Sheep goats

Matthew 25:31-46

Matthew 25:31-46 (New Living Translation)

"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. [32] All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. [34] Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.


[35] For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. [36] I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' [37] "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?


[38] Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? [39] When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' [40] And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' [41] "Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons!


[42] For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn't give me anything to drink. [43] I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me no clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' [44] "Then they will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?'


[45] And he will answer, 'I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' [46] And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."

THIS IS WHAT WE WANT THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR OUR LORD SAYTO HEAR OUR LORD SAY

“ “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

● ● While evangelism is a major interest of the While evangelism is a major interest of the church…Jesus insists that we take care of church…Jesus insists that we take care of one another.one another.

● ● Too often the wounded, weary and wayward Too often the wounded, weary and wayward are left to themselves…through carelessness are left to themselves…through carelessness or inattention.or inattention.

● ● Jesus makes it exceedingly clear that Jesus makes it exceedingly clear that Christians are expected to bind up wounds, Christians are expected to bind up wounds, visit the hurting and give loving care to our visit the hurting and give loving care to our forever family. What’s so hard about that?forever family. What’s so hard about that?

● ● All of this means keeping an eye out for one All of this means keeping an eye out for one another, looking for signs of fatigue, low another, looking for signs of fatigue, low energy, absences and discouragement. In energy, absences and discouragement. In short…seeing people as God sees them.short…seeing people as God sees them.

The Parable of The Parable of Ten VirginsTen Virgins

•““At that time At that time the kingdom of the kingdom of heaven will be heaven will be like ten like ten virgins…”virgins…”

• The bridegroom will be arriving soon to The bridegroom will be arriving soon to start the wedding celebration.start the wedding celebration.

• Only those who are on hand with their oil Only those who are on hand with their oil lamps burning will be allowed in.lamps burning will be allowed in.

• Some presume that he’ll be coming soon…Some presume that he’ll be coming soon…so they rely on a small quantity of oil for in so they rely on a small quantity of oil for in their lamps.their lamps.

• Others, no knowing how long their oil will Others, no knowing how long their oil will have to last, arrive with full lamps.have to last, arrive with full lamps.

• When the time wears on the foolish girls When the time wears on the foolish girls can’t borrow any oil…they run for more…can’t borrow any oil…they run for more…and miss the bridegroom.and miss the bridegroom.

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The Parable of The Parable of Ten VirginsTen Virgins

Moral of the Story

Don’t be presumptuous. Be prepared for a soon return of Christ or a delay.

The Parable of The Parable of MoneyMoney

““Again, it will be like a Again, it will be like a man going on a journey man going on a journey who called his servants who called his servants and entrusted his and entrusted his property to them.”property to them.”

• One servant is given five coins. Another is given two. Yet One servant is given five coins. Another is given two. Yet another is given one.another is given one.

•Each is expected to make a profit for the boss while he is Each is expected to make a profit for the boss while he is away.away.

•The ‘5’ guy invests his allotted money and gets another 5 The ‘5’ guy invests his allotted money and gets another 5 for his master!for his master!

•Ah! Well done! You’ve been faithful…I’ll give you more to Ah! Well done! You’ve been faithful…I’ll give you more to care for.care for.

•The ‘2’ fellow also doubles his investment. He, too, is The ‘2’ fellow also doubles his investment. He, too, is trusted with more money.trusted with more money.

•The last man explains that he was afraid and therefore hid The last man explains that he was afraid and therefore hid his 1 coin in the ground.his 1 coin in the ground.

•Wrong decision! “Take the one from him and give it to the Wrong decision! “Take the one from him and give it to the big producer. Throw the worthless servant outside, into the big producer. Throw the worthless servant outside, into the darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!”teeth!”

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The Parable of The Parable of MoneyMoney

Moral of the Story

Use what you have to Use what you have to help the kingdom grow help the kingdom grow or expect dire or expect dire consequences.consequences.

TODAY’S STORY…ARE YOU A TODAY’S STORY…ARE YOU A SHEEP OR A GOAT? SHEEP OR A GOAT? MATTHEW MATTHEW

25: 31-4625: 31-46

““When the Son of Man When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory…He in heavenly glory…He will separate the people will separate the people one from the other as a one from the other as a shepherd separates shepherd separates sheep from goats.”sheep from goats.”

• I was hungry and you gave me I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.something to eat.

• I was thirsty and you gave me something I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.to drink.

• I was a stranger and you invited me in.I was a stranger and you invited me in.

• I was naked…I was naked…

• I was sick…I was sick…

• I was in prison…I was in prison…

•Yes, you ministered to me in my time of Yes, you ministered to me in my time of need!need!

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THE SHEEP SEEM SURPRISED… THE SHEEP SEEM SURPRISED… WHEN DID WE DO ALL OF THAT TO YOU???WHEN DID WE DO ALL OF THAT TO YOU???

JESUS’ ANSWER: JESUS’ ANSWER: “AS YOU DID TO THE LEAST “AS YOU DID TO THE LEAST TO ONE OF THESE BROTHERS OF MINE YOU TO ONE OF THESE BROTHERS OF MINE YOU DID TO ME!”DID TO ME!”

THEN THE STORY OF THE GOATS! THEN THE STORY OF THE GOATS! THEY DIDN’T TEND TO JESUS. THEY DIDN’T THEY DIDN’T TEND TO JESUS. THEY DIDN’T TEND TO “ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE TEND TO “ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS OF MINE”.BROTHERS OF MINE”.

AND THEIR FATE? AND THEIR FATE? ““DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO ARE CURSED, DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO ARE CURSED, INTO THE ETERNAL FIRE PREPARED FOR THE INTO THE ETERNAL FIRE PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS. I WAS HUNGRY, DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS. I WAS HUNGRY, THIRSTY, NAKED…AND YOU DID NOT HELP THIRSTY, NAKED…AND YOU DID NOT HELP ME.”ME.”

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Remembering Remembering how the bread how the bread is given even is given even to us ‘Gentile to us ‘Gentile dogs’.dogs’.We are all We are all included by included by Faith.Faith.

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I have chosen to follow Jesus as my Lord and trust Him as my Savior.

TODAY’S STORY…ARE YOU A TODAY’S STORY…ARE YOU A SHEEP OR A GOAT? SHEEP OR A GOAT? MATTHEW MATTHEW

25: 31-4625: 31-46

Moral of the Moral of the teaching?teaching?

We show love to Jesus We show love to Jesus when we show love to when we show love to one of ‘the least of his one of ‘the least of his brothers/sisters’.brothers/sisters’.

THIS IS CERTAINLY A MAJOR TEACHING THIS IS CERTAINLY A MAJOR TEACHING ABOUT LEADING A ‘PREPARED’ LIFE.ABOUT LEADING A ‘PREPARED’ LIFE.

There seems to be concentric circles of responsibility.There seems to be concentric circles of responsibility.

Romans 8:28 Romans 8:28 …Everything works together for the good to those that …Everything works together for the good to those that (#1) (#1) Love God Love God

1 Tim. 5:8 (NLT) 1 Tim. 5:8 (NLT) But those who won't care for their own relatives, But those who won't care for their own relatives, (#2) (#2) especially those living in the same householdespecially those living in the same household, have denied , have denied what we believe. Such people are worse than unbelievers.what we believe. Such people are worse than unbelievers.

Galatians 6:10 (NLT) Galatians 6:10 (NLT) Whenever we have the opportunity, Whenever we have the opportunity, (#4) (#4) we should do good to everyone, we should do good to everyone, (#3) (#3) especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.

• Next Ring Next Ring -Those outside of the -Those outside of the Forever FamilyForever Family

There seems to be concentric There seems to be concentric circles of responsibility.circles of responsibility.

• CenterCenter-Love God-Love God

• Next Ring Next Ring -Love immediate family…-Love immediate family…Parents, spouse, children, siblings, Parents, spouse, children, siblings, etcetc

• Next Ring Next Ring -Forever Family, -Forever Family, Brothers and Sisters ‘In Brothers and Sisters ‘In Christ’Christ’

““You have heard it said: Love your You have heard it said: Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. I tell neighbor and hate your enemy. I tell you: you: Love your enemies Love your enemies and pray for and pray for those who persecute you…” those who persecute you…” Matthew 5:43, 44Matthew 5:43, 44

IT IS NOT A MATTER OF “EITHER-OR” …WE IT IS NOT A MATTER OF “EITHER-OR” …WE ARE TO LOVE EVERYBODYARE TO LOVE EVERYBODY

JESUS’ TEACHING IN MATTHEW 25 IS JESUS’ TEACHING IN MATTHEW 25 IS THIS SORT OF LOVE…LOVE FOR THE THIS SORT OF LOVE…LOVE FOR THE

LEAST OF KINGDOM PEOPLELEAST OF KINGDOM PEOPLE

JESUS’ TEACHING JESUS’ TEACHING IN MATTHEW 25 IN MATTHEW 25 IS THIS SORT OF IS THIS SORT OF LOVE …LOVE LOVE …LOVE FOR THE LEAST FOR THE LEAST OF KINGDOM OF KINGDOM PEOPLEPEOPLE

• Watching people...looking for signs Watching people...looking for signs of stressof stress

•Noticing Absences…who is missingNoticing Absences…who is missing

•Asking around…how can we help so Asking around…how can we help so and soand so

•Using conversation to inquire of Using conversation to inquire of others current emotional and spiritual others current emotional and spiritual conditioncondition

•Straight forward discussions…How Straight forward discussions…How are you doing these days? Can I be of are you doing these days? Can I be of help?help?

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Sharing food, Sharing food, clothing, money, clothing, money, shelter, goods …shelter, goods …time!time!

TAKING THE STEP TO BE OF HELPTAKING THE STEP TO BE OF HELP…AFTER ALL, IT IS A WAY OF SHOWING LOVE …AFTER ALL, IT IS A WAY OF SHOWING LOVE

TO JESUS!TO JESUS!

“…“…Make my joy complete by being like-minded, Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but to the interests of others. to your own interests but to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…” Philippians 2:2-5Jesus…” Philippians 2:2-5

WE ARE TAUGHT TO CONSIDER OTHERS AS MORE IMPORTANT THAN OURSELVES

JESUS’ TEACHING JESUS’ TEACHING ABOUT BEING ABOUT BEING ATTENTIVE TO ATTENTIVE TO OTHERS ASSUMES OTHERS ASSUMES THAT WE KNOW EACH THAT WE KNOW EACH OTHER, OTHER, INQUIREINQUIRE OF OF EACH OTHER’S NEEDS EACH OTHER’S NEEDS AND ARE AND ARE WILLINGWILLING TO TO SHARE FROM OUR SHARE FROM OUR STORE HOUSE OF STORE HOUSE OF LOVE, TIME LOVE, TIME AND AND GOODSGOODS TO BENEFIT TO BENEFIT OTHERS…EVEN OTHERS…EVEN THOSE CONSIDERED THOSE CONSIDERED ‘LEAST’ PEOPLE.‘LEAST’ PEOPLE.

Returning to God out Returning to God out of our abundance. of our abundance.

A gift of thanks.A gift of thanks.

PRAYER & PRAISE

● ● While evangelism is a major interest of the While evangelism is a major interest of the church…Jesus insists that we take care of church…Jesus insists that we take care of one another.one another.

● ● Too often the wounded, weary and wayward Too often the wounded, weary and wayward are left to themselves…through carelessness are left to themselves…through carelessness or inattention.or inattention.

● ● Jesus makes it exceedingly clear that Jesus makes it exceedingly clear that Christians are expected to bind up wounds, Christians are expected to bind up wounds, visit the hurting and give loving care to our visit the hurting and give loving care to our forever family. What’s so hard about that?forever family. What’s so hard about that?

● ● All of this means keeping an eye out for one All of this means keeping an eye out for one another, looking for signs of fatigue, low another, looking for signs of fatigue, low energy, absences and discouragement. In energy, absences and discouragement. In short…seeing people as God sees them.short…seeing people as God sees them.

Spiritual

Sheep goats