Living as Sheep: A Call to Genuine Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Serving the Least Is Serving Jesus

When we care for those who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, or in prison, we are not just performing acts of kindness—we are ministering directly to Jesus Himself. The Lord sees every act of compassion, no matter how small, and values it as service to Him. This is not about earning salvation through good works, but about living out a heart transformed by Christ, reflecting His love to the most vulnerable. The call is to see Jesus in the faces of those in need and to respond with generosity and mercy, knowing that our actions have eternal significance. [59:56]

Matthew 25:31-40 (ESV)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

Reflection: Who is someone in your life right now who might be overlooked or in need? How can you intentionally serve them this week as if you were serving Jesus Himself?

Day 2: The Lord Sees and Records All We Do

Every action and word in our lives is seen and known by God, even those things we think are hidden or insignificant. Just as a security camera records everything, so too does the Lord observe our lives—not to shame us, but to call us to live with integrity and love. This awareness should not bring fear, but a holy motivation to live in a way that honors Christ, knowing that our lives are a testimony to His grace and truth. Let your daily choices reflect the heart of Jesus, confident that nothing done for Him is ever wasted or unseen. [01:02:06]

Proverbs 5:21 (ESV)
“For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.”

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you act differently when you think no one is watching? How might remembering that God lovingly sees all help you live more authentically for Him today?

Day 3: Grace and Truth—Jesus’ Response to Sin

When confronted with sin, Jesus offers both grace and truth. He does not condemn the woman caught in adultery, but He also calls her to leave her life of sin. This balance is essential: we are to extend mercy and forgiveness, while also encouraging one another toward holiness. Jesus’ calm, compassionate presence in the midst of accusation and shame shows us how to respond to others—with love that does not ignore the truth, and truth that is always wrapped in love. [01:07:56]

John 8:10-11 (ESV)
“Jesus stood up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.’”

Reflection: Is there someone you need to extend both grace and truth to? How can you lovingly encourage them toward freedom in Christ without condemnation?

Day 4: The Call to Live as One Body in Christ

As believers, we are called to walk together in Christian love, supporting and encouraging one another in faith, holiness, and service. The church is not just a gathering, but a covenant community committed to mutual care, prayer, and accountability. This means bearing one another’s burdens, seeking reconciliation, and striving for unity, so that the world may see the love of Christ displayed in our relationships. Let us commit to being a church that truly lives as one body, reflecting Jesus in all we do. [54:32]

Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can encourage or support a fellow church member this week, helping to strengthen the unity and love within the body of Christ?

Day 5: Surrender, Not Just Good Works

True transformation comes not from simply doing good deeds, but from a heart fully surrendered to Jesus. When we repent and fall in love with Christ, our lives naturally begin to reflect His character and priorities. Good works flow from a relationship with Him, not as a means to earn salvation, but as evidence of a changed heart. The invitation is to examine whether you are living by the world’s standards or by Christ’s, and to surrender every area of your life to His lordship, trusting Him to shape you into His likeness. [01:08:37]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life that you have been holding back from Jesus? What would it look like to fully surrender that area to Him today?

Sermon Summary

There is a name above every other name, a name whose fame and praise outlast the very earth and echo in our hearts: Jesus Christ. Gathering together, we are reminded of the privilege and responsibility of being part of His body, the church. Our identity as believers is rooted in the covenant we share—a commitment to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the health and growth of the church, to support one another, and to live lives marked by holiness, kindness, and generosity. This covenant is not just a document; it is a reflection of the life Christ calls us to, grounded in Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Reflecting on Matthew 25, we see that Jesus will one day separate the sheep from the goats, not based on outward appearances or religious activity, but on the evidence of a transformed heart. The sheep are those who, out of love for Christ, serve the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. These acts are not mere good works to earn favor, but the natural outflow of a life surrendered to Jesus. The Lord sees every act, every word, every motive—nothing is hidden from Him. Just as a security camera records both the funny and the serious moments in our lives, so too does God see all, and He calls us to live lives that can stand in the light.

Jesus’ encounter with the woman caught in adultery reveals the heart of God: He offers grace, mercy, and peace, but also calls us to repentance and transformation—“Go and sin no more.” In a culture that resists correction and craves affirmation, Jesus models both truth and love. The call is not to mere moralism or empty works, but to a life of complete surrender, where love for God and neighbor becomes the evidence of genuine faith.

The invitation is clear: examine your heart. Are you living as a sheep, with the heart of Christ, or as a goat, following the world’s standards? The church is called to be a community that thinks, acts, and speaks like Jesus—offering freedom, not judgment, and living out the truth in love. May we be a people so aligned with Christ that His love and holiness are unmistakable in us, and may we respond to His call with joyful surrender.

Key Takeaways

1. Christian Community Is a Covenant, Not a Club The church is not a social gathering but a covenant community, bound together by the Spirit and a shared commitment to walk in love, holiness, and mutual support. This covenant is rooted in Scripture and calls us to a life of intentional discipleship, generosity, and accountability. It is a solemn and joyful promise to God and one another, shaping our identity and mission as believers. [54:32]
2. True Faith Is Evidenced by Compassionate Action Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25 reveals that genuine faith is not measured by religious words or rituals, but by practical love for “the least of these.” Feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, and caring for the marginalized are not optional extras—they are the fruit of a heart transformed by Christ. Our acts of mercy are received by Jesus Himself, and they reveal whether we truly belong to Him. [59:17]
3. God Sees and Records Every Moment—Live Transparently Just as a security system captures both our mishaps and our misdeeds, God sees every action and intention. Nothing escapes His notice, whether it is a moment of kindness or a failure to love. This reality is both sobering and freeing: we are called to live transparently before God, seeking to please Him in all things, knowing that our lives are an open book before Him. [62:06]
4. Grace and Truth Must Walk Hand in Hand Jesus’ response to the woman caught in adultery is a model for us: He offers her grace and mercy, refusing to condemn, but He also calls her to leave her life of sin. In a world that often separates love from truth, Jesus holds them together. Real love does not ignore sin, but neither does it crush the sinner; it invites transformation through the power of grace. [67:56]
5. Salvation Is Surrender, Not Self-Improvement The life that pleases God is not one of mere good works or external morality, but of total surrender to Christ. When we repent and fall in love with Jesus, our lives are changed from the inside out, and good works become the natural evidence of that new life. The call is not to try harder, but to yield fully to the King, allowing His heart to shape our own.

** [68:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[32:15] - Worship: No Other Name
[52:33] - Introduction to the Church Covenant
[54:32] - Reading and Explaining the Church Covenant
[55:48] - Bearing One Another’s Burdens
[56:56] - The Gospel: Who Is Jesus?
[58:00] - Jesus Is Alive: The Living Guide
[59:17] - The Final Judgment: Sheep and Goats
[59:56] - Serving the Least of These
[60:39] - God Sees All: Lessons from Family Life
[62:06] - Living Lives Worth Recording
[63:35] - The Consequence of Neglecting Compassion
[64:34] - Mother Teresa: Serving for Jesus
[65:57] - Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery
[67:56] - Grace and the Call to Holiness
[68:37] - Surrender and the Life of the Righteous
[69:33] - Examining Our Hearts
[71:05] - Prayer for Holiness and Surrender
[71:57] - Invitation to Respond
[76:16] - Closing Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 25:31-46 (ESV) — > 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

John 8:1-11 (ESV) – The Woman Caught in Adultery — > (For brevity, please read this passage in your Bible.)

Observation Questions

In Matthew 25, what specific actions does Jesus say the “sheep” did for Him? ([59:17])
According to the sermon, what is the difference between the sheep and the goats in how they respond to the needs of others? ([01:03:35])
In the story of the woman caught in adultery, how does Jesus respond to her accusers and to the woman herself? ([01:07:56])
What does the church covenant, as read in the sermon, say about how believers should treat one another? ([54:32])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus connect serving “the least of these” with serving Himself? What does this reveal about His heart and priorities? ([59:17])
The sermon says that God sees and records every moment of our lives, both good and bad. How might this truth affect the way someone lives day to day? ([01:02:06])
When Jesus tells the woman “neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more,” what does this teach about the balance of grace and truth in the Christian life? ([01:07:56])
The church covenant is described as a “solemn and joyful promise.” How does this covenant shape the identity and mission of the church, according to the sermon? ([54:32])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to examine our hearts: Are we living as sheep or as goats? What is one area in your life where you sense God calling you to serve “the least of these” more intentionally? ([01:09:33])
Think about a recent situation where you had the opportunity to show kindness or generosity but hesitated or missed it. What kept you from acting, and how can you respond differently next time? ([59:17])
The church covenant calls us to walk together in Christian love, support one another, and live lives marked by holiness. What is one practical way you can support someone in this group or in our church family this week? ([54:32])
The sermon compared God’s awareness of our lives to a security camera that records everything. Is there an area of your life you tend to keep hidden from others or from God? What would it look like to bring that area into the light? ([01:02:06])
Jesus offered the woman caught in adultery both grace and a call to change. Is there a sin or habit in your life where you need to receive God’s grace and also hear His call to “go and sin no more”? ([01:07:56])
The sermon said salvation is about surrender, not self-improvement. Are there ways you’ve been trying to “earn” God’s favor instead of surrendering to Him? What would surrender look like for you this week? ([01:08:37])
The church is not a club but a covenant community. How can you help our church be a place where people experience both truth and love, freedom and accountability? ([54:32])

Sermon Clips

This is the life of a believer that Jesus would be pleased for us to be living. Every line can be found in Scripture. I started highlighting all of them. I'm like, we're gonna be here for four hours just referencing all the Scriptures that those words came from. So if you're wondering what does First Baptist El Campo believe, we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, that he lived a sinless life, born of a virgin named Mary, grew in wisdom and stature, loved all, encouraged all. Not only was he loving, but he was also truthful when he spoke to people. And in this culture, it hurts when you hear the truth. But he took the penalty of our sin on his shoulders, was buried, died, rose again, and lives forever. The only one who could ever say that. [00:56:39] (54 seconds) #LivingTheJesusWay

Everything you do is being recorded. Everything you say is documented. And he is looking for those that are on his right side, the sheep, to live lives that can be recorded for all to see, and there won't be any fault found in them. And so Jesus is saying, these are the ones that are following closely after me, and you're going to receive an inheritance, the kingdom of God, because of you loving people that needed to be loved. [01:02:20] (41 seconds) #LoveTheLeastAmongUs

``He got to maybe the lowest point in his writing. And then he says one of the most powerful things. The author of our faith says he doesn't agree with them. He doesn't try to teach them any lessons. He just gives a command. What does he say? You, who is without sin, you cast the first stone. Mic drop moment. And he goes back to writing in the sand. [01:06:55] (32 seconds) #ReflectChristInAll

And she responds, there are none, Lord. And you know his response. Then I don't condemn you either. And it could have just stopped right there. And I think this is where it's hard in 2025 today. He said, then I don't condemn you. So in that moment, she received grace. She received mercy. She received love. She actually received a peace in that moment. But then he told her to do something that would be hard to say today to someone who is in sin. He says, go and sin no more. [01:07:45] (35 seconds) #CalmInTheStorm

And I want to be careful because we can look at these things and it almost sounds like good works. Hey, if you're good and you do all these things right, you're going to be saved. And really the truth is when you've totally repented and you see Christ or who he is and you fall in love with him, this life now becomes your new life. And so you'll look like the righteous, the one on his right. And you will get to inherit the kingdom. So it's not just good works, it's complete surrender to him. [01:09:09] (32 seconds) #LiveWithIntegrity

And so the king is calling us to respond to those who are around us, more importantly, to him. And so just by your confession, do you look like a sheep this morning or do you look like a goat? Do you have the heart of Christ running through your veins? Or do you have the deceit of the evil one pumping far more in your life? [01:09:40] (34 seconds) #ShareJesusJoy

I want to be a part of a church that thinks like Jesus, that acts like Jesus, that talks like Jesus, not just to say what you want to hear, but to speak truth in love. No judging, just freedom in Jesus Christ. [01:10:17] (25 seconds)

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