FINAL DAYS FINAL WORDS

contains the final three parables of Jesus teaching ministry. Jesus is now 48 hours away from His crucifixion. These are His final days and His final words. We would do well this morning to heed the final words of a dying man. Those who know that death is imminent only speak what they want remembered.

. Do you know how to listen? That has been the question Jesus has been asking through these parables in Matthew.

Matthew explains that Jesus spoke to them in parables “so that” those who weren’t genuinely listening would miss what he was saying.

· One of our campus pastors told me a story about taking an exam in college…

I have come to the pinnacle of success in business. In the eyes of others, my life has been the symbol of success. However, apart from work, I have little joy. Finally, my wealth is simply a fact to which I am accustomed. At this time, lying on the hospital bed and remembering all my life, I realize that all the accolades and riches of which I was once so proud, have become insignificant with my imminent death. In the dark, when I look at green lights, of the equipment for artificial respiration and feel the buzz of their mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of my approaching death looming over me. Only now do I understand that once you accumulate enough money for the rest of your life, you have to pursue objectives that are not related to wealth. It should be something more important: For example, stories of love, art, dreams of my childhood. No, stop pursuing wealth, it can only make a person into a twisted being, just like me. God has made us one way, we can feel the love in the heart of each of us, and not illusions built by fame or money, like I made in my life, I cannot take them with me. I can only take with me the memories that were strengthened by love. This is the true wealth that will follow you; will accompany you, he will give strength and light to go ahead. Love can travel thousands of miles and so life has no limits. Move to where you want to go. Strive to reach the goals you want to achieve. Everything is in your heart and in your hands. What is the world’s most expensive bed? The hospital bed. You, if you have money, you can hire someone to drive your car, but you cannot hire someone to take your illness that is killing you. Material things lost can be found. But one thing you can never find when you lose: life. Whatever stage of life where we are right now, at the end we will have to face the day when the curtain falls. Please treasure your family love, love for your spouse, love for your friends… Treat everyone well and stay friendly with your neighbours. Life cannot be bought. - Steve Jobs

· (All these stories about a campus pastor not listening are all the same guy. I won’t tell you what his initials are… I think his long hair covers his ears)

· That’s what is happening in these parables. If you have ears to hear, there’s a lot of wisdom to gain. But if you are not listening, the meaning will go right over you.

Life cannot be bought.

contains 3 parables. We are going to press in mostly on the 3rd one, but all 3 make a similar point.

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But in these 3 parables he is encouraging them that the day is coming when he will return—this time, not as a baby in a Manger— but as the Judge of all men.

The point of these 3 parables is readiness to meet the Judge of the universe.

Each of the 3 builds on the one before:

1 James Montgomery Boice, “Unprofitable Servants and Unprofitable Goats,” in The Parables of Jesus (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983), pp. 199–207

The first parable is about 10 maidens who are supposed to be part of big marriage party, but they don’t know when they are going to get picked up. The groom, who is the head of the marriage party, just tells them to make sure they are ready. Five of them are wise, Jesus says, so they pack their bags and keep their lamps filled with oil so that whenever he comes they will be ready to go. Five are foolish, however, and they think, “You know, he probably won’t come tonight; so they sat at home unprepared and sure enough, that very night, the Master came. He took the ones who were packed and ready and left the ones who weren’t and they completely missed the party.

· The first parable is about 10 maidens who are supposed to be part of big marriage party, but they don’t know when they are going to get picked up. The groom, who is the head of the marriage party, just tells them to make sure they are ready. Five of them are wise, Jesus says, so they pack their bags and keep their lamps filled with oil so that whenever he comes they will be ready to go. Five are foolish, however, and they think, “You know, he probably won’t come tonight; I’m tired (or, it’s rainy)—no need to go out and get oil for my lamp tonight. I’ll just stay home and watch TV.” (Unfortunately, there was no Amazon Prime Now; if so, they could have their oil delivered in 2 hours, and this whole dilemma could have been avoided; and but unfortunately that hadn’t been invented yet, so they sat at home unprepared and sure enough, that very night, the Master came. He took the ones who were packed and ready and left the ones who weren’t and they completely missed the party.

The point is that Jesus is coming back and he wants us to be ready.

But what does that look like?

Well, the second parable explains that. It is about a Master who went on a trip and left various amounts of money with 3 of his servants—To one he gave 5 talents; to the other he gave 2; to the third he gave 1. Each talent was worth about $15K in today’s currency, so we’re dealing with substantial amounts of money. Well, the first two of them invest the money and get a return; but the third was scared he’d lose it in the market so he buried it and waited for the master to get back. When the Master returned, he rewarded the two that invested their talents and multiplied them, but the one who buried his talent out of fear he called “wicked.”

This is parable shows us what it looks like to be ready. It means to leverage whatever God has given you for his kingdom. He has given you a certain amount of time, talents, and treasure, and he is going to hold you responsible to use them for the kingdom.

What does it look like to leverage your life for His Kingdom?

What does it actually look like to invest your talents for the Kingdom? Well, that’s why Jesus tells the 3rd parable. In this parable Jesus gets at the essence of what it means to be his follower in this day and age.

Well, that’s why Jesus tells the 3rd parable. In this parable Jesus gets at the essence of what it means to be his follower in this day and age.

Let me ask you to consider: How do you define the essence of being a Christian? What determines whether you really are one or aren’t? I’ve told you that for many Christians it seems like Christianity means not much more than believing the right things and obeying a few moral laws. But is that really it?

Francis Chan, in a book called Crazy Love, says:

“Just to read the Bible, attend Church, and avoid ‘big’ sins—is this really the passionate, whole hearted life of discipleship Jesus was calling us to?”

· I’ve compared most Christians view of what it means to follow

Jesus to a dog that used to live at the house I lived in in college…

This third parable explains how Jesus defines “a Christian.”

It is the culmination of the other 2 parables, showing us what it looks like to live with your lamp trimmed and your bag packed, and what it looks like to invest your talents in a way that pleases the Master.

Matthew 25:31–46 ESV

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 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. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 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. 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, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 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.’ “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. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 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.’ 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?’ 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.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

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Mathew 25:31-­46

��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 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. First, notice the authoritative position Jesus has put himself in. This is no longer a Man of Sorrows, born in a manger, meek and lowly, riding on a donkey. This is the Son of Man in his glory, sitting on the throne of the Universe, with authority over heaven and hell.

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2 Francois Fenelon, The Seeking Heart (Quoted in Francis Chan, Crazy Love, 19)

33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left. 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 something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’

📷��📷37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? (I don’t remember that and I feel like I would remember it). 38 When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or naked and we clothed

you? 39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’

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for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Who exactly is Jesus talking about here? Some want to equate these people with all poor everywhere, and certainly God wants us to care for all the poor, which I’ll show you in a minute—but specifically here in this parable, he is talking about poor Christians. “These brothers and sisters of mine.” Whenever Jesus uses that language of family in Matthew he’s always talking about his followers.

Furthermore, that term “least of these” is a common one in Matthew, and Jesus also always uses that to refer to his disciples. So, it’s pretty clear he’s talking specifically about suffering Christians.

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Matthew 12:50 ESV

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

3

So, it’s pretty clear he’s talking specifically about suffering Christians.

4 Little ones superlative. , , . Cf. 10:42, “And whoever gives one of

these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” See Craig Blomberg, “Who Really Are the Sheep and the Goats?,” in Preaching the Parables (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004), pp. 205–15.

So, it’s pretty clear he’s talking specifically about suffering Christians.

Take a minute to let it sink in what Jesus is saying. When you do kindness to one of Jesus’s brethren in need, Jesus considers it as if done to him. Doing something for one of his children is like doing it for him. When you ignore a follower of Jesus in need, or persecute a follower of Jesus, Jesus takes that personally, too. On the road to Damascus, when Jesus confronted the Apostle Paul, who was at the time persecuting the church, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

It’s amazing. He takes the suffering of his people personal. I think of it like this: You know who I have a hard time not ‘hating’? People who are mean to my kids. I feel like I am a really patient person, but if I see you being unkind to my kid… on the other hand, if you really want to get on my good side, be nice to my kids.

I have a pastor friend who talks about his 10-­‐year-­‐old kid playing little league baseball and the jerk pitcher for the other team threw the ball at his kid on the plate and hit him. Well, the umpire doesn’t do anything about it, and tried to say that my friend’s kid was leaning too far into the plate which is why he got hit. Well, my friend wanted to go ballistic on the umpire because it was obviously a biased call but, everybody knew him as a pastor and he didn’t want to make a scene (my dilemma), but he wanted to defend his kid, so as he was trying to figure out what to do, this other woman, whom he didn’t know that well, but recognized went to their church, jumped up, grabbed the fence, started shaking it and screaming at the umpire with all the language appropriate for a moment like that. My friend said, “I didn’t know that woman but right then and there I determined that I loved her. When you stand up for my kid you stand up for me.”

That’s how God feels about others who are good to us.

Matthew 25:41–44 ESV

“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. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 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.’ 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?’

M

When were you naked? I feel like I’d remember that, Lord.

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didn’t take me in; I was naked and you didn’t clothe me, sick and in prison and you didn’t take care of me.’

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Matthew 25:41–46 ESV

“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. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 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.’ 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?’ 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.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

angels! 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat; I was

44 “Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and not help you?’

· When were you naked? I feel like I’d remember that, Lord.

And hungry? What did you like to eat? Are you hungry now? One of the angels want to go out and get the Lord a hamburger and a Coke?

And, you were in prison? What were you in for? Couldn’t you just have done ‘walk through walls’ thing and gotte

Matthew 25:44–46 ESV

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?’ 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.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

��45 “Then he will answer them, ‘I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Matthew 25:45–46 ESV

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.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

��46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

3 important questions this parable answers

Who will go to heaven?

This parable is more than a little alarming to me because it shows us that not everyone who considers themselves a Christian will go to heaven. The sheep and the goats in this parable all seem to recognize the Lordship of Jesus. No one here is like, “Who are you?”

Where is Buddha?” Or “I didn’t even think there was a God!”

All of the maidens in the first parable consider themselves friends of the bridegroom, and all of the servants in the parable of the talents consider themselves in the employ of the Master. This judgment does not separate Christians from the rest of the world; it separates genuine Christians from imposters. And make no mistake about it—we’re not dealing here with simply “loss of reward.” We’re talking about heaven and hell.

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5 6 Keith Green, “The Sheep and the Goats”

· All of the maidens in the first parable consider themselves friends of the bridegroom, and all of the servants in the parable of the talents consider themselves in the employ of the Master.

· This judgment does not separate Christians from the rest of the world; it separates genuine Christians from imposters.

And make no mistake about it—we’re not dealing here with simply “loss of reward.” We’re talking about heaven and hell.

·

was shut. 11 Later the rest of the maidens also came and said,

Jesus ends the parable of the maidens by saying: “…

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Matthew 25:10–12 ESV

And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

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don’t know you!’” ()

He ends the account of the 3 servants with talents by saying:

· He ends the account of the 3 servants with talents by saying:

Matthew 25:26–30 ESV

But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

To the goats in the last parable he says,

��26 “His master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy servant!... 30 throw this good-­‐for-­‐nothing servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” 0)

Matthew 25:41 ESV

“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.

41 “Then he will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!” ()

· 📷To the goats in the last parable he says, 41 “Then he will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!” 1)

I don’t think that could get any clearer: we are talking about heaven and hell. There are a lot of people in church who think they are Christians that are tragically mistaken. You say, “Well, what exactly is the difference between those who go to heaven and hell?” Evidently, it had little to do with they believed or how much they went to church. Those things are not cited here.

· I don’t think that could get any clearer: we are talking about heaven and hell. There are a lot of people in church who think they are Christians that are tragically mistaken.

You say, “Well, what exactly is the difference between those who go to heaven and hell?”

· Evidently, it had little to do with they believed or how much they went to church. Those things are not cited here.

The only difference in the sheep and the goats is what they did or did not do: whether or not they were actively, tangibly engaged in the mission of God and specifically generous toward the poor, particularly poor believers. Apart from that, all our religious activity is useless.

Apart from that, all our religious activity is useless.

In and 58, God said to Israel, “you’re fasting, you’re doing all your religious exercises… those things mean nothing if you ignore the poor. It means nothing. You claim to know me, but you poor a deaf ear to the poor. You don’t know me.”

Proverbs 21:13 ESV

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.

He is saying; You pray a lot, but you shut your ears to the poor, your prayers don’t matter. You’ve got nothing before God.” You say, “Well, doesn’t the Bible teach that salvation is by faith alone, through grace alone? Isn’t this a contradiction?” No, it’s not. What it is showing you is that real faith—the kind of faith that saves you—is more than just intellectual assent and church attendance. Saving faith transforms you from the inside out, you demonstrate that by engaging in the mission of God.

he saysYou pray a lot, but you shut your ears to the poor, your prayers don’t matter. You’ve got nothing before God.”

o he says, “You pray a lot, but you shut your ears to the poor, your prayers don’t matter. You’ve got nothing before God.”

You say, “Well, doesn’t the Bible teach that salvation is by faith alone, through grace alone? Isn’t this a contradiction?”

“We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.” Martin Luther

No, it’s not. What it is showing you is that real faith—the kind of faith that saves you—is more than just intellectual assent and church attendance. Saving faith transforms you from the inside out, you demonstrate that by engaging in the mission of God.

James, Jesus’s half-­‐brother, would say it this way:

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James 2:17 ESV

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

IOW, intellectual beliefs without a change of heart that results in good works is like a body with no life in it.

Intellectual beliefs without a change of heart that results in good works is like a body with no life in it.

Those whom Jesus identifies with in this third parable are Christians who are suffering for living out their faith.

He is saying, “If you believe this message at all, of course you are going to be moved to action by the stories of those who are suffering for their commitment to this message.”

Let me show you another place in Matthew where Jesus says the same thing, because it may help you grasp what Jesus is saying:

, Jesus sends out his disciples on their first mission as his representatives, to preach what he preached and heal like he healed. He tells them they are going to be dependent on the hospitality of the villagers wherever they ministered. And he said, “

Matthew 10:42 ESV

And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

· And he said, “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me…”

In the ancient world, taking someone into your home was a sign of friendship, intimacy, and support for what the person stood for. So, Jesus equates the welcome of his representatives with acceptance of their message. He’s saying the same thing in . If you really believe my gospel, how can you not be moved by the suffering of those who are suffering because they are commitment to my message? He is NOT saying that we will be saved by our giving to the poor; he’s saying that if we are really saved we will show that by our kindness and generosity to others, particularly those who represent Jesus himself.

· In the ancient world, taking someone into your home was a sign

of friendship, intimacy, and support for what the person stood

for. So, Jesus equates the welcome of his representatives with acceptance of their message.

He’s saying the same thing in . If you really believe my gospel, how can you not be moved by the suffering of those who are suffering because they are commitment to my message?7

He is NOT saying that we will be saved by our giving to the poor; he’s saying that if we are really saved we will show that by our kindness and generosity to others, particularly those who represent Jesus himself.

James says it this way:

James 1:27 ESV

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

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What is pure religion? Church attendance? Bible knowledge?

· What is pure religion? Church attendance? Bible knowledge?

The sign of genuine, saving faith is a passionate commitment to loving God, the people of God, and the mission of God.

You see, there are 2 ways to tell what you believe—what your mouth says, and what your life says. One of those 2 is more reliable than the other. One of them never lies. What your life says is always a better indicator of what you actually believe than what your mouth says. The question is not what your mouth says you believe—the question is, “What does your life say?”

The question is not what your mouth says you believe—the question is, “What does your life say?”

Which leads me to #2:

Is it possible to be a lukewarm Christian?

Lukewarm Christians are Christians who sit in churches, believe the message, but are not really sold out to Jesus and not meaningfully engaged in his mission.

7 ; . Craig Blomberg, “Who Really Are the Sheep and the Goats?,” in Preaching the Parables (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004), pp. 205–15.

Jesus is describing these same kind of Christian in these 3 parables. They consider themselves Christians, but they don’t live in a way anticipating the Master’s return.

church for being full of believers who were neither hot nor cold—not cold, dead, unbelieving, but not on fire for Jesus either. Jesus said, “I l like hot coffee and cold brew, but room temp coffee or room temp milk I want to spew out of my mouth.”)

Jesus is describing these same kind of Christian in these 3 parables. They consider themselves Christians, but they don’t live in a way anticipating the Master’s return.

Like the maidens, they consider themselves Christians, but they don’t live as though they are going to give an account to him. They are only thinking about how to make things comfortable in the present moment, not how to be faithful in their assignment to God.

Like the wicked servant, they have never considered why God gave them the talents, treasures, and time that he did and invested that for the kingdom.

Like the goats, they are not meaningfully engaged in the mission of God or leveraging their resources to care for the poor or extend the mission of God.

What bothered me this week as I read these parables: there is no middle ground. You are either a sheep or a goat. You are either committed to the mission, all-­‐in for Jesus, using your resources for the Kingdom, or you are not. You are either praised for your commitment and welcomed into the kingdom or condemned and left out of it. No middle-­‐ground. And that puts the lukewarm Christian in a very precarious position.

I’ve told you before that one of the things in these parables that has always gripped me is how in the parable of the Master who left his servants with the differing amounts of talents, he called the one who didn’t invest his talent but buried it and sat on it “wicked.” I’ve thought, “What wicked thing had he done?” He didn’t steal it, gamble it, spend it on prostitutes and drugs. He gave it back!

It shows you that there is more than one way to be wicked. You can be wicked by ignoring the 10 commandments, or wicked by failing to invest your life for the kingdom. The first makes you wicked by the sin of commission—you commit sins. The second makes you wicked by omission, failing to invest your life.

· It shows you that there is more than one way to be wicked. You can be wicked by ignoring the 10 commandments, or wicked by failing to invest your life for the kingdom.

· The first makes you wicked by the sin of commission—you commit sins. The second makes you wicked by omission, failing to invest your life.

We preach about the first a lot, but what about the latter? Have you offered your life, your talents? Would we look at your giving and say that you are ‘all-­‐in’ with the mission of God?

Young—blank check?

Talents/time?

If you are a Senior Adult…

Would we look at your giving and say that you are ‘all-­‐in’ with the mission of God?

Are you a lukewarm Christian? Francis Chan in his book Crazy Love gives the profile of the lukewarm Christian, which you could say come straight from these parables. These people are all fairly regular in church, but

Lukewarm people don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin.

(not concerned to keep themselves unspotted from the world)

Lukewarm people “love” God, but not with all their heart, soul and strength.

Not enough really to be committed to avoiding sin .He’s a useful fire escape they employ, not a God they worship.

He’s a useful fire escape they employ, not a God they worship.

Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not do radical things themselves.

(Lukewarm people call “radical” what Jesus expects of all his followers.)

Lukewarm people equate their partially sanitized lives with holiness.

o But they couldn’t be more wrong, because Jesus didn’t call us to sanitation, he called us to discipleship. To be a follower of Jesus doesn’t mean you live a sanitized life, but that you get

Jesus didn’t call us to sanitation, he called us to discipleship. To be a follower of Jesus doesn’t mean you live a sanitized life, but that you get your hands dirty by bringing help, healing and salvation to people like he did.

your hands dirty by bringing help, healing and salvation to people like he did.

David Platt says, "In the church today we tend to disinfect people rather than disciple them. We define holiness by what Christians avoid rather than being like Jesus.”

Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends.

They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues of religion. That’s because they just don’t believe the message that strongly. Spurgeon said, “You are either a missionary or an impostor!”

Like Spurgeon said, “You are either a missionary or an impostor!”

Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven.

Lukewarm people love their luxuries and rarely give to the poor in a truly sacrificial way.

Lukewarm people do not live by faith, their lives are structured so they never have to.

They are like the servant who sits on his talent in fear rather than investing it in faith. They are all about security and not about risk for the Kingdom. There is risk involved in the Kingdom—always! “If you're not in a place where you feel desperate for the Spirit of God, then there's no way you are on the front lines of the mission. When we are on the front lines we feel desperately our need for God's help.”

There is risk involved in the Kingdom—always!

“If you're not in a place where you feel desperate for the Spirit of God, then there's no way you are on the front lines of the mission. When we are on the front lines we feel desperately our need for God's help.”

Lukewarm people give God the leftovers—not their first and best.

The prophet Malachi talked about a bunch of priests who gave to God, but kept the best, spotless animals for themselves and passed on to God the less desirable animals. They assumed God was pleased because they had at least sacrificed something. Yet God described this practice as evil.

Malachi 1:8 ESV

When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.

8 David Platt, message on given at student conference in Texas.

9 David Platt

These sacrifices were not merely inadequate; from God’s point of view, but evil. If your giving does not represent your first and your best, it is evil to God. So, keep your lunch money; God deserves our first and best. Stop calling your complacency and apathy “a busy schedule” or “bills” or “forgetfulness.” Call it what it is: evil.

sacrificed something. Yet God described this practice as evil. ()

oNot merely inadequate; from God’s point of view, but evil.

o If your giving does not represent your first and your best, it is evil to God. So, keep your lunch money; God deserves our first and best.

Stop calling your complacency and apathy “a busy schedule” or “bills” or “forgetfulness.” Call it what it is: evil.

I don’t want to give you the wrong idea. We all struggle with commitment… seasons where we falter. The question before us this morning is:

Are you engaged in the mission of God? Is your Christianity more of a belief thing, and morality thing, or are you engaged personally in the mission of God with your time, treasures and talents?

But the question is: Are you engaged in the mission of God? Is your Christianity more of a belief thing, and morality thing, or are you engaged personally in the mission of God? With your time, treasures and talents?

Listen: “Don’t hide behind ‘not feeling called.’” Many of us use “Well, I don’t feel particularly called to get involved in any ministry” as a means of avoiding action. Did you hear God calling you to watch TV yesterday? Or to go on your last vacation? Or exercise this morning? Probably not, but you still did it. The point isn’t that vacations or exercise are wrong, but that we are quick to rationalize our entertainment and priorities yet are slow to commit to serving God.”

· Many of us use “Well, I don’t feel particularly called to get involved in any ministry” as a means of avoiding action. Did you hear God calling you to watch TV yesterday? Or to go on your last vacation? Or exercise this morning? Probably not, but you still did it. The point isn’t that vacations or exercise are wrong, but that we are quick to rationalize our entertainment and priorities yet are slow to commit to serving God.”11

“Don’t write this off by saying that you ‘can’t afford it.’” Do you realize that if you make $4,000 a month, you automatically make 100x more than the average person on this planet? Which is more messed up – that we have so much compared to everyone else, or that we don’t think we’re rich? How many of us flippantly call ourselves “broke” or “poor”? We are neither of those things. We are rich. Filthy rich. How can we have so much but be doing so little to relieve suffering and still call ourselves followers of Jesus?

· Do you realize that if you make $4,000 a month, you automatically make 100x more than the average person on this planet?

· Which is more messed up – that we have so much compared to everyone else, or that we don’t think we’re rich? That on any given

day we might flippantly call ourselves “broke” or “poor”? We are neither of those things. We are rich. Filthy rich.12

How can we have so much but be doing so little to relieve suffering and still call ourselves followers of Jesus?

You know, we marvel at men 200 years ago who were seemingly preaching the Word of God yet owned slaves. We think “of course they shouldn’t have had those slaves, not if they really believed this gospel.” I wonder if 200 years from now if they will look back at us, and say “How could they say they follow Jesus, and claim to believe the gospel, and have so much stuff and do so little with it?” This is deadly serious. We talk a lot about the rest of the world going to hell; maybe we should ask if some of us are.

This is deadly serious. We talk a lot about the rest of the world going to hell; maybe we should ask if some of us are.

· We talk a lot about the rest of the world going to hell; maybe we should ask if some of us are.

An old Scottish pastor named Robert Murray M’Cheyne told his congregation concerning this passage:

“I am concerned for the poor but more for you. I know not what Christ will say to you in the great day… I fear there are many hearing me who may know well that they are not Christians because they do not love to give. To give largely and liberally, not grudgingly at all, requires a new heart; an old heart would rather part with its life-­‐blood than its money. Oh, my friends! Enjoy your money; make the most of it; give none away; enjoy it quickly for I can tell you, you will be beggars throughout eternity.”

The sign of genuine, saving faith is a passionate commitment to God, people of God, and the mission of God.

There are 2 ways for us to tell what you believe—what your lips say, and what your life says. What your life says is always a better indicator of what you actually believe than what your lips says.

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10 Chan, 91.

11 Chan, 169.

12 Chan, 89.

13 Chan, 89–90. David Platt: “Maybe we should not just be concerned about other people going to hell; maybe we should be concerned about ourselves going there.”

So the question is not what you lips say you believe—the question is, “What does your life say?”

Who might be the least of these my brothers whom we should be serving today?

3. “Who might be the least of these my brothers whom we should be serving today?”

Persecuted believers around the world

We live mostly isolated from this in the U.S., but by just about every measure persecution of believers is as bad today as it has been at any point in history. In 2017, 3,066 Christians were killed specifically because of their faith; nearly that many either abducted or raped for that reason. 793 churches were attacked, including some in Indonesia this week! 2017, they say, was the worst year for persecution in history!

o In 2017, 3,066 Christians were killed specifically because of their faith; nearly that many either abducted or raped for that reason. 793 churches were attacked, including some in Indonesia this week!

o 2017, they say, was the worst year for persecution in history!

Poor believers around the world

Many believers in places around the world live on basic subsistence. Give to missions. Our Haiti partnership works with 36 local churches providing education, medicine, food, and spiritual development.

Why we partner with Compassion—connects you to impoverished children.

Not just charity, but a community building program.

Works with local churches providing education, medicine, sometimes food, job training and spiritual development.

Neglected believers in our own community.

We could start with what James said: Widows and orphans.

Neglected believers in our own community. We could start with what James said: Widows and orphans. Older people.

Foster kids: KJ story: This is what we want!

Prison ministry—you could get involved there!

Refugees and immigrants (let me be clear: political questions vs. gospel ones)?

In light of our discussion the other day, I’d also mention that one of the ways we in the majority community can heed Jesus’s

instructions in is by being committed to justice for anyone in our community who is not treated equally as under the law or doesn’t have access to the same opportunities and privileges that we do! Can’t call ourselves followers and not use resources to fight injustice even if it doesn’t affect us.

· Refugees and immigrants (let me be clear: political questions vs. gospel ones)?

(MUSIC)

·And I’d add in… “future brethren of Jesus.”

He has others he wants to save.

o If we believe the gospel, how can we not be actively and sacrificially engaged as a church in getting the gospel to the nations?

If we believe the gospel, how can we not be actively and sacrificially engaged as a church in getting the gospel to the nations?

2 very practical steps: Give and Go!

o —we want to see a leaner, more efficient structure in getting people to the nations.

o Carey: Holding the rope

2 very practical steps:

Go on a mission trip. See it for yourself! Sign up on our website.

The second is partner with Compassion, which I want to tell you about in a minute.

BUT BEFORE I get to that, let me make sure you consider the most important question…

Which category are in? The sheep or the goats?

There are 2 ways for us to tell what you believe—what your lips say, and what your life says. One of them is more reliable than the other. The question is not what you lips say you believe—what does your life say? Your life never lies.

Are you concerned for the poor? Particularly those who are part of the family of God? Are you involved?

The Bible teaches that justification by faith alone. That means you trust Christ as your Savior, but also that you demonstrate that trust in him and love for him through a life spent loving those that Jesus loves. Only those who do this will go with Jesus in the final judgment. The late R.C. Sproul said that most Americans today believe in “justification by death alone” which means that all you have to do to get to heaven is die. Everyone who dies automatically goes. According to this parable, that’s not true. You must trust Christ and surrender to service in his kingdom and actually get involved. Are you?

Not everyone goes to heaven. The late R.C. Sproul said that most Americans today believe in “justification by death alone” which means that all you have to do to get to heaven is die. Everyone who dies automatically goes.

According to this parable, that’s not true. You must trust Christ and surrender to service in his kingdom and actually get involved. Are you?

For those who are assured of their standing as a sheep I have a question, are you lukewarm? You’re faithful in church attendance but your not living by faith. Your lips profess Christ but your life puts forth a different narrative. Your saved but you slidden into a state of stagnation. You have fallen from where you once were, repent and do the works you did at first.

Now, as I mentioned, very practical, actionable way—for those of you looking for a way to get immediately involved: Compassion.

· Card: what Compassion does

· My family has 4—one paired for each kid, we have been on several mission trips with them. Edwar, Grismaily,

· Gone 2x on mission trip; planning a 3rd Show Video