2. When Jesus Judges the World Mat. 25:31-46

3. (Matthew 25:31-46) "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. "And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of 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 took Me in; '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? 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting 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 take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' "Then they also will answer Him, 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, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch 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 everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (NKJV)

4. Jesus Judges the World (Mat. 25:31-46)  Righteous: Giving him food when hungry Drink when thirsty Lodging when needing a place to sleep Clothing when naked Visited when sick & in prison When did we do this?  Unrighteous Gave no food when hungry Gave no drink when thirsty Stranger but did not offer place to stay Did not give clothes when naked Sick and in prison & did not visit “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” – Mat. 25:41 “…inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” – Mat. 25:40, 45 Eternal Life Everlasting Punishment - Mat. 25:46 – Mat. 25:46

5. If Jesus puts me on His right it is because I believe… …I must give grace to His brothers.  Grace: undeserved kindness God extends grace to us Romans 6:23 (NKJV) 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (So when God asks us to be gracious to our fellow man He is only asking us to do the same for others that He has done for us.)

6. If Jesus puts me on His left it is because I believe… …His grace requires me to do nothing.. James 2:15-16 (NKJV) 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

7. How I respond to opportunities to others will determine the eternal rewards I will receive. Some were judged to be unrighteous because they didn’t give those in need food, drink, shelter and clothing. (cf. Mat. 25:41-46)

8. Why Don’t We Help the Poor? Overwhelming Number of people to help We’ve been taken advantage of before (or suspect we have) Suspicious story (something doesn’t seem to “add up”) Ask for help when they haven’t exhausted every option first Hard to feel sorry for someone who has made some really poor decisions and should have known better We’re too busy/in hurry (standing on roadside holding a sign while traveling). Afraid of them (dangerous) Feel unqualified to help (drug/alcohol addictions, mental illness, etc.) All of these are legitimate concerns.

9. Why Don’t We Help the Poor?

10. Jesus did not say… “You must let others take advantage of your charitable nature or that you can’t investigate to see if the need is legitimate.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NKJV) 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. But Jesus also didn’t say… Making Excuses to Justify Not Helping the Poor

11. Jesus did not say…“You don’t have to help them if you assume they are just begging for something they don’t deserve.” “…You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Mat. 22:39 “…love… bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things.” – 1 Cor. 13:4-7 Jesus simply says we need to help these people in need!

12. Making Excuses to Justify Not Helping the Poor Jesus did not say… “You don’t have to help them if it is safe to assume someone else will come along and help them soon.” Luke 6:30–31 (NKJV) 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. Jesus simply says we need to help these people in need!

13. Making Excuses to Justify Not Helping the Poor Jesus did not say… “You don’t have to help them if it is safe to assume someone else will come along and help them soon.” Philippians 2:3–4 (NKJV) 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Jesus simply says we need to help these people in need!

14. Making Excuses to Justify Not Helping the Poor Jesus did not say… “You don’t have to help someone if they are in this situation because of their own poor choices.” Proverbs 25:21 (NKJV) 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; “…I say to you, love your enemies…” – Mat. 5:44 Jesus simply says we need to help these people in need!

15. Making Excuses to Justify Not Helping the Poor Jesus did not say… “If you don’t have the money on you right now you don’t have to help them.” Proverbs 3:28 (NKJV) 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it, ” When you have it with you. Jesus simply says we need to help these people in need!

16. Making Excuses to Justify Not Helping the Poor Jesus did not say… “If you don’t have an abundance of money you don’t have to help them.” Luke 3:11 (NKJV) 11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Jesus simply says we need to help these people in need!

17. Making Excuses to Justify Not Helping the Poor

18. Not All of Our Blessings Are Intended For Us We Are Blessed So That We Can Care For Others

20. Ephesians 4:28 (NKJV) 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

21. Not All of Our Blessings Are Intended For Us We Are Blessed So That We Can Care For Others Acts 20:35 (NKJV) 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

22. Not All of Our Blessings Are Intended For Us We Are Blessed So That We Can Care For Others Galatians 6:10 (NKJV) 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

23. The Benefits of Benevolence Proverbs 19:17 (NKJV) 17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the L ORD, And He will pay back what he has given. Proverbs 28:27 (NKJV) 27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

24. The Benefits of Benevolence Luke 12:33 (NKJV) 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

25. The Benefits of Benevolence Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV) 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.