The Olivet Discourse (part 8) ‘The parable of the sheep and the goats’ (Matthew 25:31-46)

It’s fitting that the parable Jesus told in Matthew 25:31-46 is the last thing that Matthew records in this long discourse from the mouth of Jesus. The parable has always been and remains one of the scariest parables that jesus ever told – not because it is unclear – but just the opposite! It is all too clear. In the parable, jesus tells His disciples that when He comes back he will take up His royal throne and immediately proceed to judge the nations, and therefore, all peoples. An in that process of judgement he will make an eternal distinction between those who are His (sheep) and those who are not (goats). The dividing line will be eternal and the judgement will be on the basis of works. Salvation is not by works. Salvation is by grace. That’s how anyone of us become one of His sheep! But judgement is based on works and these will either identify us as one of His sheep or not! It’s a most vital truth and one that you cannot ignore!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Christ in Thee
00:19 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
03:32 Bible reading: Matthew 25:31-46
Song: My Worth Is Not in What I Own
05:41 Kids’ Talk
Song: Isaiah 53:6 (Baa Baa Doo Baa Baa)
11:09 Bible reading: 1 John 4:7-21
Song: My Heart Is Filled
Sermon: Matthew 25:31-46
Song: Sing We the King
13:27 Closing

Outline

Where we are in Matthew 25…

The flow of the last two parables

The need to ‘be ready’ and to ‘be busy’ and now to see how it all fits!’

See how Jesus tells us of the.…

Scene of the final judgement (v.31-33)

Reward of the righteous (v.34-40)

Punishment of the unrighteous (v.41-46)

Again, no salvation by works…
The heart of the matter: to love Jesus is to love His people!