“you did it for Me!” Matthew 25:31-46

“ 31 When the Son of Man comes in His glory with all of His angels, He will sit on His royal throne. 32 The people of all nations will be brought before Him, and He will separate them, as shepherds separate their sheep from their goats. 33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 Then the king will say to those on His right, “My Father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created. [Sheep, please clap] 35 When I was hungry, you gave Me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave Me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed Me, 36 and when I was naked, you gave Me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of Me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.”

37 Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink? 38 When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear 39 or visit you while you were sick or in jail?” 40 The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of My people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for Me.” Sheep group, read the words in Blue

41 Then the king will say to those on His left, “Get away from Me! You are under God’s curse. Go into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels! [Goats, please look very sad and frightened] 42 I was hungry, but you did not give Me anything to eat, and I was thirsty, but you did not give Me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger, but you did not welcome Me, and I was naked, but you did not give Me any clothes to wear. I was sick and in jail, but you did not take care of Me.”

44 Then the people will ask, “Lord, when did we fail to help You when You were hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in jail?” 45 The king will say to them, “Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for me.” 46 Then Jesus said, “Those people will be punished forever. But the ones who pleased God will have eternal life.” Goat group, read the words in Red

Truths from Matthew 25 Verses 1-13: Parable of the 10 Virgins, the King is saying to us: “Do not Delay or Put Off Faithfulness – I am Coming!!”

Truths from Matthew 25 Verses 1-13: Parable of the 10 Virgins, the King is saying to us: “Do not Delay or Put Off Faithfulness – I am Coming!!” Biblical Principle: Be prepared for a life-long obedience.

Truths from Matthew 25 Parable of the 10 Virgins: “Do not Delay or Put Off Faithfulness – I am Coming!!” Be prepared for a life-long obedience. Verses 14-30: Parable of the Talents, the King is saying to us: “Invest your life for Me!”

Truths from Matthew 25 Parable of the 10 Virgins: “Do not Delay or Put Off Faithfulness – I am Coming!!” Be prepared for a life-long obedience. Verses 14-30: Parable of the Talents, the King is saying to us: “Invest your life for Me!” Biblical Principle: Believers must live continually in faithful obedience, investing everything they have and are for the Kingdom of God.

Truths from Matthew 25 Parable of the 10 Virgins (v1-13): “Do not Delay or Put Off Faithfulness – I am Coming!!” Be prepared for a life-long obedience. Parable of the Talents (v14-30): “Invest your life for Me!” Believers must live continually in faithful obedience, investing everything they have and are for the Kingdom of God. Verses 31 to 46: We are faithful, we invest our lives for Jesus when we fill our lives with care for others, especially those who are most needy.

Throughout the Bible, God has continually emphasized the need to make sure the poor and needy are not oppressed, marginalized, nor even neglected.

“Jesus threatened hell to those who did not look after the interests of the poor and needy.”

Matthew Then the people will ask, “ Lord, when did we fail to help You when You were hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in jail?”

Matthew Then the people will ask, “ Lord, when did we fail to help You when You were hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in jail?” Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who calls Me their Lord will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only the ones who obey My Father in heaven will get in.”

Importance of Matthew 25:31-46 Question 1: Why do God care so much for the poor and needy? Answer: Because they are valuable to Him.

Importance of Matthew 25:31-46 Question 1: Why do God care so much for the poor and needy? Answer: Because they are valuable to Him. 40 The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of My people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for Me.” … 45 The king will say to them, “Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for Me.”

Importance of Matthew 25:31-46 Question 2: Who are the poor and needy?

Importance of Matthew 25:31-46 Question 2: Who are the poor and needy? “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick on in prison and did not help you ? He will reply, ‘… whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. – Matthew 25:42-46 Materially Poor Spiritually (emotionally) Needy

There are still 805 million people who are chronically hungry and under- nourished.

Importance of Matthew 25:31-46 Question 2: Who are the poor and needy? “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick on in prison and did not help you ? He will reply, ‘… whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. – Matthew 25:42-46 Materially Poor Spiritually (emotionally) Needy

“One of the key reasons why even rational, generally good people fall into addictive habits, such as gambling, excessive drinking or internet pornography, is because they feel lonely and they want to escape the emotional vacuum in their hearts.” – Dr Winslow, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist

In the USA, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people age 10 to 24. In Japan, it is the main cause of death for those between 15 to 34.

Importance of Matthew 25:31-46 Question 3: What is the crux (the key lesson) regarding God’s command to us to care for the poor and needy ?

Question 3: What is the crux (the key lesson) regarding God’s command to us to care for the poor and needy ? 3 possible ways to interpret Matthew 25:31-46 : 1.Acts (strategies) of Salvation – Matthew 24:6-7 (wars, persecutions, famines, earthquakes) 2.Beliefs (knowledge) regarding Salvation – James 2:22,26 (Faith and Action must work together. Faith is made complete by Action. Good works is the evidence of Faith.) 3.Core purpose of Salvation – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Salvation makes us a new creation in Christ; so that we can be transformed into Christlikeness.)

Question 3: What is the crux (the key lesson) regarding God’s command to us to care for the poor and needy ? 3 possible ways to interpret Matthew 25:31-46 : 1.Acts (strategies) of Salvation – Matthew 24:6-7 (wars, persecutions, famines, earthquakes) This Indonesian pastor suggested that in the midst of wars, persecutions, famines and earthquakes, Matthew 25 gives us the strategies whereby we the church can show and share the Gospel of God’s love.

Question 3: What is the crux (the key lesson) regarding God’s command to us to care for the poor and needy ? 3 possible ways to interpret Matthew 25:31-46 : 1.Acts (strategies) of Salvation – Matthew 24:6-7 (wars, persecutions, famines, earthquakes) 2.Beliefs (knowledge) regarding Salvation – James 2:22,26 (Faith and Action must work together. Faith is made complete by Action. Good works is the evidence of Faith.) 3.Core purpose of Salvation – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Salvation makes us a new creation in Christ; so that we can be transformed into Christlikeness.)

Question 3: What is the crux (the key lesson) regarding God’s command to us to care for the poor and needy ? 3 possible ways to interpret Matthew 25:31-46 : 1.Acts (strategies) of Salvation – Matthew 24:6-7 (wars, persecutions, famines, earthquakes) 2.Beliefs (knowledge) regarding Salvation – James 2:22,26 (Faith and Action must work together. Faith is made complete by Action. Good works is the evidence of Faith.) 3.Core purpose of Salvation – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Salvation makes us a new creation in Christ; so that we can be transformed into Christlikeness.)

If one is not doing good works, perhaps this is reflective of a life without real faith, a life that is not truly saved by God.

Salvation is definitely by God’s grace alone, and yet that salvation must be attested by the fruits of good works in the Christian’s life.

Question 3: What is the crux (the key lesson) regarding God’s command to us to care for the poor and needy ? 3 possible ways to interpret Matthew 25:31-46 : 1.Acts (strategies) of Salvation – Matthew 24:6-7 (wars, persecutions, famines, earthquakes) 2.Beliefs (knowledge) regarding Salvation – James 2:22,26 (Faith and Action must work together. Faith is made complete by Action. Good works is the evidence of Faith.) 3.Core purpose of Salvation – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Salvation makes us a new creation in Christ; so that we can be transformed into Christlikeness.)

Question 3: What is the crux (the key lesson) regarding God’s command to us to care for the poor and needy ? 3 possible ways to interpret Matthew 25:31-46 : 1.Acts (strategies) of Salvation – Matthew 24:6-7 (wars, persecutions, famines, earthquakes) 2.Beliefs (knowledge) regarding Salvation – James 2:22,26 (Faith and Action must work together. Faith is made complete by Action. Good works is the evidence of Faith.) 3.Core purpose of Salvation – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Salvation makes us a new creation in Christ; so that we can be transformed into Christlikeness.) Jesus came to die for us, so that we can live for Him.

Question 3: What is the crux (the key lesson) regarding God’s command to us to care for the poor and needy ? 3 possible ways to interpret Matthew 25:31-46 : 1.Acts (strategies) of Salvation – what we can do to lead people to trust Jesus? 2. Beliefs (knowledge) regarding Salvation – Faith and Action must work together. Faith is made complete by Action. Good works is the evidence of Faith. 3.Core purpose of Salvation – Jesus came to die for us, so that we might live for/like Him.

Perhaps we need to change something significant in our lives in order to accommodate God’s will for us.

Perhaps it is just to have a mindset that says, whenever there is an opportunity to be a blessing, I will seriously consider it, and do it if I can.

Perhaps we need to change something significant in our lives in order to accommodate God’s will for us. Perhaps it is just to have a mindset that says, whenever there is an opportunity to be a blessing, I will seriously consider it, and do it if I can. What kind of inspiration or wake-up call do we need, to re-look at our lives and to build in a part to care for the poor and needy (using our resources, time and hands)?

Perhaps we need to change something significant in our lives in order to accommodate God’s will for us. Perhaps it is just to have a mindset that says, whenever there is an opportunity to be a blessing, I will seriously consider it, and do it if I can. What kind of inspiration or wake-up call do we need, to re-look at our lives and to build in a part to care for the poor and needy (using our resources, time and hands)? Mohamed El-Erian

“you did it for Me!” Matthew 25:31-46