First Judgment: Great white throne – a judgment of sin resulting in heaven or hell.

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15 (NKJV)

Action Plan: Try journaling this week. Start by thinking about how Jesus has aced this test on your behalf and write about what that means to you. Reflect and write about how this truth frees you from worry and who you might be able to share this hope.

Second Judgment: Judgment seat of Christ – a judgment of works resulting in reward or loss.

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NIV)

Action Plan: Create a visual reminder of the concept of the rope by taking a yard stick and coloring the first quarter-inch section green. This represents your life on earth. The rest of the stick is eternity. Place the yardstick over a doorway so as you pass through that doorway each day, you are reminded that no matter how heavy the day’s tasks may be, only what’s done for Jesus will last beyond the green.

What has eternal value:

GOD

PEOPLE

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

What did you get out of this message?

What are you going to do about it?

Action Plan: Take time to answer the above questions (use your journal from the first action point this week). What was your initial response to the second question? Make a commitment to act on your answer this week.

Doable Discipleship: Check out this week’s new episode (to be released on Tuesday) of the Doable Discipleship podcast featuring an interview with Pastor Tommy Hilliker on how you can use your strengths to serve God in ministry. To watch or listen, click here.