Bridgeway

After attending the last Covenant Membership class this morning, I am now officially a member of Bridgeway Church! I am very excited to be a part of a church that is completely centered on the Word of God.

One of our members died last week, so Pastor Storms felt God calling him to preach out of 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, instead of Revelation.

The title of the sermon was, "What Happens When a Christian Dies?"

The only section of the sermon I'm going to blog about is, "The Judgement Seat of Christ."

2 Corinthians 5:10 says, "For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done, whether good or bad."

This judgement is not designed to determine entrance into the kingdom of God but reward or status or authority within it.

The differing nature and degree of reward will be manifest in the depths of knowledge and enjoyment of God that each person experiences. Some may balk at this notion, but they shouldn't. Here's why:

** Hardly anything will bring you more joy in heaven than to see other saints with greater rewards than you, experiencing greater glory than you or given greater authority than you. There will be no jealousy or pride to fuel your unhealthy competitiveness. There will be no greed to energize your race to get more than anyone else. You will then delight only in delighting in the delight of others. Their achievement will be your greatest joy. Their success will be your highest happiness. You will truly rejoice with those who rejoice. Envy comes from lack. But in heaven there is no lack. Whatever you need , you get. Whatever desires may arise, they are satisfied.

Some people in heaven will be happier than others. But this is no reason for sadness or anger. In fact, it will serve only to make you happier to see others are happier than you! Why? Because love dominates in heaven and love is rejoicing in the increase of the happiness of others. 
The reason why we struggle with this because now on earth our thoughts and desires and motives are corrupted by sinful self-seeking, competitiveness, envy , jealousy, and resentment.

I had never heard it put the way Pastor Storms explained it. What a comfort to know that in heaven, self will be taken out of the equation and replaced with perfect love! 💙💚💛💜