Stewardship and Judgment: Faith in Action
Summary
In today's sermon, we delve into the profound truths of Matthew 25, where Jesus Christ speaks of the end times and the judgment that awaits humanity. We explore the parables and teachings of Jesus during His final week before the crucifixion, focusing on the readiness we must have for His return and the stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to us. Our time, talents, and treasures are not ours but God's, and we are merely stewards of these gifts.
We conclude the Olivet Discourse with a sobering reminder of the final judgment, where Jesus separates the sheep from the goats, symbolizing the division between believers and unbelievers. This judgment is not a parable but a literal event that will transpire at the end of the tribulation period, before the millennial reign of Christ. The Son of Man will come in His glory, accompanied by angels, to judge the nations.
The sheep, representing the believers, will be set on the right hand and blessed by the Father, inheriting the kingdom prepared for them since the foundation of the world. Their actions of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick are evidence of their faith, as they served the least of Christ's brethren, thereby serving Christ Himself.
Conversely, the goats, representing the unbelievers, will be set on the left hand and cast into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Their failure to care for the needy demonstrates their lack of faith and their ultimate rejection by Christ.
This judgment is not the final judgment of all mankind but a specific judgment at the end of the tribulation for the Gentiles who either aided or ignored the Jewish people during their time of tribulation. It is a call to all believers to treat God's chosen people with love and to strive to lead them to Christ.
As we reflect on these truths, we are reminded that our time on earth is temporary, and we live in the church age, which will be followed by other ages. Our eternal destiny is determined not by our works but by our faith in Jesus Christ and the grace of God. We must receive His grace, not earn it, and live our lives in service to others as if serving the Lord Himself.
Key Takeaways:
- The judgment of the sheep and goats is a literal event that will occur at the end of the tribulation period, signifying the separation of believers and unbelievers. This judgment is based on how individuals have responded to the needs of Christ's brethren, reflecting their faith and relationship with God. [49:33]
- Believers are called to stewardship, not merely of material possessions but of every resource God has given us, including our time and talents. Our stewardship is a reflection of our obedience and love for God, and it has eternal implications. [38:23]
- The inheritance of the kingdom of God is a gift from the Father to His children, prepared since the foundation of the world. This inheritance is not earned but given to those who have become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. [45:42]
- The actions of caring for the hungry, the sick, and the imprisoned are not merely good deeds but are seen by Christ as service to Himself. When we serve others, we are serving Christ, and when we neglect others, we are neglecting Christ. [57:20]
- Our eternal destiny is not determined by our works but by our faith in the grace of God through Jesus Christ. We must receive His grace and live in the assurance of salvation, knowing that we are eternal beings with an everlasting future in His presence. [01:08:45]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 25:31-46 (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.’ 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. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 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.’ 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?’ 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.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the specific actions that Jesus commends the sheep for in Matthew 25:35-36?
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the separation of the sheep and the goats? [39:02]
3. How does Jesus describe the final judgment in Matthew 25:31-33?
4. What is the ultimate fate of the goats as described in Matthew 25:41-46?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus use the metaphor of sheep and goats to describe believers and unbelievers? [40:19]
2. How does the sermon explain the timing and context of the judgment of the sheep and goats? [41:02]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between faith and actions, particularly in the context of serving others? [49:58]
4. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "the least of these my brothers" in Matthew 25:40? [52:25]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had the opportunity to help someone in need but chose not to. What was your reasoning, and how might you respond differently in the future? [55:00]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of stewardship of our time, talents, and treasures. Identify one area where you feel you could improve your stewardship. What specific steps can you take this week to make that improvement? [38:36]
3. How can you actively seek out opportunities to serve "the least of these" in your community? What practical steps can you take to make this a regular part of your life? [49:58]
4. The sermon mentions that our eternal destiny is determined by our faith in Jesus Christ and the grace of God. How does this understanding impact your daily life and interactions with others? [01:04:02]
5. Think about the people in your life who might be considered "the least of these." How can you show them the love of Christ this week in a tangible way? [50:14]
6. The sermon calls us to treat God's chosen people with love and strive to lead them to Christ. How can you apply this principle in your relationships with others, especially those who may not share your faith? [53:34]
7. Reflect on the idea that serving others is equivalent to serving Christ. How does this perspective change the way you view acts of service and charity? [49:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Judgment Reflects True Faith
The judgment of the sheep and goats is a profound event that Jesus describes as occurring at the end of the tribulation period. It is a moment of division, where the true nature of each person's faith is revealed through their actions. Those who have responded to the needs of Christ's brethren, the hungry, the sick, and the imprisoned, have demonstrated a living faith that goes beyond mere words. This literal event is a call to introspection and a reminder that faith is not just a belief held in the heart but also expressed through deeds of compassion and mercy. It is a faith that actively seeks to serve Christ by serving others, recognizing that in doing so, one is serving Jesus Himself.
"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." (Matthew 25:35-36 ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate your faith by serving others in your community this week, seeing Christ in those you help? [07:40]
Day 2: Stewardship as Obedience to God
Believers are entrusted with various resources by God, and the call to stewardship is a significant aspect of the Christian life. It is not just about managing material possessions but also about wisely using time and talents for God's glory. This stewardship is a reflection of one's obedience and love for God, and it carries eternal implications. It is a sacred responsibility to manage these gifts in a way that honors God and furthers His kingdom. The way believers steward their resources can be a testament to their faith and a beacon of God's love to the world.
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10 ESV)
Reflection: What is one talent or resource you have been given, and how can you use it this week to serve others and glorify God? [38:23]
Day 3: Inheritance Through Faith, Not Works
The kingdom of God is a gift from the Father to those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. This inheritance is not something that can be earned through good deeds or human effort; it is a gift given out of God's abundant grace. Since the foundation of the world, God has prepared this inheritance for His children. Understanding that our eternal destiny is secured through faith and not by our works can liberate believers to live in the fullness of God's grace, serving others not to earn salvation but out of gratitude for the gift they have already received.
"In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:5-6 ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding your inheritance through faith shape the way you live and interact with others? [45:42]
Day 4: Serving Christ by Serving Others
The actions of caring for those in need are not just good deeds; they are a tangible expression of serving Christ Himself. When believers feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the sick, they are doing these things to Jesus. This perspective transforms the way believers view service and charity. It is not merely about helping others but about honoring and serving the Lord. When one neglects the needs of others, it is akin to neglecting Christ. This understanding should motivate believers to look for opportunities to serve and to see each act of kindness as an offering to God.
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)
Reflection: Identify someone in need within your sphere of influence. How can you serve them this week as if you were serving Christ Himself? [57:20]
Day 5: Grace Received, Not Earned
Our eternal destiny is not determined by our works but by our faith in the grace of God through Jesus Christ. This grace is a gift to be received, not a wage to be earned. Living in the assurance of salvation allows believers to serve others out of love rather than obligation. Knowing that we are eternal beings with a future in God's presence should inspire a life of service that reflects the grace we have received. It is a call to live each day in light of eternity, embracing the grace that has been freely given and extending that grace to others.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the grace you have received in Christ. How can this understanding of grace influence your actions towards others today? [01:08:45]
Quotes
- "We're not born children of God. We're actually born children of the devil because of our sin nature. When we are born again, we are born children of God and those children of God, all believers, will receive the inheritance of the kingdom that was prepared from the foundation of the world." [47:10] (Download | )
- "The sheep and the goats picture two different types of people at the end of the tribulation. Some that are saved, some that are not saved. Clearly from the context of scripture we know that all believers can be referred to as sheep." [42:46] (Download | )
- "The actions of the sheep on his right hand are evidence of their faith. 'I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger with nowhere to go and you gave me a place to come in...'" [50:14] (Download | )
- "When you had the opportunity to serve others and you passed it up, you passed up the opportunity to serve Jesus Himself. How can you serve the Lord if you're not willing to serve others?" [57:20] (Download | )
- "Our eternal destiny is not determined by our works but by our faith in the grace of God through Jesus Christ. We must receive His grace and live in the assurance of salvation, knowing that we are eternal beings with an everlasting future in His presence." [01:08:45] (Download | )
- "Even today, when we choose to care for others, we understand that we're doing it as if it was to the Lord Himself. When we choose not to serve others, we understand we're choosing not to serve them as if it was the Lord Himself." [01:05:53] (Download | )
- "This life is not eternal. There's been different ages in history and today we live in the church age. Other ages are going to come and these things from chapter 24 are going to come, but there is no end for you and me." [01:07:23] (Download | )
- "The judgment for the sheep is, 'you did these things when you did it to my brethren you did those things and it was like you were doing it to me.' But now the judgment for the goats is you had the opportunity to care for those people and you chose not to do that." [55:58] (Download | )
- "All of us are eternal beings. All of us will either stand at the great white throne judgment or at the judgment seat of Christ. This is not determined by whether you fed the hungry or clothed the naked... this is determined by the grace of Jesus Christ." [01:04:26] (Download | )
- "The only thing you can do for that grace, you cannot earn it, you can only receive it. To as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God. The question is, what have you done with the grace of God?" [01:04:26] (Download | )
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