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Scripture Reading: Romans 2:1-11

The Day of Reckoning

Intro.

1.  Day of Judgment will be a day of reckoning.

2.  Often, God’s natural & moral laws bring a partial and preliminary reckoning even in this life, as do civil authorities ordained by God (cf. Rom. 13:1-2).

3.  This lesson focuses on the final reckoning or Day of Judgment that each one will face (2 Cor. 5:10).

I. THE SCRIPTURES TEACH THERE WILL BE A DAY OF RECKONING (accounting). Matt. 12:36-37

    -To settle accounts with, to judge.

    -To give an answer or explanation in reference to judgment.

  A.  Parable of the Talents, Matt. 25:14-19 (v. 19).

  B.  Each Person will Give Account of Himself to God, Rom. 14:10-12.

  C.  Account will be Given for all Evil Deeds, 1 Pet. 4:5-6.

II. THIS IS AN APPOINTMENT THAT EVERY PERSON WILL KEEP, Heb. 9:27; Eccl. 12:13-14.

    -You have appointments to do many things here on earth (Doctors, business, appointments, etc.).  And, you may fail to keep them.

    -But, you will not miss this final appointment!

III. TO WHOM SHALL WE GIVE ACCOUNT?

  A.  To God, by Jesus Christ, According to the Gospel, Rom. 2:16.

    1.  God is our judge, Rev. 20:12.

      a.  Jesus showed himself to be God, and He is our judge, Jno. 5:17-18, 22, 26-27; Acts 17:30-31.

      b.  Christ as judge is well established in Scripture, Matt. 25:31-33; 2 Tim. 4:1; 2 Ths. 1:7-9.

  B.  Gospel (good news) will be the Standard of Judgment, Jno. 12:48; Rev. 20:12.

    1.  The saved ones (saved by grace through faith): Their judgment will be a day of great joy, Matt. 25:21, 34 (2 Ths. 1:10).

    2.  Judgment to come should terrify sinners; day of wrath, Rom. 2:5; Heb. 10:31 (Acts 24:25).

IV. FOR WHAT MUST WE GIVE ACCOUNT?

  A.  How We Receive or Reject the Word of God, Jno. 12:48.

    1.  Consider their account, Acts 17:11.

    2.  By rejecting the gospel, one judges himself unworthy of everlasting life, Acts 13:44-46.

  B.  Our Secrets, Eccl. 12:14; 1 Cor. 4:5.

      -Cannot be hidden from God, Prov. 15:3; Heb. 4:13; 1 Jno. 3:20.

  C.  What we have Done While in Our Bodies, 2 Cor. 5:10.  (How we use our body.)

    1.  Don’t let sin rule in body, Rom. 6:12.

    2.  Christ to be magnified in our bodies, Phil. 1:20.

    3.  For this reason, we must discipline our body, 1 Cor. 9:27.

  D.  Our Works, Rev. 20:12.

    1.  Deeds compared to the Scriptures.

    2.  Not salvation by “works” (Rom. 4:4; Eph. 2:8-9).

    3.  Type of works in view:

      a.  Not works of our own righteousness (Phil. 3:9).

      b.  Not works of the Law of Moses (Rom. 3:20).

      c.  But, works of God’s righteousness, Acts 10:34-35 (Eph. 2:10).

    4.  Jesus explained this kind of works, Jno. 9:4; 6:27-29.

      a.  Abound in the work of the Lord, 1 Cor. 15:58.

      b.  Good works…glorify God, Matt. 5:16 (7:21-23).

      c.  Labors: Rest, with blessings, Rev. 14:13.

  E.  Every Idle Word We Speak, Matt. 12:36-37.

    1.  Worthless, unfruitful, barren words.

    2.  Be an example in speech, 1 Tim. 4:12.

    3.  Tongue can be a terribly destructive force that is set on course by hell, Jas. 3:6.

  F.  How We Use Our Abilities (blessings).

    1.  Matt. 25:15: Allocated according to ability; All was given by the Lord.

    2.  1 Cor. 4:2: Required that we be “faithful stewards” of God’s goods / blessings.

    3.  2 Cor. 8:11-12: Do we complete what we start, using the abilities God has given us?

    4.  Jas. 4:17: Failure to do so is sin.

Conclusion

1.  Jesus described the scene of the final day of reckoning, Matt. 25:31-46.

2.  If the day of reckoning (judgment) were to happen today, what would the Son of God say to you?