Active Faith

Series: Matthew

Title – Active Faith

Scripture – Matt 25:31-46

Subject – Ready

Central Theme – Be Ready

Resource: Lifeway’s ETB Winter 25 Lesson #12

Objective Statement:

Every person can be ready for Christ Return by understanding 3 roles that are described in Matthew 25.

Role #1 – The Judge – Christ will discern true faith (31-33)

Role #2 – The Sheep – Believers will reveal true faith (34-40)

Role #3  - The Goat – Unbeliever will be eternally punished (41-46)

Introduction

Connection

Annual performance reviews can create both anticipation and anxiety. Many employees experience this year after year. In most cases, managers have a metric or checklist by which they evaluate your work performance. In some unfortunate cases, an employee has no clue what the criterion will be for the review. It is helpful to know the benchmarks we are striving for as we carry out our daily responsibilities. 

What are the advantages of knowing the criteria by which you will be evaluated? What are the disadvantages of not knowing?   

Tension

To conclude the Olivet Discourse, Jesus prophesied a coming judgment of “sheep” and “goats.” The sheep, called righteous and blessed, will be invited into God’s kingdom. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, or era, God’s sheep will be gathered under the authority and blessing of the ultimate Shepherd. On the other hand, the goats will be cursed and sent into an eternal punishment from which there will be no escape.

In both cases, individuals will be judged by what they did or didn’t do for Jesus’s followers. For sheep, deeds of kindness and charity for God’s people is the same as doing them for Jesus Himself. In contrast, goats who reject His people are rejecting Him at the same time. So, while the focus of the story was on believers’ treatment, the primary point is that everyone will be judged by how they respond to Christ.

As you prepare to lead this session on living an active faith, think about how you respond to those who are suffering and oppressed. What do your actions and attitudes toward “the least of these” say about your relationship with the Messiah? Also, seek to remind adults that everything we do as Christians carries eternal significance.

Context

Context:Review this content from Understand the Context to explain Jesus’s message in the earlier parables: 

Beginning in Matthew 24:45, Jesus told three parables about preparedness.

The first contrasted the actions of a wise, sensible servant with the actions of a wicked servant while the master was away (24:45-51).

The second parable (25:1-13) concerned ten virgins who were part of a wedding celebration. . . . The prepared virgins accompanied the bridegroom to the feast. The unprepared ones failed to be ready and lacked enough oil to light the bridegroom’s way to the marriage feast. . . .

The third parable in the Olivet Discourse tells of a master and servants (vv. 14-30). . . . The bottom line is that we are to be prepared and faithfully carrying out the work given to us by our Master.

Share: Note that while Jesus used parables in Matthew 24–25 to explain an eternal “performance review,” this passage should be interpreted as a direct prophecy from Him regarding judgment in the last days. 

Say:

As we dig deeper into this eternal “performance review,” reflect on what your life says about Christ each day. 

Every person can be ready for Christ Return by understanding 3 roles that are described in Matthew 25.

Role #1 – The Judge – Christ will discern true faith (31-33)

Matthew 25:31 KJV 1900

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

(v. 31)Jesus’s explanation of this future judgment is largely drawn from Daniel 7:13-14 and Zechariah 14:5. While all of Matthew 25 is unique to Matthew’s Gospel, he also recorded hints of Jesus’s glorious appearing earlier in 13:41,49-50; 16:27; 19:28; and 24:30-31. This prophecy follows a series of parables about the last days.

Previous passages highlighted the need for people to be ready. For example, the parable of the ten virgins (25:1-13) challenges people to be ready when the time comes. Likewise, the parable of the talents (25:14-30) reminds readers that He will reward those who serve Him well in the waiting. The imagery of sheep and goats here focuses on the reality of judgment—and the standard that determines who spends eternity with Christ and who will be separated from Him forever.

Jesus emphasized that the Son of man will be the One returning to earth. In the incarnation, Jesus’s entire life—from His birth in a stable to His entrance into Jerusalem riding a donkey—was marked by humility. While He maintained His deity, He also took on human flesh and lived among His creation (see John 1:10-14; Phil. 2:5-8).  However, His return will reveal his glory.

The word Matthew used here (doxa) refers to the splendor, majesty, power, and authority of Jesus. His second coming will be totally different from His first advent. Along with returning in glory, Jesus will sit upon the throne of his glory (see Matt. 19:28), indicating His position of royalty.

Finally, He will not return alone. Jesus will be accompanied by all the holy angels. Later, Paul affirmed Christ’s return would be marked by the voice of the archangel (1 Thess. 4:16) and the presence of “mighty angels” (2 Thess. 1:7). Jude also noted that He would come with “ten thousands of his saints [literally, ‘holy ones’],” referring to angels (Jude 14).

Matthew 25:32 KJV 1900

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

(v. 32)Bible scholars debate whether all nations refers just to the Gentile nations or whether it is a comprehensive term for the whole human race, including the Jews. Shall be gathered is a divine passive, meaning God will gather the nations together for judgment (see Isa. 66:18; Joel 3:2,11-12; Zeph. 3:8; Zech. 12:3; 14:2). Once the nations are gathered, the Son of man is going to separate them one from another. In Greek, the word nations is neuter, but themis masculine. This suggests that Jesus will separate individuals within the nations. Countries and ethnicities will not matter. He will focus on each person.

Using a common pastoral image, this separation will be as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. In that society, these domesticated animals often were pastured together and may have looked similar from a distance. But sheep were valued more. When evening came, the shepherd would place the goats with thinner hair in a warmer place, while the sheep with heavier wool stayed in the open. Shepherds also separated the goats from sheep for milking and for slaughter. Given the context of judgment, this might fit the setting better.

Matthew 25:33 KJV 1900

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

(v. 33)Jesus said the sheep, symbolizing His followers, would be put on his right hand. (See Matt. 10:16; John 10:1-18; Acts 20:29.) In Scripture, the right hand of a king represents the place of honor (Matt. 22:44; 26:64; see also 1 Kings 2:19; Pss. 45:9; 110:1). Meanwhile, the goats will be placed on the left, which suggests the position of disfavor or disgrace.

Application Point: We should live our lives knowing we will stand before Jesus one day.

Ask: What do these verses teach about Jesus’s role in the final judgment?

Share: Jesus referred to Himself as the “Son of man” (v. 31). While He came humbly to Bethlehem, His return will be marked by glory and majesty. As He judges, He will separate individuals. Things like ethnicity, social status, and birthplace won’t matter. Jesus will judge each person, not countries or nations.

Transition:The right hand refers to a place of honor, while the left hand suggests disgrace. As Creator and King, Jesus has the right to separate the nations, but He also has a standard to determine who goes where.

Group Activity Option

Object Lesson: Crown

Invite two or three volunteers to draw a crown on the board or a large sheet of paper. Compare the crowns they drew. Affirm that whatever a crown looks like, it usually implies royalty and authority. Remind adults that Jesus came as a humble servant in the Gospels, but He will rule and judge everyone when He returns in His glory. Say: The world didn’t accept Him as King the first time, but they won’t have a choice at His return. 

Every person can be ready for Christ Return by understanding 3 roles that are described in Matthew 25. Role #1- The Judge…

Role #2 – The Sheep – Believers will reveal true faith (34-40)

Matthew 25:34 KJV 1900

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

(v. 34)The Son of man sitting on a throne (v. 31) is now directly called the King. Matthew’s Gospel emphasizes the kingdom of God, but the Son reigns. John 5:27 explains that the Father has given His Son the authority to judge, and here He demonstrated the power to exercise that right.

The sheep, the true believers on his right hand, are invited to come since they stand blessed of my Father. The word blessed denotes those who enjoy God’s favor (Ps. 118:26; Matt. 21:9; 23:39). The sheep will inherit the kingdom because it was prepared for you. The Greek wording is in the perfect tense, meaning it always has been prepared and continues to be prepared for them.

This has been true since the foundation of the world. That is, God’s people inheriting God’s kingdom has always been part of God’s plan of salvation (Matt. 13:35; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:20).

Matthew 25:35–36 KJV 1900

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

(vv. 35-36)Jesus then proceeded to name six physical needs these blessed ones saw and moved to meet. The repetition of me in each case indicates that an act of kindness toward His people is an act of kindness toward Him.

To the hungered, they offered meat. To the thirsty, they gave something to drink. When they encountered a stranger, they took me in. For the naked, they provided clothing; and they visited those who were sick. Those in prison received similar mercy.

These actions didn’t earn salvation for anyone. The sheep performed these good works simply because their compassion reflected their righteous character. They wanted to do the right thing, especially toward fellow believers who were suffering. And, as Jesus would point out more clearly, their actions really were directed toward Him—even if they didn’t realize it at the time.

Matthew 25:37–40 KJV 1900

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

(vv. 37-40)With more than a hint of confusion, the righteous repeated each of the six scenarios. They wondered aloud, Lord, when saw we thee in those conditions? They did not deny doing such things for others, but they did not remember showing such mercy and compassion to Jesus. However, using His often repeated “Amen” formula (Verily I say unto you), He informed the sheep that what they had done unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Bible students debate what Jesus meant by the least of these. The Greek word used (adelphon) technically refers only to male siblings, but it often was used to include both male and female believers in the early church. Matthew elsewhere used it to refer to Jesus’s disciples (12:48-49; 28:10). Thus, some understand Jesus’s words to refer to the way believers reacted to the condition of other Christ followers.

Alternately some interpret Jesus’s saying as referring to Christian missionaries and itinerant evangelists who went forth to proclaim the good news and suffered for it. Still others take what Jesus said as referring to anyone in need, stressing the social aspect of the gospel.

The second option is too narrow for the context, while the third misses Jesus’s reference to those in need being His brothers (and sisters). Thus the first option, highlighting both male and female believers, is best.

Jesus taught that many would have considered people in such needy circumstances of no great importance and not worth bothering with. But the emphasis on ye have done it unto mestresses His identification with His suffering followers. He also emphasized this principle in Matthew 10:40-42 and 18:5.   

Application Point: We demonstrate our love for God when we minister to other believers.

Ask: What evidence distinguishes between a righteous and unrighteous person?

Explain: Lead a brief discussion based on the group’s responses to the question. Highlight that once Jesus (the King) separated the sheep and goats, He explained His criteria:

The rewards were based on their actions of ministering to the King. In each case, the King was the recipient of the care they had given. A note of caution and clarification is necessary at this point. Although these righteous ones were applauded for their acts of compassion, these acts did not earn them the reward of the kingdom. This account is not teaching salvation by works. The clear teaching of the New Testament is that no one can merit or earn God’s gracious gift of salvation. That comes by the grace of God through Christ’s achievement on the cross. These actions of compassion by the righteous ones were the outflow and evidence of a right relationship with God (see Eph. 2:8-10).

Ask:What obstacles prevent us from ministering to the needs of others? 

Examine:Encourage adults to work together in teams of three or four. Direct each team to read the passage again and to focus on the ways the sheep ministered to others. Urge each group to identify practical ways believers can provide similar ministry to others today. After a few minutes, allow volunteers to share what they discussed. Record their responses on the board.

Challenge:Explain that this is the memory verse for this session. Lead the group in reading the verse two or three times aloud. Emphasize that Jesus calls us to be His hands and feet in the world, especially toward other believers. Urge adults to reflect on the list they created and to identify ways they can fulfill one of these ideas in the coming days.

Every person can be ready for Christ Return by understanding 3 roles that are described in Matthew 25.

Role 1- The Judge

Role 2- The Sheep

Role #3  - The Goat – Unbelievers will be eternally punished (41-46)

Matthew 25:41 KJV 1900

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

(v. 41)Then introduces the next movement in the prophecy. It is similar to verses 34-40, but focuses on the goats who stood on the left hand. While this scene may appear repetitive, the contrasts stand out. For the sheep, the invitation was to “come,” while the goats were told to depart from me. The sheep were “blessed,” and the goats were cursed. The sheep inherited the kingdom, but the goats were sent into everlasting fire.

In the Bible, fire is a common image for judgment, especially God’s ultimate judgment (Matt. 3:10,12; 5:22; 7:19; 13:40,42,50; 18:8-9). Hell is not a metaphor. It is real place of torment that will serve as the eternal destination of those whose names are not found in the book of life (Rev. 20:15; 21:8).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had used depart in regard to future judgment (Matt. 7:23). In Greek, the word rendered cursed appears in perfect tense, suggesting the goats were living under a curse. Neither Jesus nor Matthew specifically identified who placed the curse on them. Obviously, God placed the curse on them, but the wording also highlights their personal responsibility. They had brought the curse on themselves by rejecting God and His Son.

Jesus also emphasized the difference between God’s mercy and this judgment. On one hand, the sheep learned that God had been preparing a place for them since the world’s foundation. His presence would be their primary experience for eternity. On the other hand, the goats learned that their eternal destination was originally created for the devil and his angels. This was literally a matter of spiritual life and death.

Matthew 25:42–45 KJV 1900

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

(vv. 42-45)Jesus repeated the same six situations found in verses 35-40, except this time in the negative. While the sheep were diligent to meet the needs of those around them, the goats willfully ignored these opportunities: ye gave me no meat . . . ye gave me no drink . . .ye took me not in . . . ye clothed me not . . . ye visited me not.

Like the righteous sheep, the goats responded in disbelief. Addressing King Jesus as Lord, they wondered aloud when saw we thee . . . and did not minister unto thee? The goats condensed the conditions into a single response rather than mentioning each corresponding act of kindness and care. This could be another indication of their ambivalence and apathy toward the suffering of others.

And, as before, Jesus called attention to His announcement with the solemn “Amen” formula of Verily I say unto you. His reply to the wicked is the same as to the righteous, but in the negative: Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

The goats failed to perceive that neglecting Jesus’s followers was a rejection of Jesus Himself. Their unrighteous character was revealed by their sins of omission. They were shown to be unrighteous not by committing some horrific or terrible sin but by what they neglected to do.

Matthew 25:46 KJV 1900

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

(v. 46)Verse 46 is a summary of how the two eternal destinies of the sheep and the goats will diverge. The separation was not just for the purposes of judgment in the moment. It determined judgment for eternity. The lost shall go away into everlasting punishment, while God’s people will experience life eternalin His presence.

This punishment is a divine act. Entering the kingdom (v. 34) equals eternal life and is only available to those declared righteous by God. Both of these eternal states are never-ending, and there will be no second chances at redemption.

Application Point: We should recognize that unbelievers will be eternally separated from God and will face everlasting punishment.

Ask:What are the contrasts between these two sets of verses?

Share: Allow adults to share their observations about verses 34-40 and verses 41-46. Contrast the situations faced by the two groups:

The words of this condemnation mirror the words spoken to those on the right. However, instead of “come,” the King said “depart from me.” Instead of blessed, they were cursed. Instead of a kingdom prepared there was everlasting fire. . . . The King read the indictment against these wicked ones for their indifference to the “least of these.” As before, the hearts of those gathered before the throne were weighed by their compassionate care for others. In this case, this group lacked the compassion for others, which came about as a result of rejection of the message of Jesus.

Say:Jesus made it clear that eternal punishment in a place of torment is real. Hell is not a metaphor or philosophical idea. As believers, we should recognize that those who reject Jesus will spend eternity in hell—and we should do all we can to convince them to turn to Christ before it’s too late.

Ask:What prevents some people in our culture from believing the biblical teaching about hell and eternal life?

Conclusion

Summarize:

We should live our lives knowing we will stand before Jesus one day.

We demonstrate our love for God when we minister to other believers.

We should recognize that unbelievers will be eternally separated from God and will face everlasting punishment.

Discuss: Allow the group to suggest ways they have shown compassion in the past and how they could again in the future.

Stress that the root of today’s focal passage reminds us that Christ looks at the heart.

Encourage the group to read the verse again and commit to looking for ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus this week. 

Pray:

Urge them to identify ways they can demonstrate the love of Christ and encourage others to move toward Him. Allow them to spend a few minutes in silent prayer, talking to God about how He wants to work in their lives. Close in prayer, asking God to give each adult a clear vision for showing mercy to other believers and showing grace to the world.