I. We must not force this passage to teach salvation by good works.
A. A superficial reading could give the impression that helping one's neighbor is sufficient to earn salvation and go to heaven.
1. But this is not the message of this passage. Nobody at any time in the history of the world was ever saved by good works.
2. The Old Testament saints were saved by faith (Heb. 11); the New Testament saints were saved by faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8-10).
3. People today are saved the same way.
4. The gospel of "do good" is not a scriptural message.
5. It is right for believers to do good (Gal. 6:10; Heb. 13:16), but this is not the way unbelievers can be saved.
B. Three Groups Involved in This Judgment: sheep, goats, and brethren.
1. The Brethren
a. The "brethren" are the believing Jews from the Tribulation period.
b. These are people who will hear the message of the 144,000 and trust Jesus Christ.
c. Since these believing Jews will not receive the "mark of the beast" (Rev. 13:16-17), they will be unable to buy or sell.
d. How, then, can they survive?
e. Through the loving care of the Gentiles who have trusted Christ and who care for His brethren.
2. The Sheep.
a. The interesting thing about this judgment is that the sheep individuals are surprised at what they hear.
b. They will not remember having seen the Lord Jesus Christ and ministering to His needs.
c. But just as they lovingly ministered to the believing Jews, they did it to Christ.
d. Their motive was not reward, but sacrificial love.
e. In fact, these Gentiles took their own lives in their hands when they welcomed the homeless Jews and cared for them.
f. Jesus said to His disciples, "He that receiveth you receiveth Me," (Matt. 10:40); and surely this would also apply to His brethren.
3. The Goats
a. The individuals designated goats were judged because they did not trust Jesus Christ and give evidence of that faith by caring for His brethren.
b. They apparently received the mark of the beast and took care of themselves and their own, but they had no time for the Jewish remnant that was suffering on earth (Rev. 12:17).
c. There are sins of omission as well as sins of commission (James 4:17).
d. Not doing good is the moral equivalent of doing evil.
II. Comparison of the Judgment.
A. When we compare the two judicial sentences (Matt. 25:34, 41), we discover some interesting truths.
1. To begin with, the sheep were blessed of the Father; but it does not say that the goats were "cursed of the Father."
2. The sheep inherit the kingdom, and inheritance is based on birth.
3. Because they had been born again through faith, they inherited the kingdom.
4. This kingdom was prepared for these saved individuals, but Matthew 25:41 does not state that the everlasting fire was prepared for the goats.
5. It was prepared for the devil and his angels (Rev. 20:10).
6. God never prepared hell for people.
7. There is no evidence from Scripture that God predestines people to go to hell.
8. If sinners listen to Satan, and follow his ways, they will end up where he ends up-in the torments of hell. There are only two eternal destinies: everlasting punishment for those who reject Christ or eternal life for those who trust Him.
III. There is a Lesson in this for Us = God intends for us to minister to others.
A. Everyone is like either a sheep or a goat (v. 32-33)
1. No one left in the middle - "Walking on the fence"?
2. We choose what we will be and what we will do.
B. Ministering to others is ministering to Jesus
1. This is not about earning our faith in God or our salvation.
2. It's about demonstrating our faith in God and our salvation
(James 2:14-16) What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? {15} If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, {16} And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
3. Those who truly have faith in Christ will demonstrate that faith through obedience.
4. They will show that their lives have been changed.
5. This involves a change of: heart; philosophy; priorities; attitude; and focus
C. Neglecting Others Is Neglecting Jesus (v. 45)
1. We have a problem: self-centeredness.
2. For example, Jesus came to serve others, will we?
3. We may be the key to someone else's salvation.
D. Both Choices Have Results (v. 34, 41)
SHEEP
GOATS
E. It All Comes Down To Obedience (v. 35-36)
1. Notice how practical demonstrations of faith are.
2. These are just SOME examples of obedience…
3. But to Jesus they are the prime example
James 1:22 - "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.."
John 14:15 - "If ye love me, keep my commandments ." cf. John 14:24
John 15:10a: "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love…"
Let's Be Like Sheep!