Preparing for Sunday's Sermon: Part 2

Matthew 25:31-46 (New International Version)

These are not Electives, they are Mandates!

The Sheep and the Goats

31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,

I was a stranger and you invited me in,

36 I needed clothes and you clothed me,

I was sick and you looked after me,

I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

What Will You Do?

Ronnie

One comment on “Preparing for Sunday’s Sermon: Part 2”

November 19, 2008 Mick Turner

Thanks for posting this. This passage is so clear and straightfoward. I think many times believers tend to overlook the mandate of Jesus in this passage and the consequences of not following his commands. Many would object that this is salvation by works. Whatever it is, if one takes seriously the teaching that the Bible is the Word of God, it is not optional.

I often use this verse when teaching about incarnating Christ through genuine Christian service. I will use an Old Testament passage along with it, specifically Isaiah 58:6-12.

Mick

Preparing for Sunday’s Sermon: Part 2

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Matthew 25:31-46 (New International Version)

One comment on “Preparing for Sunday’s Sermon: Part 2”

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