Oxford Bible Church - Living in the Last Days (audio)

We continue our study of the Judgment Seat of Christ, where believers' works are assessed for eternal rewards. Learn about the 5 types of crowns - the incorruptible crown, the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown of life, and the crown of glory. Pastor Derek emphasises the importance of living a life of faith, obedience, and faithful service, ensuring believers are prepared to receive their heavenly rewards.

*1. The INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN (1Corinthians 9:24-27, 1Timothy 2:5) for walking in the Spirit and not following after the flesh, for exercising self-control and denying yourself in this life, in order to live a Spirit-filled life, for living in victory over the sin nature. This crown goes to the man who puts God first, rather than the corruptible things of this life.

*2. The CROWN of REJOICING (1Thessalonians 2:19, Philippians 4:1) consists of all the people we have shared the Gospel with, won to the Lord, and discipled (John 4:36). One of the greatest rewards and eternal sources of joy will be all the PEOPLE in HEAVEN, who we will have reached with our witness, discipling, giving and praying. We will see the

eternal fruit of our labours in transformed people. This Crown will be given to all who fulfil the Great Commission. That’s why it is also called the SOULWINNER’S CROWN.

*3. The CROWN of RIGHTEOUSNESS (2Timothy 4:7-8, Philippians 3:9-14).

*4. The CROWN of LIFE (James 1:12, Revelation 2:10) for overcoming tests and trials.

*5. The CROWN of GLORY (1Peter 5:1-4) for exercising faithful leadership.

This episode continues the study of the Judgment Seat of Christ, which takes place soon after the Rapture, where believers' works will be assessed for eternal rewards. We explore key biblical passages on this important event, and gain insights into how faithfulness in our Christian life will lead to greater eternal glory, honour, authority and opportunities to serve God. Learn why understanding this doctrine is crucial for a strong Christian life, and how it impacts the way we live today. *There are 4 major Passages on this Judgment for Reward. *1. Romans 14:10-13. *2. 2Corinthians 5:9-10. *3. 1Corinthians 4:2-5. *4. 1Corinthians 3:10-15

*The 3 SYMBOLS of GOOD WORKS: *1. GOLD symbolises the DIVINE NATURE. When were born again, we received the nature of Christ (the fruit of the Spirit) within our spirit (Romans 5:5). So, WORKS of GOLD are produced from the NATURE of CHRIST in us, which we PRESENTLY POSSESS through the New Birth. As we walk in the SPIRIT and the LOVE of God, we produce WORKS of GOLD. Without love there is no reward (1Corinthians 13:3). *2. SILVER in the Bible represents REDEMPTION, so WORKS of SILVER are works done in grateful response to God’s GRACE in REDEMPTION, which He accomplished for us in Christ (on the Cross). Our gratitude for His grace causes to serve Him. These works spring from FAITH in what HE HAS DONE for us. *3. PRECIOUS STONES are works of obedience to the commands of God, motivated by a desire

to please God, and receive His FUTURE PRAISE and REWARD, rather than the praise of man.

*The 3 SYMBOLS of DEAD WORKS (the opposites to the 3 kinds of good work). *1. WOOD represents HUMAN FLESH. These are works done in our own strength (power) and self-will, independently from God. They might look good to man, but they are wood. *2. HAY represents HUMAN MERIT, works done in self-righteousness, rather than in response to God’s grace. *3. STRAW represents HUMAN OPINION and WISDOM, works that proceed purely from human reasoning, rather than obedience to God. So, *(1) We must examine the POWER energizing our WORKS. Are we depending on the power of the Spirit through prayer, or on our flesh – our natural strength? *(2) We must examine the MOTIVE for our WORKS. Is it love for God and man? Are they to glorify God, or to glorify ourselves? *(3) We must examine the OBEDIENCE of our WORKS. Do they spring from God's will, or are we just following traditions and rituals we happen to like? What a motivation to live for Him now, doing GOOD WORKS of GOLD, SILVER and PRECIOUS STONES, that will endure into eternity, rather than wasting our life turning out WOOD, HAY and STRAW!

Join Pastor Derek in an insightful exploration of the doctrine of Eternal Judgment. This video delves into the foundational Christian teachings concerning the judgment of believers and non-believers, the phases of existence, and the significance of faith and works. Learn about how all believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive their eternal rewards. A must-watch for those seeking a deeper understanding of Christian eschatology.

Join Pastor Derek Walker from the Oxford Bible Church as he explores the inspirational story of Mephibosheth. Delve into the biblical narrative revealing the profound lessons about covenant love, redemption, and the transformative power of God's promises through Jesus Christ. This enlightening talk offers a deep understanding of the parallels between the ancient covenant made between David and Jonathan and the eternal covenant between God and humanity through Jesus. The story of Mephibosheth is a picture of our salvation in Christ. David (God) made a covenant with Jonathan (Jesus), and those in Jonathan who accept the covenant (Mephibosheth) receive his blessing.

This message on Life After Death by Pastor Derek Walker explores what the Bible has to say about what happens immediately after death for believers and unbelievers, including the concepts of Hades and Heaven, and the transformation of believers' eternal destinies through Christ. Discover significant insights into the resurrection, eternal life, and the ultimate victory over Death and Hades.

Join Derek Walker as he delves into the profound spiritual insights found in the Song of Solomon. This biblical love poem is unveiled as a representation of the deep, intimate relationship between Christ and His Church. Learn about the divine romance, the symbolism of Solomon and Shulamith, and how this sacred text reveals God's ultimate purpose and desire for loving fellowship with His people. The Song of Songs, the greatest of all love poems, reveals the drama of the Divine Romance between Christ and His Bride, from His 1st Coming as our Shepherd-Lover to His Coming for us in the Rapture.

The enemy says bow or burn. But if you do not bow, you will not burn, but instead the 4th Man will manifest Himself to you, and bring you through the fiery furnace, as we see in Daniel 3. Who is this 4th Man? Derek explores the themes of steadfast faith and divine deliverance, emphasising the power of God to protect and elevate those who remain true in their faith. Witness the miraculous intervention of the 4th Man in the fiery furnace, a powerful symbol of Jesus Christ's Presence with us in times of trial.

In this message we discover what the Bible reveals what happens to believers after death, and the great change accomplished by Christ's death and resurrection, which made the New Birth possible, by which our spirits are made perfect, and so are fit to enter God's heavenly Kingdom. As a result our spirits in Christ now go to Heaven, when our body dies, whereas the Old Testament saints went down to Paradise in Hades, to await the coming of the Messiah. When Christ rose from the dead He preached the Gospel to the Old Testament saints in Paradise (1Peter 4:6), so they could be born again, making their spirits perfect, and then He took them up to Heaven in His first Ascension (Ephesians 4:8), so these spirits of just men made perfect are now in Heaven (Hebrews 12:23). Jesus has won the victory for us over the power of Hades, so that the Gates of Hades will not prevail over us, when we die (Matthew 16:18).

Should all women be silent in Church as 1Corinthians 14:34-35 seems to teach? Does this mean they can’t teach or preach, or even pray, testify or prophesy? The results of this study may surprise you! Join Derek Walker as he delves into this controversial passage. Discover a fresh perspective on the ministry of women in the Church through this engaging and informative presentation.

God’s Eternal Judgment starts after death and it’s vital we are ready for it. He will judge us all individually & seal our eternal destiny, based on our response to Him in this life. We go through 3 Phases of Existence. *(1) THIS LIFE, where our inner man lives in a mortal body - a temporary state, for when we die our spirit leaves our body. *(2) The INTERMEDIATE STATE, when we continue to exist as a disembodied spirit. This is also temporary, ending with our resurrection. *(3) The ETERNAL STATE starts at our resurrection, when our spirit puts on an immortal body. All men are ultimately divided into 2 groups, with 2 opposite eternal destinies, either everlasting glory in God’s Presence, or everlasting separation from God in Hell. This is decided at death, when a permanent separation between the saved & unsaved takes place –Stage 1 of man’s Eternal Judgment. The condition of each soul at death determines its destiny for eternity (Ecc 11:3). Only in this life do you have the chance to get right with God. After you die, your eternity is fixed forever (Rev 22:11). A man either dies under condemnation or in grace. Man is born in a state of sin & guilt before God (John 3:17-18, Eph 2:1-3). Jesus is our only hope of salvation (Acts 4:12). We have a choice to accept or reject Christ & His salvation. Those in Christ will be with Him forever in Heaven. But those who reject Him will die in their sins & be lost forever in Hell (John 8:24). So, Stage 1 of man's Eternal Judgment happens right after death (Heb 9:27). When his spirit leaves his body, he faces a private judicial sentencing from God. If he dies in his sins, (1) he is found guilty and sent to a place of punishment in Hades. Then later, at his resurrection, (2) he’ll stand before God a 2nd time for final sentencing at the Great White Throne & dismissal into the Lake of Fire, the degree of his punishment determined by the degree of his rebellion (Rev 20:11-15). But, Christ made another eternal destiny possible. Those who trust in Him don’t face damnation when they die, for Jesus took it for us. They’ll be found to be righteous in Him & go to Heaven. So, at death, God sends a man to one of 2 locations - a place of punishment or a place of blessing (Paradise). At this point his eternal destiny is fixed. When God reunites man's spirit with his body in the resurrection, we’ll stand before God for the 2nd & final stage of Eternal Judgment, when we’ll be released into our final Eternal State, either in glory or in the Lake of Fire. He who dies in his sins will be sent to a place of initial punishment in Hades, to await his resurrection to his final Eternal Judgment. But he who dies in the Lord has passed from death to life (John 5:24-25, Rom 8:1). So, when we die, we’ll be released to go to Paradise to await our resurrection, when we’ll stand before Christ’s Judgment Seat, to receive our eternal rewards and be released into our eternal state, with a corresponding measure of glory.

God’s Eternal Judgment operates like our court-system: in 2 Stages. Stage 1 at death determines guilt or innocence. At death, God separates mankind into 2 groups. Saved spirits go to Paradise, but the wicked go down to a place of punishment in Hades, a holding cell, where they’re kept until their final judgment. Then Stage 2 after his resurrection, decides his sentencing (degree of punishment or reward), based on his works. (1) The righteous will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged to determine the degree of their eternal rewards of glory, according to their works, and then be released into their eternal state of glory. (2) When the unsaved are resurrected at the end of time, they’ll stand before the Great White Throne for final sentencing & dismissal into their eternal state & place of punishment, the Lake of Fire (Rev 20). They’ll be judged according to their works, to determine the degree of their everlasting punishment. We have 2 appointments with God we can't miss, which determine our eternal future. (1) After our death, to determine if we go up to Heaven or down to Hades. (2) After our resurrection, to determine the degree of our eternal reward or punishment. Before Jesus’ resurrection, the departed spirits of all men went down to an invisible realm under the earth (SHEOL or HADES), a holding cell, where all men awaited their final judgment. The true story of the rich man& Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) describes life after death in Hades, for the saved & lost, before Christ’s resurrection. It proves men’s souls are conscious after death. All went down to HADES, but to different compartments. The saved went to PARADISE (Luke 23;43) or ABRAHAM’S BOSOM, but the wicked to TORMENTS, a place of punishment. By His resurrection Jesus overcame the power of Hades for His Church (Matt 16:18), and when we trust in Him our spirits are born again & made perfect by our union with the resurrected Christ (1Pet 1:3), so at death our spirits no longer go down to Hades, but up to Heaven.