9.6.2026 Sheep And Goats

Sep 07, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: When Signs Distract, Fix Eyes on the Shepherd

The disciples asked about end-times signs, but Jesus redirected them to see Him as the central figure of history. Like sheep needing nightly separation from goats, Christ’s return isn’t about decoding events but recognizing the Shepherd who knows His flock intimately. Obsession with "when" distracts from "who" – the King who gathers nations. True preparation means fixing our gaze on His glory, not scrambling for prophetic clues. [10:13]

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory… 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.” (Matthew 25:31-32, ESV)

Reflection: What practical step could help you focus less on predicting life’s uncertainties and more on trusting the Shepherd’s care? How might this shift alter your prayers this week?

Day 2: Inheriting the Kingdom, Not Earning It

Redemption isn’t a transaction but an inheritance – a gift prepared before creation. Like ancient birthrights, God’s chosen receive the kingdom through Christ’s work, not their worthiness. Sheep don’t become sheep by growing wool; they’re known by the Shepherd’s voice. This truth frees us from performance anxiety, anchoring identity in being “blessed by the Father.” [16:25]

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” (Ephesians 1:11, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you still try to earn God’s approval? How might embracing your status as “inheritor” change your approach to failure or success?

Day 3: Prison Visits and Fist Bumps – Revealing Redemption

Feeding the hungry and visiting prisoners aren’t salvation requirements but redemption’s fingerprints. Like Tony the homeless man receiving fist bumps instead of coins, transformed hearts move beyond token help to costly kinship. These acts don’t make us holy – they show the holiness Christ implanted. Ministry isn’t about earning points but exposing Christ’s life within. [23:06]

“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.” (Matthew 25:35, ESV)

Reflection: When have you settled for convenient charity over costly relationship? What’s one way to move beyond transactions in serving others this month?

Day 4: Redefining Family Around the Father’s Will

Jesus stretched His hands toward disciples saying, “Here are my mother and brothers.” Church isn’t a volunteer organization but a bloodline forged through obedience. Caring for “the least of these brothers” means prioritizing Christ’s family – the single parent in your group, the grieving elder, the awkward teen. True community requires seeing pew neighbors as eternal siblings. [32:34]

“Stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’” (Matthew 12:49-50, ESV)

Reflection: Which church member feels least like family to you? What’s one intentional action to cultivate kinship with them?

Day 5: When Helping Hurts – Motives Matter

Throwing coins at problems often soothes our guilt more than healing wounds. Jesus’ story challenges us to ask: Do we serve to check boxes or to honor His image in others? Real help starts not with solutions but presence – sitting on train station steps, learning names, sharing time. Ministry that reveals redemption prioritizes dignity over efficiency. [29:21]

“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.’” (Matthew 25:40, ESV)

Reflection: What service activity have you done mainly to feel useful? How could you reframe it to better honor Christ in those you’re serving?

Sermon Summary

Jesus answers the disciples’ question about the end by reframing it. The disciples want signs, timelines, and some kind of Google alert before the King returns, but Jesus puts the Savior at the center. The Son of Man comes in glory, sits on His glorious throne, and gathers every nation before Him. The day of judgment is not mainly about figuring out the signs. Jesus is the point. “Don’t get distracted by the signs. Get attracted to the Savior.”

The image of sheep and goats also makes clear that Jesus alone redeems. The shepherd knows the difference even when sheep and goats have been intermingling all day and look hard to distinguish from a distance. The Good Shepherd knows His own, from far or near, and at the end of the day He separates the chosen from the rejected. The King tells the sheep to “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” An inheritance is not earned. God’s mercy, God’s choice, and God’s grace stand beneath redemption from before time began.

Predestination, then, is not meant to be a scary word. God’s choosing means salvation does not rest on human ability, human desire, or human machination. Christ gives eternal life to those given to Him by the Father, and God works all things according to the counsel of His will. The beloved can say yes to Jesus because God has already acted with mercy. God’s glory is ultimate, not human performance.

The works named by Jesus, feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, do not purchase salvation. Redemption reveals itself through them. Good works are the fruit of spiritual transformation, not the means of it. Christians are not saved by good works, but they are most definitely saved for good works.

The “least of these” includes the poor, vulnerable, outsider, and outcast, and James calls God’s people to care for widows and orphans. Yet Jesus’ words also press into the family of God: “the least of these my brothers and sisters.” Christ redefines family around those who do the Father’s will, and He commands His disciples to love one another so that the world can recognize them as His. The church family becomes a place for real care: showing up in tragedy, sickness, grief, trauma, fellowship, accountability, service, and deeper spiritual conversations. Whatever is done for Christ’s brothers and sisters is done for Him.

Key Takeaways

1. Focus on the Savior, not signs [11:35] Jesus does not shame the disciples for asking about signs, but He refuses to let the signs become the main thing. The Son of Man is the central character of the last day, not the events surrounding it. Attention fixed on predictions can become distraction, while attention fixed on Christ forms readiness. The question is not merely when He comes, but whether hearts are drawn to the King who is coming. [11:35]
2. Inheritance cannot be earned [16:25] The kingdom is received as an inheritance prepared from the foundation of the world. God’s beloved do not work their way into sonship, because a birthright is given, not achieved. Predestination anchors redemption in mercy rather than human ability. God’s choice leaves no room for pride and gives deep security to those who know their weakness. [16:25]
3. Good works reveal redemption [23:06] Feeding, welcoming, visiting, and caring do not cause new birth in Christ. These actions grow from lives already made new by the Holy Spirit. Good works become visible fruit of a redemption that Christ has accomplished. The difference matters because guilt-driven activity seeks to earn love, while redeemed obedience responds to love already given. [23:06]
4. Help people as image bearers [28:33] Mercy requires more than quickly removing personal discomfort. The encounter with Tony shows how easy it can be to give money while avoiding the person standing in front of us. Time, attention, dignity, and a simple greeting can testify that a vulnerable person is made in God’s image. Wise help asks whether an action truly serves another’s situation rather than merely easing the helper’s conscience. [28:33]
5. Love Christ’s family in tangible ways [33:48] Jesus identifies Himself with “the least of these” among His brothers and sisters. The family of God therefore cannot remain an abstract idea or a Sunday-only connection. Love takes shape through care during illness, grief, trauma, and need, as well as through fellowship, accountability, service, and spiritual conversation. The world recognizes Christ’s disciples when Christ’s people genuinely love one another.

## [33:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:28] - The Disciples Ask About the End
[09:35] - Reframe, Redeem, Reveal
[10:13] - Focus on the Savior, Not Signs
[12:36] - The King Gives an Inheritance
[13:54] - Sheep, Goats, and the Good Shepherd
[16:46] - Predestination and God’s Mercy
[20:45] - Good Works Do Not Earn Salvation
[23:06] - Redemption Revealed Through Love
[25:33] - Serving the Least of These
[28:12] - Mercy That Honors Human Dignity
[30:26] - The Church as Christ’s Family
[33:48] - Stirred Up to Love and Good Works

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 25:31–46

31. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.” [00:10:13]

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.” [00:10:22]

33. “And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.” [00:12:36]

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.’” [00:12:48]

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,” [00:20:49]

36. “I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” [00:20:57]

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.’” [00:25:35]

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.”

Matthew 24:3

“As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’” [00:09:06]

John 17:1–2

1. “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,’” [00:17:42]

2. “since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.’” [00:17:46]

Ephesians 1:11–12

11. “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,” [00:18:12]

12. “so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.” [00:18:12]

Observation questions

What words and actions in Matthew 25:31–34 show Jesus as King, Judge, and Shepherd rather than merely someone who gives information about the end? [00:11:45]
What is the difference between the King’s words to the sheep—“inherit the kingdom”—and an invitation to earn or work for the kingdom? [00:16:25]
What specific needs are named in Matthew 25:35–36, and what kind of care is described for each need? [00:20:45]
In Matthew 25:40, who does Jesus identify Himself with, and what does He say happens when someone cares for “the least of these”? [00:33:23]

Interpretation questions

The disciples ask for signs of Jesus’ coming in Matthew 24:3. How does Jesus’ description of His throne, His glory, and His judgment in Matthew 25 redirect attention from trying to predict events to knowing and trusting Him? [00:12:02]
Matthew 25 says the kingdom was prepared “from the foundation of the world,” while Ephesians 1 calls it an inheritance. How can these truths give a believer humility about salvation and security in God’s mercy? [00:18:42]
If feeding, welcoming, clothing, and visiting do not earn salvation, why are these works still so important in Matthew 25? What does their presence reveal about a person who has been made new by Christ? [00:23:06]
Jesus calls the needy people in Matthew 25:40 “my brothers.” How does this language expand care for vulnerable neighbors while also giving the church a particular responsibility to care for fellow believers? [00:32:47]

Application questions

When thoughts about the end times, world events, or uncertainty fill your mind, do they draw you nearer to Jesus or mostly make you anxious and distracted? What would it look like this week to focus on the Savior rather than obsess over signs? [00:11:35]
Where are you most tempted to treat God’s love like something you must earn—through serving, being useful, knowing enough, or appearing spiritually strong? How does receiving the kingdom as an inheritance speak into that pressure? [00:16:33]
Is there a good work you have avoided because you felt too busy, awkward, unqualified, or unsure where to begin? What could be one small and concrete response of love this week—not to earn God’s favor, but because His grace has already been given? [00:24:47]
When you encounter someone in need, do you tend to act mainly to relieve your own discomfort, or do you pause to consider what would genuinely help that person? What might it look like to offer time, attention, dignity, or a thoughtful question along with practical help? [00:27:39]
Think about someone who may feel unseen, isolated, sick, grieving, overwhelmed, or spiritually discouraged. How could you move beyond simply saying, “I’ll pray for you,” and show tangible care this week? [00:34:17]
How well do your relationships in the church family include deeper spiritual conversation, encouragement, accountability, and practical support? What is one relationship in which you could take a step toward more genuine love and care? [00:34:17]
Jesus says that what is done for His brothers and sisters is done for Him. How might that change the way you view ordinary acts of service—welcoming someone, preparing a meal, visiting, listening, helping with a need, or serving on a Sunday? [00:35:06]

Sermon Clips

56s

#InheritedNotEarned

“You know, in verse 34, Jesus says to us, he says, come, come, my beloved. Come and inherit the kingdom. Inherit the kingdom that has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world. He doesn't say earn it. He doesn't say work for it. He says, inherit it. See, Jesus is separating the ones who have been chosen from before the creation started, before time began. He chose his beloved. We are called to an inheritance, and an inheritance it is not earned. In ancient times, a biblical inheritance, it was a birthright. In other words, another way to use. Another word we use is that we are predestined to be his beloved.”

37s

#SaviorNotSigns

“See, Jesus wants us to see that the central character of the last days, it is the main, the first character of Jesus story. It's him, right? Jesus is the point. Jesus is the central character of the day of judgment. So don't get distracted by the signs. Get attracted to the Savior. Jesus is the thing to look at Jesus is the thing, the person to focus on when considering that big question, when is the day of judgment going to happen? Focus on the Savior, not the signs.”

37s

#ChosenByGrace

“Because God chose His beloved. There's no such thing as coincidence. God chose his beloved to demonstrate. To demonstrate that he loves you. He loves me. He loves those of us who are the worst of sinners, worse than we even realize. He chose his beloved to remind us that it is God's glory, His grace, that is ultimate. Not me.”

49s

#PredestinationIsMercy

“So this is what I want you to understand. Predestination. It's not a scary word, I promise you. Predestination is the understanding that our redemption is based on God's mercy. It's not based on my ability. Now, I know that for many people that idea is a little frightening because it seems like it takes away the idea of free will. Personally, I'm really happy that predestination is true. Because if my redemption, if my salvation was based my desire to love Jesus so much that I allow him to transform me, if that was dependent on my ability, on my machination, I wouldn't be here right now.”

67s

#ShepherdKnowsHisOwn

“Now, here's the analogy I want you to take away from this. We are gathered here together, intermingling sheep and goats. From a distance, you will not necessarily be able to tell the difference between each other. Some of us, we look the same, we smell the same, we spend the same, we live the same, which is telling in and of itself. It's not something we're going to get into. Here's the thing. The good shepherd, the Son of man, the Son of God, knows the difference from far or from near. He knows the difference. And on the end, at the end of the day, on the last day, the Son of God is going to separate his chosen from the rejected. Redemption is by redemption, is through Christ alone. Jesus is the one who redeemed Jesus. God is the one who chooses.”

39s

#ThankfulForGrace

“Heavenly Father, thank you so much. Thank you so much for being our God, our King, our Lord, our Savior, our friend, our redeemer, you alone, thank you so much for allowing us to understand that it is by your grace and your mercy that we are redeemed. Thank you, God. Thank you for giving us a space to worship you and to start right now, loving, so that the world can recognize us as your family, as your disciples.”

36s

#CareForTheLeast

“I'll say this. Typically when folks talk about the least of these are brothers and sisters, folks will rightly talk about those who are hungry, those who are thirsty, those who are sick in the world, the poor and the vulnerable among us, the outsiders and the outcast. And we are 100% we are absolutely called to care for those who are poor, who are sick, who are in need all over, around us, in our communities and in the world.”

86s

#SheepAndGoatsInsight

“One of the things that you have to understand is back in the day, back in Jesus's time, sheep and goats would intermingle with each other. When the shepherds were out and about, they were grazing with their flocks. They didn't keep them separate, they just let them go and eat the grass. So from a distance, a person would not necessarily know the difference how many sheep and goats there were. They wouldn't really be able to tell because they were all just, you know, hanging out together. The other thing it turns out that is interesting is that goats have thinner skin than sheep, which is actually, if you think about it, kind of obvious. Sheep have those, you know, wool coats, but because they're thinner skin, they need more protection. They need more protection from the cold at night. So when the day ends, the shepherd has to do this hole separating of the sheep and the goats, he needs to separate them out because the goats need more protection. So even though from a distance you might not be able to know or be able to tell the difference between a sheep and a goat, at the end of the day, as they're coming in to be separated for the day, for the night, you absolutely can tell the difference between a sheep and a goat. The shepherd had no doubt which was which.”

74s

#GiveTimeNotJustMoney

“When I lived in Chicago, if some of you know, I used to work in tech. And so I would ride something called the blue line, it's an L train, to work every day. And I would ride my scooter to the station, and there was a homeless guy every day sitting out front begging for money. One day, instead of putting money in his hat, I sat down next to him. I sat down next to him. I introduced myself, and so did he. His name is Tony. Tony and I, we didn't become friends, but we got to know each other. Turns out he lived on the south side. He came to my neighborhood because we had more money in my neighborhood than they did in Southside. But after a while, I would still go every day, and he would intentionally not bother asking me for money. We'd just give each other a fist bump in the morning and say, have a good day. See, the easy thing to do would have been to give money for me. It would have been easy. It wouldn't have taken anything from me. The hard thing to do was to give him my time. Tony would have not minded me giving him money, I'm sure. But instead, what I did do was I gave him a little reminder that he. He is made in the image of God.”

34s

#RedeemedNotByWorks

“So in this last sermon, Jesus starts off by reframing the disciples mindset to think more about him than about the signs. And then second, he points out that he alone is the one that redeems. Now, as you heard in the song and as you read this passage, this is where we come to the third one. You might think, and you might be tempted to think, well, doesn't Jesus talk about doing things? Aren't we supposed to do things to enter into heaven? It sounds like you got to do some work.”

37s

#LoveAllImageBearers

“Because see this church, this Sunset Church, this is a place God has given each one of us, us that he has ordained for you and I to love our fellow image bearers of God. See, we are called to love all the image bearers of God, everyone, absolutely. To love our neighbors, to love our friends, to love the strangers, the outsiders and the outcast. But we are also called to consider the sacred union of our family and the community of Christ.”

52s

#AskWhyYouHelp

“This could. I will say this. This could have become a workshop on when to give and when not to give, right? Basically, we could have answered the question, when does helping hurt? All right, that's one idea we had. But I don't want to do that. That's not what we're doing here today. That's a topic for another day. And actually, that's a topic I'm more than happy to talk about. But I do want to leave you with just one question for you to ask yourself when you're considering whether you should help somebody who's in need. Just one question to consider. When you are thinking of how to help, are you helping to satiate your own discomfort or help their situation?”

59s

#WhenHelpingHelps

“There are definitely rules of the road that you can use to help you decide when you should help, right? Is helping going to help? Is it going to continue to enable an issue, a problem? Is there another place or maybe another organization that can really reach at the core issue that this individual is dealing with is there? And might I just do something like buy a meal instead of just giving money, or just spend a moment to say hello? Like I said, this could become a workshop, but that's not my goal. Understanding when our helping can help and when our helping can hurt. That's something that you should definitely consider. But I'm going to stop talking about this area because here's the thing. I don't think that this story is necessarily about that.”

32s

#ResetWithFramily

“This retreat that we're on right now is our chance as a church family to spend time reflecting on God, as Ben has been sharing with us. Resetting our priorities on God first, putting God first and then renewing our relationship with God. That's our hope here. And the desire and design is to do this together as a community, as a family, or as I like to say, framily friends who are just like family.”

46s

#GodChoosesRedemption

“So another way to think of this is this. Our redemption is God's decision. God is the one who blesses. God is the one who chooses you and me. See, as I've mentioned already since we've gone here on this retreat, I'm a city kid. Green is not my friend. Nature, don't understand it. That's okay. This is why I'm not joining Brian Kim's nature walk thing. Nature things, they're not my forte. They're not my jam. Hey, you're supposed to laugh a little bit. Anyway, so I did a bit of reading up. Just kidding. I did a little bit of reading to understand sheep and goats. And here's something I learned that I found to be fascinating.”

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