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Separating the Sheep from the Goats
Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46
In the Parable Jesus is telling what will happen when "The Son of Man", Jesus returns with the millennial
kingdom. As you can see from the scripture this will be a time of judgment. It also tells us who will be the judge, Jesus
the son of God. It also tells us who will be judged, and what the judgment will be.
Look at verse 31 this talks about the return of Christ and we can clearly see that that is what Jesus is telling. Lets
read it together:
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:
This leaves no doubt that, Christ is coming back.
Now look at verse 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:
Now the word nations as translated in the Greek text is gentiles so it is clear Jesus is going to separate the nations
or gentiles into two groups.
Now lets look closer to see where we fit into this Parable. Jesus talks about separating the sheep (saved) from the
Goats (the lost), Verse 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand , but the goats on the left. Notice here that the
saved, the sheep are on the right hand but the lost or goats are just on the left. Maybe he left out the words left hand because
of the judgment that is coming on them. I want to ask you here today are you a sheep or a goat? Now hold that though because
when we finish I want you to answer.
Now lets look at the judgment. Look at verse 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:
This is clear that they are going to see Heaven.
Why? Look at verses 35-40:
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.
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.
Jesus is telling of the deeds performed by the sheep or saved, you have to remember here that when Christ returns to rule
these people that are being judged are the ones that in the face of death at the hands of Satan still show the faith that
comes from being saved. This is just the kind of faith we proclaim to be living. How many time do we see someone in need
and not do anything to help them. So are we sheep or goats? When Jesus said to one of the least of my brothers, he is talking
about the less fortunate, the homeless, the ones with alcohol problems, the ones with family troubles, and the list can go
on and on but I think you get the picture. I know that at first glance it appears that they are being given salvation because
of their works, but look closer at what it really says. They are not saved because of their works but instead because their
works demonstrate their faith which is the basis for their salvation. Look at what the Bible says in the book of James 2:14-17
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things
which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
If you are a child of God then your faith will have the deeds to prove it. If you are saved then you can not keep from
working for Christ. You will do it with out even thinking about it, it will be only natural.
Now look at the judgment on the goats or lost. Verse 41-46
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:
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.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
This group is the group that when the time comes are going to look at Christ and say I did not know you meant me; I thought
that since others were helping there was no need to get involved. A lot of good people are going to find out that they are
goats in the eyes of God. This group is going to Hell that is the judgment, to suffer eternal punishment.
Now I want you, if you are a Christian to look at the way you are living. Be honest, are you helping others, are your
works seen by others as acts of faith or are they works to bring pride and self recognition. If you do anything without the
faith it will not be enough to get you into heaven. If we as Christians are not careful we will find ourselves in the goat
pen.
Now if you do not know Christ as your savior then it is clear that you will spend eternity in a place of torment. A place
reserved for Satan and his followers, a Lake of Fire. Come to Christ before it is to late.
There is no promise of tomorrow Christ could come back today. Where will you be?
By Bro. Roger Jennings
Testimony of a Believer
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