Bible reading (ESV)
- Romans 13:11-14
Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
- Matthew 25:31-46
“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 hand, 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, ‘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, ‘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, ‘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.’”
Observation questions (3–4)
- Read Romans 13:11-14. What specific “works of darkness” does Paul name, and what does he pair those with as the way forward? (look for the contrasted behaviors and commands)
- Read Matthew 25:31-46. What concrete acts are listed that identify the “sheep”? Which of those acts are practical/physical needs?
- The pastor said he’d lived in “rock bottom’s basement” and that Christ rescued him from darkness. What point was he making about personal history and the urgency to live differently? [23:27]
- The sermon pointed out three parables (virgins, talents, sheep/goats) after Jesus’ warning about the unknown hour. What common theme ties those three stories together? [26:08]
Interpretation questions (3–4)
- In Romans 13:11-14 Paul uses the image of waking from sleep and putting on the armor of light. What does “putting on” Christ likely mean for everyday habits, speech, and relationships?
- The preacher said “love is a debt we never finish paying.” How does viewing love as an ongoing obligation change the way a Christian schedules priorities and resources? [35:39]
- Jesus told Peter to “feed my sheep” after asking if Peter loved him. How does the pastor connect Peter’s threefold questioning to action rather than feeling, and what does that imply about public Christian witness? [37:45]
- The sermon warned that dissension and jealousy are “cancers of the soul.” Why does the preacher treat these internal attitudes as seriously as overt sins, and how might they uniquely harm a Christian community? [32:09]
Application questions (5–7)
- Identify one gift, skill, or resource you have been hiding or downplaying (a “buried talent”). What is one concrete way you will use it this week for others or for the church? Set a specific time and step. [26:47]
- Look at the list in Matthew 25 (feeding, clothing, visiting, welcoming). Name one person or family in your life who is lacking one of those things. What specific action will you take in the next seven days to meet that need (buy groceries, deliver a meal, bring clothes, visit, connect them to help)? [27:21]
- Which “work of darkness” named in Romans or in the sermon most tempts you (e.g., secrecy/indulgence, drunkenness, quarrels, jealousy)? What one practical barrier can you remove this week (an app off your phone, an accountability partner, avoiding a place or person) to make that sin harder to practice? [32:09]
- The preacher urged believers to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Pick two specific habits you will adopt this month that visibly clothe you with Christ (examples: a daily brief confession/prayer, one hour a week serving the marginalized, a monthly reconciliation conversation). How will you be held accountable for following through? [33:20]
- The sermon stressed urgency—“the time is near” and “the day is almost here.” Where might you be treating love as optional because of comfort, busyness, or reputation? Choose one change (reschedule one leisure hour, say no to a commitment, choose presence over perfection) and do it this week so love becomes the priority. [25:14]
- The pastor affirmed healthy self-love (feed yourself, shelter yourself) as part of loving neighbor. Is there a basic need you have neglected (sleep, nutrition, a doctor’s visit, safe boundaries)? What concrete step will you take in the next three days to care for that need so you can better love others? [30:13]
- Think of a small rivalry, gripe, or jealousy you carry toward someone in your church, workplace, or family. What is one humble step you can take this week to dismantle that division (a short confession, a blessing, an offer of help, a conversation asking for forgiveness)? Plan the words you will say. [31:17]
