TEXT:  Acts 17:30-31

INTRODUCTION:

A.      JUDGMENT A RECURRING THEME - MUCH SAID - MANY QUESTIONS.

B.      OUR EFFORT TODAY - TO ANSWER 5 OF THEM.

I.      WILL THERE REALLY BE A JUDGMENT DAY?

A.      Acts 17:31."...HE HATH APPOINTED A DAY..."

B.      TWO EVENTS ACCEPTED AS A CERTAINTY( Heb. 9:27 ).

C.      CONSIDER THESE CLEAR-CUT STATEMENTS:

          1.       Solomon( Ecc. 12:13-14 ).

          2.       Jesus( Matt. 11:20-24;  12:36-37;  25:31-46 ).

          3.       Paul( Acts 17:31;  2 Cor. 5:10 ).

          4.       Peter( 1 Pet. 1:17;  4:17;  2 Pet. 3:10 ).

          5.       John the Apostle( 1 John 4:17;  Rev. 20:12 ).

II.     WHO IS TO BE JUDGED?

A.      Acts 17:30.  "...HE WILL JUDGE THE WORLD..."

B.      LET US CONSIDER

          1.       The universality of it( Matt. 25:31-32 ).

          2.       The individuality of it( Rom. 2:6;  14:12;  2 Cor. 5:10 ).

III.    WHAT WILL BE THE BASIS OF JUDGMENT?

A.      OUR DEEDS( 2 Cor. 5:10 ).

B.      OUR THOUGHTS( Heb. 4:12-13 ).

C.      OUR CONSCIENCE( 1 John 3:19-21;  Rom. 14:23 ).

IV.   WHO WILL JUDGE?  WHAT STANDARD?

A.      Acts 17:31.  "BY THE MAN WHOM HE HATH ORDAINED.

B.      John 5:22;  2 Cor. 5:10

          1.       His life( 1 Pet. 2:21;  1 Cor. 11:1 ).

          2.       His teachings( John 12:48;  Rev. 22:12 ).

          3.       His truth( Rom. 2:2;  John 17:17 ).

C.      Rom. 2:11.  NO RESPECT OF PERSONS.

V.    THE RESULT OF THAT JUDGMENT?

A.      SEPARATION OF THE GOOD AND BAD( Matt. 25:31-33 ).

B.      THE GOOD WILL RECEIVE REWARD( vs. 34 ).

C.      EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT OF THE BAD( vs. 41, 46 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      WE WANT TO COME UP TO THE STANDARD.

B.      WHAT DOES THE STANDARD REQUIRE?( Acts 2:38;  Rom. 6:3-4 ).