Separate sheep from the goats

1) In the 25^th chapter of Matthew Jesus spoke of “ten virgins” that went to “meet a bridegroom.”

2) This is a story that we know; Jesus said 5 of these ladies were wise and five were not.

3) The five ladies who failed to take a proper amount of oil were the ones who lacked wisdom.

4) The bridegroom came at “midnight” (verse 6) and all 10 ladies were to go out and meet him.

5) The foolish ladies said they were running out of oil (verse 8), and they missed out on the festivities.

6) Jesus used this story to say to His people, “watch” (be prepared, verse 13) for His second coming.

7) After this story Jesus then launched into another illustration (verse 14).

8) He spoke of a man who went into a different “country.”

9) Before leaving on this trip the man “called to his servants” and “delivered unto them his goods.”

10) One servant received 5 talents, another 2, and another one—each according to their abilities.

11) A long time passed, the man came back, and he asked each servant how he had done.

12) The fellow who had been given five talents now had ten; the man given 2 now had 4.

13) The man with one had buried his talent and a “reckoning” was made with all those servants.

14) Both of these accounts have something in common: preparation, readiness, good judgment, wisdom.

15) Both of these stories are very good, but perhaps the most climatic information begins in verse 31.

a) Jesus said a time is coming when He will return “in his glory.”

b) At that time He will assume a very specific role – verse 32 – READ.

c) Verse 33 continues the thought – READ.

16) We have taken some time on Sunday nights to consider some examples of “separation.”

17) In Mt. 25 Jesus specifically dealt with the subject of separation.

18) He taught that a time of separation is coming and every single person will be put into one group or another.

a) On the one side of His throne will be a mass of people known as the “sheep” (the saved).

b) On the other side will be a group known as the “goats” (the unsaved).

c) Jesus is the shepherd of the sheep, but He is not the shepherd of the goats.

19) There are several points in the Lord’s teaching that we want to consider for tonight’s lesson.

a) We might first consider why Jesus uses an analogy of sheep and goats.

b) We may look at this illustration and think that Jesus just invented it.

c) That may not be the case; we have a similar statement or illustration in the Old Testament.

d) The Old Testament reference is found in the book of Ezekiel, Ezek. 34:17-18.

e) God’s prophet did not have in mind the end of time judgment.

f) God spoke to Ezekiel about the “shepherds” in Israel and condemned them.

g) Heaven said these men were feeding themselves instead of the people they had charge over.

h) Rather than caring for the weak and sick, people in Israel ruled with cruelty and force.

i) Because the leaders had not been good shepherds, Israel was easy prey for others (verse 5).

j) God said His people had been scattered on mountains and hills and no one searched for them (verse 6).

20) Because Israel’s shepherds had failed so miserably, God said He was “against” them (verse 10).

21) Then in verses 17-18 we have an image of judgment – READ.

a) This may be the Old Testament background for Jesus’ teaching in Mt. 25.

b) In the past God had spoken of judgment in the context of a shepherd separating sheep and goats.

c) This illustration is also appropriate for the end of time separation.

d) Using this comparison would have made a lot of sense to people who were around these animals.

e) Goats have attacked sheep as well as destroyed pastures and polluted water supplies.

f) In the spiritual realm goats are classified as being undesirable.

g) Some have suggested that sheep are inherently better than sheep; perhaps this is also true.

h) A third reason may exist for Jesus using this comparison.

i) There are similarities between goats and sheep just as there are likenesses between the saved and the lost.

j) There are also differences between the two, and these differences will be made clear at the end of time.

22) Consideration might also be given to the “right hand” and “left hand.”

23) In the Bible the “right hand” is often associated with or designated as a place of honor.

24) If the right hand is a place of honor, or the greatest honor, the left would be the right place for the unsaved.

25) The sheep and the goat analogy has been told to many, but not everyone seems to get it.

a) Some have looked at the illustration and drawn a rather unusual idea from it.

b) It has been said that “sheep and goats” run together; they may coexist in the same group.

c) To this we would say “okay; we agree.”

d) Then the reasoning takes an interesting twist:

e) No matter how long they spend together, a sheep cannot become a goat and a goat cannot become a sheep.

f) This is true. What is not true is this conclusion.

g) It is argued that since a goat cannot change over to a sheep, such is also true in the spiritual realm.

h) If we are sheep, we can never become a goat. If we are a goat, we cannot become a sheep.

26) To this we may offer a very succinct reply: there are no spiritual sheep in our world.

27) When we get old enough to know right from wrong, we all become goats.

28) One sin will change us into a goat.

29) We may not become a Christian early in life and may therefore be an “old goat” at the time of conversion.

30) We may be a teenage goat or a goat in the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, or some other age.

a) The Bible teaches that sin makes us a goat.

b) Rom. 3:10 says “none are righteous” (we are not sheep due to sin).

c) All have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and are thus spiritual goats.

IN ORDER TO BEOCME A SHEEP THERE IS A PROCESS TO BE FOLLOWED. THE BIBLE REFERS TO THIS IN 2 THESES. 1:8 AS “OBEYING THE GOSPEL.”

a) If we do not become a sheep, we are a goat and Jesus warns us about the fate of the goats.

b) Faith, repentance, confession and baptism are the beginning steps to becoming a sheep.

c) After these steps the process is not complete.

d) Six distinct acts are listed in verses 35-36 of Mt. 25 – READ.

e) These acts should not be understood as a six point list.

f) Sometimes people see a list of something in Scripture and treat it like a checklist.

g) If we did that with sin, we would only avoid the specific things that are mentioned.

h) Lists are often merely designed to illustrate things we should look for, do, or avoid.

i) We do not see helping someone with a flat tire on Jesus’ list, but that certainly fits right in with His list.

j) Jesus offered a list of things that virtually every single person can do.

k) In looking at this list we need to ask who these actions are directed towards.

2) Different answers are given to this question.

3) Some think these acts describe how we should approach all people.

4) As Christians we want to be good and helpful to all.

5) Here there seems to be a specific emphasis on helping our brethren – verse 40 – READ.

6) Being a sheep has a direct relationship to how we treat our brethren.

7) Let’s look at how Jesus spoke of us helping our fellow brothers and sisters.

a) For the first item He said, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”

b) We may not be the best cook in the world; some of us are even challenged at the grocery store.

c) Not long ago Teresa wanted me to get some tomato paste. I looked and looked for that item.

d) All I could find was tomato sauce and I didn’t think that was quite the same thing.

e) I waited till someone came by who looked like she knew her way around the kitchen.

f) She let me know that the two items are not the same, and said paste was usually in small cans.

g) That information helped me find it. Not everyone is an expert with food.

h) We do not need to be a 5 star chef to do what the Lord said.

i) There may be a situation where we buy a burger and a soft drink for someone who needs food.

j) Doing that would fulfill the first two items mentioned by the Lord.

k) There are multiple ways to help people, and especially a fellow Christian in this area of life.

8) After food and drink we come to the third item on Jesus’ list - “taking in a stranger.”

9) We can help those we do not know, and this is certainly true of fellow Christians, in various ways.

10) In some instances, we may provide lodging in our homes or pay for a motel.

11) Helping a stranger (Christian or not) may also include something as simple as giving them directions.

12) Jesus once spoke about a “good Samaritan” (we can do that type of thing for all and especially believers).

13) Jesus spoke of “clothing” someone in 36a. When we have brethren in need of clothing, help them.

14) We also have opportunities to help those who have not become a Christian.

15) Giving a blanket to someone who is cold fits into this category of good works.

16) Jesus then spoke of “visiting the sick,” another thing most anyone can do.

17) We do not need to be a doctor or nurse to care for the sick.

18) It has been announced that we want to have a singing for Hazel.

19) That is one means of visiting and encouraging someone who is ill.
Finally the Lord spoke about helping those in “prison.”

20) Some have literally done this.

21) Others have done it from a distance through phone calls and letters.

22) All of what Jesus said is really summed up by Tit. 2:14; God wants people who are zealous of good works.

a) Good works are necessary but they are not enough; we must first be one of the sheep.

b) If we become a sheep but are not interested in good works, we are back with the goats.

c) God does not want dead sheep. There must be activity in our lives.

d) Perhaps we cannot be the most active one in the bunch, but we can and must have some life in ourselves.

23) To really be a sheep we adopt the kind of life Jesus spoke about and we do not think twice about it.

24) A true sheep will develop a life where good works are a natural part of life, a routine.

a) This is not my opinion, it is what the Lord said .

b) Notice verses 37-39 – READ.

c) There are people in the world who seem to sit down and count their good works.

d) “Today I did this, this and this. Yesterday I did even more.”

e) That is not right thinking. This was not how Jesus thought and it is not the right attitude for our lives.

f) True sheep go through life looking for ways to help and serve.

g) There is no interest in “trying to pile up good works” to be righteous.

h) We were saved by a servant and as saved people we want to serve in every way we can.

25) The goats have a different way of thinking – verse 44 – READ.

26) Goats go through life and do not see the needs or do not really try to help the needs others have.

27) Being sensitive to the needs of our brethren was what Jesus taught in Mt. 25.

28) This is a great lesson for us to remember and live by as we go through life.

29) We want to offer the best care, love and support to one another as we go through life.

30) Then we shall hear those great wonders, “come ye blessed of my Father – inherit the kingdom prepared.”

31) Tonight as we sit here together would Jesus classify us as a sheep or a goat?