The Return of the King – Matt. 25:31-46

I. Introduction: Godward Motivations vs. Man-Centered Motivations

a. Fear of God vs. Fear of Man

b. You have a reason to get of bed every morning and do what you are going to do – and your core motivations will determine if what you do is pleasing to God.

c. Romans 14:23b – whatever does not proceed from faith is sin…or anything that doesn’t come from a motivation to please, honor, glorify God is sin.

II. Jesus will return as a judge

Matthew 25:31–33 “31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.”

Revelation 19:11–16 “11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

a. Character of the judge

i. Glorious

1. This is in contrast to his first coming, when he came in humility, born in a manger, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, and crowned with thorns.

2. When the King returns his throne will be glorious, in Rev. 19 he comes riding a white horse, he is crowned with many crowns.

ii. Royal/ Sovereign

1. He is the only king ever with a truly divine right to rule

2. There will be no mistaking Jesus is a King above every other King, and that he must be worshipped. One this day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.

iii. Holy/Pure

1. His horse is white – he is a Holy King. He is not plagued by human frailties and failures. He has no weaknesses or flaws. He is without sin in every respect.

iv. Faithful

1. He is faithful – he will always keep his word. He never fails to accomplish all his Holy will.

2. He will be faithful both the rescue the redeemed and punish those who did not surrender to his Lordship.

v. True

1. He is not a politician, every word that proceeds from his mouth in truth. So much so that his words are life! They create and sustain life now and in eternity – what kind of King is this – he is the creator king and the sustainer king – He not only rules his creatures, he made them and keeps them alive by his WORD.

vi. Righteous

1. Everything he does is right, good, purposeful.

2. When he judges he will not err! There will not be a hint of injustice.

vii. All Knowing

1. His eyes are like a flame of fire, nothing can be hidden from his sight. All sin will be exposed, his presence will expose everything, every hidden sin, every lie, every thought, every motive – every thought, word, and deed will become visible.

viii. All Powerful

1. He doesn’t have one crown he has many – this speaks to his universal sovereignty and his complete power to rule!

2. You cannot escape his knowledge and you cannot rebel – there will be no military coups.

ix. Redeemer

1. His robe is dipped in blood as a sign to all who love him as their redeemer.

2. This is a reminder of the cross and that his judgment will be merciful towards those who have received him.

x. Revealer

1. His word will reveal all that is needed to pronounce judgment on his adversaries.

2. No one will be able to speak a credible word of defense.

xi. Wrathful

1. He will carry out justice – all those who have rebelled against him and have not received him as Lord will be sentenced to an eternity in Hell.

b. His character will comfort believers

c. His character should concern unbelievers

III. His judgment will be global and personal

Matthew 25:32–33 “32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.”

a. His judgment will be global

b. His judgment will be personal

IV. His judgment will be according to the evidence of a transformed life

Matthew 25:34–45 ESV

34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by 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 welcomed me, 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 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal 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 welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, 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, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

a. Salvation is all of grace - vs.34 b. The grace of God changes us and makes us more and more like our King.

i. The life of Jesus was a life of kindness, mercy, humility, and love.

ii. When we follow him we want to look like him and live like he lived – and slowly and surely over the course of a Christian’s life they learn to be like their savior – there is evidence that they have walked with him and worshipped him.

iii. There are those who teach that saving faith is only intellectual belief – that one can have faith that never shows any evidence. But there are too many passages of Scripture like this one to believe that.

iv. This passage should motivate us to strive to be like our savior and it should warn us that if we are not motivated to truly follow Christ then we need to repent and return to Christ.

V. His judgment will be Irrevocable and Eternal (Matt. 25:46)

a. His mind will not be changed – his judgment towards the righteous and the guilty will be fixed.

b. The Blessing for the redeemed and the punishment of the wicked will be eternal, forever.

VI. Conclusion: How should you be motivated by the Return of the King?

a. This should motivate you to surrender now to his rule.

This text underscores the absurdity of living for the praise and adoration of man.

This text teaches us the foolishness of living for momentary sinful pleasures.

b. This should motivate every believer to strive to be like Jesus and to serve one another fervently.

c. This should motivate us to tell people that Jesus is coming again, we should tell people of his character and the kind of world he is going to establish upon his return.