“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Some things are so plain and clear that it needs no explanation.

Verses like this make it crystal clear that Christ is coming again and at that time:

• We will all stand in judgment
• Each of us will be held accountable for the things we have done

The day of judgment will be truly terrifying for all because we are all sinners.

Then how come the Bible says that this day will be a day of rejoicing and celebration for Christians? How does that work? The text makes it clear that each one will be judged and held accountable for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

This is bad news because we are not only sinners, but we are repeat sinners. So how can this be good news for Christians?

All sin will be judged on that day. Everyone will have to answer for their lives.

BUT…when the time for judgment arrives for Christians, there will be a huge difference for the person who has received God’s plan for salvation in Jesus Christ.

For the person who has received and accepted God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ, what will happen at the time of judgment is that Christ himself will stand in our place and remind God that he has already paid the penalty for sin on our behalf. And that he has risen from the dead so that we might share in Christ’s resurrection.

Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, what God will see is Christ’s righteousness. Christ’s righteousness will cover our sins.

We will rejoice and worship not because we are sinless, but because the penalty of our sins have been paid for by Jesus. That is why he is Savior. That is why he is Lord.

The fancy Christianese word for this is “Substitutionary Atonement.” Christ stands as our substitute. Christ stands in judgment on our behalf that we might stand in God’s glory as his sons and daughters.

Friends, listen to what Steven Lawson says, “Every sin in the history of the world will be punished by divine justice. It will either be punished in hell or punished at the cross. But every sin will be punished.”

The reason why Christians will rejoice at the day of judgment is because of what Christ has done on our behalf.

This happens because we humbled ourselves to receive God’s plan for salvation.

The question is, why wouldn’t we all receive Jesus as Lord and Savior? Is he your Lord and Savior? What are you waiting for?

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).

You can lose everything and still have everything.

What? That makes no sense.

How can you lose everything and still have everything?

Look at the verses of the day. That’s exactly what the Apostle Paul is saying. You can lose everything that is of this world and still have everything that matters and counts in eternity when you have Christ as Lord.

Everything in this world will all end up in the junkyard. Everything. And, you know what belongs in the junkyard? Garbage:

• Money,
• houses,
• bank accounts,
• art collections,
• the newest laptop,
• the latest iPhone,
• our cars,
• everything.

Everything that we hold valuable in this world is junk. It’s all stuff that will end up in the junkyard. There is not a single thing in this world that we can take to eternity when we die. NOT ONE THING. It’s all junk.

But, if you know Christ as Lord, if you gain Christ, you’ve got everything. In fact, knowing Christ as Lord will help us to appreciate and know how to use the things of this world to make a difference for eternity. Everything that we have in this world is to be used to help people to know Christ. Everything in this world is to be used to help people transition from this world for eternity.

When Paul says, “I consider them garbage,” the Greek word is skubalon.

Say that- skubalon.

The NIV translation is very mild compared to the actual Greek. What is skubalon? It’s the stuff that comes out of the other end when we consume food. skubalon. It’s not even the nice word, feces. It’s kind of the rough word. You know…s#&t. The King James Version translates this as dung. Everything in this world is skubalon! When we die, all of it is skubalon!

Don’t live to acquire and amass skubalon! That would be skubalon!

Make your life count. Use what we have in this world so that you can introduce as many people to Jesus Christ as Lord. That’s the only thing that counts.

You can lose everything in this world and still have everything. Because everything in this world is skubalon. And as long as you have Christ as Lord, you have everything!

Make your life count. Live well. Use skubalon to usher as many people to Christ.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

Times of refreshing…

Doesn’t that sound good right about now? There is so much happening in our world that is out of our control:

• On going Covid issues,
• the political turmoil,
• the increasing homeless issues,
• rising crime rates,
• rising cases of substance abuse,
• rising cases of suicides,
• 17 missionaries held hostage for ransom in Haiti,
• the Afghan refugees…

Sheesh!

Yes, please….times of refreshing!!!

Our text tells there are three stipulations to times of refreshing.

The first stipulation to experiencing times of refreshing from the Lord is that we need our sins wiped out. The presence of sin makes it impossible to have peace with God. Sin separates us from God.

So, how can we get our sins wiped out?

That brings us to the second stipulation: repent. The Greek word for repent means to have a changed mind. Whereas at one time our minds and hearts were set on sin, repenting means that we have a change of mind and heart. It is not merely saying that we are sorry for our sins but a change of mind and heart regarding sin.

But in order to have a change of mind and heart, we have to ask what our minds and hearts should focus on instead of sin. That brings us to the third stipulation: turn to God.

Did you see that? We repent by turning our minds and hearts away from sin to God. The Greek word for repent is “metanoia”. At the root of this Greek word is the picture of soldiers who are marching in one direction and they are told “metanoia” and they do an about face, a 180 degree turn, a complete turn around. The idea is that while we were marching toward sin and away from God, when we repent we do an about face and turn and move toward God. It is a spiritual u-turn, no more running to sin. It is turning away from sin to turning and running to God.

Yes, please…times of refreshing.

Now you know how. Repent and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.