The Day of Reckoning

Joshua 14:6-14

Introduction:

There is a reckoning day coming for all of God's people. One day each one of us who are saved will stand before the Lord and give an account of the things done in the body.

2 Corinthians 5:10 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.

Romans 14:11-12 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

At that time we will receive our eternal rewards for our service to the Lord…

1 Corinthians 13-15 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.

It isn't a matter of will we stand before the Lord in judgment- this is sure. But it is a matter of how will we stand before the Lord.

As we consider this subject of "the day of reckoning", we want to consider Caleb's life as an example of what this day might be like.

Let us each imagine this morning that we are standing before the Lord Jesus Christ on that day. This life is over now, and nothing can be done to improve upon it…now it is time to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ and give account for our lives, and to receive our rewards.

We want to notice just two points this morning:

I. What will we see when we look back on our lives that day?

1. Caleb could look back and see God's deliverance in his life.

-He knew the bondage of Egypt.

-He experienced God's deliverance from the bondage of Egypt.

-He partook of the Passover lamb.

-He was baptized in the red sea in reference to Moses.

-He witnessed the destruction of Pharaoh in the Red Sea.

-He ate the manna from Heaven.

-He followed the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.

-He drank water from the Rock.

Thus Caleb could look back and see God's salvation and faithfulness, and manifold blessings upon his life. Likewise we will look back as God's people and see His faithfulness to us.

We won't look back and say "Lord, you failed to provide for me, to protect me, or to lead and guide me, or instruct me along the way".

2. Caleb wholly followed the Lord (Joshua 14:8).

-He brought back a good report of the land- a report of faith!

-He saw the goodness of the land (Numbers 14:7-8)…

-that it was an exceeding good land.

-a land which flowed with milk and honey (Num. 14:8-9).

-Caleb believed that God was able and willing to give them the land.

-Caleb withstood the unbelievers.

3. Caleb believed that God would reward him (Joshua 14:9).

4. Caleb persevered in faith (and was preserved).

Through 40 years of wandering in the wilderness because of Israel's sin…

-In a barren land wandering in circles as he saw his brothers and sisters dying because of their unbelief.

-He persevered through times of Israel's rebellion and God's chastisement (gainsaying of Korah (Num. 16); the fiery serpents (Num. 21)).

-Caleb persevered in faith, believing that God would keep His promises that He made to him.

II. What will be our confidence in "our day of reckoning"? (Joshua 14:11-14)

1. Caleb had confidence in his past life.

2. He had confidence in his present standing.

He stood before Joshua (who is a type of Christ) with confidence.

3. He had confidence in his future rewards.

Conclusion:

-We who are saved will all stand before God at the judgment seat of Christ.

-How will it be for us on that day?

-Will we stand before the Lord in confidence, knowing we did His will in this life?

-Or, will we be "standing in the ashes" of our burned up works, and lose our eternal rewards?

If you are not saved, you will not be standing in this judgment at all! This is the judgment of the saved. You my friend, will be standing before the Great White Throne judgment of the lost to be judged for your sins and condemned to the lake of fire. Repent and believe on Jesus Christ- that He died on the cross for you, was buried, and in three days rose again from the grave for your justification and eternal life!

(Sermon preached by Pastor Burke at the Faith Baptist Church of Lawtey, Florida)