in the third place. I didn't preach. We had a guest preacher folks at 65 miles an hour. I was trying to jump into the glove compartment and climb out the car all at the same time and we can talk about accountability and we can talk about what people expect of us, but I'm going to say to you from God's word, my beloved friends that the Bible say is that we are going to appear before the judgment of Christ.

I want you to turn with me to second Corinthians chapter 5 and I'm beginning in verse nine does what the word says wherefore we make it our way, that whether we be present or whether we be absent.

That means whether we be alive upon this earth or whether we be in heaven that we do that which is acceptable to him why we must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Why that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad is not remarkable to think that God tells us that as believers, it is possible to do both good and bad, you'd say to me today pasta. How's that possible. I wonder if there's a Christian get a good who has not been living for the Lord Jesus Christ.

I'm so glad that you come to God's house notwithstanding that we are all sinners saved by the grace of God but because the Bible teaches.

My friend that is a born-again believer. I am not immune from sin. Rather, I am sensitized to sin, so that because the Spirit of God dwells within me when this when evil and when sin seeks to penetrate my life. There is a repulsion. There is a revolt. There is an argument that occurs between the Spirit of God dwells within me.

At the very same sin which would seek to penetrate the believer's soul so the Bible says in verse 11. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord we persuade men but we are made manifest under God, and I trust also made manifest in your consciences, for we commend not ourselves again unto you, but we give occasion to glory on alcohol that you might have someone to answer them which glory in appearance and not in the heart for whether we be beside ourselves. It is to God, or whether we be in our own minds. It is for you because why because the love of Christ constrains us because we thus judge, that if one died for all. David Garrett is and because Jesus died for all they that which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again by the Lord righties word upon our hearts today. If you save my friends, if you have repented of his sin and by faith, given your heart to Jesus Christ. I want to give you a biblical guaranty you can know that you know that you know beyond any doubt that you're going to heaven to be with Jesus Christ. That's a powerful reality. Please forgive the eruption will be back in just a moment, but Dr. Wilton wants me to remind you this is not just a presentation. We are presenting his messages for you every single day here on The Encouraging Word. But it's also a conversation. The very first thing we did is the ministry began was create opportunities to call Texans and communicate via email on our website@twonline.org, and you need to know one of the most exciting moments in Dr. Wilton's life is reading stories about how God is using The Encouraging Word in your life to strengthen you to turn your life around.

We would love to hear from you and Dr. Wilton's email address is doncon@twonline.org. He'd love to hear your story, and he loved to pray for you again Dr. Wilton's email is not just his first name doin@tewonline.org course right now if you want to speak with somebody or talk to us. Our phone number 86689.the number down stored in your cell 866899673 will connect with one of us 24 hours a day. Happy to talk and pray and listen. I connect with great resources. That's 866-899-9673. Now back to the days teaching with Dr. Don Wilton, but you do not have a license to live and to do exactly what you want to do.

The Bible says you have been set free from the burden of sin unto service in the Army about Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible points amongst many other places to criterion by which believers are going to be held accountable number one whether or not we sought to live for God's glory for ourselves. Number one. Whether or not resort to live for God's glory. All for our own glory. That's what second Corinthians 5 in verse 15 is all about C4 was reminding the people of Corinth that because of what Jesus Christ had done upon the cross, that the mandate for those of us who have been recipients of the love of Christ is to do everything that we knew for the glory of God.folks, that's not always the easiest thing to do is I could give to you so many illustrations so many challenges.

I wish that you could've been with me and Dr. pounds this week.

We had such a wonderful privilege dear precious family. Mr. and Mrs. Fu lost a precious little boy, Julian in a tragedy on Monday how much we love that family and how grateful we are to God that he has allowed our paths to cross and how grateful we are to have had the privilege and continuing privilege of being able to minister to them during this time of their bereavement. On Wednesday they gave to me in the Dr. pounds. The greatest privilege when they invited us to conduct the funeral and memorial service for this little boy you know during that time Mary Morel played the piano so beautifully. Mrs. Libby Russell got up to sing great is thy faithfulness all God my father you know as I watched her sing as I listened to Dr. pounds speak from his heart and that has gone right there in that trap and as our hearts grieved and as we bound together in the Lord Jesus Christ. I thought to myself.

Isn't it a wonderful thing to be able to serve and be available to people and to love one another, not because of anything that you should day, but in that Jesus Christ should receive all the praise and all the glory. That's what I love about our church choir.

I wish I could just give you all just a big hug. You know why because every time I see, and the orchestra and I watch you play the instruments and see and I think about people in the congregation and our Sunday school teachers and the missions programs and the outreach programs and I think of the stock, they go morning noon and night and the opportunity that we have to come and to worship God in spirit and in truth. The Bible says we will do an account of ourselves before God first and foremost to see with the real motive about heart is to bring glory to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ number two, number two how we have used our time how we have used our time in Ephesians Paul writing again in the letter to the Ephesians and chapter 5 verses 15 and 16 does what the Bible says see then Christians will here at this juncture is talking about the role of the children of life in verse chapter 5 in verse one he sets the entire pap and he says, be ye therefore followers of God walk in love at this unbelievable passage in which there is so much instruction about the fruit of the spirit.

The apostle says see then that team cautiously, not as spoons but as wise people redeeming the time, why because the days are evil.

I believe that the apostle would say to us today.

How wise are we without time, probably one of the biggest challenges of my life is to use my time profitably. By the way, just in case any of you got any doubt about it a profitable use of time is to take a goodwill map that's being profitable being profitable is spending time with your children, man, beginning with me. All of us get so busy, we begin to neglect our families and our children. I profitable use of my time as a born-again believer is to prioritize you pray for me as I pray for you that together as families we would use our time profitably. We need to use our time profitably at work at Poe and I played with the Bible says that we must not as spoons but rather as wise people say God as a believer such powerful teaching of God's word from Dr. Don Wilton's are pretty. You cannot just heard Dr. Dorothy's been teaching, but you've heard the voice of God through the word of God, the Bible itself to draw you close to him to know that God loves you and he is a good plan for your life. I pray that you've heard him teach now, you would open your heart to what Dr. Don Wilton wants to share with you that you ready to give you a heart of life to the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm so happy to hear that wanted to pray this prayer with me today. Dear God, I know that you love very very much and I know that the Lord Jesus Christ came God on the cross so that I might be forgiven today. I repainted myself. I confess my sin.

And I invite you to come into my phone. Jesus name I pray, if you prayed that prayer.

Let me be the first want to welcome you to the family of God. This is one I hope that you know how much I'm going to be praying for you and how very important this is for me. Call us so that we can hope to connect to the right place you can begin this wonderful journey. And in just a moment I'm in a come back with the final if you were praying along with Dr. Wilton to give your life to Jesus. Moments ago, or perhaps early in the program you just got serious with guidance.

I got ready. I'm ready to turn my life to turn away from my sin and turn to speak with you and pray with you, as a matter fact, Dr. Don has prepared some resources for you if you just gave your life to Jesus Christ or re-dedicating your life to Christ. Once you have them absolutely free if you call us at 866-899-WORD 86689967, through connect with one was not just now during the broadcast for 24 hours a day, love, pray with and for you and connect you with great resources like this body.

You know my friends love me on foster friend, neighbor, and husband. Grandpa and I made it tell you people around the world just like you know and identified Dr. Billy Graham is that man gone you to reach so many people around the roof. Jesus Christ, I had the privilege of knowing Mr. Gray very personal, intimate way, both as he's framed and as he supposed. In fact, for many years I drove up to his Montreat, North Carolina and visited with every sector, just like frames everywhere we sat together and ate together warped. We discussed politics, friends, places, people read aloft Archangel. We did everything one could possibly that's why I wrote this wonderful Saturdays it's all about personal relationship and I pray that Saturdays with would be a policing team willingness and will encourage justice.

Mr. Gray courage not change the member that's just one of many great resources on our website@twonline.org that's tewonline.org you why you're there, click the devotional button and sign up for the daily email from Dr. Don powerful, insightful element to God's word takes a couple minutes and will jumpstart your quiet time for sure. Sign up today@twonline.org and before we get away closing thoughts from our pastor and chief encourager Dr. Don Wilton you know before we go today. What a day of worship. We've had you know you and I have been the middle of our hearts, our beloved nation but we how much I love America. I'm so proud to be an American.

You know this bold cost is seen by so many of our Armed Forces across the world and we hear from many, many of them and we love them with my respect.

They are our real heroes and I want you to join with me as we are praying for them that God would protect them and their families and loved ones do that right now show just before we got wanting to join Jesus. I'm joining with thousands of people like trying for our members, our brain right members of our community and our world many seasons places families left behind gorges listing. Be sure to join us again tomorrow for the next edition of The Encouraging Word as Dr. Don Wilton concludes the judgment seat message will be in second Corinthians chapter 5 and between now and then we can stay connected on our website@twonline.org that's tewonline.org.

O RG