This Week’s Experience – 9/6/2020

When the Son of Man comes as King and all the angels with him, he will sit on his royal throne, and the people of all the nations will be gathered before him. Then he will divide them into two groups, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his 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 creation of the world.

For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.  I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.”

Then these righteous ones will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?”

And the King will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”

Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, “Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 

For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.”

Then they will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?” And he will answer, “I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me. And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

-Matthew 25:31-46

This Parable Answers 3 Questions:

The bridegroom came and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, “Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!” But he called back, “Believe me, I don’t know you!”

-Matthew 25:10-12

The master replied, “You wicked and lazy servant!”… “Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

-Matthew 25:26, 30

Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, “Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.

-Matthew 25:41

You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.

-James 2:19

Faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

-James 2:17

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

-James 1:27

I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!

-Revelation 3:15-16

LIFE APPLICATION
To discuss during the week with your family or Life Group

1. Re-read Matthew 25:31-46. What’s the #1 thing that jumps out at you? Why

2. Why is our actions more important than our words? How have you seen this play out in your life in both a positive and negative way?

3. Why do you think Jesus has such a strong reaction to lukewarm Christians? Were there any areas you were convicted during the message?

4. What is your next step as a result of this message?