8-2-98 ..........God’s Book of World Records........... II Cor. 5

Purpose of this message is to show that God will reward us for our works whether it be good or bad…

Key Verse: 2Cor 5:10 (KJS) 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.

1Cor 3:8 (KJS) Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Reve 20:12 (KJS) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

This is your life! Written by God… or God’s Book of World Records.

Does God keep records? Yes. How do we know because the Bible tells us so.

Why does God keep records? He keeps them to show to us because we a forgetful people. We have to keep records so that we can remember who we are, where we have come from, where we have been, and where we are going. So that one day we will all stand before God for the Judgement. Then the record will be opened to show us our eternal future…

The record shows who will go to heaven and hell….

Are you sure where you will be? The Lamb’s book of life will show then who is and who isn’t.

Matt 7:21 (KJS) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The record will show who will receive rewards for faithful labors and who will suffer loss… This is what you can take to heaven with you. Your faithful work for the Lord.

Reve 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. 1Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

The record will show whom God created us to be and who we became...

God didn’t create anyone for hell, but that we were all created for heaven is evidenced by the fact that every name is in the book until we reject Jesus Christ or God as our God. Then, we have turned our backs on God. John 3:16 For God so Loved the world…

Reve 3:5 (KJS) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

1Joh 5:4 (KJS) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is our test and the grades will be handed out in the future along with eternal benefits for our sacrificial and faithful lives of service to the Lord. My friends how does your record look today? Only you can answer that question. But one day you will be held accountable and rewarded for all that you did or didn’t do in this life. Are you happy with what is there or are you ready to allow the Lord to perform a work that is eternal in your life. God makes the rules and it will be up to Him to make sure that they aren’t broken. He can do it. Will you accept him and his will for your life?

What is on your record and what do you want it to look like in the future?

Now you can change it. Later you can’t…