June 12, 2022

Matthew 25:31-46

Anders Clark

Read the passage again and pray.

1.  What are your biggest take-aways from today's message?

2.  If you shared this passage and message with an unbeliever, what would you share?

3.  Anders provided 3 theological points or factoids:

• Jesus does the separating.  Matthew 25:32, Psalm 23, John 10 and Psalm 2 all remark on Jesus' Shepherding of his people and his authority.
• Hell is eternal.  Matthew 25:41 and 46.
• "Sheep" are elected.  Ephesians 1:3. God elects His sheep, Jesus resurrects the sheep and the Spirit regenerates the sheep.

For which of these 3 points, would you like to do more study?  Which of these points do you feel you understand fairly well?

4.  Have you heard of the two erroneous descriptions of hell? ("annihilation": sinners become uncreated, they are not eternal; "hell creationism": we humans create hell)

• Which of the two: "annihilation" or "hell creationism" have you used in error? For instance, "When we soften hell, we do a disservice to our neighbor".  Have you ever softened the concept of hell with a "neighbor" or someone you're hoping to share the Gospel with, i.e. not mentioning Hell at all or its eternality or avoiding discussion of what happens if they choose a life that is not transferred to the kingdom of light, a life without Jesus Christ as King?
• Why do we tend to use these other concepts of hell instead of the truth?

5.  If "Hell is God's idea", how can we, as believers, do a better job of both teaching and telling others about hell?  

6.  The central theme of the passage concerns the legal charge that is made for both the sheep and the goats.  "If you don't care for the least, you don't go to heaven."  Jesus Christ makes a claim on our property, on our time, on our wealth.  Consider James 1:27.  Is this a new truth for you? How does this reconcile with your actions this week?

7.  How does your life showcase the "defining difference of kindness and goodness to those in need"?  What areas need work?  What areas have you grown in? (How are you reflecting the Gospel in your heart, hands and head lately?)

8.  Anders remarked that "this passage is the one with the most clarity and gives the pure connection between faith and works."  How so?  How does the comparison/contrast example of the Pastor with the Janitor, that Anders provided, further illuminate today's passage?

9. Why should you give your hard-earned money to the poor?

Read and reflect on: 2 Corinthians 8:8-9: "I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich."