Jesus: Our Savior, Our Judge, Our Comfort

 

Summary

In this message, I explored the profound reality of Jesus Christ as both the Savior and the Judge. The judge offers us the opportunity to make peace with Him now, extending grace and mercy. This is a matter of eternal significance, and we are responsible for how we respond to this revelation. The imagery of a courtroom is used to illustrate the gravity of standing before Christ as the judge, especially for those who have resisted His claims. The poem by a World War I soldier captures the awe and fear of facing Christ without reconciliation.

God's justice is emphasized, highlighting that no one will be judged for sins they did not commit or for knowledge they were not given. The example of Bethsaida illustrates that judgment is based on the opportunities and revelations received. Paul addresses the issue of those who have never heard the law, explaining that they will be judged by the law written on their hearts, as their conscience bears witness.

The message underscores the importance of sharing the gospel, as salvation is not universally granted outside of Christ. The responsibility of those who have received the full revelation of God's will is significant, and we are accountable for what we do with it. Judgment will be passed on our works, words, motives, and secrets, and everyone will have clarity about why they are in heaven or hell.

The application of these truths is practical and transformative. Understanding the final judgment helps us practice patience, live at peace, and bear the burden of unfair criticism. It encourages us to confess sin, pursue holiness, and be mindful of our actions, words, and motives. The judge, who is also our Savior, offers us friendship and forgiveness, providing comfort and confidence in the face of judgment. The Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that Christ's return to judge is a source of comfort, as He has already stood trial in our place.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Dual Role of Christ: Jesus Christ is both the Savior and the Judge, offering grace and mercy now, but also holding us accountable for our response to His revelation. This dual role emphasizes the urgency of making peace with Him today. [11:40]

2. God's Just Judgment: God's justice ensures that no one is judged for sins they did not commit or for knowledge they were not given. Judgment is based on the opportunities and revelations received, as illustrated by the example of Bethsaida. [16:11]

3. The Importance of the Gospel: The necessity of sharing the gospel is underscored, as salvation is not universally granted outside of Christ. We are accountable for the revelation we have received and must steward it wisely. [20:45]

4. Judgment on Works, Words, Motives, and Secrets: Our lives will be judged based on our actions, words, motives, and secrets. This understanding calls us to live with integrity, confess sin, and pursue holiness. [24:23]

5. Comfort in Christ's Judgment: The judge offers to be our friend, providing comfort and confidence in the face of judgment. Christ's return to judge is a source of comfort, as He has already stood trial in our place. [44:48]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [11:40] - The Judge Offers Grace
- [12:26] - Imagining the Judgment
- [13:23] - A Soldier's Vision
- [14:45] - God's Just Judgment
- [16:11] - Judgment Based on Opportunity
- [17:15] - The Issue of Unheard Law
- [19:33] - Conscience and Judgment
- [20:45] - The Necessity of the Gospel
- [22:14] - Accountability for Revelation
- [24:23] - Judgment on Works and Words
- [28:59] - The Weight of Words
- [30:10] - Motives and Secrets
- [33:35] - Application: Patience and Peace
- [42:54] - Befriending the Judge

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 11:21-24
2. Romans 2:12-16
3. 2 Corinthians 5:10

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the sermon suggest about the dual role of Jesus as both Savior and Judge? How does this duality impact our understanding of grace and accountability? [11:40]

2. How does the example of Bethsaida illustrate the principle of judgment based on the opportunities and revelations received? [16:11]

3. According to the sermon, what are the four categories on which judgment will be passed? [24:23]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of conscience in the judgment of those who have never heard the law? [19:02]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the dual role of Christ as Savior and Judge influence a believer's daily life and decisions? Consider the urgency of making peace with Him today. [11:40]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's justice is fair and considerate of individual circumstances and opportunities? How does this understanding affect our view of God's character? [15:02]

3. How does the sermon explain the importance of sharing the gospel in light of the judgment? What implications does this have for those who have received the full revelation of God's will? [20:45]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the comfort found in Christ's judgment, and how does this comfort relate to the believer's confidence in facing judgment? [44:48]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. Are there areas where you feel you need to make peace with Him? What steps can you take this week to deepen your friendship with Christ? [11:40]

2. Consider the opportunities and revelations you have received in your life. How are you stewarding these gifts, and what changes might you need to make to align more closely with God's expectations? [16:11]

3. How can the understanding of judgment on works, words, motives, and secrets influence your daily actions and decisions? Identify one area where you feel called to pursue greater integrity. [24:23]

4. In what ways can the knowledge of God's just judgment help you practice patience and live at peace with others, especially in situations of unfair criticism or unresolved grievances? [33:57]

5. How does the sermon encourage you to confess sin and pursue holiness? What specific actions can you take to walk in the light and seek God's forgiveness this week? [40:15]

6. Reflect on the comfort and confidence offered by Christ's role as both Savior and Judge. How can this assurance impact your approach to challenges and uncertainties in your life? [44:48]

7. Identify one person in your life who may not have heard the full revelation of the gospel. How can you share the message of Christ with them in a meaningful way this week? [20:45]

Devotional

Day 1: The Urgency of Reconciliation with Christ
Understanding Jesus Christ as both Savior and Judge is crucial. He offers grace and mercy now, but also holds us accountable for our response to His revelation. This dual role emphasizes the urgency of making peace with Him today. The imagery of a courtroom highlights the gravity of standing before Christ as the judge, especially for those who have resisted His claims. The opportunity to reconcile with Him is a matter of eternal significance, and we are responsible for how we respond to this revelation. [11:40]

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you have resisted Christ's call? What steps can you take today to reconcile with Him and accept His grace?


Day 2: The Fairness of God's Judgment
God's justice ensures that no one is judged for sins they did not commit or for knowledge they were not given. Judgment is based on the opportunities and revelations received, as illustrated by the example of Bethsaida. This understanding of God's justice provides comfort, knowing that He is fair and just in His judgments. Paul explains that those who have never heard the law will be judged by the law written on their hearts, as their conscience bears witness. [16:11]

"For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law." (Romans 2:12, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on the opportunities and revelations you have received from God. How can you be more attentive to His voice and guidance in your life?


Day 3: The Necessity of Sharing the Gospel
The necessity of sharing the gospel is underscored, as salvation is not universally granted outside of Christ. We are accountable for the revelation we have received and must steward it wisely. The responsibility of those who have received the full revelation of God's will is significant, and we are called to share this truth with others. This calls us to be proactive in spreading the message of Christ to those around us. [20:45]

"And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (Romans 10:15, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel? How can you intentionally share the message of Christ with them this week?


Day 4: Living with Integrity and Holiness
Our lives will be judged based on our actions, words, motives, and secrets. This understanding calls us to live with integrity, confess sin, and pursue holiness. We are encouraged to be mindful of our actions, words, and motives, knowing that they will be brought to light in the final judgment. This awareness helps us practice patience, live at peace, and bear the burden of unfair criticism. [24:23]

"For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:14, ESV)

Reflection: Are there any actions, words, or motives in your life that need to be aligned with God's will? What steps can you take to pursue holiness today?


Day 5: Comfort in Christ's Judgment
The judge offers to be our friend, providing comfort and confidence in the face of judgment. Christ's return to judge is a source of comfort, as He has already stood trial in our place. The Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that Christ's return is not something to fear, but a source of hope and assurance. This understanding encourages us to confess sin, pursue holiness, and be mindful of our actions, words, and motives. [44:48]

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1, ESV)

Reflection: How does the knowledge that Christ has already stood trial in your place bring you comfort? How can this assurance impact the way you live your life today?

Quotes

The judge offers to you the opportunity of making peace with him now. The judge offers to you in Grace and in Mercy the opportunity to become his friend. The judge has come into the world in order to be the Savior. Now these are things of huge and eternal and incalculable proportion that God is revealing to us, and we are responsible in regards to how we respond to them. [00:11:26]

God is just and he will consider every opportunity and every mitigating circumstance as he exercises judgment. Now I think this is very important to say. The Bible teaches everywhere that God is just. That means that no one will be judged for a single sin that they did not actually commit. That means that no judgment will be passed that is out of proportion to the sin that has been committed. [00:14:48]

The point here is that judgment will be made in the light of opportunity given. The people of Tyre and Sidon did not have the same opportunity as the people of Bethsaida. They did not see the miracles that Jesus did in that place. So Jesus says, well, it is going to be more bearable for them than it will be for you on the day of judgment. [00:16:27]

Paul is making a very important distinction here. He is saying, understand this: nobody is going to be judged by a law that they were not given or that they never heard. So you say, okay, well then how will people who never heard the law and never knew the Ten Commandments, how will they be judged? [00:18:39]

The necessity of sharing the gospel is underscored, as salvation is not universally granted outside of Christ. We are accountable for the revelation we have received and must steward it wisely. Think about these things deeply. They're very important for the kind of Christian you become and the kind of church that we are. [00:20:45]

Judgment will be passed on our works, our words, our motives, and our secrets. Get these four categories in your mind. I'll give you the scripture for them in a moment, but get them clear because they're the things you need to watch. Judgment will be passed on our works, our words, our motives, and our secrets. [00:24:23]

Everyone in Heaven will know why they are there. There will not be any doubt. There will be absolute clarity. Everyone in Heaven will know that they're there because of Jesus Christ and because of Jesus Christ alone. Everyone in Heaven will know that they're there because of his death for them and his life in them. [00:25:06]

Knowing that there is a day of judgment will help you to pursue the path of peace. Here's how: when you know that Jesus Christ is the judge and that one day he will bring things to light, you can choose to trust an unresolved grievance or an injustice into the hands of God. [00:34:36]

It will help you to confess sin and pursue holiness. Now here's the obvious application, folks: works are going to be judged, so turn from all actions that displease the Lord and pursue that which is good. That's the only possible response, isn't it? Words are going to be judged, so watch your tongue. [00:39:09]

The judge himself offers to be your friend. It's amazing. There's no parallel to this in this world. You say, doesn't this sound rather shady, making friends with the judge here? Jesus the judge is also the Savior, and it was for this purpose he comes into the world. He takes our flesh, he's born under the law. [00:42:54]

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ is able to keep you from sinning, and he's able to present you without fault and with great joy in the presence of God. [00:43:38]

In all my distress and persecution, I turn my eyes to the heavens and confidently await as judge the very one who has already stood trial in my place before God and so has removed the whole curse from me. That's what it means to be in Christ. [00:44:48]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?