Laying the foundation,
Part 10 - Final Judgment Well, we have already made our
proclamation so it only remains for me... to bring the teaching. This is the tenth
and final session of our series... entitled ‘Laying the Foundation.’
In previous sessions we’ve dealt... with five of the six foundation doctrines
mentioned in Hebrews 6:1-2. We dealt with repentance towards God,
faith, the doctrine of baptisms... laying on of hands
and resurrection of the dead. It remains in this final session to deal
with the final foundation doctrine... eternal judgment. Now, when we speak
about judgment we need to realize... that there are two main ways in
which God brings judgment on people. The first is His judgments in history; the
second, which is the kind of judgment... we’re going to talk about,
is His eternal judgments. Those judgments which confront us
as we step out of time into eternity. It’s important to be able to distinguish
the two types of judgments... otherwise we might be confused by
what seem to be conflicting statements. The first judgment of God is in history
and it involves bringing blessing... or punishment on succeeding
generations according to the way... the first generation
has responded to God. In Exodus 20:4-6... we have a very clear example
of God’s historical judgments. Exodus 20:4-6, which is part of
what we call the Ten Commandments. You shall not make
for yourself any carved image... or any likeness of anything that is in
heaven above or that is in the earth... beneath, or that is in the water under the
earth. You shall not bow down to them... nor worship them. For I the Lord
your God am a jealous God... visiting the iniquity of the fathers
on the children to the third... and fourth generation of those who hate
me, but showing mercy to thousands... of those who love me
and keep my commandments. We see there that the sin of idolatry,
which is the greatest of all sins... carries with it a judgment that
extends to the succeeding three... or four generations. That’s a judgment
in history and there are countless... examples of how that judgment has
actually worked out in the history... of Israel and of other nations
that have been involved in idolatry. And then in Jeremiah 32
Jeremiah also deals... with this question of
God’s judgment in history. And in a prayer that he prayed to
the Lord, Jeremiah 32:18, he said: You show lovingkindness to thousands
and repay the iniquity of the fathers... into the bosom of their children after
them. The great, the mighty God... whose name is the Lord of hosts.
Jeremiah says God repays... the iniquity of the fathers
into the succeeding generations. This is again a judgment in history.
This also applies to God’s blessing... on the righteous. In Psalm 103... David says in verses 17-18: But the mercy of the Lord is
from everlasting to everlasting... on those who fear Him, and His
righteousness to children’s children... to such as keep His covenant
and to those who remember... His commandments, to do them.
There is a promise of God’s blessing... and righteousness to children’s
children, to succeeding generations. So the way that we conduct ourselves
and we relate to God not only... affects us, but it probably
affects successive generations. That’s a very significant and important
thought that we need to bear in mind. We are in some way
answerable for either the blessing... or the suffering
of succeeding generations. I think this is an obvious fact
of experience. For instance... a child born to alcoholic parents starts,
as they say, with two strikes... against him. It’s not his fault but the
judgment of God on those parents... will naturally filter down
through succeeding generations. We need to say that but we need to add
there’s a different kind of judgment... of God which is what the writer of
Hebrews calls eternal judgment... which is judgment
that affects our destiny in eternity. And there the principles of judgment are
completely different. These are stated... by God to Ezekiel in chapter 18... verses 1-4, chapter 18,
verses 1 through 4. Ezekiel says: The word
of the Lord came to me again... saying, What do you mean when
you use this proverb concerning... the land of Israel, saying,
The fathers have eaten sour grapes... and the children’s
teeth are set on edge? That’s saying the children are
suffering for the sins of the father. As I live, says the Lord God, you shall
no longer use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine. The soul
of the father, as well as the soul... of the son is mine,
the soul who sins shall die. We’re not talking about historical
judgments, we’re talking about... the judgment of every individual soul
as it steps out of time into eternity. There every soul bears responsibility
only for the life that it has led. The soul that sins, it shall die. And that is repeated again in verse 20. Here God is still more emphatic.
Ezekiel 18:20: The soul who sins shall die. The son
shall not bear the guilt of the father... nor the father that of the son.
The righteousness of the righteous... shall be upon himself and
the wickedness of the wicked... shall be upon himself. When
we step out of time into eternity... we’re not any longer being judged for
the sins or blessings of our parents... our forbears, we’re
going to answer to God personally... only for what we did in life.
The righteousness of the righteous... will be upon him, the wickedness
of the wicked will be upon him. And it says in the book of Ecclesiastes,
Where the tree falls, there it will lie. What condition you are in when
you die will determine your condition... throughout eternity. This is eternal
judgment, a very, very solemn thought. I’ve sometimes remembered
with amusement... my Foundation Series originally came
out as seven, separate, small volumes. Then it was brought together in
three volumes, then in one volume. But in the days when
we had seven volumes... the title of the last volume
was Eternal Judgment. We would see these books
displayed for people to buy them... and people would pick them over
and buy the first six and somehow... they didn’t want to buy number seven.
They didn’t like the title... Eternal Judgment. But, dear friend,
whether you like it or not, it’s true. You really need to face up
to this reality of eternal judgment. I want to deal with five principles of
God’s judgment, all of which are stated... in Romans 2.
Romans the second chapter... unfolds five principles
of God’s judgment. Now I read the Bible, first of all,
in Greek, in the New Testament... and then I read various translations.
I appreciate the NIV... there’s a lot of good in it.
But sometimes it moves away... from the structure of the original and if
you listen to me and you’re following... the NIV, you won’t get the same result
as if you listen and you’re following... in the New King James. I’m not
saying one is better than the other. I’m just saying each has its strong
points, each has its weak points. There is no one perfect translation.
Somebody said the NIV... is the ‘Nearly Inspired Version’.
I don’t know whether you’ve heard that. So here are the five
principles of God’s judgment... all unfolded in Romans 2. Romans 2:2: We know that the
judgment of God is according to truth... against those who practice such
things. That’s the first principle. God’s judgment is based on real facts,
it’s not based on hearsay. I remember when the Lord wanted to
find out the truth about the condition... of Sodom and Gomorrah, He’d heard
terrible reports from the angels... and from others but you
remember He said to Abraham: I’ve come down to see for myself.
That really impresses me. God doesn’t judge by hearsay,
He judges according to truth. The second principle
of God’s judgment in verse 6 is: He will render to each one according to
his deeds. We will be judged for what... we have done. That is a basic principle
that runs right throughout the Bible... and it applies to believers
as well as unbelievers. In 1 Peter 1:17, 1 Peter 1:17... Peter unfolds this principle,
applying it specifically to believers. 1 Peter 1:17. He’s speaking
to believers and he says: And if you call on the Father who,
without partiality, judges according... to each one’s work, conduct
yourselves throughout the time... of your sojourning here in fear. That’s a kind of statement
that isn’t publicly disseminated... in most churches today. But Peter
says to believers, bearing in mind... that you’re going to be judged
according to what you’ve done... live a reverent, godly life. Don’t be rash, don’t be proud,
don’t be presumptuous... because everything you say and do,
one day you’re going... to have to answer to God for.
That is addressed... to believers, not to unbelievers.
And then in Revelation 20:12 it says... all the people that were
judged in the final judgment... were judged according
to what was written in the books. So, God keeps a record of every life. Now, you know in the days of the New
Testament, books were not like this... but they were much more like tapes.
They were scrolls rolled up. I think that’s a much more clear picture.
I’m inclined to think that in the judgment... - his is just an opinion -
every one of us will be confronted... by something like a video tape which
stretches out the entire course... of our life before us. I remember when
God was dealing with me about... four years ago when I was very sick.
I was really seeking God... as to why I wasn’t being healed. One
night God woke me up about 2 a.m... which is the time He’s rather in the habit
of speaking to me, and He gave me... a little review of the life I’d been leading. I want to say I was a preacher, generally
accepted, sometimes criticized. I was about the same level as
a lot of other preachers who are... comparatively well known. God
showed me that in many ways... I had been extremely carnal.
Not committing any gross sins. I’ve never been involved, thank God,
in sexual immorality, drunkenness... or the misappropriation of funds.
Nevertheless, God showed me... there were things in my past
that were displeasing to Him. He brought to me this Scripture
in Malachi: Jacob I have loved... Esau I have hated.
That’s what God says. And Esau is a type of the carnal man.
There are no gross sins... recorded of Esau but he just
was a carnally minded man. God said, I hate that. God showed me,
and I had been nearly fifty years... in the ministry, there were things
in my life that He hated. He showed me that I had
in some respects been careless. Some of the scenes that
he showed me were in restaurants. I don’t know whether you realize that
God judges you in restaurants, too. Somebody said, All you
Americans can talk about is food. Another person said, If you want to find
out where the best restaurants are... ask a preacher. Now, there’s a
certain truth in that, it’s not totally true. I’m only speaking from my own
experience. I began to realize... what it means to spend the time
of our sojourning here in fear. Not slavish fear, but reverent awe as
before God who will judge everything... we say and everything we do.
So that’s a word from 1 Peter. Going back to Romans chapter 2,
the next principle of God’s judgment... is stated in verse 3. Do I mean verse 3? No, I don’t. Because the thing is that it’s
not translated the way I want. It’s Romans 2:11. I’ll explain what I
mean in a way, what I mean just briefly. It says: There is no partiality with God.
Now all the modern translations... say that because it’s a modern phrase.
I sometimes ask the question: Can you really put the Bible
in modern English... without interjecting modern thinking?
Because the language you use... is very much an expression of the way
you think. The old King James said: There is no respect of persons.
It’s much more accurate... because partiality
can be to any kind of person. You can take some weak, insignificant
little person and be very partial... to that person.
So weak, I really want to do... everything for them. But respect of
persons means we’re not impressed... by what people are in their natural
selves. A man may be a general... a president, a bishop, but he doesn’t
get any special judgment from God. He’s treated like everybody else.
That’s what it means when it says... there is no respect of persons -
particularly aimed at people... who occupy positions of prominence
in the world today. All right. The next principle of God’s judgment,
number four, is according to... the measure of light.
And Paul says in Romans 2:12: For as many as have sinned without
law will also perish without law... and as many as have sinned in
the law will be judged by the law. If you have the law, you’ll be judged
by it. If you don’t have it... you won’t be judged by the law but you’ll
still be judged for what you’ve done. And this principle is illustrated by
the words of Jesus in Matthew 11... when He speaks to some
of the major cities of His day... who had not responded to
His preaching. Matthew 11:20-24: Then he began to upbraid the cities
in which most of His mighty works... had been done,
because they did not repent. Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,
Bethsaida For if the mighty works... which were done in you had been done
in Tyre and Sidon, they would have... repented long ago
in sackcloth and ashes. It will be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon in the day... of judgment than for you. Why?
Because Tyre and Sidon had less light. Bethsaida and Chorazin had had
the greatest light and they would be... the most severely judged. You and I
will be judged according to the light... that is available to us. I want to
say generally speaking to people... in the English-speaking world, there is
a greater measure of light available... to us today than I think has ever been
available to any previous generation. We have Bibles en masse, we have
endless books, tapes, cassettes... preachers, we’re going to be judged... by the light that’s been made available
to us. Let’s bear that in mind. God’s standards of judgment for this
generation will be the most severe... because we’ve had the most light. And
then Jesus goes on in the next verse: You, Capernaum, who are exalted to
heaven will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works which were
done in you had been done in Sodom... it would have remained until this day.
But it shall be more... tolerable for the land of Sodom
in the day of judgment than for you. You see, judgment is according to light.
The more light we have... the more strict will be our judgment. And as I said before, I say to
each one of you, including myself: There probably never has been a
generation of Christians that have... had the measure of light available that
we have today. Bear that in mind. That’s going to be
the standard of our judgment. And finally, the fifth principle of
God’s judgment in Romans 2:16: In the day when God will judge the
secrets of men by Jesus Christ... according to my gospel. So God is not
merely going to judge our open acts... but He’s going to judge our secret
innermost thoughts and motives... and attitudes. I think it’s correct
to say that God is very concerned... about our motives. Two people may
perform the same outward action... but their motives may be entirely
different. And when God judges them... He will take into account their motives.
We’re going to go on... to the scenes of judgment.
And as I understand it... there are going to be four major,
successive scenes of judgment. The first will be before
the judgment seat of Christ. The Greek word bema means a platform
on which a Roman official sat... to execute judgment.
Pontius Pilate sat on his bema... when Jesus appeared
before Him for judgment. This will be a judgment only
of Christians, only of believers. We go again to 1 Peter 1:17. I somehow feel that God wants me
to read this verse twice. 1 Peter 1:17:
And if you call on the Father... who without partiality judges
according to each one’s work... conduct yourselves throughout
the time of your sojourning here in fear. That’s written to us. We call on the Father.
And then in 1 Peter 4:17 it says: For the time has come for judgment
to begin at the house of God. And if it begins with us first,
what will be the end of those... who do not obey the gospel?
Where does judgment begin? Always with the house of God. Always
with the people who have the most truth. And so, when judgment starts,
the first people to be judged... will be the Christians.
They’ll have a special judgment. Romans 14:10-12 says this: But why do you judge your brother
or why do you show contempt... for your brother? For we (Christians)
shall all stand before the judgment seat... of Christ (the bema), for it is written,
As I live, says the Lord... every knee shall bow to me and
every tongue shall confess to me. So then each of us shall
give account of himself to God. There’s only one person
that you have to give account of... that’s yourself. You don’t have to
give account of me or your pastor... and you waste a lot of time
judging others. The only person you’re going to have
to give account for is yourself. And that you’re going to have to do. So Paul says each of us shall
give account of himself to God. That’s each of us Christians.
And then in 2 Corinthians 5... he returns to the same theme. 2 Corinthians 5:10: For we (Christians) must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ... that each one may receive
the things done in his body... according to what he has done,
whether good or bad. We must all appear. But the Greek
says we must all be made manifest. There will be no secrets.
Everything will be totally exposed. Nothing will be hidden. And, we will
be before the judgment seat of Christ... to receive according to the way
we have lived in the body. I pointed out already,
but I’ll say it again: There are only two categories, whether
good or bad. Nothing in between. Everything that is not good is bad.
Jesus said very clearly: He that is not with me is against me.
There is no neutrality. Jesus has excluded neutrality.
There are a lot of people in churches... sitting on the fence. Do you know
what that means, to sit on the fence? To be unwilling to make a commitment. They’re not on one side, not on
the other side. Not doing good... but they wouldn’t admit that they’re doing
bad. I make this comment sometimes... when the Holy Spirit comes to a church,
one of the first things He does... is to electrify the fence! You have
to jump off on one side or the other. That’s why a lot of people
don’t welcome the Holy Spirit... because He abolishes their neutrality.
There is no neutrality with the Spirit. Now, what we have to say is: There are five main features
of this judgment. I’ll just go through them very briefly.
It’s individual, each one will answer... for himself. It’s for the things done
in the body, the way we have lived... while we were in this body. There are
only two categories, good or bad. 1 John 5:17 says:
All unrighteousness is sin. Anything that is not righteous is sinful.
You see, this third category... has slipped into people’s thinking
and it deceives so many. There is no neutrality. The next principle is:
It is not for condemnation. That’s very, very important. We’re
going to be judged, but not condemned... if we are true, sincere believers
in Jesus. The principle of judgment... is for assessment of service.
Let me give you three Scriptures... which maybe will comfort you
at this point. I see some of you
looking a little concerned... which isn’t a bad thing to be, believe me.
John 3:18, Jesus says: He who believes in Him
is not condemned... but he who does not believe
is condemned already. So if we are truly believers
in Jesus we will be judged... but we will not be condemned.
And then again He says again... in John 5:24:
Most assuredly I say to you . . . And that’s the most emphatic way
that Jesus can express Himself. Most assuredly I say to you, He who
hears my word and believes in Him... who sent me has everlasting life and
shall not come into condemnation... but has passed from death unto life. And finally, Romans 8:1: There is
therefore now no condemnation... for those who are in Christ Jesus.
So we’re not talking about a judgment... of condemnation, we’re talking
about judgment which will assess... the service that you offer
to Jesus during your life. The clearest place
that this is described... is 1 Corinthians 3:11 and following. 1 Corinthians 3:11 and following. Paul is speaking about building
the church and he says: No other foundation can anyone lay than
that which is laid which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation
with gold, silver, precious stones... wood, hay, straw, each one’s work
will become manifest. For the day will declare it
because it will be revealed by fire... and the fire will test each one’s work,
of what sort it is. If anyone’s work... which he has built on it endures,
he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer
loss but he himself will be saved... yet so as through fire. And the NIV says:
Like one escaping from the flames. So that’s the essence of the judgment
of Christians. First of all... we have to be built on
the foundation of Jesus Christ. There is no other foundation. Then we
have to determine what’s the value... of the service that we’ve offered. And things that are easy to acquire
can be offered in large quantities: Wood, hay and stubble.
But they’ll all be burnt up. The things that are valuable are
not obtained in large quantities: Gold, silver, precious stones.
See, some people just assess... the quantity of their service but
that’s not the way God assesses it. I examine myself continually. What am I
producing? Is it just wood, hay, stubble... that will be burned up? What a tragedy
when you’ve worked all your life... for something, you’ve piled it all up
and in the day of judgment... you see the fire sweep through it
and finish it all off. There’s nothing left but you’re
a naked soul that escapes like one... escaping through the flames.
What a solemn thought. Now I want to offer you
some suggestions as to... how we can be sure that
our service will stand the test of fire. I want to suggest to you three ways... that you can assess your own service. First of all, what is your motive? The
only motive that’s acceptable to God... is for God’s glory. And a whole lot
of what is done in the church today... is done by men for their own glory.
I say personally, and this is simply... a personal observation, I think the
greatest problem in the church today... is personal ambition
on the part of ministers. The largest church, the longest
mailing list, the most miracles. That all will be burned up
because its motive is wrong. 1 Corinthians 10... verse 31, Paul says: Therefore, whether
you eat or drink, or whatever you do... do all to the glory of God.
There’s only one acceptable motive... for our service and that is
the glory of God. Somehow I feel the Lord
wants me to pause there. Just give you an opportunity
to consider... what has been motivating you in your
services, in your service for Him. You see, Paul said we need to be
renewed in our minds in Romans 12:1. The difference between the renewed
mind and the unrenewed mind is this: The unrenewed mind
comes to a situation and says: What’s in this for me?
The renewed mind says: Where will God get glory?
It’s a total change of motivation. I think this very much applies
to marriage. I think many marriages... are unhappy because the people
approach them with an unrenewed mind. The attitude of each is: What will I get
out of this? Will it make me happy? That’s almost a certain recipe
for an unhappy marriage. The right motive is what can I give,
not what can I get but what can I give? When two people meet together with
the purpose of giving to one another... they’ll have a happy and successful
marriage. It’s the whole issue... of motivation that’s really important. Secondly, if your work
is to stand the test of fire... it must be done in obedience
to the Word of God. That’s the only acceptable basis.
In Matthew 7... Jesus spoke about two different kinds of
persons, the one who built on the sand... and the one who built on the rock.
He said at the end... Matthew 7. I’m in Mark,
that’s why I’m having trouble. But I’ll be there. Matthew 7... verse 21 and following.
These are the words of Jesus: Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord,
Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven. But he who does
the will of my Father in heaven. So, the only acceptable motive
is to do the will of God the Father. Then Jesus goes on with something
that offends some people. He said: Many will say to me in that day: Lord,
Lord, have we not prophesied... cast out demons and done
many wonders in your name? And then I will declare to them,
I never knew you. Depart from me... you who practice lawlessness.
I have, by the grace of God... been privileged to cast out many,
many demons. I’ve seen a number... of very definite miracles take place.
I have frequently prophesied. I want to tell you I do not base
my hope of heaven on any of that. And anybody who does is in danger.
There’s only one essential requirement... for heaven, it’s doing the will
of the Father that is in heaven. Jesus says to these miracles workers,
Depart from me... you who practice lawlessness. Do you know, many of them are a law
to themselves. They do basically... whatever they feel like,
take whatever they can get... and ignore the great central
principles of the Word of God. I could speak a lot about that
but it’s probably not profitable. But I have to say, I’ve just recently
written a letter about Balaam. I was so impressed with the story
of Balaam. Here was this man... with these miraculous prophetic gifts,
words of knowledge... and words of wisdom. I mean, he
gave forth prophesies in Numbers... as beautiful as any that are uttered
concerning the destiny of Israel. And yet he perished, executed
by the people of Israel. Do you know what his problem was?
He’s mentioned three times... in the New Testament and it states
very clearly Balaam’s motivation... was love of money.
That cost him his soul. And really, in today’s church
we need to ask ourselves: Are we motivated by the love
of money. Ruth and I have a Scripture... we quote (I won’t ask her up) but it says: We are not as many who peddle
the Word of God for profit. That’s a startling statement, isn’t it?
That was in the days of Paul. Paul says there are a lot of people
making profit out of the gospel. It’s our motives that God searches. And the third requirement is
the power that we operate in. In Romans 15:18-19... For I will not dare to speak
of any of those things... which Christ has not accomplished
through me in word and deed... to make the Gentiles obedient
in mighty signs and wonders... by the power of the Spirit of God. Paul says nothing that I’ve done
is worth mentioning except that... which the Holy Spirit has done through
me. That’s the only acceptable power... for ministry,
is the ministry of the Holy Spirit. So let me give you
those three requirements... for your work
to stand the test of fire. Your motive: for God’s glory. Are you doing it in obedience to
the Word of God or are you doing... your own thing
or making your own rules? Three: Are you working
in the power of the Spirit... or in your own fleshly ability? Now we come to
two patterns of judgment... two parables that Jesus related. And I’ve had a difficult time
deciding how to deal with this... but I think I’m going to have
to read them, take a little while. The first is the parable
of the mina, M-I-N-A. Mina simply means a measurement.
It was a measurement of money. And this parable is found in Luke 19. In the older versions
it was called the Parable of the Pounds. A mina was a fairly
small amount of money. Luke 19:11:
Now as they heard these things... He spoke another parable, because
it was near Jerusalem and because... they thought the kingdom of God
would appear immediately. He said, A certain nobleman
went into a far country to receive... for himself a kingdom and to return.
Or: it’s going to be a long while... before I get back. He called ten of his
servants, delivered to them ten minas... one each, and said to them,
Do business till I come. Or: Make a profit. But his citizens hated
him and sent a delegation after him... saying: We will not have this man
to reign over us. And so it was... when he returned and received
the kingdom, he then commanded... these servants to whom he had given
the money to be called to him... that he might know how much
every man had gained by trading. And God is going to require an account
of our service from each one of us. Then came the first: Master, your mina
has earned ten minas. He said: Well done, good servant. Because
you were faithful in a very little... have authority over ten cities. So
our faithfulness in service in this life... will determine the position we occupy in
eternity, the responsibility we’ll be able... to carry in the kingdom of God.
The second came saying, Master... your mina has earned five minas.
Likewise he said to him: You also be over five cities. But
he didn’t say well done, faithful servant. There was a lower level
of commendation. Then the third came saying, Master,
here is your mina which I’ve kept... put away in a handkerchief, for I feared
you because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit
and reap what you did not sow. The lord said, Out of
your own mouth I will judge you... you wicked servant. You knew that I
was an austere man, collecting what I... did not deposit
and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money
in the bank that in my coming... I might have collected it with interest?
And he said to those who stood by: Take the mina from him
and give it to him who has ten minas. They said, Master, he has
ten minas already. They didn't think... that was right that the one who had
ten already should get one more. For I say to you that to every one
who has will be given... and from who does not have, even what
he has, will be taken away from him. Now listen to this because
most of us don’t think this way. That’s not the end.
One more sentence. Bring here those enemies of mine who
did not want me to reign over them... and slay them before me.
That’s Jesus the Judge. Not Jesus the Savior but Jesus the
Judge. Remember, the same person... who’s the Savior is also the Judge.
Just as thorough and efficient... as He is in saving,
so He will be in judging. Does your picture of Jesus include that? Or are you just one of those who say,
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild? Praise God, that’s true
but it’s not the whole truth. There’s another side to Jesus. He is
the Judge with eyes like a flame of fire... a two-edged sword,
a voice like the sound... of many waters,
feet like bronze in a furnace. And when John the revelator met Him in
that capacity he fell at His feet as dead. This impresses me. John, who had
the closest relationship with Jesus. He’d lain on His bosom
at the Last Supper. He was one of those who was there
when Jesus had revealed Himself... on the Sea of Galilee
and made breakfast for them. I like the fact that Jesus had breakfast... ready for His disciples. Here’s this John who’s know Jesus
so intimately, confronted by Jesus... the Judge and he falls
at His feet like one dead. You know, I think something
like that needs to happen to the church. The church which has been living on a
buddy-buddy relationship with Jesus... needs to be confronted by Jesus
the Judge. I think it wouldn’t do us... any harm if we fell at His feet
like someone dead. It would be something we need to learn.
Now let’s comment on this parable. First of all, the one who made the
most got the extra. This is a principle. One time God gave me a supernatural
gift of faith in a very strange way. I used to pray for people with unequal
legs and the short leg grew out. It happened to hundreds of people
and I told them: God has touched you.
His supernatural power is working... in your body, help yourself. I saw
lots of people supernaturally healed. But, my good friends, my fellow
ministers said, You know, Derek... you have a reputation as a dignified
Bible teacher. If you go around... holding people’s feet
and lengthening their legs... it may not fit in with your reputation.
I thought maybe they’re saying... the right thing. I went to the Lord and
this is what I feel He said. He said: I’ve given you a gift, and I suddenly
realized it was a gift, the gift of faith. There are two things you can do.
You can use it and get more... or you can fail to use it and lose it.
I made up my mind at that point... I was going to use it and get more. And
I say to the glory of God, I got more. But remember, whatever gift you have,
there are two things you can do. You can use it and get more
or you can fail to use it and lose it. And then bear in mind,
as I think we’ve said already: Your service in this life will
determine your position in eternity. The one who had gained
ten minas was over ten cities. The one who had gained
five minas was over five cities. It was in exact proportion
to their faithfulness in this life. And notice Jesus did not say, Well
done, good and successful servant. He said, Well done,
good and faithful servant. We put much too much emphasis on
success and much too little emphasis... on faithfulness. We are privileged today
to see tremendous works of God... in many foreign mission fields.
We could get a little puffed up... and say, Isn’t that wonderful?
Thousands come to my seminars. But God has shown me, Don’t forget,
there was a generation before you... that saw very little fruit but they labored
and you’ve entered into their labors. And don’t you give yourself
too high an opinion of yourself. I respect the pioneers, I respect those
who labored and laid down their lives. When the first missionaries went to
East Africa, four out of every five died... before they’d been there many months.
They didn’t see any results... but they were seeds planted in
the earth that brought forth fruit later. I tell you sincerely, the greatest single
danger that you and I face is pride. You know about the man - I shouldn’t tell
this story but you know about the man... in church who was given
the badge for humility? And then they had to take it away
from him because he wore it. So, don’t leave here wearing your
badge for humility after all I’ve said. The man who didn’t make anything,
Jesus said to him: You maybe didn’t have the ability,
but you could... have put it in the bank. I would
have gotten my own with interest. That proves to me that it’s not
always wrong to receive interest. It may be wrong
in some places but not all. Now what would that be for you
and me? What could we do? We might say, Well, I don’t have
a big ministry, I’m not a preacher. I’m not an administrator, I don’t have
a lot of talent. What can I do? Put it in the bank. What’s that?
This is my understanding. Find a ministry that’s really bringing forth
fruit, check it, test it and then invest in it. That’s putting the money in the bank.
You’ll get your interest... when the Lord comes. Amen. Let’s look at the next parable which
is very similar but somewhat different. The parable of the talents. That’s in Matthew 25:14-30. Matthew 25:14 and following: For the kingdom of heaven is like a man
traveling to a far country who called... his own servants
and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents,
to another two and to another one. To each according to his own ability,
and immediately went on a journey. Now, notice in the minas each one
got one mina but with the talents... one got five, one got two
and one got one. And he distributed them
according to their ability. Understand that God gives you talents
according to what He knows... you can do with them. If you can
use five talents He’ll give you five. If you can only use two He’ll give you
two and if you can only use one... He’ll give you one.
But it’s according to your ability... that He measures what He gives.
And then it says: Then the one... who received five talents went and
traded with them and made another... five talents. Likewise, he who had
received two gained two more also. But he who had received one
went and dug in the ground... and hid his lord’s money. After a long
time the lord of those servants came... and settled accounts with them.
The Lord is going to come... and settle accounts with you and me.
So he who had received five talents... brought five other talents.
Lord, you delivered to me... five talents. Look, I’ve gained
five more talents beside them. The lord said: Well done,
good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a few,
I will make you ruler over many. Enter into the joy of your lord.
The same principle, what you do... in this world will determine what you
do in eternity. He who also received... two talents came and said, Lord,
you delivered to me two talents. I’ve gained two more. His lord said:
Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few,
I will make you ruler over many. Enter into the joy of your lord. Now
there’s a different principle there. One made five talents
and the other made two... but the words of commendation were
exactly the same to each of them. In other words, it’s the percentage
that God looks for. If you’ve received five,
He expects a hundred percent. That’ll be fine. If you received two, He
expects a hundred percent, that’s two. He knows what you’re capable of
and He doesn’t ask more from you... than He knows you can deliver. Let’s
go on: Then he who had received... the one talent came and said, Lord,
I knew you to be a hard man... reaping where you have not sown
and gathering where you have not... scattered seed. I was afraid and went
and hid your talent in the ground. There, you have what is yours. But
his lord answered and said to him: You wicked and lazy servant! Let
me point out to you that laziness... is wickedness. Most of our churches
wouldn’t accept drunkards. They’d say you can’t take
a place in the congregation. Many of our churches accept lazy
people. But in the sight of God... I think laziness is a worse
sin than drunkenness. That’s just the way I see
Jesus measuring things. Please understand, I’m not
endorsing drunkenness, it’s a sin. But I think in the eyes of God laziness
is a worse sin. Jesus said: You wicked and lazy servant! You knew
that I reaped where I have not sown. Then you ought to have deposited... my money with the bankers and at my
coming I would have received back... my own with interest. The same
principle. If you haven’t got the ability... to make money yourself, invest it in
a ministry that is bringing forth fruit. Take the talent from him
and give it to him who has ten talents. It’s the one who has that receives.
For to everyone who has... more will be given and he will have
abundance. From him who does... not have, even what he
has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable
servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing
of teeth. That phrase is used... several times in the New Testament,
weeping and gnashing of teeth. I’ve studied it and
I’ve come to the conclusion... it’s only used about people who’ve
been right close to the real thing. They’ve had every opportunity to get in.
It’s not people who’ve been right out... and never knew anything about God but
it’s the people who’ve been right there... all their lives and knew all about it
and never entered in. There will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth. There will be the tremendous bitterness
of saying, I could have been in this. I had the opportunity all the time
but I never availed myself of it. Now I’m cast out forever
into outer darkness. Terrible. Let me say one more thing. The people who were rejected
were the people who had the least... committed to them,
the one talent person. I find that’s true in the church.
The people who’ve got a lot of ability... will do something with it. The people
who’ve got a good measure... of ability will do something. But the
one talent people sit back and say: Well, I don’t have much, there’s nothing
much I can do so I won’t do anything. They’ll be rejected, they’ll be cast out.
I want to speak to some of you. I don’t want to identify you
but you are one talent persons. You’ve underestimated your
responsibilities. There’s not much I can do.
God doesn’t require much of me. God requires faithfulness
whether you have a little... or whether you have much. I preached
this in our church in Fort Lauderdale... on the one talent people and I asked
for a response for people who felt... they were one talent
and hadn’t been using their talent. The response was shocking!
It was about half the congregation. This is a major problem
with many believers. I’ve only got one talent so what
can I do with it? I’ll do nothing. Jesus will not accept that. He said,
You could have put it in the bank. Your one talent you could have invested
in a ministry that was really... bringing forth fruit. Much of that fruit
would have been credited to you. One of our big problems, Ruth and I,
is we need somebody to serve us. We don’t want to lord it
over people but if we’re to do... our job, the one that God assigns,
we have to have people who will serve. Just serve. The hardest thing
to find in the church today... is people who are willing to serve.
We’ve had some wonderful ones. We’ve met them here.
We had a little gathering... with three different people who
had served us at different times. Each of them had been faithful. But we’ve had so many problems with
people who want their own ministry. They’re not content to invest in another
ministry. And they miss everything. They don’t get
the benefit of the investment... that they made in another’s ministry. Dear one talent people,
look out. You’re in danger. You may hear the words, Cast the
unprofitable servant into outer darkness. There will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth. Now let me take some
principles from these parables. Number one, our service in this life
determines our position in the next life. Number two, not to use
your talent is to lose it. Number three, not to do
good when you can is sin. James 4:17: Therefore, to him who
knows to do good and does not do it... it is sin. We often talk about the sins of
commission but the sins of omission... are just as real. And then I want to analyze
for a moment Matthew 5. There are three classes of people there
who were totally rejected by God. The foolish virgins who took no oil,
the one talent servant who did... nothing with it and the goat nations
who did not help the brothers of Jesus. And they were all totally
and finally rejected by God. I said to myself one day, What did they
all have in common that caused them... to be rejected? What did they do?
I got a simple answer. They did nothing. That’s all you have to do to
be rejected - just do nothing. It’s a solemn thought. We’re going to go on very
quickly to the other judgments. We’ve been dealing with
the judgments of believers. That’s the one that really concerns us. If we’re believers this is what
we really need to know about. Now I believe the next judgment
will be the judgment of Israel... a special people set apart by God.
And though they’ve been disobedient... and unfaithful in many, many centuries,
God has never finally rejected them. What is the Scripture we say?
The Lord will not reject His people... for His great name’s sake because it
has pleased the Lord to make Israel... His people. What God does for Israel
is not because of Israel’s desserts... it’s because of the Lord’s name,
that His name may be glorified. God is going to deal with Israel in
a special way. Here’s a principle... that I want to pass on to you
about blessing and judgment. God blesses the Jews direct... but He blesses the Gentiles
through the Jews. Those of us who are Gentiles
here need to remember that. Every spiritual blessing we have ever
received we owe to the Jewish people. Jesus said in John 4:22:
Salvation is from the Jews. A very simple statement. Every
single blessing that you’ve ever... received in salvation you owe to
one people, the Jewish people. God expects you to recognize
that and act accordingly. But when it comes to judgment
God judges the Gentiles direct... He judges the Jews through the
Gentiles. Let me repeat that. God blesses the Jews direct, He
blesses the Gentiles through the Jews. God judges the Gentiles direct, He
judges the Jews through the Gentiles. You go back through hundreds
of years of Jewish history... persistently God has used
Gentile nations to judge them... for their disobedience
and their unfaithfulness. The next judgment is going to be the
judgment of Israel in the great tribulation. We’ll just look at one Scripture,
Jeremiah 30:3-7. Jeremiah 30:3-7. For thus says the Lord, The days
are coming that I will bring back... from exile my people Israel and Judah,
says the Lord. I will cause them... to return to the land that I gave to their
fathers and they shall possess it. No matter what any government
or politician likes to think... it says: they shall possess it. And
everybody who knows the Bible... knows what land that is,
there’s only one land. A preacher, a friend of mine once said:
If the return of the Jews to their land... were from God, there would be peace.
He didn’t know His Bible... because this is what God says in
connection with the return of the Jews: The words that the Lord
spoke concerning Israel. For thus says the Lord, we
have heard a voice of trembling... of fear and not of peace. Ask now and
see whether a man is ever in labor... with child. So why do I see every
male with his hands on his loins... like a woman in labor and all faces
turned pale? The greatest pressure... that Israel has never
experienced is immediately ahead. It’s after they’ve returned to the land.
Alas, for that day is great... so that none is like it. It is the time
of Jacob’s trouble... but he shall be saved out of it. Notice
not saved from it but saved out of it. And there God will deal in
judgment with the Jewish people. At the end of the tribulation their
judgment will have taken place. Then God will judge the other nations.
Joel 3:1-2. Time is running out,
I’ll have to go quickly. Joel 3:1-2: For behold, in those days
and at that time when I bring back... the exiles of Judah and Jerusalem.
Notice this refers to the same period. The return of the Jewish people to their
own land, God says: I will also gather... all nations (Gentile nations) and bring
them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with
them there on account of my people... my heritage Israel, whom they
have scattered among the nations. They have also divided up my land.
So God says when He’s finished... dealing with the Jews then He will deal
with the Gentiles. He'll deal with them... on one basis, the way
they have treated Israel. That’s a remarkable fact but it’s there.
God has got two accusations. One, they have oppressed
the Jewish people. Number two, they have divided up
or partitioned that land. God says, That’s my land.
I gave it to Israel. And, no human authority or government
has any right whatever... to divide that land up.
What is happening today? Exactly what God said should not
happen. The land has been partitioned... is being partitioned and probably will
be partitioned. But when God comes... in judgment He’ll judge the nations
that have partitioned that land. Unfortunately, right at the top
of the list He could put Britain. Because, Britain was responsible for
the mandate at the end of World War I... was authorized to provide a national
home for the Jewish people... and in the year 1922 Britain by a
single decision of Winston Churchill... allocated seventy-six percent
of that land to an Arab nation... which is now called Jordan. And no
Jew is permitted to live there. Of the remaining twenty-four percent,
the United Nations divided it up. But all are going to have to answer
to Jesus when He comes. And if you look at Matthew 25,
the judgment of the nations... the sheep nations that are invited
into the kingdom, the goat nations... that are dismissed from the kingdom,
that are sent into everlasting punishment The basic principle of division is the way
they have treated the brothers of Jesus. I say this because it’s so important
because Israel is a major factor... in world affairs today and many of the
nations are lining up on the wrong side. Israel cannot defend themselves but
sooner or later, when the time comes... God will intervene. So that’s the third judgment,
the fourth we’ll only just mention... it’s the judgment before the great white
throne referred to in Revelation 20: When heaven and earth have fled away
from the face of the One on the throne... and all the remaining dead are
resurrected, stand before God... and are judged according to
the things written in the books. But there’s another book, thank God
for that, which is the Book of Life. Those whose names are written in
it will enter into eternity with God. The rest will be banished forever
from the presence of God. So those are the four main judgments.
Number 1, the judgment seat of Christ... a judgment only of believers. Number 2,
the judgment of Israel... in the great tribulation. Number 3,
the judgment of all other nations... before Christ’s throne at the
beginning of the millennium. And number 4, the final judgment
of all the remaining dead... before the great white throne. So those
are the principles of God’s judgment... as I have been able to understand them.
We need to ask ourselves: Am I prepared to face the judgment
of God? Am I living the kind of life... that will not cause me to be ashamed
when I stand before Him? Brothers and sisters, let’s pray together
and pray about this vital issue... of standing before the judgment of God. Almighty God, your Word is so clear. We have been ministering your
Word to your people tonight. Now I want to pray for every person
gathered here that these words... that I’ve spoken that have been taken
directly from the Bible will sink deep... into the hearts and that there will be
many who will be prompted seriously... to examine their own lives. I pray
especially for the one talent people. Lord, don’t let them hide that talent
in the ground. Help them to deposit it... with the bankers that they may not be
ashamed before you when you come. Lord Jesus, you’ve spoken to us
many times you’re coming quickly... you’re coming soon. You’ve warned us
many times even in these meetings... that we need to be ready for your
coming. I pray for each one here... myself included, grant us by your grace
to be ready for your return... to be ready to stand before
the judgment seat of Jesus... and give an answer to the things
we’ve done in the body. Lord, we pray this mercy in
your name, the name of Jesus. Amen. God bless you.
