Pastor's Article March 6, 2022

Last week we discussed how God has blessed us with so many blessings from above. We have been made stewards over the Lord’s vineyard and as such will one day give account to Him. My sin debt has been paid and I do not have to answer for my sin as I have been made righteous by the blood of Jesus Christ, yet I will stand before him and give account for how I have lived my life and what I have done with the time and talents the Lord has blessed me with. This judgement will be at the Bema seat of Christ. When we gather around the Bema seat of Christ we will be judged by our works, “everyman’s work shall be manifest” think about that truth for a moment. Often, we think that people don’t know what we do, the bad or the good, but the Bible says that one day it will be manifest. This word manifest means it will be shown or brought to light. That means if you are person who has a reputation for working or serving the Lord and you don’t really do it, the gig will be up. On the other hand, if you are person who works endlessly, and no one seems to notice all that you do the truth of your faithful service will be brought to light. The Bible also says that our work will be tested with fire and if a man’s work is not pure it will be burned up and that man will suffer loss. How can a man that is saved and has everlasting life suffer loss? By not being able to bring the honor to the Lord in heaven that you would like to, or not being given as great a stewardship in heaven as others have. The Bible also says the works that abide shall be rewarded meaning they will merit a greater stewardship and thus the opportunity to bring more honor to the Lord in eternity.   It seems so different than the way many people lead their lives right now, but I want you to remember that your created purpose is to bring honor and glory to God. When you get to heaven you are not going to be concerned with the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, or the glory of men all that will matter to you is bringing honor and glory to God. Read I Corinthians 3 and you can have a better insight of what this Judgement is going to be like.     Rev. Wayne Marcus