Together for the Least of These

Introduction:

A few years ago, I was leading a trip into San Francisco to distribute coats and blankets to the homeless. But our desire was to offer more than just warmth. We wanted to offer the gospel.

I was having a conversation with a gentleman and got on the topic of why were we doing this? Why did we care.

This immediately led into a conversation about how I believed that he was made in the image of God and therefore was valuable and worth caring about.

This led to an opportunity to share the gospel and I prayed for him. And while I don’t know whether he believed in that moment or not, I do know that I was obedient to what God has called me to do. So often we do one of 2 extremes. We share the gospel without meeting needs or we meet needs without sharing the gospel. Both are important.

Today we learn that we are we have to be together for the least of these.

Transition to the Text: Turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus is often depicted as this weak rabbi that has good ideas about loving your neighbor, but other than that is pretty weak and unable to carry out any of his ideas. But Jesus was the kind of person (God in the flesh) who called people out for their nonsense and hypocrisy. If anyone could see through the heart of a person who was faking their faith it was Jesus. Just claiming to be a Christian does not make it so. Jesus expected and demanded much more of those who claimed religion.

Jesus was kind to the humble but would not suffer the hypocrite.

Introduce:

Transformational Principle: Transformed people do the work of God without even realizing it.

Read:

Matthew 25:31–46 ESV

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

Transformational Principle: Transformed people do the work of God like it’s second nature.

Transition to the Points: This is one of the most misunderstood of Jesus’ parables. As we’ve talked about before, the battle cry of the reformation was “The Righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17). But this parable seems very works centered. Doesn’t appear to be any grace, or gospel in here at at. At first glance the only thing separating the sheep from the goats is works. Is that really what’s going on here?

I don’t think so. This is one of those passages where we need to dig a little deeper. And we need to do it soon, because....

1. A day of revealing is coming for God’s people. (Matthew 25:31-33; 46)

Explanation: Throughout the Bible, we see a day in the future depicted where God will judge the nations. As we get deeper into the New Testament we get clarity that it will be Jesus who judges the nations as King over all creation.

This day should bring joy to the heart of the true believer and strike fear into the heart of those just faking it. To the true unbeliever it will strike fear in their hearts when they get there.

Jesus tells this parable to again remind His listeners that there are some one have a false sense of their own salvation. That you can actually be walking around believing that you are a Christian when in fact, you really aren’t.

Now we don’t like this idea, particularly those who have been raised to believe that if we said a prayer when we were kids, we’ll go to heaven regardless of how we live our lives. But this passage is a difficult one in that Jesus seems to imply that some who are standing before Jesus will believe they are saved when in fact they are not.

An example of this appears in the sermon on the mount in Matthew 7:21-23.

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

That is scary. But should it be? Not for the true believer.

What is happening in this passage. Jesus is addressing a cultural religion here.

At the time the Jewish people rested their eternal salvation on being born jewish. They assumed that being a child of Abraham guaranteed them good standing in God’s eyes.

My grandmother always had a way of correcting ignorance. Whenever someone believed something clearly false, she would say, “I got news for you....you’re wrong.”

And that’s what Jesus was saying to His primarily jewish audience. “So you think you’re good with God…I got news for you. A day of revealing is coming.”

And what is revealed?

Who is truly a child of God? And how would you whether or not you are a child of God or not?

This is where we need to be careful. I don’t think this passage is teaching works based salvation and we’ll get to that in a minute.

The Bible is clear else where that we are saved by faith.

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Romans 3:20 ESV

20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:28 ESV

28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Even Jesus said in the famous John 3:16:

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

It is believe that leads to salvation. This is absolutely true, but how often do we think that belief is enough if it never leads to transformation.

If you claim to believe in Jesus but are never transformed as they Bible says you will be, do you really believe? Now that’s a question between you and God.

But it’s clear that a revealing will need to take place to separate the sheep from the goats. Truly believers from those who are either deceiving others or deceiving themselves.

Illustration: Sheep and goats look similar. But sheep, by nature, follow their leader. Goats are stubborn and want to do their own thing. They want to stand out. A goat can be detrimental to a flock of sheep. Have you ever heard of a judas goat? A Judas goat is a trained goat used in general animal herding. The Judas goat is trained to associate with sheep or cattle, leading them to a specific destination. In stockyards, a Judas goat will lead sheep to slaughter, while its own life is spared.

A fitting name.

Application: Is it possible that there are goats in the midst of Christians leading them to the slaughter and distracting them from actually doing the work of Jesus?

Is it possible that there are people claiming to be Christian but exhibiting zero evidence of transformation.

This is a gut check and as Paul tells us:

Philippians 2:12 ESV

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

So how will you know? Well I’m not sure we’ll get any comfort from this passage. And here’s why.

2. God’s sheep, by nature, care about the things of God. (Matthew 25:34-40)

Explanation: Jesus first goes on to describe the sheep who are called to His right hand.

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 showed me hospitality.

I was naked and you clothed me.

I was sick and you visited me.

I was in prison and you came to me.

Now I’ve heard many a sermon that emphasizes that doing for the least of these is like doing for Jesus and we push a social gospel onto God’s people that actually makes it about works.

But one of the things that I noticed is their response.

These sheep didn’t know what they were doing. And they didn’t know why they were being commended.

They immediately ask, “When did we do these things?” That they asked this is already a sign of humility. They aren’t immediately patting themselves on the back.

Here’s what I think we learn from this. These sheep were transformed by the power of the gospel in their own lives. And because fo this, they were, by nature, doing these things without even thinking about it.

They weren’t keeping track. And they weren’t even doing them “for Jesus.” They were doing them because their nature had been changed. This passage can’t be about works because to them it wasn’t work…it had become 2nd nature to care about the things Jesus cares about.

And Jesus said this would happen.

John 14:12 ESV

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

Transformed people do transformed things. And don’t think for a second that this passage leads to what later people claimed:

“Preach the gospel and when necessary, use words.” Falsely attributed to Saint Francis.

We never see the disciples failing to call people to repentance and telling people to trust in Jesus.

So yes, share the gospel with words, but don’t ever forget to meet needs.

But if you’re intentional about it, does that mean it’s not second nature?

Now you see why I’ve struggled so much with this passage.

What if helping people isn’t second nature? Does that mean I’m not saved? What about my other gifts? What about the other places I serve?

Maybe ask the question, “how selfish am I?” How often do I truly consider the needs of others even before myself?

Illustration: A man saw a snake being burned to death and decided to take it out of the fire. When he did, the snake bit him. The bite caused excruciating pain, the man dropped the snake, and the reptile fell right back into the fire. The man tried to pull it out again and again the snake bit him.

Someone who was watching approached the man and said: “Excuse me, but don't you understand that every time you try to get the snake out of the fire, it's going to bite you? Why are you being stubborn?”

The man replied: “The nature of the snake is to bite, but that's not gonna change my nature, which is to help.”

So, with the help of a metal pole, the man took the snake out of the fire and saved its life.

Do not change your nature simply because someone harms you. Do not lose your essence, only take precautions. Worry more about your conscience than your reputation. Your conscience is what you are, and your reputation is simply what others think of you - and what other people think is not your problem... it's theirs.

Application: Another gut check. How concerned are you with the things Jesus cares about? What fruit in your life points to the transformation that is happening daily as you become more like Jesus?

If there is not fruit at all? Is it possible that you have a false sense of your own salvation? Are you willing to repent and call on Jesus that He may truly transform you?

3. It is possible to have a false sense of your own identity. (Matthew 25:41-45)

Explanation: Coupled with the Matthew 7:21-23 passage, these are perhaps the scariest verses in all of scripture. The idea that you can genuinely believe that you are saved only to find out that you are not....that will strike fear into the hearts of anyone.

But I want us to see something. They also didn’t know that they weren’t acting like Jesus. In fact, you almost get the impression that they are implying that they did these things. How arrogant do you have to be to question Jesus’ judgment? Their nature was so contrary to Jesus that they didn’t even accidentally do good works.

These people are so incredibly self-centered, lacking in humility, and narcissistic that they don’t have a clue that they aren’t transformed.

But one thing we do know....when this event takes place in the future....it will be too late. Right now, it’s not too late.

And this passage begs us to take a look in the mirror and see if we truly look like Jesus or not?

Because if you really don’t care about the things that Jesus cares about, how can you possibly think you are being transformed into His image.

Now let’s be clear. Jesus defines who the least of these are. It’s not the whole world.

Some of us look at the needs of the world and are overwhelmed and we say, I can’t help everyone. And you’re right you can’t and you aren’t expected to.

Jesus calls them “the least of these my brothers.” These are Christians who are hungry. Thirsty. Strangers. Naked. Sick. and Imprisoned.

So on the other hand, you if you care about the needs of unbelievers while ignoring the needs of Christians…you’re no better off than a goat.

Illustration:

Application: One of the beautiful things about Christianity is that God doens’t actually want to leave us in suspense about our eternal destiny. He wants us to be confident in our salvation. He wants us to be confident in Him.

1 John 2:28 ESV

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

Hebrews 10:22 ESV

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

So no, don’t live in fear. My guess is that if Jesus words cause you to fear, you should rest assure that you are saved.

But if you thumb your nose and believe that God will let you into heaven because you didn’t do anything too bad. Or God is love and wouldn’t possibility send anyone to hell. Time for another gut check.

Are you sure you’re going to heaven?

Jesus gave another sheep analogy prior to Matthew 7:21-23:

Matthew 7:15–20 ESV

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Evaluating your life is never a bad thing.

Response: Do you care about the things God cares about? How do you know?

Summation:

Transformational Principle: Transformed people do the work of God without even realizing it.

1. A day of revealing is coming (Matthew 25:31-33; 46)

2. God’s sheep, by nature, care about the things God cares about. (Matthew 25:34-40)

3. It is possible to have a false sense of your own salvation. (Matthew 25:41-45)

Concluding Illustration:

Did you know that there were no civilian hospitals until nearly 600 A.D. All hospitals were dedicated to healing soldiers to fight more war. But then those pesky Christians came into existence following in footsteps of Jesus and believing that people were created in the image of God and deserved to be cared for.

One of the earliest hospitals was founded by a man named Samson whose nickname was “The Hospitable.” He lived around the 5th and 6th centuries just before the time of Gregory I (who was the last Bishop of Rome (Pope) that the leaders of the Protestant Reformation would acknowledge as a legitimate Christian leader.) I say this because while there is great division in evangelicalism regarding sainthood, anyone venerated having lived prior to Gregory I we can say was a legitimately good dude. He is also venerated as a saint in the Eastern Churches as well in the Roman Catholic Church.

Sampson the Hospitable (Greek: Σαμψὼν ὁ φιλόξενος, Sampsón ho philóxenos; died c. 530 AD) was a citizen of Constantinople who devoted his time to serving the poor of the city.

Sampson was born in Rome to a prominent family. He was a physician who devoted much of his time to helping the poor and sick. He turned his home into a free clinic, providing his patients with food and lodging as well as medical care. He was later ordained a priest by the patriarch. When the Byzantine emperor Justinian the Great became ill he sent for Sampson to cure him. He was the only physician in the city to do the emperor any good, and the emperor wanted to reward him. Sampson requested that the emperor help him establish a new hospital for the poor. With the emperor's assistance Sampson founded the hospital, which became the largest free clinic in the empire and served the people of Constantinople for 600 years.

Sampson was buried in the Church of the Holy Martyr Mocius in Constantinople.

Christians were the first to care about the poor and destitute. They were the first to care about orphans. They were the first to care about the handicapped.

This is our Christian history.

What is pure and undefiled religion?

James 1:27 ESV

27 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.

Hebrews 10:34 ESV

34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

Let’s pray.