based on Matthew 25:1-13

I. We need Saving Faith
II. Obtained from the Means of Grace

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I. The Fulfillment of All Holiness
II. The Fulfillment of All Joy

based on Matthew 25:31-46

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I. It Puts Grace before Judgment
II. It Offends Worldly Sensibilities
III. It Exalts the Lowly

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But what of those who are faithful now, are believers now?  Is God still waiting to make up His mind about you?  No! In faith you already possess what God wants to give you:  Forgiveness, life, and salvation!  You have already been brought to the eternal life that will last forever, as today’s text says, “Since, then, you have [already] been raised with Christ …”

The fact is that our relationship with God is a “done deal.”  We are reconciled with God.  He does give us spiritual life that is not of this “present evil age,” this “dominion of darkness”
As a result, the arrival of Christ on the last day is not a moment of fear or wondering, but a moment of incredible joy, for, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

As Christians we do focus on this new life, yet when we think about it we want to do so much more than we do.  It is this “otherworldly” orientation that makes the Christian church such an oasis in this spiritually dark and barren and hostile world.  So that this may be true more and more, we fervently reflect upon “things above” so that we, those we love, and those whom we seek to know may be embraced by the grace of our Lord, and freed of their burdens.

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Earthly Jerusalem was blind to His gracious visitation, and so put Him to death like the prophets before Him. Yet, His sacrifice upon the cross was the cornerstone of the new Jerusalem, His Church. He visits us today in mercy with His preaching of forgiveness, to gather us to Himself within that holy city, “as a hen gathers her brood under her wings” (Luke 13:34). For “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20).

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I.  Absolutely Damned
II. Absolutely Blessed

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In order to understand the Bible it is crucial to know the differences between the two main teachings of the Bible, Law and Gospel.

The law is the message that all sin condemns us before God absolutely.  So Paul quotes Deuteronomy, Galatians 3:10, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”  The Psalmists also lay out the futility of trusting in our own righteousness.  Consider Psalm 130:3, “If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?”  and Psalm 5:5, “The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.”

The law leaves no room for sin or sinners.

The Gospel, on the other hand is the good news of what God has done through our Savior Jesus Christ to meet the demands of the law on our behalf.  John tells us, 1 John 2:2, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”  Paul tells us, Romans 4:25, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

Those who trust in their own righteousness need to hear the law, so that they understand that they stand condemned before God and despair of their own righteousness.

Those who despair of their own righteousness must be pointed to Christ, who is our atoning sacrifice, and has taken away the sins of the world.

So Jesus preaches the law to the Pharisees who were really “pretty good” guys, and preaches the gospel to for tax collector, the corrupt and thieving public official.  The former were taught to despair of themselves.  Those in despair are taught to trust in Christ.

Are you facing the fact that your sins condemn you before God?  Then let me assure you with the words of gospel truth:  For the sake of Christ, all your sins are forgiven.

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The Consequences of Neglecting God’s Word

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But consequences do come.

When they do, in such a culture as ours, they are often greeted as unfair.  Someone who has bullied people and stolen from them all their life is outraged that they are sent to prison.  Irresponsible fathers complain that their wages are garnisheed.  Irresponsible mothers cry out how unfair their difficult life is.  Those who are crushed under debt of their own choosing look for a scapegoat.

Is it any wonder that we live in an age that discounts any eternal consequences?  The unbelieving world discards even the most basic moral standards and scoffs at the idea of being held responsible by our Creator at the end of our lives.

But consequences will come.

The fact that there are consequences in this life, as terrible as they might be, is a beneficial thing.  It is a warning.  As terrible as the siege of Jerusalem was, it is a warning to the world that we reject the peace of God at our peril.  Every day through the gospel God offers His peace to the world.  He offers forgiveness for our sins.  He offers life and salvation.  Most can’t be bothered.

Most have no use for God and His means of grace, his means of giving us the fruits of His unmerited love.  Jesus took all the consequences of our sin upon himself and offers us the benefit.  Most don’t care.

They will face the consequences.
 

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Luke 6:37: “Do not judge except so as not to be judged (by God). For the judgment with which you judge will be what you receive, as the measure with which you measure out (to others) will be used in measuring out (judgment) to you.”

Luke 6:42: “First correct your own gross fault and then you will indeed know how to correct the petty defect in your brother.”

1 Corinthians 5:12-13a: “For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside.”’

Leviticus 19:17: “You shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself.”

Psalm 141:4: “Let the righteous strike me; let the faithful correct me.”

Psalm 51: “Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. … Restore to me the joy of your salvation. … Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.”

Leviticus 19:15:  “You shall not render an unjust judgment.”

1 Corinthians 6:2-3: “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?  … Do you not know that we are to judge angels—to say nothing of ordinary matters?”

1 Corinthians 11:31: “But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged.”

By guest preacher – Rev. Dr. A. Andrew Das.
 

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