Preacher, Preach On Judgment!

Did you know that the certainty of Judgment to come is the greatest motivation for people to repent of their sins, place all their confidence in the Lord Jesus, and lead holy lives?

If this be the case, then why aren't more Preachers dealing with this subject?

Could this be the reason why so many today are hardened in their sins, walking in unbelief, and living in gross immorality - and not even caring enough to do anything about it?

The consideration of an upcoming Judgment definitely has an effect on people.

The Scriptures point out that the concept of an appointed day of accountability and recompense causes men to repent of their sins and turn to the Lord Jesus for salvation. Knowing that there are "storms" ahead causes them to flee to a place of safety - where the foundation is sure. Also, the certainty of judgment incites them to diligence in fulfilling their duty to live lives that are pleasing unto God.

So why aren't more Preachers dealing with the subject of Judgment?

For one thing, it's not a very popular subject with men. Nonetheless, it is one that God has ordained to bring about a lasting effect in the hearers of the Word.

It would behoove all Ministers to change their ways and follow His plan of salvation instead of that of man, the world, and the devil.

The Scriptures tell us - "As for God, His way is perfect..."(Psalm 18:30). What He has outlined in the Scriptures will work. It will bring about lasting results in the people.

It's time that the Preachers stop following every new idea, plan, motive, and incentive that comes along and get back to the Good "Old-Fashioned" Preaching of Judgment To Come.

If and when they do, there will be three major effects -

1. Repentance

Acts 17:30-31 - "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead."

There was a time when God passed by - as if not to notice the idolatries of men. He didn't yet restrain the people by sending prophets to them with a word of rebuke nor did He punish or deal severely with them for their sins - simply because of their ignorance.

Nonetheless, now He commands "all men every where to repent." "All" are called to break off from their idolatries and bind themselves to the worship of the True and Living God.

They are called upon to change their ways, views, designs, and practices. With great sorrow and utmost shame, they are to turn from every sin and wholeheartedly resolve to do that which is pleasing in the sight of the Lord.

What particular motive stirs men to such a decision?

The Apostle Paul delineates that for us when using the word - "Because..."

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because..."

Men are called upon to "repent" because...

They are admonished through the Word to leave off all idolatries and turn to the Living God "because"...

They are to manifest great sorrow for their sins "because"...

"Because" why?

"...Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead."

God has ordained a day - a fixed time - a day of recompense - in the near future when He will call into account every man, woman, boy, and girl for the things which He has given them in this life.

According to the righteous standards of His Holy Word or Law and as the appointed Judge of the whole earth - the One and Only One capable of such a task because He was raised from the dead - He will call all into account for every single thought, word, and deed.

2. Faith In God

Isaiah 28:16-17 - "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place."

In this day and at this hour, men are in one of two categories. They are either on the side of those whose Faith in God is as a "sure foundation," or they are on the side with those whose life is depicted as a "refuge of lies."

What basically determines the strength of the "foundation" on which we all stand?

The Word of "Judgment" and "Righteousness."

This Word is likened unto the tools of an architect in building a structure.

"Judgment" is the "line" used for measurement.

"Righteousness" is the "plummet" - an instrument which consists of a piece of lead attached to a string - determining its straightness and exactness.

Hence, the Preacher of Judgment to come is comparable to a builder who is determining the strength of his structure by its "foundation." Whenever he preaches the Word of Judgment, he brings men to the realization of wherein their Faith lies and just how strong their "foundation" is to withstand the "hail" or "floods of waters" - typifying God's future wrath and vengeance coming upon this ungodly world.

Since the principal weight of a building rests on its corners, it is vital that the "corner stone" be the most solid, largest, and firmest stone used. It must be "a sure foundation" - one that can withstand and endure all types of storms and tempests.

The Word of Judgment to come causes men to forsake their "refuge of lies" for the "sure foundation" in Christ Jesus. It provokes them to desire to be the believer who does not "make haste."

In other words, no matter what the future holds - even in the midst of great assaults from the enemy, storms that will try his Faith in God, or God's shakings amidst this earth - he will have no reason to be alarmed, ashamed, or flee - for his "foundation" is sure and secure.

3. Holiness Of Living

2 Corinthians 5: 9-11 - "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord..."

2 Peter 3:11,14 - "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness...Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless."

Nothing provokes the believer to his duty before God as a Word of Future Judgment and Accountability.

Nothing stirs him up to greater care and diligence - to be ambitious, strive, exert himself - in fulfilling his responsibility before God and men than "knowing therefore the terror of the Lord" and that "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad..."

The Apostle Paul described it this way - "...we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him..."

Without a Word of Judgment from the Preachers, the Body of Christ tends to fall into a slump of laziness and slothfulness concerning their obligation and main objective to live pleasing in the sight of the Lord.

Without this Word, they fail to realize that they are responsible for their every thought, word, and deed and will have to give an account for each "...before the judgment seat of Christ..."

Without this constant reminder of the certainty of Judgment to come, they do not improve on their talents and privileges but conduct themselves as the man who buried his talent in the ground.

Lastly, they lack the Fear of God which continuously reminds them that the secret things of their heart and life will be made manifest on that day.

The Apostle Paul was definitely a Preacher Of Judgment. And so was Peter.

Then why aren't all of the Preachers likewise today?

Look what the Apostle Peter had to say - "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved..."

What will be "dissolved"?

The heavens and the earth.

That sounds like Judgment to come, doesn't it?

What kind of result should this knowledge have upon us as believers?

Peter explains - "...what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness...Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless."

Contemplating an awful time of Judgment to come should stir us up to live holy, godly, and useful lives. We should be sobered and humbled by these Truths. Our minds should be set on things above and not on things of this earth(Colossians 3:2) - knowing that they are soon to pass away.

Again, what are the effects of the Preachers preaching a Word of Judgment to come?

Repentance from sin and all idolatries and a turning to God in sincerity and truth;

The turning from a reliance on a "refuge of lies" to the "sure foundation" of Christ Jesus;

And a greater responsibility and accountability among believers to live holy and pure lives - so as to be pleasing in God's sight and win His approval and favor.

With that in mind, the Holy Spirit says - Preacher, hear the Word of the Lord to you this day! Preach on Judgment!

Whether the people hear or forbear, preach on Judgment!

Whether they like it or not, preach on Judgment!

No matter what the immediate response, preach on Judgment!

It's God's designated and ordained way to prepare His people for the days ahead.

May God Bless His Word.

Connie

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