Sheep and Goats
Notes
Transcript
Parables of the Kingdom: The Sheep & The Goats - Matthew 25:31-46
Context of Matthew 25:
Parable of Bridesmaids - 'Watch & Be Ready for when JESUS returns.'
Parable of Bags of Gold - 'Be faithful with the opportunities that GOD has entrusted to you.'
Parable of Sheep & Goats - 'Reality of the Judgement.'
* Why do we find it so hard to consider and embrace the subject of Judgment?
Scan through Psalm 96 & read Romans 8:22-24
* Why can we 'rejoice' that GOD will judge the earth and its peoples?
* What are the key differences between the 1st & 2nd Comings of the LORD? [see Philippians 2:5-11 & Revelation 1:5-7]
* Why is the belief in heaven and hell waning, while the belief in reincarnation becomes more popular?
* What criteria will Christ use to judge people? [Matthew 25:40]
* How would you counter the idea that this passage teaches salvation by good works? [Ephesians 2:1-10]
Practical Considerations:
* What change does true faith make in a person's life? [James 2:20 & 26]
* In what way does this parable motivate you to tell your friends about Christ?
* How would your behaviour change if you treated fellow CHRISTians as if they were JESUS?
Take some time to consider the reality of Judgement - even if we are not hammering home judgment every time that we talk to non-CHRISTians; how should the reality of Judgment shape our approach & prayer for people?
Prayer & Praise:
The sands of time are sinking,
The dawn of Heaven breaks;
The summer morn I've sighed for,
The fair, sweet morn awakes:
Dark, dark hath been the midnight,
But dayspring is at hand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's land.
O Christ, He is the fountain,
The deep, sweet well of love!
The streams on earth I've tasted,
More deep I'll drink above:
There to an ocean fullness
His mercy doth expand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's land.
The King there in His beauty
Without a veil is seen;
It were a well-spent journey,
Though sev'n deaths lay between:
The Lamb with His fair army,
Doth on Mount Zion stand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's land.
Prayer Points: