There is no neutral ground in our relationship with Christ. You are either in or out, a sheep or a goat, of the wheat or of the tares. He demands absolute allegiance and surrender . . . And as His disciples, are called to live with this ultimate end in mind, and in the end all judgment and authority is given to Jesus Christ. Your relationship to Him is central. It is life’s most pressing issue. Where do you stand with Christ? Fortunately, Jesus gives us ways we can know our standing. One way is to know that if you have a right standing before Him your life will be lived in service to those in need. Since Jesus is the bread of life who has fed your spiritual hunger; since He gives the living water of life which fills our thirst; since he has taken us as strange, separated sinners into His family and household; since He has clothed us in His righteousness; since He has set us free from the prison of sin and death; since He has been all this and more for us spiritually, when we see those in these physical needs we will respond with His grace. His love transforms those who are rescued by Him. Salvation is a gift – righteousness is a gift – yet these gifts transform. The fruit or works of this gift give evidence that will prove in the judgment that we were on His favored side. That we were sheep of His pasture and flock. These works are not the reason we are saved – the atoning work of Christ, The Good Shepherd, is the reason we are saved. Faith is the means by which this gift is received. Ministry and works then becomes the evidence. Jesus takes this personally –so take advantage of every opportunity you have to love Christ by serving others in need. It may be sacrificial and difficult, but in the end your eternal destiny and reward will be infinitely greater. Jesus says the righteous and the accursed will both be surprised at His judgment.
“I am accountable. I am free to live my life just as I please, but at the end I shall have to give account to the One who gave me my life.” (Michael Green)
“When you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:13-14)
“Simon do you love me? . . .. feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17)
“He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.” (Prov. 14:31)
“Like cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land.” (Prov. 25:25)
This week’s message:
The Glorious Appearing of Christ
Matthew 25:31-46
The glory, authority, lordship and holiness of Jesus is revealed by His gathering, separating, and determining the eternal destiny of all people. Jesus takes personally our ministering to those in need and declares this ministry to be evidence of a righteous standing before Him.
1. Revealing: The glorious appearing of Christ. (v.31)
a. He first came in humility, suffering and death.
b. He will return in majesty with all the angels with Him.
2. Gathering: The gathering of all nations before Christ. (v.32)
a. Christ will call all people to account for their lives.
b. He is like a Shepherd separating the sheep from the goats.
3. Separating: The separation of all people based on righteousness. (v.33-46)
a. The sheep on His right ministered to those in need, and thus ministered to Christ. They are invited to come into His eternal kingdom.
b. The goats on His left did not minister to those in need, and thus rejected Christ himself.
c. The works we do are not the reason but the evidence of our acceptance of saving grace.
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