The Least Of These

THE LEAST OF THESE

Matt. 25:31-40

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: THE SPHINX’S RIDDLE

1. There’s an ancient Greek story about a Sphinx that troubled the city of Thebes. He would ask passers-by a riddle. If they got the answer wrong, he would devour them.

2. The riddle was: “What walks on four legs in the morning, on two legs at noon and on three legs in the evening?” For months, all the travelers who attempted it perished.

3. Then the hero Oedipus came along with the answer; “Man,” he said. “in the early days of his life he crawls on all fours, at the apex of his youth and vigor he walks on two legs, and in the twilight of old age he must walk with the use of a stick.” [Daniel Lockwood]

4. Like the people of Thebes, we quickly pass our time during our life’s journey. It’s important that we understand why we’re here and that we’re going to give account to God one day.

B. TEXT

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory...33 He shall put the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on the left....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? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Mt. 25:31,33,37-40.

C. VALUE OF READING THE LAST PAGE FIRST

1. Some people, when reading a book, start by turning to the end and reading the last page/scene of the book. There are advantages to this: to know which characters will survive or the overall direction the story will take. (Negatives are that it can spoil the surprise ending).

2. Jesus, in this parable, teaches us about the final judgment (the Last Scene) as a means to direct us in how to live our lives! He shows us what will really matter at the Judgment seat, and therefore, what we ought to focus on during our earthly lives.

3. The title of this message is “The Least of These.”

I. PEOPLE’S GOOD WORKS REVEAL THEIR FAITH

A. GOOD WORKS/OBEDIENCE ARE MANDATORY

1. At the time described in the Parable, Jesus has already returned in His glorious appearing. The angels have separated the sheep from the goats and all nations are standing before Him for judgment.

2. Strange to us, the main difference between the sheep and goats is not stated as ‘faith in Christ’ or being “born again,” but the fruit of faith that should be produced -- good works.

3. There’s no magical way for us to see faith, but we can see good works. The Lord said, “You shall know them by their fruits” (Mt. 7:16) and “Every tree is known by his own fruit” Lk. 6:44. So the Lord examines the fruit of people’s lives. This is evidently a much more accurate representation of salvation than walking an aisle, shaking the preacher’s hand, or saying a prayer.

4. This should be a wake-up call for all those who say they’re Christians but don’t have good works to go along with their “faith.” James said “Faith without works is dead,” Jam. 2:20, and that such [empty] faith won’t save them (2:14).

5. Paul said that “obedience comes from faith” Rom. 1:5; 16:26. Christians aren’t lawless. We’re not under the O.T. Law, but we’re under the Law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:21; 7:19; Gal. 6:2). John said, “Whoever says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person” 1 Jn. 2:4. Obedience is the OUTFLOW of the new life in Christ! If we love Him, we will obey Him! We will care about what He cares about.

B. IDENTIFICATION OF CHRIST WITH BELIEVERS

1. Another important feature of this parable is that Jesus identifies Himself with believers. This is not a singular instance in the New Testament.

2. In Matt. 10:40, 18:5, and Luke 10:16, Jesus said that those who receive His disciples, receive a little child, or won’t hear a messenger from Him, receives or rejects Him personally, as if He was the person received or rejected.

3. When Saul of Tarsus was confronted by Jesus on the Damascus Road for persecuting Christians, the Lord said, “Why are you persecuting ME?” Acts 9:4. Paul said that when we wound believers, we wound Christ Himself (1 Cor. 8:12). Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone in the Body of Christ understood this!