CHRIST THE KING WILL RETURN TO JUDGE (Outline)
November 25, 2007 -
END TIME LAST / CHIST THE KING -
Matthew 25:31-46
INTRO: Scripture is very clear in teaching that Christ will return as the King to judge the living and the dead. The second coming of the Son of God will not be as Savior but as Judge. Chapter 25 of Matthew reveals that simple and true message to all of mankind with three different parables. Still some deny this truth. Unbelievers do not want to see the Lord Jesus return as Judge. Others reject the whole truth of God’s divine and holy word. God’s truth still and always remains the truth. Christ Jesus has the power to return at the appointed as the Judge. God has revealed this truth. "For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead"(ACTS 17:31).
Our theme: CHRIST THE KING WILL RETURN TO JUDGE.
I. The “goats” will be forever punished.
II. The “sheep” will be forever in heaven.
I. THE “GOATS” WILL BE FOREVER PUNISHED
A. Jesus ends chapter 25 with another parable. Jesus is answering the question of his disciples.
1. In Matthew 24:3 the disciples asked when and what signs would indicate the end of the age?
2. Verse 32 states that all nations will be gathered. This is quite a scene to see at the Last Day.
3. All nations are be separated, verse 33. The left and right = dishonor, disfavor and honor, favor.
B. We look at the goats first. They are on the left = dishonor and disfavor. They are cast away, verse 41.
1. The goats go to eternal punishment prepared for the devil and his angels.
2. This punishment is eternal. This torment of the unbelieving soul will never, ever end.
C. Jesus explains why they are punished in verses 42,43. They did not have love or faith in their hearts.
1. Verse 44 reveals their unfaithfulness. They never saw Jesus (= anyone) in need.
2. They speak their own condemnation. Jesus re-emphasizes their eternal fate, verse 45.
D. The goats are unbelievers – plain and simple. They represent those who are faithless and selfish. We find such people in our world today. They seem to surround and almost smother Christianity. More and more deny Christ and his saving work. Some blame the pastor and turn away from the church. Others blame the institution of the church and turn away. More and more speak out against God in unbelief and or anger. "(The Lord is coming) to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him"(JUDE 15). Christ the King will return to judge. The end will come. There will be no escape.
E. Make no mistake the step from faith into unbelief is not very far from any one of us. The evil that is in the world lurks in the hearts of everyone. It is by grace through faith that we know what is right and wrong. It is by grace through faith that we walk in the footsteps of Jesus rather than the world. But it is also absolutely vital that we pay attention to those temptations that Satan would use to lead us astray. Here is a list that describes people during the end times of this world. "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good"(2 TIMOTHY 3:2,3). Yes, this description fits the wicked world perfectly. We are not exempt. More often than we might be ready to admit these very same sins infect and affect us. Christ the King will return to judge.
F. What is your picture of hell? We have been given different descriptions and ideas throughout the years. We picture Satan poking tormented souls with his sharp pitchfork. We see the flames as unbearable. Yes, these are interesting illustrations. The greatest punishment will be separation from God. On this side of eternity everyone benefits from God’s goodness – believer and unbeliever. The rain falls on the just and unjust. In hell, those tormented will be eternally tormented in knowing that no longer can they ever enjoy God’s goodness, presence, and power. "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power"(2 THESSALONIANS 1:8,9).
CHRIST THE KING WILL RETURN TO JUDGE.
I. The “goats” will be forever punished.
II. THE “SHEEP” WILL BE FOREVER IN HEAVEN.
A. The Last Day, Judgment Day will be a glorious day. This is especially true for believers, verse 31.
1. The Son of Man returns on his throne of glory. The angels with him proclaim this glory.
2. This Son of Man came once in humility: born in Bethlehem and crucified on the cross.
B. The sheep and goats are separated. The sheep on the right are invited to come, verse 34.
1. They will receive the inheritance God has made ready for them since the world’s creation.
2. An inheritance is unearned, often undeserved. God blesses them by grace through faith.
C. Jesus now explains why God is going to bless them with his eternal gift of life, verses 35,36.
1. The sheep ask when did they do all this, verses 37-39. They did not kept a list of good deeds.
2. The faithfulness of the faithful produces fruitfulness – automatically. Verse 40.
3. Verse 46 is the final judgment. Rejecters are rejected forever. Believers are saved forever.
D. Last week we studied how faithfulness yields fruitfulness. Without faith it is impossible to please God. The Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts that we might lead faithful, fruitful lives. In Luke, chapter 17, Jesus teaches about sin, faith, and grace. We are sinners who are saved by faith through grace. Faith as small as a mustard is able to do great things: move mountains or even humbly serve. In the end the believer comes to only one conclusion. "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ’We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’"(LUKE 17:10). Faith is humble.
E. One might look at these words of Jesus and be tempted to say that the path to heaven is paved with good works. It is just the opposite. Good works are fruits of faith and not the other way around. The sheep did not even know when they had done all of these good things. It is the same with every believer and us. We stop to help people in need alongside the road. We help our neighbor out of the ditch, with planting, and with harvesting whenever they have a need. We may not stop to think that we do this because it will be a good thing in God’s eyes. We may not even consider that we do these acts of love because of our faith. Our faith moves us to do these acts of love without thought. They are automatic fruits of faith. Faith – God’s gift to the believer – is what counts. "Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ’Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ’Yes,’ says the Spirit, ’they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’"(REVELATION 14:13).
F. At times we may feel taken advantage of. It can become difficult to recognize who are truly the hun-gry, thirsty, naked, and those needing attention. We may want to give up on being the good person when no one else at all seems to care. During those thoughts and feelings we are reminded to remember our motivation for this earthly life. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich"(2 CORINTHIANS 8:9). Christ gave up heaven. Through his poverty we are made rich – eternally!
CONC.: Yes, the times are evil. Yes, the world grows more and more wicked with the passing of each and every day. Yes, the love of most will grow cold. As believers we are reminded and encouraged in this chapter of Matthew (25) to be prepared. We are prepared as we watch and wait. We are prepared as our faith leads to faithfulness that yields fruitfulness. We are finally prepared as we love one another simply because God first loved us. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up"(GALATIANS 6:9). Stand firm in the faith. Hold fast to God’s truth that saves. CHRIST THE KING WILL RETURN TO JUDGE. I. The “goats” will be forever punished. II. The “sheep” will be forever in heaven. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
WORSHIP SER.: SAT – 1:00pm @ NCF Min., & SUN – 9:30am @ Church & 12:00pm @ NCF Medium
Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
LAST END TIME readings:
JEREMIAH 23:2-6;
COLOSS. 1:13-20;
LUKE 23:35-43
(PSALM 98)
