Tri-Annual Singing!
February 21, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Judgment
Subject: Judgment
From the Preacher’s Pen: Fairness Goes Both Ways
God is eminently fair. He is both merciful and just. As we acknowledge our salvation is dependent upon His grace, extended in His Son Jesus, we must also note that He rightly requires obedience on our part. That is His right, and it is fair of Him to demand our allegiance.
When rebellious Israel proclaimed God to be unfair in His dealing with them, He replied clearly:
“‘Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,’ says the Lord God. ‘Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord God. ‘Therefore turn and live!’” (Ezekiel 18:30-32).
While God does not enjoy condemning men, He is fair! Those who do not turn from their iniquity (repent) will be condemned for their sins. We must get a “new heart and a new spirit.” For us, that means being born again! (cf. John 3:3-5).
Fairness goes both ways. God is fair in rewarding those who practice righteousness. He is pleased to grant the godly eternal life. And yet, though it saddens Him, it is fair of Him to condemn the ungodly to eternal death.
Invitation: Be Prepared for Judgment
Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox
Josh uses the Lord’s parable of the Wheat and the Tares, recorded in Matthew 13:24-30, to establish the importance of preparation for the day of judgment.
Invitation: Burdens and Loads
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Galatians 6:1-5 is examined, discussing the burdens and loads a Christian is called upon to bear.
Invitation: The Judgment
Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox
Romans 2:1-11 clearly indicates that God, who is righteous, will render to each what is due.
Invitation: The Judgment Seat
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In numerous places in scripture, there are references to a Judgment Seat. Pilate sat on one (John 19), as did Gallio (Acts 18). Paul reveals that one day Jesus will sit on the Judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:9-11), so we should aim to please Him!
Sermon: Wood of the Vine
In Ezekiel 15, the prophet uses the metaphor of wood cut from a vine to describe the unfaithfulness of Judah, which would be met by God’s judgment. The lesson has direct applications for us today.
The Boasts of the Wicked
When discussing the existence of God, a question is inevitably asked, “If God exists, why does he allow evil to prosper?” The answer to the question is a simple one. God has given us the wonderful gift of free will. The unfortunate byproduct of that gift is that some will choose to do evil. The very fact that the ungodly do not “play fair” makes it sometimes seem that they hold the upper hand.
It is unfair, and we desire God’s intervention. When we do not see His hand in what we deem a timely manner, we sometimes ask as the Psalmist, “Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble?” (10:1).
Psalm 10 is actually a wonderful passage to read for answers to this conundrum. Consider the following:
Sermon: Explaining Matthew 24
An exegetical examination of the rather difficult chapter of Matthew 24. Deals with the destruction of Jerusalem and the final judgment of Jesus Christ.
Sermon: The Final Judgment
A discussion of Matthew 25:31-46 which deals with the final judgment of the world by the Lord.
Sermon: God’s Measure
God’s ways and thoughts are higher than our own. We can’t know His will unless He reveals it to us. It is not surprising that God’s measure of worth is often at odds with the thinking of men.
“Judge not that you be not judged”
It seems that the most widely quoted passage of scripture in our time is Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Often, it is shortened as a part of the statement, “Jesus said, ‘Judge not’!” The statement is true, Jesus did say, “Judge not.” To understand His statement, however, takes some explanation. It is not as cut and dried as many would have you believe.
First, consider the full statement of Jesus in the text, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (1-2). The context shows that this is not a blanket condemnation of judging. It is, rather, a warning. No man can judge another without being judged himself—and, with the same standard of judgment.
From the Preacher’s Pen: God’s Justice and Mercy
The world has a skewed view of the Almighty God of heaven. Some consider Him to be a hateful, vengeful God. When they consider God’s treatment of the pagans in Canaan, of Sodom and Gomorrah, and other examples of God’s judgment, they see only His reaction, not the just causes that precipitated that judgment.
Others go to the other end of the spectrum. They see the love of God expressed in Jesus’ life and death and consider Him to be a benevolent God that will overlook sin, and allow all men a heavenly home.
Both images are partly accurate, but entirely wrong because they are incomplete. They emphasize one aspect of God, while rejecting another! God is both just and merciful. Any accurate view of the Almighty must balance these two attributes. The Psalmist, in Psalm 85, expresses that balance well.
“Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven” (10-11).
The Psalmist understood the fierceness of God’s anger. Israel was guilty of sin, and so God showed them His wrath. However, upon their repentance, the Psalmist confidently called upon God to “Show us Your mercy, Lord,
And grant us Your salvation” (7). Eternal salvation is available to all who fear Him, showing God’s justice, and His mercy!
The Condition of the Erring
It can be rather unpleasant to correct an erring brother in Christ. If the brother is unrepentant, he may resent any admonition, and even become contentious. Too, others who do not recognize the importance of such correction may object. Such responses may cause hesitation, or even dereliction of duty on the part of the spiritual despite the instruction of the Holy Spirit, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).
As one who is striving to serve God and your fellow man, the next time you feel such a hesitation to fulfill your duty, perhaps it would be good to see the erring one as God sees him. Consider the following:
Invitation: Don’t be Afraid to Miss
Invitation delivered by: Armando Vera
Too often people allow fear to paralyze them to inaction. Christians can be cheated out of character building, becoming what God wants us to be, and becoming successful even to the point of obtaining heaven, all because they are afraid to put forth the effort to succeed. (Matthew 25:14-30)
Sermon: Can you get away with it?
It is childish. Like a kid wondering if he will get caught with his hand in the cookie jar. But, many men are more concerned about getting caught than they are being truly righteous. The lesson concludes that with God, you can’t avoid the consquences of sin, death and judgment.
