Welcome to Grace Church! We're glad you are here today.

Our fall series is entitled Are You Ready?
The idea behind the series is to learn some lessons on the end times according to the Bible.

Week 1 we talked about the Apocalyptic predictions that exist about end times.
Week 2 we learned about God's time line.
Week 3 we looked at the Rapture. This event takes place when the Lord comes back for His Church just prior to the 7 year period called the Tribulation. Paul wrote about this in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
The doctrine of the Rapture is clearly taught in the New Testament and referred to in the Old Testament. Below are some links that talk more about this and especially about how the Old Testament presents it.

How many of you have ever won an award? What was it for?

After the Rapture, every Christian will stand before Christ for judgment of their life.
In the New Testament there are 2 Greek words used in referring to judgment. In 1 Corinthians 6:4 the word, "Kriterion" is used for "a judgment associated with condemnation." However, because Christians have had their sins dealt with by Jesus on the Cross, a different judgment is in store for us. The Greek word "Bema" is used which is translated, "judgment seat."
Romans 14:10
2 Corinthians 5:10

We see the idea of the Bema Seat in the Greek & Roman culture. Large sporting arenas had an elevated seat on which the judge of the contest sat. After the contest, the competitors would assemble before the Bema Seat to receive their rewards or crowns.
In Acts 18 we see this Bema was also used by the elders and rulers of a city to stand or sit upon to listen to the people, speak to the people, or pass out their decisions.
In the Jewish faith and some Christian groups, they called the platform from which the message was delivered and the day's Scripture read, the Bema, which is where the idea of the pulpit came from.

Today we're looking at five truths about what the Bema or Judgment Seat of Christ is and how that impacts our lives.

First: The REPORT "to find out facts and tell people about them"

A. It is NOT: A TRIAL to condemn.
Romans 8:1

B. It is NOT: A JUDGMENT for unbelievers.
2 Corinthians 5:10

C. It is NOT: A DESTINY issue for believers.
John 3:36a
1 Corinthians 4:2

Second: The REVIEW "to examine something to make sure that it is adequate, accurate, or correct; to make a formal inspection."
1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Third: The REASON "a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event."

Many believers ask why this event will take place. Here are three Biblical rationales:

A. For each believer to give an ACCOUNT of their life.
Romans 14:12
2 Corinthians 5:10

B. For each believer to receive REWARDS.
1 Corinthians 3:14-15

C. For each believer to receive their ASSIGNMENT in God's Kingdom.
2 Timothy 2:12

Fourth: The REWARDS "a benefit obtained as a result of an action taken."
Colossians 3:23-24

The Bible mentions five different crowns that Christians may receive.

A. Crown of SELF-CONTROL (The Runner's Reward)
1 Corinthians 9:25-27

B. Crown of REJOICING (The Disciple Maker's Reward)
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

C. Crown of RIGHTEOUSNESS (The Watcher's Reward)
2 Timothy 4:8

D. Crown of LIFE (The Sufferer's Reward)
James 1:12
Revelation 2:10

E. Crown of GLORY (The Shepherd's Reward)
1 Peter 5:1-4

Fifth: The REFLECTION "careful thought and consideration given to something that one has heard, learned, or experienced."

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Sunday, October 24 - Aaron Walker
Monday, October 25 - Dayton & Sara Walker
Tuesday, October 26 - Ethan Binkowski
Thursday, October 28 - Becky Wilson
Friday, October 29 - Denise Hansen, Karen Smith