HANDOUT FOR SERMON: ARE YOU READY FOR THE JUDGMENT? Manchester, TN. January 23rd. 2022, 9:30 a.m.
INTRODUCTION: Life can be wonderful, discouraging, and even sorrowful at times. This reality has to do with our two-sided nature. Our flesh is subject to the corruption of the world, and we experience difficulties and pain, sorrow, and loss. This sometimes pulls our site inward and downward. Our spiritual or eternal nature can be revived in the Lord and in His word. God gives us hope and direction, encouragement, and strength. God lifts our eyes above the physical. Lifts our eyes towards heaven and the eternal. Everyone wants to go to heaven. In fact, a lot of people assume they are going to heaven but what do we base our conclusion on?
LESSON:
1.MATTHEW 25 TWO IMPORTANT ELEMENTS: TIME AND JUDGMENT. The judgment is a reality, and it is coming, but right now we have “time.” Between today and the judgment – God is giving you time! No one knows how much “time” God will allow you to live. In judgement Jesus will separate the “sheep” and the “goats.”
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 25:31-32 Judgment is real, and you need to prepare for your judgment.
We need to be using our time to build a love and desire for the kingdom and true faith. Matthew 25:1
2. THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO PREPARE FOR THE JUDGMENT & HEAVEN.
a) ENDURANCE, Matthew 25:1-13 The Parable of the 10 virgins.
All 10 has lamps burning bright and full of oil. However, because of time 5 of them ran out of oil. They ran out because they did not consider the bridegrooms time and timing. So, it is with God and we must remember God waits and He continues to wait wanting more and more to be saved.
Scripture: 2 Peter 3:9, Hebrews 12:1-3, Galatians 6:9, Philippians 4:13, Romans 5:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, James 1:2-4 (endurance & perseverance).
Time is only a problem when you run out of it. The Full lamp & the extra oil represent – endurance. The empty lamp with no refill represents a lack of preparation and endurance.
b) IMPROVEMENT. Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the Talents.
The message of this parable is it is all about growth, improvement, and increase. Being a true disciple is all about productivity. This is an uncomfortable truth because it pushes us and reminds us, we cannot stay idle and just wait! It is not enough to have just endurance! Endurance alone will not get you to heaven!
Scripture: John 15:8, 2 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 6:1, 1 Peter 2:2-3, Colossians 1:9-10, 2:6-7, 2 Peter 1:5-8, Ephesians 4:13-16 & 20-24, 2 Corinthians 9:6-10
The one talent man: He did not grow, he did not produce, he buried his talent, not growth or improvement. Discipleship is all about multiplication for Jesus. No one will “limp” into heaven, just barely making it! If you are “limping spiritually” sorry to say it but you are not going to make into heaven!
For the one’s set on growth and improvement- “time” is your most important asset! Time to grow and time to change! What are you doing with the time God is giving you? Tell me, how are you growing? Do you have a plan? From the parable of the talents, we learn: it is not about how much, but it is about the effort! It is not about who makes the most out of what they have or are given. Time is valuable when you are being productive. Multiply your talent is GROWTH. Bury your talent is non growth and you lose heaven!
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 & 4:9-10, Galatians 6:10, Hebrews 13:16, Ephesians 4:29, Acts 20:35, Luke 6:38. 1 John 3:18, James 2:14-17, Romans 12:13
c) SERVICE, Matthew 25:31-46. The parable of the Sheep and the Goats.
This is one of the most descriptive teachings about the judgment of mankind by Jesus Christ, the one whom the Father has appointed to be the judge of all. Jesus starts out with “I was…” and “You did…” or “You did not…” Jesus speaks to everyone on a personal level. Jesus given mankind a chance to reason and to disagree with Jesus, but Jesus is going to answer ALL of us! Some with go into everlasting punishment, so who are those? Some will enter the “kingdom of heaven” which God has prepared for them, so who are those?
Please ask yourself: What have you done? What are the things Jesus mentions in judgment? What is Christ’s focus? What kind of people does God want in heaven for all of eternity? Does Jesus demand “perfection”? Do He talk about that? Notice Jesus speaks about “service!” Service to Him and the way we service Him is how? To service others! Service is what is required of us to make it to heaven. Please look inward and consider the time God has allotted you. Helping hands = service. Idle hands = no service. This is what will determine YOUR JUDGMENT! Yes, this is a very serious lesson Jesus is teaching us. Think seriously: Our eternal destiny will be determined by Jesus based on OUR service to others. In judgment Jesus will be asking you about your service to others!
CONCLUSION: Do you want to go to heaven? Well, you need to prepare, and God is giving you time to prepare. Jesus in Matthew 25 is telling you how to prepare. The question for you and me is: are we prepared or are we preparing ourselves to meet Jesus?