WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.660 with Billy Nye, my comrade. 00:00:04.280 --> 00:00:15.240 And this passage from Matthew 25, starting in verse 31, is a very significant passage 00:00:15.240 --> 00:00:17.839 that I'm excited for us to look at today. 00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:17.919 Okay. 00:00:21.640 --> 00:00:31.460 We know from our experience that our lives are full of future events for which we must plan. 00:00:33.200 --> 00:00:39.579 When we're young, oftentimes it seems like the events that are most necessary to plan 00:00:39.579 --> 00:00:42.539 for are those coming in the immediate future. 00:00:42.539 --> 00:00:50.640 When I was in fifth and sixth grade, eight o'clock in the morning at school, recess was the big 00:00:50.640 --> 00:00:52.280 thing to plan ahead for. 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:57.500 So while our teacher was writing the lessons on the board with her back to us, we were passing 00:00:57.500 --> 00:01:01.659 around a sheet to choose our soccer teams. 00:01:03.060 --> 00:01:09.579 So we knew that if we spent time during class picking our teams, that meant we had more time 00:01:09.579 --> 00:01:12.519 during recess kicking the soccer ball. 00:01:13.540 --> 00:01:16.300 We were preparing for the next big thing. 00:01:17.180 --> 00:01:21.880 Then along comes high school and all of a sudden everybody's talking about college. 00:01:22.320 --> 00:01:28.380 It's approaching and so the way that you have to respond is by preparing for it. 00:01:28.480 --> 00:01:30.420 You take the SAT and the ACT. 00:01:31.340 --> 00:01:33.420 You start narrowing down your list of schools. 00:01:33.640 --> 00:01:34.740 You apply to the schools. 00:01:35.040 --> 00:01:36.660 You apply for scholarships. 00:01:36.660 --> 00:01:41.240 You go and take tours of the schools and you try and figure out what's the best fit for what 00:01:41.240 --> 00:01:42.020 you want to study. 00:01:42.540 --> 00:01:48.180 But after a while you realize that college itself is just one big planning session for 00:01:48.180 --> 00:01:49.200 the next thing, right? 00:01:49.740 --> 00:01:51.040 It's preparing for a job. 00:01:51.180 --> 00:01:55.340 It's preparing to have a career and kind of to go out into the real world. 00:01:55.340 --> 00:02:02.340 Probably at college you're looking for someone to spend the rest of your life with and you're 00:02:02.340 --> 00:02:08.560 looking to build a network of friends and acquaintances so that you can kind of navigate this life. 00:02:08.560 --> 00:02:14.659 Well then at some point maybe the big pieces start falling into place for us. 00:02:14.659 --> 00:02:15.979 We get married. 00:02:16.319 --> 00:02:18.599 We have a couple kids and a Labrador. 00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:20.379 Buy a house. 00:02:21.500 --> 00:02:22.900 Planning becomes different, right? 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:25.180 Now it's looking at retirement. 00:02:25.420 --> 00:02:26.599 Am I going to have enough money? 00:02:26.599 --> 00:02:31.500 How do I save and invest and plan accordingly to the day when I stop working? 00:02:32.639 --> 00:02:38.139 Or maybe it's saving your pennies for an entire year just to take that vacation for your family 00:02:38.139 --> 00:02:40.120 that you're really excited about. 00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:42.699 We're expert planners, aren't we? 00:02:42.699 --> 00:02:44.959 We plan for things our whole life. 00:02:45.079 --> 00:02:46.240 We're really good at it. 00:02:46.240 --> 00:02:53.640 Everything from what's for dinner to what career is right for us to maybe even what socks we're going to wear the next day. 00:02:55.600 --> 00:03:01.820 Well throughout the Olivet Discourse, Matthew chapters 24 and 25, 00:03:01.939 --> 00:03:08.260 Jesus has been speaking of one event that all of us better make sure we're ready for. 00:03:09.660 --> 00:03:13.520 Of course we're talking about the return of Jesus Christ. 00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:15.780 He's coming back. 00:03:16.820 --> 00:03:22.560 And one of the questions that Matthew has been proposing to us through this discourse of Jesus is, 00:03:23.320 --> 00:03:24.020 are you prepared? 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:24.680 Are you ready? 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:33.420 Are you making the necessary adjustments and corrections and preparations today for that day? 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:40.360 One of the questions as Mike has been walking us through this the last few weeks that's come into my mind is, 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:43.180 how much effort am I putting towards that day? 00:03:43.920 --> 00:03:45.500 Sure, I'm anticipating it. 00:03:45.500 --> 00:03:49.039 I believe it's true, but how am I living in light of that day? 00:03:49.620 --> 00:03:55.520 What am I doing differently today that might show that I'm actually joyfully anticipating Jesus coming back, 00:03:55.879 --> 00:03:57.340 that I might be with him forever? 00:03:57.340 --> 00:04:08.379 Well sadly we've seen throughout these chapters that some will spend a lifetime prepping for epic parties and fail to prepare for that day. 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:10.539 When Jesus comes back, 00:04:10.539 --> 00:04:14.439 when Jesus comes back they will be devastated because they did not make preparations. 00:04:14.439 --> 00:04:20.819 But for Christians, for those who are following Jesus and seeking to honor him with all of our lives, 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:24.439 we love his appearance, right? 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:26.839 We're anticipating and we're longing for that day. 00:04:26.839 --> 00:04:33.759 And so Matthew's been telling us through the Holy Spirit, plan accordingly. 00:04:34.699 --> 00:04:35.799 Make preparations. 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:38.879 So we've seen there should be no surprises. 00:04:39.039 --> 00:04:40.339 Jesus has told us clearly. 00:04:40.459 --> 00:04:41.839 In the future he's coming back. 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:47.039 We see that there's going to be people come and try and lead others astray. 00:04:47.219 --> 00:04:48.159 False Christs. 00:04:48.479 --> 00:04:49.199 False prophets. 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:53.939 But don't go astray after them because his appearing will be evident to everybody. 00:04:53.939 --> 00:05:02.620 And most importantly, in the last chapter and a half, we've been seeing over and over that the call is to be ready. 00:05:04.600 --> 00:05:06.300 It's equivalent to being faithful. 00:05:06.959 --> 00:05:14.040 Being about the master's business while he's away so that when he comes back he will find us doing what he has called us to do. 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:19.120 That's the wisdom of Scripture. 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:24.959 It says that the return of Jesus is the one event that you best not fail to plan for. 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:30.420 Because all of human history is coming to a head on that day. 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:37.819 Doesn't mean we ignore retirement savings or career planning or family trips. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:42.399 But all of it must be done with an eye towards that day. 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:44.079 Jesus is coming back. 00:05:45.340 --> 00:05:46.560 We must plan accordingly. 00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:54.600 Well, our text today could be titled, You Must Be Ready, Part 3. 00:05:55.540 --> 00:06:00.860 Of course, two weeks ago Mike sort of gave us this urgent appeal to say, hey, you just got to be ready. 00:06:01.259 --> 00:06:02.199 That's the fact of the matter. 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:03.340 Be ready for that day. 00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:09.079 And then last week, Jesus tells these four parables that illustrate a little bit of how. 00:06:09.740 --> 00:06:11.019 How is one to be ready? 00:06:12.480 --> 00:06:14.319 Don't be dismayed by a delay. 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:16.259 Make sure you're faithful. 00:06:16.259 --> 00:06:18.459 Take risks for the kingdom of God. 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:28.639 And now this passage we come to essentially can answer, be ready because judgment is coming. 00:06:29.360 --> 00:06:31.459 Be ready because judgment is coming. 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:38.360 So here's, let me try and capture what this passage is telling us in one statement. 00:06:38.360 --> 00:06:40.780 And then we'll read it together and take a look. 00:06:42.340 --> 00:06:55.000 On judgment day, your response to King Jesus will be made clear by your treatment of his disciples in need today. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:07:01.060 On judgment day, when Jesus comes back and gathers all the nations before him. 00:07:03.339 --> 00:07:13.519 Your response to him, whether you received his gospel, whether you put your faith in him and found eternal life in him or not, 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:16.639 will be made clear by how you treat his disciples today. 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:22.839 Let's read this passage together. 00:07:25.060 --> 00:07:27.539 Matthew 25, 31 to 46. 00:07:27.540 --> 00:07:37.000 When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 00:07:38.040 --> 00:07:47.140 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. 00:07:47.320 --> 00:07:51.000 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on his left. 00:07:51.000 --> 00:08:02.740 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. 00:08:03.819 --> 00:08:06.519 For I was hungry and you gave me food. 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:09.800 I was thirsty and you gave me drink. 00:08:10.279 --> 00:08:12.819 I was a stranger and you welcomed me. 00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:15.439 I was naked and you clothed me. 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:17.759 I was sick and you visited me. 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:20.160 I was in prison and you came to me. 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:27.779 Then the righteous will answer him saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirsty and give you drink? 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:31.540 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you or naked and clothe you? 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:35.299 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:45.759 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. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:55.220 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. 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:57.939 For I was hungry and you gave me no food. 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:00.480 I was thirsty and you gave me no drink. 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:03.000 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me. 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:05.220 Naked and you did not clothe me. 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:08.399 Sick and in prison and you did not visit me. 00:09:08.399 --> 00:09:19.179 Then they also will answer 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? 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:29.100 Then he will answer them saying, 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. 00:09:29.100 --> 00:09:32.159 And these will go away into eternal punishment. 00:09:32.840 --> 00:09:35.659 But the righteous into eternal life. 00:09:35.899 --> 00:09:37.100 This is the word of God. 00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:42.920 Well, we're just going to follow this text and we're going to follow the outline of it today. 00:09:43.259 --> 00:09:44.500 It's kind of four parts. 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:46.860 We're going to spend most of our time on the first two. 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:53.000 First, we see an overview of the setting of the judgment scene, followed by two conversations. 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:54.740 One with Jesus and the righteous. 00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:56.800 One with Jesus and the cursed. 00:09:56.799 --> 00:10:01.339 And then there's just one summarizing verse at the end. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.259 Let's jump right in. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:15.039 First thing we need to see from verses 31 to 33 is this, that Jesus will sit in judgment over all people. 00:10:17.559 --> 00:10:19.719 I love the first word of this passage. 00:10:20.359 --> 00:10:20.699 When. 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:24.359 It's not an if or a perhaps or a maybe. 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:28.220 This is a sure thing that the son of man is coming back. 00:10:29.460 --> 00:10:33.060 And again, we need to remember that this is a call to faithfulness. 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:36.919 There's a sense of urgency in these words. 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:41.500 There's marching orders for those who follow Jesus today. 00:10:41.659 --> 00:10:42.720 There's work to do, right? 00:10:42.840 --> 00:10:43.639 Kingdom work. 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:46.159 Service for Jesus' sake. 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:48.279 There's disciples to make. 00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:51.919 There's lives to see transformed by the gospel. 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:57.559 When Jesus comes, will he find you going about kingdom business? 00:10:58.379 --> 00:10:59.779 It's a when, not an if. 00:10:59.839 --> 00:11:00.740 He is coming back. 00:11:00.740 --> 00:11:11.620 So, the first thing that we see when we start looking with a little more detail at these verses is that Jesus is the focal point of this entire scene. 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:17.159 The first three verses, just notice all the references to him. 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:23.000 When the son of man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glory's throne. 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:26.259 Before him will be gathered all the nations and he will separate people. 00:11:27.320 --> 00:11:29.960 And he will place the sheep on his right but the goats on the left. 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:31.620 And on and on and on. 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:39.220 Now, it's not primarily about the judgment itself, the angels, the throngs of people. 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:43.200 But every detail here is heightening the glory and majesty of King Jesus. 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:52.799 We see this glory that in the book of Revelation there will be myriads and myriads and thousands and thousands of angels. 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:58.279 Gathered around the throne of the Lamb, singing praise forever and ever to Jesus. 00:11:59.220 --> 00:12:00.379 For he alone is worthy. 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:06.539 For he alone is worthy of all honor and glory. 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:08.299 And it's a royal glory. 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:12.799 This is a king coming to sit on a throne and rule forever. 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:16.060 This throne has a reserved sign on it. 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:19.019 Reserved for the God-man, Jesus Christ. 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:26.039 He, of course, is uniquely able to sit on that throne and judge all people. 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:28.740 Because he lived a perfectly righteous life. 00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:31.899 He's the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. 00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:33.779 He's the prophesied Messiah. 00:12:34.560 --> 00:12:36.820 He is Emmanuel, God with us. 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:42.600 He is the one who gives his life as a ransom for many. 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:52.120 Verse 32, we see that the Son of Man is going to sit and he's going to separate people one from another. 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:56.100 Just like a shepherd would separate goats from sheep. 00:12:56.100 --> 00:13:04.620 But this separation of King Jesus is not one of animals but of people in its judgment language. 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:13.279 Jesus is dividing all of humanity from day one until the final day into two groups. 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:15.379 The righteous and the wicked. 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:20.480 All the nations, did you see that, are gathered before him. 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:23.600 Each individual human being who's ever lived. 00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:29.799 Mother Teresa and Gandhi, Mike Ditka and the 85 Bears, Michael Phelps, Michael Jordan, Jimmy Carter, Napoleon Bonaparte, 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:32.600 the unnamed soldier buried at Arlington. 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:36.360 All people from everywhere. 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:40.580 There's no gray area. 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:42.759 There's not three groups. 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:44.100 There's not five groups. 00:13:45.060 --> 00:13:46.740 They're not divided by religion. 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:51.480 Say, well, the best half from this religion go in and the best half from that religion go in. 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:55.919 And you guys who were just kind of nice people but didn't really have any God, you go in. 00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:57.879 You guys who are mean, you're out. 00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:58.980 It's not that. 00:13:59.060 --> 00:13:59.840 There's two groups. 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:04.120 You see that each and every person is having a reckoning. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:07.019 And there's one who separates. 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.919 There's one who judges. 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:10.600 Jesus Christ. 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:13.419 It's all about him. 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:19.560 Though there's two groups, each person in both groups has responded one way or another to Jesus. 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.759 That's what's going on. 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:26.019 He is the one to whom we all must give account. 00:14:27.560 --> 00:14:31.840 Make no mistake, friends, your eternity depends on your response to him. 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:36.120 No matter what might be the popular opinion of our day and age. 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:38.220 Are you living for him? 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:42.259 Are you ordering your life around King Jesus? 00:14:42.440 --> 00:14:46.080 For one day when he comes back, all is going to be disclosed. 00:14:46.680 --> 00:14:47.879 Will be found out. 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:51.379 For the Christian, this is really good news. 00:14:52.280 --> 00:14:55.240 Here we have the scene of judgment and Jesus separating people. 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:59.779 And there's this great welcome to one group and this judgment to another. 00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:04.899 Well, if we're blood bought, if we've responded to the gospel and put our faith and our trust in Jesus. 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:06.680 And this is really good news. 00:15:06.940 --> 00:15:08.659 Because this is the day we're waiting for. 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:10.580 This is the day when Jesus comes back. 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.879 And writes every wrong. 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:15.299 Judges every action. 00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:18.820 By his perfect righteousness and law. 00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:23.900 And receives those who have been longing for his appearance. 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:30.520 The one who sits in judgment has bought your life, Christian, with his own blood. 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:37.080 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:42.580 But for the non-Christian, this scene should fill you with dread. 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:46.580 The king is coming back and it's going to be like a thief. 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:51.320 You cannot prepare yourself in any way other than reckoning with Jesus. 00:15:52.520 --> 00:16:00.100 And if you do not seek his mercy today and settle accounts with him, he will not deal kindly with you on that day. 00:16:02.920 --> 00:16:06.360 Jesus is going to sit in judgment over all people. 00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:12.560 And he is going to settle accounts with each and every one of us based upon our response to him. 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:22.200 When we move now to the second part of this passage. 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:29.100 This is by far the longest and most difficult part of the text to work through and to get right. 00:16:33.020 --> 00:16:34.420 But let's see what we can do. 00:16:34.660 --> 00:16:36.540 This is part two. 00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:40.180 King Jesus welcomes the righteous into eternal life. 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:43.860 We see this in verses 34 to 40. 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:48.580 Right up front notice that the language has changed. 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:52.539 The identifier is no longer the son of man but the king. 00:16:55.740 --> 00:17:01.080 The king is now starting to talk to the sheep on his right. 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:05.539 This shouldn't surprise us. 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:08.559 Anybody who is familiar with Daniel chapter 7. 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:18.039 Because one like the son of man comes and God from the throne gives him an eternal dominion and rule over all the nations. 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:23.059 The king language is very, very appropriate for Jesus. 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:26.559 So the king issues a welcome. 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:27.700 Come. 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:27.759 Come. 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:29.880 Inherit the kingdom. 00:17:32.120 --> 00:17:33.340 Notice what kind of kingdom. 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:35.900 Not a flash in the pan. 00:17:36.080 --> 00:17:40.039 Not a sort of put something together at the last minute for you guys. 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:43.140 It's been around from the beginning. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:47.039 So when Genesis 1.1 reads, 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:49.259 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:50.980 Jesus is saying that way back then, 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:54.240 the father had a kingdom prepared for his people. 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:59.259 This is a very kind and generous God. 00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:06.339 Well who does Jesus welcome? 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:11.099 This is part one of what gets really tricky about this passage. 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:15.480 Notice what is said in verse 34. 00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:19.259 Come you who are blessed by my father. 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:22.640 This is grace language. 00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:27.519 It does not say, you'll notice, 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:31.400 Come you who have worked really hard and earned your salvation. 00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:32.619 Here's your wage. 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:34.079 You get to come into the kingdom. 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:39.259 You've been really nice to other people and you've kind of helped the poor out. 00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:40.140 So come on in. 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:43.379 You who are blessed by my father. 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.839 Receive your inheritance. 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:51.179 The thing about inheritance is, 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:53.919 Is that you don't earn them. 00:18:56.059 --> 00:19:00.399 You don't work for something that is not yours. 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:04.299 In order to obtain it from your parents. 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:10.039 The heir is not earning the inheritance of his or her parents. 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:12.220 Because of his efforts. 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:14.079 It is through a relationship. 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:19.379 It is no different with salvation. 00:19:20.199 --> 00:19:23.159 We are not working our way to the kingdom of God. 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:26.240 We are banking on God's mercy. 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:33.740 We are expecting him to provide a way for sinners who are banished from his presence to be made right with him. 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:38.200 You who are blessed by my father. 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:39.819 King Jesus says. 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:44.880 Because we know, right, that if God doesn't act to rescue us. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:48.819 None of us expect anything on that day but judgment. 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:56.399 Jesus is here speaking to those who have been graciously adopted into the family of God. 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:59.279 Bought by the blood of Christ. 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:02.079 Shed at Calvary on the cross. 00:20:02.919 --> 00:20:04.079 That's why they're blessed. 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:06.539 Because God has saved them. 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:12.619 So, of course, then the obvious question becomes. 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:17.599 How come, if God has saved them and they've done nothing to earn this. 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:23.279 That Jesus then turns and immediately starts talking about how they've treated other people. 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:24.680 Right? 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:26.740 See that starting in verse 35. 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:28.339 Jesus issues the welcome. 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.900 And 34 and then 35 says. 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:31.440 Because this is why. 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:33.799 Here's my explanation for why you're welcome here. 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:37.019 And it's all about treatment of other people. 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:42.859 How can Jesus talk like that if I've just said that he's about grace? 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:50.120 Because this whole thing is intended to shape how we live today. 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.240 It's to reframe our thinking. 00:20:52.240 --> 00:21:00.259 It's to call us into a particular mode of discipleship that seeks to have compassionate care on the people around us. 00:21:00.859 --> 00:21:02.759 And a particular group of people. 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:04.920 Which we'll see in a little bit. 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:14.220 Matthew's gospel is not the primary place where any of us would go to sort of learn about justification by faith. 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:15.559 That's Romans. 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.259 That's Paul. 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:17.380 That's maybe 1 Peter. 00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:23.320 But Matthew is really, really good at saying if you follow Jesus, here's how you live today. 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:25.660 That's what's going on. 00:21:26.600 --> 00:21:27.800 Here's how you live today. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:36.940 Matthew is full of both expectations to personal righteousness. 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:39.680 He calls hatred the equivalent of murder. 00:21:40.080 --> 00:21:41.880 He calls lust the equivalent of adultery. 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:43.380 And says be holy for I am holy. 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:47.260 Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect. 00:21:47.860 --> 00:21:52.580 But then also it's full of obligations towards fellow believers and even towards enemies. 00:21:53.060 --> 00:21:54.900 You've heard it said love your neighbor, hate your enemy. 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:56.880 I tell you, love your enemy. 00:21:57.360 --> 00:21:58.760 Pray for those who persecute you. 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:04.120 There's tons and tons of information in Matthew's gospel how we should live today. 00:22:04.580 --> 00:22:05.720 In light of that day. 00:22:06.560 --> 00:22:07.920 In light of the return of Jesus. 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:12.360 That's why this judgment exists in our Bible. 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:17.180 It's to show followers of Jesus how to live. 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:20.259 We're not saved by works. 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:23.019 But we are saved for works. 00:22:23.800 --> 00:22:26.560 We do good now as we wait Jesus' return. 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:31.200 Notice this list and what it contains. 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:34.039 There's verses 35 and 36. 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:38.359 The hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, naked, in prison, and sick. 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:41.839 And Jesus says, you cared for me. 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:52.159 Earlier in Matthew's gospel, we've seen Jesus regularly promise that those who have a need, 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:57.839 who are prioritizing his kingdom, will see their needs met by their father. 00:22:57.839 --> 00:23:02.679 It shows up in the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew chapter 6. 00:23:03.179 --> 00:23:07.839 Jesus says, do not be anxious about your life, what you'll eat, or drink, or wear. 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:09.679 Hungry, thirsty, naked. 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:11.579 In our passage. 00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:13.119 Don't be anxious. 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:17.099 Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you. 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:19.199 Prioritize God's kingdom, Christian. 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:21.980 Because God will provide for your needs. 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:25.460 He says the same thing to his disciples. 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:28.360 He sends them out to the lost sheep of Israel in chapter 10. 00:23:29.900 --> 00:23:31.319 God will provide for your needs. 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:32.860 Don't take silver and gold. 00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:35.059 A laborer deserves his wages. 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:38.720 The people you go to, to serve, and to administer the kingdom to, 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:41.319 they owe you. 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:44.599 Let them pay your way. 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:46.940 And if they don't, kick off the dust of your sandals. 00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:50.880 Go on to the next town, but make sure they know the kingdom of heaven has come near. 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:54.700 And on the day of judgment, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:23:57.340 --> 00:24:06.000 Because from the time of Jesus to his return, you're not just rejecting sort of an initial revelation of God. 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:11.080 You're rejecting the full revelation of Jesus himself and his kingdom. 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:15.360 This list, of course, is not an exhaustive list. 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:17.240 It's not meant to be a checklist. 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:19.299 So, for Christians, okay, well, let's see. 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:21.400 If I see somebody hungry, okay, got it. 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.819 Thirsty, got it. 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.940 Somebody needs a dollar, okay, got it. 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:31.039 No, but it represents this idea of compassionate care. 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:35.940 Any deeds of compassion that we can do for others. 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:41.220 It's not a checklist, but a diagnostic for the heart. 00:24:42.580 --> 00:24:47.880 It's my heart postured towards compassionately caring for the needs of others. 00:24:50.580 --> 00:24:58.740 I find it so amazing that the king says that these folks on his right have shown him compassion. 00:24:58.740 --> 00:25:03.359 Notice how the righteous respond in verse 37. 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.099 They're shocked. 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.920 What are you talking about? 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:08.299 Lord, when did we see you? 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:11.960 When were you hungry and we gave you anything to eat? 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:13.759 When were you thirsty and we gave you drink? 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:14.640 When were you in prison? 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:18.440 They're surprised and confused. 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:19.960 Rightly so. 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:25.840 Because they were not, the king was not sort of traipsing around in need. 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:28.940 Kings typically don't have much need. 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:32.019 But notice what the king responds. 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:35.360 In verse 40. 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:44.500 Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:51.819 Now we got to make sure we get this one of the least of these my brothers right. 00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:53.819 There's a lot of rides on it. 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.079 Right? 00:25:55.200 --> 00:26:02.000 This is the criteria that Jesus is saying, here's the evidence that I'm using to judge all people. 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:03.500 Right? 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:11.900 So the typical way that we would understand this and large scale movements of caring for the poor 00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:15.740 and homeless ministry and prison ministry and all this other stuff, large scale movements, 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:17.220 have been based on this passage. 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:22.440 Now I'm not saying anything about the goodness of those things. 00:26:22.540 --> 00:26:23.340 They're right and they're good. 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:30.280 But I will say this passage doesn't give us justification for those things. 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:36.560 Matthew has been using my brothers in a particular way throughout his gospel. 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:40.160 And it's important that we see it so we know who he's talking about. 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.720 So turn back to chapter 12. 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:46.720 The very end of chapter 12, starting in verse 46. 00:26:49.540 --> 00:26:52.080 There's two ways that this word can be used. 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:55.940 Fortunately, we get to see both of them in this passage. 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:59.300 First, brother in the biological sense. 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:04.960 I'm an only child, so I don't have any brothers, but some of you do have biological kin. 00:27:05.860 --> 00:27:06.400 It's one way. 00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:11.140 The other way is to make a spiritual family connection. 00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:15.460 So 12, 46 to 50. 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:16.200 Listen to this. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:24.140 While Jesus was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and brother stood outside and asking to speak to him. 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:30.460 But he replied to the man who told him, who is my mother and who are my brothers? 00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:37.360 Stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, here are my mother and my brothers. 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.600 Verse 50. 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:39.140 Here it is. 00:27:39.320 --> 00:27:43.100 Here's the definition as we should understand it in Matthew 25. 00:27:43.280 --> 00:27:44.100 Verse 40. 00:27:44.099 --> 00:27:53.899 For whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:55.819 You see that? 00:27:56.939 --> 00:28:03.319 Jesus isn't identifying all of humanity as his brothers and sisters and family. 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:09.079 He's particularly interested in the care of those who are doing the will of his father. 00:28:10.679 --> 00:28:11.779 That's his brothers. 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:20.379 And he's particularly, particularly concerned with even one of the least of these, his brothers. 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:27.679 Those who are prioritizing the kingdom and on mission for Jesus who are in need. 00:28:29.919 --> 00:28:31.980 That's the group Jesus has in mind. 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:35.240 This is family language. 00:28:40.679 --> 00:28:47.379 How can Jesus relate and equate a response to the least as care for him? 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:51.700 That's what's so amazing about this. 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:57.200 Not that Jesus says if you care for other people who are poor, you get into heaven. 00:28:57.200 --> 00:29:03.840 But that when you care for the least of my followers, the ones doing the will of my father, you do it for me. 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:14.539 He so closely identifies with his people that there's no separation on judgment day between care for God's people and care for God. 00:29:16.419 --> 00:29:19.480 Service to the least of his brothers is service to the king. 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:28.200 In other words, as Jesus has already said earlier in this gospel, whoever receives you receives me. 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:32.059 Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:44.460 Or if you like, truly I tell you, even if you give a cup of cold water to one of these because he is a disciple, you will not lose your reward. 00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:50.559 Jesus is personally committed to those who are his people. 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:52.220 His brothers and sisters. 00:29:52.919 --> 00:29:53.599 His disciples. 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:53.719 His disciples. 00:29:54.159 --> 00:29:58.980 And he calls his people to be equally as committed to one another. 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:05.259 Why the need? 00:30:06.919 --> 00:30:14.259 Should we just sort of take a political stance on this and say, well, those who are in need should just kind of do more for themselves. 00:30:15.119 --> 00:30:16.099 No, that's not. 00:30:16.219 --> 00:30:19.319 He's not getting into any of those political weeds whatsoever. 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:23.960 But he's saying, hey, these folks, one of the least of these, my brothers, they're committed to the kingdom. 00:30:24.659 --> 00:30:25.839 They're on mission for me. 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:37.259 We saw in the parable of the talents, there's some who have been given just immense material resources, immense networks of people and resources and the like. 00:30:38.339 --> 00:30:39.000 Some are not. 00:30:40.899 --> 00:30:47.179 Disciples who have are to be God's means to provide for the disciples in need. 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:50.320 God's community cares for each other. 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:54.980 That's at the heart of what this judgment is saying to Christians today. 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:03.900 Jesus is present with us in a real sense. 00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:08.480 And he takes it personally when we care for one another. 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:24.160 So our treatment of disciples in need, whether they're fellow church members who just lost a job and are hungry or need some provision of transportation or a ride to the hospital. 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:27.519 Whether they just need somebody to sit and listen to them. 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:31.319 Or whether it's disciples in need far, far away. 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:37.480 Missionaries and the third world church and those who are being persecuted for the gospel. 00:31:39.139 --> 00:31:49.960 Jesus says our treatment of all of these is evidence not just of a kindness or some natural compassionate disposition. 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:52.339 But it's evidence of our posture towards him. 00:31:52.339 --> 00:31:56.980 Because these folks are advancing his kingdom and his purposes and his mission. 00:31:57.939 --> 00:32:00.039 So we ought to be behind them and support them. 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.419 Any way possible. 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:11.639 We see that we are not here earning a spot in heaven through these works. 00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:14.759 We're not working for our inheritance. 00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:21.900 But what it does teach us is how we should care for God's people while we're here. 00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:24.000 While we're waiting for our king. 00:32:25.119 --> 00:32:26.460 Jesus takes it personally. 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:34.099 Because each and every disciple in need belongs to and is loved by the king. 00:32:36.779 --> 00:32:38.779 We shouldn't be surprised by this. 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:44.819 It shows up very plainly in 1 John 4 verse 20. 00:32:45.339 --> 00:32:46.019 Listen to this. 00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:48.119 John writes, 00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:54.079 If anyone says I love God and hates his brother, he is a liar. 00:32:54.660 --> 00:33:00.460 For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:02.579 And here's the commandment. 00:33:02.639 --> 00:33:05.019 Whoever loves God must also love his brother. 00:33:06.639 --> 00:33:07.599 Across the board. 00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:09.740 No qualifications in that statement. 00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.959 Believers are to love believers. 00:33:12.719 --> 00:33:14.240 Through thick and thin to the end. 00:33:14.659 --> 00:33:17.259 Jesus is coming back and he's going to take it personal. 00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:24.939 Much more briefly the last two parts. 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:28.500 Jesus has invited the righteous in. 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:31.980 We've seen his glory seated on this throne. 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.759 And judging the nations. 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:38.140 And now he turns to the cursed in verse 41. 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:42.660 All those in the second group. 00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:45.759 King Jesus banishes to eternal punishment. 00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:51.799 With equal authority as with the welcome and invitation. 00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:56.480 King Jesus commands the cursed to depart. 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:59.279 Notice not just from this place. 00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:02.460 Not just, you know, don't come around here no more. 00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:05.079 It's depart from me. 00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:13.199 Their life source is telling them that he's done with them. 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:16.980 It's tragic. 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:24.440 From beginning to end we see Jesus remaining focus of this passage. 00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:26.599 He's still center stage. 00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:31.219 And the judgment he renders is one of everlasting consequences. 00:34:31.219 --> 00:34:36.259 Sadly, it's to a place never intended for them. 00:34:37.879 --> 00:34:40.000 It was meant for the devil and his angels. 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:44.859 The kingdom news, the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ was there out. 00:34:46.379 --> 00:34:49.759 And they rejected the message along with the king. 00:34:49.760 --> 00:35:03.300 The only evidence needed to support that judgment is that they rejected and failed to serve the king's people. 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:10.460 They lacked compassion for disciples who were carrying with them the message of the kingdom. 00:35:11.740 --> 00:35:16.040 They lacked compassion for kingdom messengers, for the king's ambassadors. 00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:25.420 In 42 and 43 we see that in doing so they failed to receive and care for the king. 00:35:26.199 --> 00:35:27.539 They rejected Jesus. 00:35:29.719 --> 00:35:31.779 That's what is being said here. 00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:36.139 It's not they just weren't nice to people and so now they're in hell. 00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:42.159 It's they rejected King Jesus through failing to care for his people with compassion and love. 00:35:42.159 --> 00:35:49.219 Surely there's different sort of partitions of this group. 00:35:49.359 --> 00:35:52.440 Some would just be apathetic and Jesus stuff, okay. 00:35:53.259 --> 00:35:57.719 Others compounded and confounded the needs of the saints. 00:35:58.059 --> 00:36:00.819 Some persecuted and are persecuting the disciples. 00:36:02.399 --> 00:36:04.659 Some are just taking delight in the suffering of Christians. 00:36:04.659 --> 00:36:15.480 But all, no matter what part of that number, all rejected the king when they did nothing to care for his disciples' needs. 00:36:19.279 --> 00:36:22.539 Well, the cursed are just as surprised as the righteous. 00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:27.000 They don't recall missing opportunities to care for Jesus. 00:36:27.159 --> 00:36:29.659 And I imagine they're surprised something along these lines. 00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:37.279 Oh, good king, certainly if I had seen you in need, I would have cared for you. 00:36:39.359 --> 00:36:43.219 Certainly, king, you seated on this throne with all these angels surrounding you. 00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:46.239 Certainly, I would have cared for you if I had seen your need. 00:36:49.359 --> 00:36:49.759 Right? 00:36:49.819 --> 00:36:53.659 It's easy to have that response when the king of glory is before you. 00:36:53.659 --> 00:36:59.079 It's really hard to, by faith, believe that when you're caring for his people, you're caring for him. 00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:04.819 But the lowly kingdom messengers were despised and sent out. 00:37:05.920 --> 00:37:06.920 Jesus took it personal. 00:37:09.460 --> 00:37:15.960 Truly is more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah than for those who have rejected the Messiah and his kingdom and his messengers. 00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:23.519 Well, the text wraps up in verse 46 with the summary. 00:37:24.500 --> 00:37:30.920 And these cursed will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. 00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:34.460 That's the reality. 00:37:34.599 --> 00:37:36.659 The judgment has been rendered. 00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:44.039 Let me try and wrap this up. 00:37:45.960 --> 00:37:51.099 On that day, all people will stand before Jesus. 00:37:53.360 --> 00:37:57.579 Some people will have been shown to respond favorably to Jesus. 00:37:58.240 --> 00:38:02.059 They've received him by way of receiving his people. 00:38:02.860 --> 00:38:04.720 They've cared for the needs of God's people. 00:38:04.880 --> 00:38:09.000 And Jesus has said, that is the proof that you love me. 00:38:09.900 --> 00:38:12.119 That's the proof that you follow me. 00:38:12.220 --> 00:38:13.800 That your life is aligned with mine. 00:38:13.800 --> 00:38:15.400 That you're part of my kingdom. 00:38:15.960 --> 00:38:23.800 Others will be shown to have rejected him through their lack of care for his people. 00:38:23.800 --> 00:38:31.960 The evidence in this account is how we've treated the disciples in need. 00:38:33.019 --> 00:38:35.720 Because of what message they bring with them. 00:38:36.400 --> 00:38:38.420 The good news of the gospel of the kingdom. 00:38:38.420 --> 00:38:46.079 So as you're planning today for Jesus' return. 00:38:48.240 --> 00:38:51.680 Readiness is caring for the needs of fellow disciples. 00:38:53.059 --> 00:39:00.440 Faithfulness is linking arms with and advancing the king's mission together with other Christians. 00:39:00.440 --> 00:39:06.079 This is the call to all of us who are part of the family of God. 00:39:06.079 --> 00:39:07.500 Care for each other. 00:39:08.400 --> 00:39:10.119 Because Jesus takes it personally. 00:39:12.059 --> 00:39:14.039 You've aligned with the king, Christian. 00:39:14.179 --> 00:39:15.720 Now care for his family. 00:39:18.659 --> 00:39:21.780 Three points of application to close. 00:39:21.780 --> 00:39:23.220 First of all, think. 00:39:24.900 --> 00:39:29.420 The disciple in need is a brother or sister to care for with compassion. 00:39:29.560 --> 00:39:31.220 That's the mindset that we have to have. 00:39:31.440 --> 00:39:35.140 That that disciple, that one over there struggling with whatever it may need. 00:39:36.360 --> 00:39:39.000 Is a brother or sister that Jesus loves deeply. 00:39:40.280 --> 00:39:41.620 And I want to care for them. 00:39:42.019 --> 00:39:43.820 I want to love them like Jesus loves them. 00:39:43.820 --> 00:39:47.940 Number one is think. 00:39:48.039 --> 00:39:48.980 Number two is act. 00:39:51.539 --> 00:39:55.480 Make personal effort to care for God's people in their need. 00:39:57.240 --> 00:39:59.100 I think it can be easy as part of the church. 00:39:59.200 --> 00:40:01.700 Sometimes kind of sit back and go, well, I'm tithing my money. 00:40:01.880 --> 00:40:03.700 And I'm giving to the church fund. 00:40:03.740 --> 00:40:06.080 And the church is doing this great ministry and awesome. 00:40:07.640 --> 00:40:10.059 But here Jesus is speaking to individual people. 00:40:10.059 --> 00:40:13.800 Make personal effort to care for God's people in their need. 00:40:13.820 --> 00:40:17.960 With your money or your time or your transportation. 00:40:18.620 --> 00:40:19.760 Your job networking. 00:40:21.559 --> 00:40:25.360 And make sure as you do, we treat each other as family. 00:40:25.539 --> 00:40:26.880 Not as projects. 00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:31.660 Not as sort of people that need help. 00:40:32.320 --> 00:40:32.820 They're brothers. 00:40:33.039 --> 00:40:33.580 They're sisters. 00:40:34.500 --> 00:40:35.059 They're mothers. 00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:40.660 Finally, identify with. 00:40:40.659 --> 00:40:45.219 We follow a crucified king. 00:40:46.339 --> 00:40:48.099 With whom we've aligned our lives. 00:40:49.779 --> 00:40:53.079 And that king calls us to stand with the downtrodden. 00:40:53.599 --> 00:40:54.799 With the persecuted. 00:40:55.500 --> 00:40:58.279 With those hated by the world for the sake of Jesus. 00:40:58.460 --> 00:40:59.440 And because of his name. 00:40:59.440 --> 00:41:06.519 We must stand together with those in need. 00:41:08.659 --> 00:41:13.099 As disciples of Jesus, we move toward the needs of our brothers and sisters. 00:41:13.860 --> 00:41:14.260 Always. 00:41:15.720 --> 00:41:17.559 We do it because we love each other. 00:41:18.559 --> 00:41:23.260 And when we do it, we realize that we're serving Jesus. 00:41:23.260 --> 00:41:25.860 Let's pray. 00:41:30.400 --> 00:41:33.460 Heavenly Father, you are good. 00:41:34.900 --> 00:41:40.480 Thank and praise you for not judging us according to our deeds. 00:41:41.760 --> 00:41:43.980 For their filthy rags. 00:41:44.980 --> 00:41:46.840 But you have had mercy on us, Lord. 00:41:46.840 --> 00:41:52.180 And I pray that today you would help us to live ready for the return of Jesus. 00:41:53.660 --> 00:41:58.380 And that we would love one another and care deeply for the needs of your people. 00:41:59.559 --> 00:42:01.640 Today and every day until you come back, Jesus. 00:42:02.760 --> 00:42:06.600 Help us do that with faith and faithfully. 00:42:07.600 --> 00:42:08.600 In Christ's name, amen. 00:42:08.599 --> 00:42:17.619 God bless you to sit in death. 00:42:17.639 --> 00:42:18.099 Amen. 00:42:19.460 --> 00:42:19.679 True. 00:42:19.779 --> 00:42:20.900 Well, the truth is, Jesus. 00:42:21.619 --> 00:42:21.739 Amen. 00:42:21.739 --> 00:42:22.219 Amen. 00:42:22.219 --> 00:42:22.779 Amen. 00:42:22.779 --> 00:42:23.059 Amen. 00:42:23.360 --> 00:42:24.059 Amen. 00:42:24.059 --> 00:42:24.400 Amen. 00:42:24.579 --> 00:42:25.239 Amen. 00:42:25.239 --> 00:42:25.360 Amen.