Go! And Serve The King - Matthew 25:31-46 Series

Go! And Serve the King - Matthew 25:31-46

Introduction: The Final Separation

Every person on this earth will stand before Jesus one day. The rich and the poor. The powerful and the weak. The famous and the unknown. No one will escape that moment.

And on that day, Jesus will separate people into two groups—like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The question is: Which side will you be on?

Matthew 25:31-46 paints a powerful picture of the final judgment. Jesus makes it clear that what we do in this life matters. Not because good works save us, but because they reveal the truth of our faith.

Today, we will explore this passage in depth and hear the call of God to Go! And Serve the King!

1. Go! And Understand the Coming Judgment

Jesus begins by describing a great and glorious moment—the return of the King.

Matthew 25:31-33 (NLT): "But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left."

“Son of Man” – Jesus frequently used this title for Himself, a reference to Daniel 7:13-14, where the Son of Man receives eternal dominion.

“Comes in His glory” – This is the second coming of Christ, where He returns not as a suffering servant but as a glorious King and Judge (Revelation 19:11-16).

“All the nations” – Every person from every generation will be gathered before Him.

“He will separate the people” – The word separate comes from the Greek ?f????? (aphorizo), meaning "to set apart" or "divide with finality." This is not a temporary division—this is eternal.

Revelation 20:11-12 (NLT) – "I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it... And I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life."

Jesus is the final Judge.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NLT) – "For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body."

Everyone will be judged.

This judgment is coming—we must be prepared.

Jesus sees everything—our actions, our motives, our hearts.

Our eternal destiny will be revealed on that day.

Imagine a teacher telling students there will be a final exam but not saying when. The wise students prepare daily, knowing the test could come at any time. Are we prepared for Jesus’ return?

Billy Graham said: "The second coming of Christ will be so revolutionary that it will change every aspect of life on this planet."

Billy’s statement is not just a bold proclamation; it is a biblical certainty.

When Jesus returns, it will not be a quiet or hidden event. It will be glorious, undeniable, and world-altering. The first coming of Jesus was in humility—born in a manger, living as a servant, and dying on the cross for our sins. But His second coming will be in power and majesty as the rightful King and Judge of all creation.

A. The Second Coming Will Be Visible to All

Revelation 1:7 (NLT) declares: "Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!"

No one will miss or mistake His return. It will not be limited to one location, nor will it be a secret. Every eye will see Him.

B. The Second Coming Will Bring Ultimate Justice

Revelation 19:11-16 (NLT) gives a breathtaking picture of Jesus at His return: "Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war... On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords."

The world is filled with injustice, but Jesus will set everything right. The proud will be humbled, the wicked will be judged, and righteousness will reign.

C. The Second Coming Will Establish God’s Eternal Kingdom

Jesus promised in Matthew 24:30 (NLT): "And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

For those who reject Him, His return will be a moment of fear and regret. But for those who love Him, it will be a moment of victory and joy.