[The following is a manuscript of my message delivered on Sunday morning the 28th of April, 2019 at Pilgrim Reformed Church. Look for the video of our services on our Vimeo channel: http://vimeo.com/pilgrimreformedchurch.]
Our Bible contains a lot of prophecy, where God tells His creation what is going to happen. Much of this prophecy has already occurred, but some speaks of what is yet to come. Since all that was foretold to happen did come to pass, we can trust that what is yet to happen will indeed happen.
We today are mostly concerned with the prophecy that deals with what will happen at the end of the age, when Jesus returns, such as what we read of in the Book of Daniel or in the Apostle John’s Book of the Revelation of Jesus, among others. But our Lord Jesus Himself also spoke of what is to come when He returns to judge the world.
Please listen and follow along to the words Jesus spoke, as recorded by the Apostle Matthew in his Gospel account, chapter 25 verses 31 through 46, and I’ll be reading from the New King James Version of our Holy Bible…
We today are mostly concerned with the prophecy that deals with what will happen at the end of the age, when Jesus returns, such as what we read of in the Book of Daniel or in the Apostle John’s Book of the Revelation of Jesus, among others. But our Lord Jesus Himself also spoke of what is to come when He returns to judge the world.
Please listen and follow along to the words Jesus spoke, as recorded by the Apostle Matthew in his Gospel account, chapter 25 verses 31 through 46, and I’ll be reading from the New King James Version of our Holy Bible…
31 “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. 32 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. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 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: 35 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; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 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.’
41 “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: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 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.’
44 “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?’ 45 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.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
--Matthew 25:31-46 (NKJV)
Let us pray… Father God, Your great plan for the salvation of mankind did not end when Your Son Jesus died on the cross. Nor was it completed when He rose from the grave and returned to You in heaven. Your plan will continue until Jesus returns and sets the world right again. Thank You, Father, for seeing Your plan through to its completion. Please help us understand our role in Your plan, what we must do to carry out our part. Speak to us this morning, Father, speak directly to our hearts, and carve Your message there that we need to understand and follow. This we pray in the blessed name of Your Son Jesus. Amen.
In his little book, Illustrations of Bible Truth, H. A. Ironside pointed out the folly of judging others. He tells of an incident in the life of a man called Bishop Potter. Ironside relates: "He was sailing for Europe on one of the great transatlantic ocean liners. When he went on board, he found that another passenger was to share the cabin with him. After going to see the accommodations, he came up to the purser's desk and inquired if he could leave his gold watch and other valuables in the ship's safe. He explained that ordinarily he never availed himself of that privilege, but he had been to his cabin and had met the man who was to occupy the other berth. Judging from the man’s appearance, Potter was afraid that he might not be a very trustworthy person. The purser accepted the responsibility for the valuables and remarked, 'It's all right, Bishop, I'll be very glad to take care of them for you. The other man has been up here too and left his valuables for the same reason!'"
This reminds me of the story of a woman whose car broke down in a bad section of town at sunset. This was before cell phones so she used the original “mobile calling plan” and prayed to God for help. “Lord, please send someone to help me – I don’t care who.”, she prayed.
Almost immediately a rough-looking biker pulled up behind her car and got off his motorcycle. The woman was terrified, but the man silently went to work and got her car running again in no time. He never said a word as she stuttered her thanks, but simply nodded, climbed back on his motorcycle, and rode off.
When we judge others based on their situation, their looks, the color of their skin, we may miss out on a lot. We may miss out on the help, advice, information, or experience they can offer. We likely miss out on the opportunity of getting to know that person, and perhaps of seeing a little bit of ourselves in them. We certainly miss out on the chance of seeing them as Jesus sees them.
Perhaps you’re wondering what these two little stories of judging others based on appearance has to do with our scripture reading. It’s because I want us to think for a moment about what keeps us from doing the things Jesus expects. What keeps us from treating others the way we would treat Jesus Himself, given the chance? How many times have we failed to help someone in their time of great need simply because of the way they looked, how they were dressed, how they talked, how they smelled?
Jesus takes our treatment of other people very personally. He sees it as us treating Him that way. Did we give someone food when they were hungry, or drink when they were thirsty, or did we look the other way because we thought they were just a lazy beggar? Did we help the stranger by the side of the road, or were we too scared to stop? Do we give of our resources to help those who have so little, or is sharing something we still need to work on? Does it bother us to visit with the ill or the incarcerated, because maybe we think, “there but for the grace of God go I”? However it is that we deal with any of these situations, Jesus considers it as us dealing with Him.
God loves us, and He proved it by sacrificing His own Son for us. And He commands that we love Him and put nothing else ahead of Him. He also commands that we love our neighbor just as we love ourselves. Now granted, some people may have trouble loving themselves, but this attitude God wants of us is reflected in what we call the “Golden Rule”. We should treat other people the way we ourselves want to be treated, and I’ll add “as if we were in the same situation”.
God spoke through Moses to give us a few examples of how to help others in their need. Listen to what God said as recorded in Deuteronomy chapter 24, verses 19 through 22…
OK, so not many of us have grain fields or olive orchards or vineyards that we can allow people to glean from. But most of us do have resources we can share with the less fortunate. Yes, for most of us here, our resources are limited and already stretched rather thin. Giving up even a little bit more may be out of the question. But I am reminded of the widow Jesus told the Pharisees about, who gave a great portion of what little she had while they gave little in comparison. We certainly don’t want to be like that rich young man who confronted Jesus, as told by the Apostle Mark in his Gospel account, chapter 10, verses 17 through 22…
We may not be as wealthy as that young man, but we do have resources to draw from. And I don’t think Jesus is truly asking us to give up everything we have to help the needy, or else we’d end up in the same situation of needing help ourselves. But He is asking us to give of ourselves, to willingly give what we can. He is asking us to not put so much value on possessions, rather than on our reward in heaven, on valuing our eternal life. He is asking us to treat other people just like we would treat Him.
Would we willingly give everything to Jesus? Then we should be willing to give everything for Him. Let’s not be sent off with the goats when Jesus returns. In the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray… Father God, You expect us to understand that You and only You are God, the eternal Creator of all there is. We are to place nothing else ahead of You. We are to love You and we are to love others also, even as much as we love ourselves. We show our love for them by sharing Your love with them. Thank You, Father, for loving us. Thank You for giving to us in abundance so that we can give to others in their time of need. Please forgive us when we hold back, when we judge others based on their looks or situation, when we fail to help when help is needed, when we place more value on things than on showing Your love. Father, we repent of our selfishness, of our hesitation, of our fear, of our judgmental nature. Forgive us for not always obeying You. Please help us see others through the eyes of Jesus. Help us be Jesus to someone each day.
Please hear us now, Father, as we come to You in the silence, speaking from our hearts, promising to turn from our sin, seeking Your forgiveness and Your help…
Lord Jesus, You tried to make us understand how important it is for us to love other people as You love them, as You love us. You gave us example after example, not only in words but also in deeds. You even warned us that how we treat other people is how You consider us treating You. Help us do as You would have us do, please Lord. Give us the courage to disregard and snap judgments we might make that would keep us from acting wholly in Your service. Help us see You in other people, and let them see You in us.
This we pray in Your glorious name, Christ Jesus our Lord, our Master, our Savior. Amen.
In his little book, Illustrations of Bible Truth, H. A. Ironside pointed out the folly of judging others. He tells of an incident in the life of a man called Bishop Potter. Ironside relates: "He was sailing for Europe on one of the great transatlantic ocean liners. When he went on board, he found that another passenger was to share the cabin with him. After going to see the accommodations, he came up to the purser's desk and inquired if he could leave his gold watch and other valuables in the ship's safe. He explained that ordinarily he never availed himself of that privilege, but he had been to his cabin and had met the man who was to occupy the other berth. Judging from the man’s appearance, Potter was afraid that he might not be a very trustworthy person. The purser accepted the responsibility for the valuables and remarked, 'It's all right, Bishop, I'll be very glad to take care of them for you. The other man has been up here too and left his valuables for the same reason!'"
This reminds me of the story of a woman whose car broke down in a bad section of town at sunset. This was before cell phones so she used the original “mobile calling plan” and prayed to God for help. “Lord, please send someone to help me – I don’t care who.”, she prayed.
Almost immediately a rough-looking biker pulled up behind her car and got off his motorcycle. The woman was terrified, but the man silently went to work and got her car running again in no time. He never said a word as she stuttered her thanks, but simply nodded, climbed back on his motorcycle, and rode off.
When we judge others based on their situation, their looks, the color of their skin, we may miss out on a lot. We may miss out on the help, advice, information, or experience they can offer. We likely miss out on the opportunity of getting to know that person, and perhaps of seeing a little bit of ourselves in them. We certainly miss out on the chance of seeing them as Jesus sees them.
Perhaps you’re wondering what these two little stories of judging others based on appearance has to do with our scripture reading. It’s because I want us to think for a moment about what keeps us from doing the things Jesus expects. What keeps us from treating others the way we would treat Jesus Himself, given the chance? How many times have we failed to help someone in their time of great need simply because of the way they looked, how they were dressed, how they talked, how they smelled?
Jesus takes our treatment of other people very personally. He sees it as us treating Him that way. Did we give someone food when they were hungry, or drink when they were thirsty, or did we look the other way because we thought they were just a lazy beggar? Did we help the stranger by the side of the road, or were we too scared to stop? Do we give of our resources to help those who have so little, or is sharing something we still need to work on? Does it bother us to visit with the ill or the incarcerated, because maybe we think, “there but for the grace of God go I”? However it is that we deal with any of these situations, Jesus considers it as us dealing with Him.
God loves us, and He proved it by sacrificing His own Son for us. And He commands that we love Him and put nothing else ahead of Him. He also commands that we love our neighbor just as we love ourselves. Now granted, some people may have trouble loving themselves, but this attitude God wants of us is reflected in what we call the “Golden Rule”. We should treat other people the way we ourselves want to be treated, and I’ll add “as if we were in the same situation”.
God spoke through Moses to give us a few examples of how to help others in their need. Listen to what God said as recorded in Deuteronomy chapter 24, verses 19 through 22…
19 “When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. 22 And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this thing."
--Deuteronomy 24:19-22 (NKJV)
17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
--Mark 10:17-22 (NKJV)
Would we willingly give everything to Jesus? Then we should be willing to give everything for Him. Let’s not be sent off with the goats when Jesus returns. In the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray… Father God, You expect us to understand that You and only You are God, the eternal Creator of all there is. We are to place nothing else ahead of You. We are to love You and we are to love others also, even as much as we love ourselves. We show our love for them by sharing Your love with them. Thank You, Father, for loving us. Thank You for giving to us in abundance so that we can give to others in their time of need. Please forgive us when we hold back, when we judge others based on their looks or situation, when we fail to help when help is needed, when we place more value on things than on showing Your love. Father, we repent of our selfishness, of our hesitation, of our fear, of our judgmental nature. Forgive us for not always obeying You. Please help us see others through the eyes of Jesus. Help us be Jesus to someone each day.
Please hear us now, Father, as we come to You in the silence, speaking from our hearts, promising to turn from our sin, seeking Your forgiveness and Your help…
Lord Jesus, You tried to make us understand how important it is for us to love other people as You love them, as You love us. You gave us example after example, not only in words but also in deeds. You even warned us that how we treat other people is how You consider us treating You. Help us do as You would have us do, please Lord. Give us the courage to disregard and snap judgments we might make that would keep us from acting wholly in Your service. Help us see You in other people, and let them see You in us.
This we pray in Your glorious name, Christ Jesus our Lord, our Master, our Savior. Amen.
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