Gospel Meeting 09/02/20

2^nd Corinthians ch5 vs1 – 10

The Revelation ch20 vs11 – 15

The speaker shared with us that he is required to attend two work appraisals each year.

His boss would review his recent performance, integrity and ingenuity, etc. Was their customer’s satisfied?

The boss would then judge his employee on the facts… would he get a bonus? Would he be worthy of keeping his position?

The speaker knew that it was of the utmost importance to prepare diligently and fully for his appraisal. Failing to do so meant he would very quickly be found out and have a price to pay.

However, in a fast approaching day, every single one of us without exception will have an appraisal for something far more crucial – the outcome will decide where we spend our whole Eternity.

The One who will be judging our personal appraisal is God. The Lord Jesus Christ will give His verdict.

Whether anyone is famous, rich, poor, royalty or servant, every person will give an account of their life to God.

What a most sobering thought.

As with the speaker, it is imperative that our preparation has to be done before the meeting. Leave it until your meeting with God and it will be tragically too late, with great consequences.

“…PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD…”

- Amos ch4 vs12

In tonight’s scriptures we read about two groups of people who will have very different appraisals by God at their personal meetings.

The apostle Paul told Christians in Corinth that each believer would come before the judgement seat of Christ for their life to be reviewed. This is not a judgement of sins, but a judgement of works – every personal sin has been atoned for the Christian person through their repentance and faith in The Lord Jesus Christ, and His redeeming work on Calvary’s Cross. But here, the believer’s works are judged, whether good or bad.

How immensely pleasing would it be to hear God say to us personally –

“…Well done, thou good and faithful servant…” – (Matthew’s Gospel ch25 vs21).

How many of us shall wish not having had different actions, or speaking in a more gracious tone?

Yet this personal meeting and appraisal will be completely honest, just and irreversible. The Judge is holy and perfect in every way!

But whatever our many regrets shall be at this appraisal, not one person is lost – all are ushered into The Father’s House for Eternity!

This group of Christian people were well prepared.

Not by reading their Bible, regular Church attendance, or simply through good works – as much as these things are to be greatly encouraged – but solely because they all had trusted The Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Preparation for forgiveness of sins and to enter Heaven is based solely on God’s Son, Jesus Christ. 

The prior work on your appraisal is down to you – and it begins with your response to The Lord Jesus Christ and His sinless sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross for your many sins.

Dear friend, do you believe Jesus Christ loves you so much that He willingly laid down His life and shed His precious blood to pay the penalty of your own sins?

In agony, he paid the price that we could never pay, in order that you and I can be completely forgiven and no longer face condemnation.

 I urge you tonight, simply call upon The Lord Jesus Christ in faith, and in repentance of your old sinful way of life. Ask His forgiveness and accept Him as your personal Saviour.

The apostle John spoke of another time and a different group of people having their personal appraisals. They have the same Judge – God.

But what a horrendously different outcome for each of these people’s appraisals.

Forgiveness was offered to all these people too, but all had rejected God’s plan of Salvation, and their names were not found written in the book of life.

What an eternal tragedy!

The consequences of personal sins having not been forgiven by God, means a lost Eternity in torment and darkness.

Such is the absolute seriousness of our sins against the Holy God.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”

- John’s Gospel ch3 vs16

Dear friend, in love and concern I must inquire, are you with the first group of people spoken of in Corinth by Paul, or with the second group spoken of by John in The Revelation?

I pray that tonight you have fully prepared for your appraisal with God, having accepted The Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Then you will know His great peace and joy personally!

“…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation…”

- 2^nd Corinthians ch6 vs2

1. Life at best is very brief,
Like the falling of a leaf,
Like the binding of a sheaf,
Be in time.
Fleeting days are telling fast
That the die will soon be cast,
And the fatal line be passed,
Be in time.

Refrain
Be in time, be in time,
While the voice of Jesus calls you, be in time.
If in sin you longer wait,
You may find no open gate,
And your cry be just too late, be in time.

2. Fairest flowers soon decay,
Youth and beauty pass away,
Oh, you have not long to stay,
Be in time.
While God’s Spirit bids you come,
Sinner, do no longer roam,
Lest you seal your helpless doom,
Be in time. [Refrain]

3. Time is gliding swiftly by,
Death and judgment draweth nigh,
To the arms of Jesus fly,
Be in time.
Oh, I pray you count the cost,
Ere the fatal line be crossed,
And your soul in hell be lost,
Be in time. [Refrain]

4. Sinner, heed the warning voice,
Make the Lord your final choice,
Then all Heaven will rejoice,
Be in time.
Come from darkness into light,
Come, let Jesus make you right,
Come, and start for Heav’n tonight,
Be in time. [Refrain]
(Hymn by Charles Harrison Mason)