Judgment and Rewards The Crown of Righteousness – Week 2 & Entrance and Exclusion

1. Judgment and RewardsThe Crown of Righteousness – Week 2& Entrance and Exclusion Part 8 • Ironside, H. A. (1930). Salvation and Reward (31). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers. The Two Appearings and the Discipline of Grace, C. H. Spurgeon, sermon 1894, (April 4, 1886); Entrance and Exclusion, C. H. Spurgeon sermon 2500, May 21st, 1885; Ryrie study Bible: New American Standard Bible, 1995 update (Expanded ed.) (2009). Chicago: Moody Press. Ryrie, C. C. (1996). MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments Nashville: Thomas Nelson Jamieson, R., Fausset,; Rightly Dividing the Word (88). Philadelphia, PA: Clarence Larkin.;

2. Christ’s Judgment Seat for Believers • For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Cor 5:10)

3. Fighting the Good Fight • Read 2 Tim 4:6-8 • Looking back over his long record, Paul can say without reservation • “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Tim 4:7 • He had fought and was still fighting the good fight, namely, the fight of faith • He had spent his energies in the good contest • Fight here indicates an athletic contest – Even as he wrote, he realized that the strenuous race was nearly over • He had been running on the course and was in sight of the goal • He had “kept the faith” • Paul had continued to believe in and obey the great doctrines of the Christian faith • And he had been faithful in telling others of Christ • And he encourages us to do the same “be sober [soundness of mind, self controlled] in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. “ (2 Tim 4:5) • Then Paul expresses confidence that he would be rewarded • The righteousness which he had manifested in his service would be rewarded by the righteous Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ • in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. – 2 Tim 4:8 Paul was in sight of the goal post and he saw the reward at the end

4. IntroductionThe Crown of Righteousness • The Crown of Righteousness • Living in Light of our Blessed Hope (Titus 2:11-14) • Our Position • Between His appearings • Our Instruction • Our Encouragement • Not Alone • He Will Come Again • We Serve a Glorious Master • His Work to Make Us Holy • We are His People • Being Ready for His Return • Matt 25 – Parable of the virgins in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Tim 4:8)

5. Living in Light of Our Blessed Hope • For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, [His first coming] • instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, [how we should live now] • looking for the blessed hope and the appearing [Gk epiphaneia, epiphany, to appear- to shine] of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, [His second coming] • who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:11-14) • Notice the major themes here; • First he describes Our Position – in time - with Respect to His comings • Second, he describes Our Instruction – denying, living, and looking • Third, he mentions Our Encouragements – the one who gave Himself to redeem us • First of all, the apostle in this text describes our Position • The people of God stand between two appearances • In the 11th verse he tells us of the first coming • In the 13th versehe tells us to be looking for the second coming • We live in an age which is an interval between two appearings of the Lord from heaven The Three Major Themes Our Position Our Instruction Our Encouragements

6. The Two Appearings • Believers in Jesus are shut off from the old economy (Law) by the first coming of our Lord • In the current economy (dispensation) God commands all men everywhere to repent and believe in Christ as Savior – the Economy or Dispensation of Grace • So significant a fact is His first commingthat we date from the birth of Jesus: we begin with Anno Domini (AD) [in the year of our Lord] • This calendar era is based on the traditionally reckoned year of the conception or birth of Jesus of Nazareth, with AD counting years after the start of this epoch, and BC [Before Christ] denoting years before the start of the epoch • All the rest of time is before Christ, and is marked off from the Christian era - Bethlehem’s manger is our beginning • As Christians we look forward to a second appearing Judgment Seat of Christ In heaven 2 Cor 5:10 • Our outlook for the close of this present era is another appearing, — an appearing of glory rather than of grace • we stand between two Epiphanies [striking appearances, shining brightly] • Behind us is our trust; before us is our hope • Behind us is the Son of God in humiliation • Before us is the great God our Savior in His glory Judgment 2 Believers for Works Judgment 1 Believers for Sin At the Cross 30 AD John 5:24 Day of the Lord Current Dispensation Of Grace Armageddon Rapture Past (Law)

7. The Instruction Given The Three Major Themes Our Position Our Instruction Our Encouragements • For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, (Titus 2:11-12) • Instructing us is a scholastic term, and has to do with the education of children • Not merely the teaching, but the training and bringing of them up • The grace of God has come to be a schoolmaster to us, to teach us, to train us, to prepare us for a more developed state • The first is “denying.” – “instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires ” • The most difficult part of the training of young men is not to put the right thing into them, but to get the wrong thing out of them • When the Holy Spirit comes into the heart of a new believer, he finds we are full of the worldly knowledge that we need to unlearn and deny • We next deny “worldly desires” that is, the lusts of the present world or age • For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. (1 John 2:16) • And then he tells us to live in a way that’s pleasing to God • That to live sensibly [sober or of sound mind], righteously and godly in the present age Even as Jesus instructed the disciples, so too He instructs us unto holiness

8. How We Need to Walk in This World Ephesians 5:15-18 Be careful how we walk – looking all around • How are we instructed to live godly lives?– Read Eph 5:15-18 • “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” • “circumspectly” means “looking all around,” like one who is walking in a very dangerous place • be careful where you put down your feet • be careful as to the company you keep • be careful as to your behavior in any company • Remember our walk is to bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ • Let the Christian be just as eager, to “redeem” or “buy up” the opportunities to serve the Lord • Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is • The important thing is to find out God’s will for us each day and do it • This requires His Word and prayer - daily • And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Eph 5:15-18 KJV) • This speaks to control - So to be filled with the Spirit is to be controlled by the Spirit Redeem or make the best use of our time Understanding the will of the Lord The Spirit Works We must yield to the Spirit, and be filled with Him daily Man yields to God Quench not the Spirit 1 Thess 5:19

9. Looking ForOur Blessed Hope • And in verse 13 of Titus Chapter 2 we are told to be looking for His return • looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus (Titus 2:13) • Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. (Rev 1:7) • The coming of the Lord is the great hope of the believer • And it is a great stimulus to overcome evil and another incentive to live a holy life • Paul in his letter in 2 Timothy was able to say; • I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; (2 Ti 4:7) • Paul had fought this good fight, he had run the race to win • And so loved passionately the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ • This is what he had waited for, this is what his whole life had been dedicated to • Christ’s appearing, when he would meet the one for whom he had loved and fought • The One for whom he counted all else worthless in life, except that he might win Christ’s approval when he returned • If we are living our lives for Him, we will be anxious for His return and love His appearing • And like Paul we can be confident in the reward • in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. - 2 Tim 4:8 The blessed hope of all believers who love The Lord is His glorious appearing

10. The Crown of Righteousness • The crown of righteousness will be given to those believers who have exhibitedrighteousness in their service and who have loved Christ’s appearing • If a man really longs with affection for the coming of Christ and lives in the light of that event, then his life will be righteous, and he will be rewarded accordingly • Here is a fresh reminder that the Second Coming of Christ, when truly believed and loved, exercises a sanctifying influence on one’s life • To profess to hold the doctrine of the pre-millennial coming of Christ is one thing • To be really held by it is quite another • The one whose life is unrighteous • Whose spirit is worldly, whose outlook on life is carnal and selfish, has not learned to love His appearing – Read Matt 6:19-21 – if your treasure is here [earthly] so will be your heart • This person will never obtain the crown of righteousness in that day • The crown is for those who follow Him here • If our treasure is in heaven, then our hearts will be focused on serving Him here • It is for those whoesteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than all earth’s boasted treasures • They live now in view of then, at His return • How small and insignificant will the things that worldlyChristians live for, seem “in that day!” • If our heart is seeking Him and living for Him then we will love His appearing • Do we live our lives today, knowing that His return could happen soon? In that day – when He returns, all who have exhibited Righteousness in their service and loved His appearing Will receive a reward – the crown of righteousness

11. Our EncouragementNot Alone, He Will Come Again The Three Major Themes Our Position Our Instruction Our Encouragements • In this great battle for right, and truth, and holiness, what could we do if we were left alone? • But our first encouragement is that God has not left us alone • In our struggles against inbred sin, we have the Holy Spirit within us to help us • As we go out to fight by preaching the gospel we have the same Holy Spirit going out before us to convict the sinner of the truth • However hard the conflict with evil, it is not desperate – God is with us • I would ground my weapons, and retreat from a fight so hopeless, were it not that the Lord of Hosts is with us • A second encouragement is that another appearing is coming • Do not question it, the world is not going to darken into an eternal night • And though sin and corruption abound, and the love of many waxes cold • These are but the tokens of his near advent • And He told us that conditions would be so before his appearing • We are not fighting a losing battle - The Lord must triumph • He will return - none can stop his coming! • Every moment brings Him nearer; nothing can delay his glory • When the hour strikes He will appear in the majesty of God to put an end to the dominion of sin, and bring in endless peace. God has not left us alone, but Has sent His Holy Spirit to be With us - always

12. Our EncouragementServing a Glorious Master, His Work to Make Us Holy • Another encouragement is that we are serving a glorious Master • The Christ whom we follow is not a dead prophet like Muhammad • Truly we preach Christ crucified; but we also believe in Christ risen from the dead • In Christ gone up on high, and soon to come a second time • He lives, and He lives as the great God and our Savior • And then there is what the Lord has done for us to save us from sin • who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:14) • He gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity; • That he might break the bonds of sin asunder, and cast the cords of depravity far from us • He died — do not forget— died that your sins might die • He gave Himself for you and so you should give yourselves for Him Jesus work on the cross has Redeemed us from every sin

13. Our EncouragementWe are His People • who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:14) • Again, he died that he might purify us — purify us unto himself • How clean we must be if we are to be clean to Him • We are purified “for Himself a people for His own possession” • The passage really means that believers are Christ’s own people, his choice and select portion • He desires that you, who are being disciplined by his grace, should know that you are altogether His • You are Christ’s men • You are to know that you don’t belong to the world and you don’t belong to yourself • You belong only to Christ • The apostle finishes up by saying that we are to be a people “zealous of good works.” • Are we zealous for good works? • Do we desire to live our lives as He asks? • If so, then His coming will indeed be our “Blessed Hope” • And He will give us the Crown of Righteousness Christ’s work has purified us and we are His own possession

14. Are We Ready For His Return? Parable of the Virgins Matt 25:1-13

15. The Parable of the VirginsBeing Ready for His Return • “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. “Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. “For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. • “Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. “But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ “Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. • “The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ “But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ “ • And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. • “Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ “But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. (Mt 25:1-13)

16. Parable of the Virgins -Interpretation • Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary • While various interpretations have been given to this parable, it seems best to understand it as a judgment on living Jews soon after the Lord’s return in glory • The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Mt 25:113). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. • H.A. Ironside • The parable of the ten virgins has been the subject of considerable controversy • Questions, which are confusing and contradictory, have been raised as to its exact application • It would seem to apply to the entire period during which the professed people of God are waiting for the fulfillment of the promised return of the Bridegroom [the present age] • It is definitely a parable of the Kingdom of Heaven, and that in its mystical form [i.e., inter-advent period, between His comings], as are all the kingdom parables from chapter 13 on • Therefore, it would be a mistake to shift it in application solely to the tribulation period, and to endeavor to make the virgins represent only the Jewish remnant rather than the Church in accountability or responsibility, as the number ten suggests. • Early Church - Tertullian (c. 160 – c. 225 AD) • It remains to observe that, mystically, Christ is the Bridegroom, who celebrates his nuptials with his bride the Church, and comes to conduct her to heaven; • those who are ready will accompany him and enter into the joy of their Lord; those who have not made their calling sure will be shut out. (“De Anima,’ 33) • Your teacher agrees with Tertullian and Ironsidewrt its application to Christ and the church/unbelievers in the time between His comings Tertullian - an early church Father from Carthage - Africa

17. Jesus ReturnIts Seeming Delay • Read Matt 25:1-5 • During the waiting period, the wise and foolish virgins seemed a lot alike • This may be a picture of both believing and professing Christians in the church today • They look the same, but there is a difference (the wise and foolish) • Everything turned upon the coming of the bridegroom • To the ten virgins, that was the chief event of the night • If it had not been for his coming, they would not have gone out with their lamps • They prepared themselves because they knew He would surely come • Yet, for a while, He did not come • The sun had gone down, and darkness had stolen over the whole landscape, but the bridegroom did not come • The dews of night were falling fast, yet still he did not come • The hours were long, and slowly passed away one after the other, yet he did not come • It was waxing toward the middle of the night; a few stars were visible, but there was no lingering light of the day remaining • It was the time of darkness, and the eyes of the waiting virgins grew heavy with watching. -Why was the bridegroom so long in coming? • They had been told to look for him, they had fully expected him; yet he had not come - And they all fell asleep There were two types waiting Wise and Foolish

18. Jesus Return • But the bridegroom did come • Read Matt 25:6-10 • However long we may have waited for Him, let us rest assured that He will come • As surely as he came once, so, “unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” – Heb 9:28 • And remember; the one who waits and loves His appearing will receive a reward • in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. – 2 Tim 4:8 • It seems to me that it needs less faith to believe in the second Advent of Christ than in His first Advent • He has been here before, so he knows the way to come again • He has been here before, and wrought a wondrous work; surely, he will come back to receive the reward of his service • The Good Shepherd came to earth once to lay down his life for the sheep • There is no doubt that He will come again as the Chief Shepherd to recompense the under-shepherds who have faithfully kept the night watches for him • Jesus will come again, as surely as the bridegroom came at the midnight hour The bridegroom will return – Jesus Promised that He would come back

19. Jesus Return -Entrance and Exclusion • Yes, the bridegroom did come • Despite the waiting time, he did come; and then came the dreadful separation between those who had been waiting for his appearing • They were awakened by the sound of His approach • The herald that preceded him cried, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh,” and the sleepers were all aroused (everyone was aware of His arrival) – v.6 • Then the true adherents of the bridegroom, the wise virgins, poured the oil into their lamps, which were burning low, and soon they were blazing up clear and bright • As the bridegroom’s procession came near, “they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” – v.10 • But there was a group that was unprepared • The foolish virgins — those who had despised the secret stores of oil, • Those who had never gone to the Divine Spirit for his matchless grace [unsaved], — were separated from their wiser companions • The separation was not due to any special act of the bridegroom when He came, but it was the natural result of their own unprepared condition • They had to go away to buy oil of those that sold it, and when they came back, it was too late for them to go in to the marriage • They came up to the gate of the palace, and found the door fast closed against them, — shut for ever There were two groups, those who were Ready – They Entered, and those who were not (foolish) and they were excluded

20. The ReadyTheir Entrance • Our Lord Jesus Himself will escort us to our place in glory • The elder said to John in the Revelation, • “for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; ” – Rev 7:17 • How else could we ever hope to go in to the marriage, if we did not go in with Him • Hidden behind Him, covered with his righteousness, washed in his blood? • John saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred's, and people, and tongues, standing before the throne • And before the Lamb, and it was of them that the elder also said, • “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.” – Rev 7:14-15 • No one will object to the entrance into glory of those who go in with Him • Even the pure and holy God will not raise any question as to our entrance, if we enter with his Son • And we will go in with Him The Lord Jesus will conduct us To our place in glory with Him

21. Are You Ready? • Then comes this little sentence, which is so terrible to the unbelievers • “And the door was shut.” • The door was shut for two purposes • To keep in the believers • And to keep out those who rejected saving faith in Christ • Remember Noah’s ark, and God shut the door, and so He will here as well – Gen 7:16 • The people who went in with the Bridegroom, according to the text, they were a prepared people • A people that were ready: “They that were ready went in with him to the marriage.” • There are none among the sons of men who are naturally ready to go in to that marriage feast • Before they can enter, they must undergo a wondrous change, they must be born again • A great change has to be wrought in you, far beyond any power of yours to accomplish, before you can go in with Christ to the marriage • You must, first of all, be renewed in your nature, [regenerated] or you will not be ready • You must be washed from your sins, or you will not be ready • You must be justified in Christ’s righteousness, and you must put on his wedding dress, or else you will not be ready • You must be reconciled to God or you will not be ready If Jesus comes, or you were to Die today, Are you ready, or will The door be shut and you will not ‘enter?

22. The Unready and Their Exclusion • “And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.(Mt 25:10) • What, then, was this exclusion? “ • The door was shut.” - It was not ajar, it was shut • It was shut so tightly that there was a complete severance between the guests inside and the too-late foolish virgins outside The door was shut, they had Been given their chance to Ready themselves, but did not • Yet, this shutting of the door was just • The foolish virgins ought to have been there in time, they ought to have gone in with the bridegroom • The bridegroom had given them all that night to get ready • And they had even complained of the length of the delay before He came • When the door was at last shut, it was very late • They had had all that waiting time to get the oil, and to trim their lamps • It was not as though the bridegroom had come in the first watch of the night, and they had said, “We didn‘t have time to trim our lamps.” • That was not the case

23. 5 Foolish Virgins • Lastly notice that the 5 foolish virgins acted in much the same way as those who went in with the bridegroom • They went to meet the bridegroom • They went on the same road and at the same rate as the others went • They awoke as the others awoke; and they began to trim their lamps as the others were trimming theirs • Their spot seemed to be the spot of God’s children • And they appearedto have many of the marks of salvation • Yet they were not of it, nor in it, for they had no oil in their vessels with their lamps – No indwelling Holy Spirit – and therefore they we not really saved • They were so like the real bride of Christ that only the Bridegroom could tell the difference • Until the midnight came, and then the difference was apparent to all observers • So are many who put on the outward profession, but have never really trusted in Christ The 5 foolish virgins looked very much like the 5 wise virgins

24. Are You Ready? • “Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ “But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. (Matt 25:11-13) • When “the door was shut,” the exclusion was final • When the door is shut it will not be opened again • So you have had all this life • All these years of the Lord’s long-suffering and patient request that you put your faith in Him • When He comes to take His bride to the wedding • On which side of the door will you stand? • You need today to look at your readiness for going in to the marriage • Are you all ready now? • If, at this moment, the archangel’s trumpet voice should sound • Or if now, as lately happened to certain dear friends of ours, you should be struck down and in a moment pass away, are you ready for the great change? • Are you quite ready to go in with Christ to the marriage? What about you? Is there oil in your Lamp? Have you truly believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior?

25. End Week 8