#6 (THE "INVITATION FROM GOD"
SERIES)
"COME AND INHERIT"
TEXT: Matt.
25:31-46; 16:27
INTRO: We are
getting to the time of the year when children begin looking forward to a very
special holiday ... Christmas is coming!
We often find that the closer we get to a special day we find ourselves
getting more and more excited.
Holidays usually involve time off, good fellowship, sometimes presents,
etc. They help us endure the hard
times and the everyday hectic schedules we keep, we keep saying, "in a few more weeks I'll get several days
off and some well deserved rest and have some
fun."
When we examine the events
of this world we know that we are getting closer to the coming of the Lord, a
really special day! We will be
receiving a great inheritance from our Lord, one we are invited to come and
take! Like a special day that is
coming, the closer it gets the more anticipation and excitement we experience –
if we are ready for it!
The Bible has put great
emphasis on Christ’s 2nd coming ... there are over 1,800 references in the Old
Testament alone on the return of the Messiah. In the New Testament there is no less
than 1 in every 30 verses about the 2nd coming of Christ! For every prophecy in the Bible about
Jesus' first coming there are 8 about His second coming! So, if the first proved reliable, be
sure the 2nd will be also!
PROP SENT: The Bible teaches
us that we are invited to enjoy a great inheritance in Christ, our future is
bright and His invitation is clear, “Come … and
inherit!”
I. HERE COMES THE JUDGE! 25:31-33; 16:27
A. Position
25:31
1. While Jesus' first coming had to do
with coming as a servant, humble; this second coming will be with glory and
power as King … and all the angels with him.
2. Jesus' first coming was to be the
Savior, His second coming He will be the judge of all
mankind!
a. This is the picture here of Him
sitting on a throne.
b. Surrounded by His angels He will
judge all.
3. This judgment will have nothing to
do with the legal system of this world, the rich and famous won't have their
high price lawyers to help them.
ILLUS: DR. GEORGE
TRUETT WAS ENTERTAINED ON ONE OCCASION IN THE HOME OF A WEALTHY OIL MAN IN
TEXAS. AFTER DINNER THE OILMAN TOOK
HIM UP TO THE ROOF OF HIS MANSION AND POINTED IN ONE DIRECTION AT ALL THE OIL
WELLS AS FAR AS THE EYE COULD SEE.
THIS MAN STATED, "DR. TRUETT, THAT'S ALL MINE ... I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY
25 YEARS AGO PENNILESS AND NOW I OWN EVERYTHING AS FAR AS YOU CAN SEE IN THAT
DIRECTION. THEN HE TURNED AROUND
AND POINTING TO WAVES OF GRAIN SAID AGAIN ... "AND EVERYTHING IN THIS DIRECTION
YOU CAN SEE IS MINE ALSO." THE HE
TURNED TO THE EAST AND SAID THE SAME THING, AND ONCE AGAIN HE TURNED TO THE WEST
AND PROUDLY PROCLAIMED HIS OWNERSHIP AND HIS HARD WORK AND HIS PRIDE AND
POWER! THEN HE WAITED FOR THE
PRAISE HE EXPECTED FROM DR. TRUETT, BUT T0 HIS ASTONISHMENT DR. TRUETT LAID A
LOVING HAND ON HIS SHOULDER AND POINTED UPWARD AND SAID, "MY FRIEND, HOW
MUCH DO YOU OWN IN THAT
DIRECTION?" AT THIS THE RICH MAN
DROPPED HIS HEAD IN SHAME AND SAID, “I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT!” -- SOURCE
UNKNOWN
4. How very different is Jesus ... He
comes for those who will come to Him, and to them He offers a great inheritance
not based on wealth or power on earth, His call is based on our relationship
with Him -- He opens up the barriers, this can't be done by anything on this
earth!
ILLUS: SOME TIME
BACK WHEN THE PRINCE OF WALES VISITED INDIA THERE WERE A LARGE NUMBER OF HIGH
CASTE PEOPLE WHO WERE WAITING TO SHAKE HANDS WITH HIM, AND THERE WAS A BIG
BARRIER SEPARATING THEM FROM THE MASSES OF THE LOWER CASTE PEOPLE WHO HAD ALSO
COME TO SEE HIS ARRIVAL. THE PRINCE
ARRIVED, SHOOK HANDS WITH THOSE THAT WERE PRESENTED TO HIM, AND THEN, LOOKING
OVER THEIR HEADS TO THE CROWDS BEYOND HE SAID, "TAKE THOSE BARRIERS DOWN." THEY WERE TAKEN DOWN, AND ANYONE WHO
WISHED COULD COME AND SHAKE HIS HAND AND MEET HIM, FROM THE SON OF DIGNITARIES
TO THE LOWEST CASTE PERSON, THEY ALL COULD MEET THE “EMPEROR OF INDIA.” THE NEXT TIME THE PRINCE OF WALES
VISITED INDIA OVER 10,000 OUTCASTS WERE GATHERED UNDER A HUGE BANNER THAT READ,
"THE PRINCE OF THE OUTCASTS." JESUS
ALSO TOOK DOWN THE BARRIERS AND IS WILLING THAT ALL SHOULD COME! -- SOURCE
UNKNOWN
B. Purpose
16:27; 25:32-33
1. The purpose of Jesus' coming is
made clear here, it is to judge the people and nations of the
world.
2. Here all mankind will be gathered
before God's great judgment throne.
3. The purpose of this time is to
separate the people of the world into 2 groups, and only two groups -- there is
no middle ground!
4. Most people don't even want to think of
the future, but this coming separation will be
real!
ILLUS: AN OLDER
CHRISTIAN MAN WAS DYING, AND SO HE CALLED FOR HIS SAVED WIFE, HIS SAVED
DAUGHTER, AND HIS UNSAVED SON. TO
HIS WIFE HE GAVE THIS FINAL WORD, "GOODNIGHT MY DEAR WIFE, WE'LL MEET AGAIN IN
THE MORNING" -- MEANING HEAVEN.
TO HIS SAVED DAUGHTER HE SAID, "GOOD NIGHT MY DAUGHTER, THE SEPARATION IS
BUT FOR A SHORT WHILE." THEN
TURNING TO HIS UNSAVED SON HE SAID, "GOODBY, SON!" HIS SON GOT A FUNNY LOOK ON HIS FACE AND
HE ASKED HIS FATHER, "FATHER, WHY DID YOU SAY 'GOODBY' TO ME, AND 'GOOD NIGHT'
TO MOTHER AND SISTER?" THE FATHER
REPLIED LOVINGLY, "WELL, SON, YOU THROUGH THE YEARS HAVE REJECTED CHRIST, THE
SAVED AND THE UNSAVED HAVE DIFFERENT DESTINIES ... THE LOST ARE ETERNALLY
SEPARATED FROM GOD, AND THEIR LOVED ONES WHO DIE IN THE LORD, SO TO YOUR MOTHER
AND SISTER IT IS MERELY GOODNIGHT FOR NOW, BUT FOR YOU I MUST SAY GOODBY AS WE
WILL NEVER MEET AGAIN." GOD'S
SPIRIT BROUGHT DEEP CONVICTION OF SIN TO THE HEART OF THE YOUNG SON, AND
WEEPINGLY HE SAID, "DAD, I HERE AND NOW RECEIVE CHRIST AS MY PERSONAL SAVIOUR,
AND WE WILL NOT BE SERPARATED IN THE YONDERLAND!" -- SOURCE
UNKNOWN
5. This time will be real and forever,
God will divide the masses of humanity, past, present, and future into two
groups!
6. It is vitally important who you
listen to while in this life and it will make the difference for all
eternity!!!
ILLUS: BACK IN THE
19TH CENTURY ONE OF THE GREATEST AGNOSTICS, ROBERT INGERSOLL WENT TO GIVE A
LECTURE; HIS ANNOUNCED TOPIC WAS "AN ADDRESS ON HELL." HE DECLARED BOLDLY THAT HE WOULD PROVE
CONCLUSIVELY THAT HELL WAS A WILD DREAM AND SOME SCHEMING THEOLOGIANS HAD
INVENTED IT TO TERRIFY CREDULOUS PEOPLE.
AS HE WAS LAUNCHING INTO HIS SUBJECT, A HALF-DRUNKEN MAN AROSE IN THE
AUDIENCE AND EXCLAIMED, "MAKE IT STRONG, BOB, THERE'S A LOT OF US POOR FELLOWS
WHO ARE DEPENDING ON YOU. IF YOU
ARE WRONG, WE ARE ALL LOST. SO BE
SURE YOU CAN PROVE IT CLEAR AND PLAIN!" -- SOURCE
UNKNOWN
7. For believers this time is going to
be one of great joy, but for the lost it will be the greatest sorrow in all
eternity!
a. Verse
33 makes it quite clear that there is a final
separation.
b. No universalism can be taught
here!!
c. As real as Heaven is, so is
Hell!
II. HERE COMES THE JUDGEMENT! 25:34-46
A. Praise! 25:34-40
1. The favored placement by monarchs
in ancient times was to be put on their right side ... here Jesus separates the
sheep and puts them on His right side!
2. Jesus also states clearly that this
inheritance was prepared for His sheep from the very foundation of the
Earth!
a. God's plan has always included
salvation!
b. The life we live now has impact on
the future life we will live!
3. The Lord goes on to explain why
they were honored to receive this inheritance:
a. There was evidence in their
lifetime of the Spirit's work in their hearts.
b. In fact, this passage clearly
indicates that when the Lord lives in a heart there is always clear and real
evidence!
c. It is also clear that they weren't
doing all these wonderful things to just get a reward, for they are startled by
the fact that Jesus praises them!
4. They lived this way because Christ
was in their hearts and not just to earn
heaven!
ILLUS: NOT TOO
LONG AGO A HINDU WOMAN WAS CONVERTED THROUGH THE BIBLE. SHE SUFFEREED VERY MUCH FROM HER
HUSBAND, HE PERSECUTED HER CONSTANTLY.
ONE DAY A MISSIONARY ASKED HER, “WHEN YOUR HUSBAND IS ANGRY AND
PERSECUTES YOU WHAT DO YOU DO?” SHE
REPLIED, "WELL SIR, I COOK HIS FOOD BETTER; WHEN HE COMPLAINS, I SWEEP THE FLOOR
CLEANER; AND WHEN HE SPEAKS UNKINDLY, I ANSWER HIM MILDLY. I TRY SIR, TO SHOW HIM THAT WHEN I
BECAME A CHRISTIAN I BECAME A BETTER WIFE AND A BETTER MOTHER." THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS WAS THAT WHILE
THIS MAN COULD WITHSTAND THE PREACHING OF THE MISSIONARY, HE COULD NOT STAND THE
PRACTICAL TEACHING OF HIS WIFE THROUGH HER CHANGE, AND SO HE GAVE HIS HEART TO
GOD WITH HER! -- SOURCE
UNKNOWN
ILLUS: A VERY
DISTINGUISHED CHRISTIAN LADY WAS RECENTLY SPENDING A FEW WEEKS AT A HOTEL AT
LONG BRANCH, AND A GREAT PARTY WAS PLANNED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE EVENT THAT
WOULD INVOLVE A GREAT DEAL OF DRINKING AND CAROUSING, SINCE SHE STOOD QUITE HIGH
IN SOCIETY THE POWERS TO BE WANTED HER THERE, BUT SHE DECLINED. FINALLY, A SENATOR WAS SENT TO PERSUADE
HER TO COME, HE TRIED BY TELLING HER IT WOULD BE QUITE HARMLESS AND SHE COULD DO
ONLY AS SHE PLEASED, BUT HER PRESENCE WAS IMPORTANT. TO THE SENATOR SHE REPLIED, "I CANNOT DO
IT ... I AM A CHRISTIAN. I NEVER DO
ANYTHING DURING MY SUMMER VACATION OR WHERE EVER I GO THAT WILL INJURE THE
INFLUENCE I HAVE OVER THE GIRLS OF MY SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS." THE AMAZED SENATOR SIMPLY RESPONDED, "I
HONOR YOU; IF THERE WERE MORE CHRISTIANS LIKE YOU, MORE MEN LIKE ME WOULD BECOME
CHRISTIANS!" -- SOURCE
UNKNOWN
5. The point Jesus is making is quite
clear, the lives reflected the change of heart Jesus had brought them, they
served without attempting to earn their salvation for they were quite surprised
when Jesus praised them for their labors and
work!
a. They did what came natural from
their supernatural change of heart.
b. Their life reflected the character
of Christ in action!
6. Any and all revivals do this,
people become servants, the love of Christ in their life becomes more evident
and they do it without manipulating God, they do it because of God's love in
their hearts!
ILLUS: A YOUNGSTER
WHO GAVE HIS HEART TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IN A CHILD EVANGELISM MEETING
HURRIED HOME AFTERWARDS AND SAID TO HIS LITTLE SISTER: "I HAVE A NEW HEART!" WITH THE CHARACTERISTIC OF GREAT WISDOM
THAT CAN ONLY COME FROM BABES, SHE SAID, "OH YEAH, THEN LET ME SEE IT!" HE WAS STRUCT WITH THE FACT THAT SOMEHOW
HE HAD TO BE ABLE TO SHOW IT WITHOUT OPENING UP HIS CHEST, SHE HAD THE RIGHT
QUESTION, AND DO WE HAVE THE RIGHT SOLUTION? -- SOURCE
UNKNOWN
7. Too many people think that getting
saved means they should do great things for God, and for some they won't serve
unless it is something big.
ILLUS: D.L. MOODY
ONCE SAID, "THERE ARE MANY OF US THAT ARE WILLING TO DO GREAT THINGS FOR THE
LORD BUT FEW OF US WHO ARE WILLING TO DO LITTLE THINGS!" -- SOURCE
UNKNOWN
8. Jesus praises His sheep for their
lifestyle, their ministry to the weak as well as the strong, for every time they
served others they were in fact serving Him!
a. This would not go
unrewarded!
b. The righteous have hard and real
evidence to their changed nature!
c. Jesus earlier had stated, “by their fruit
you shall know them.”
9. These now separated to His right
are invited to "take your
inheritance."
a. God has prepared a place in heaven
for those who are His, not just those who say they are His -- but those who show
they are!
b. What a praise this is, heaven is a
real hope and eternal life with Christ is a real future for the real
saints!
B. Punishment
25:41-46
1. Now Jesus does the same thing with
the other group on his left, the “goats!”
a. Here again Jesus points to their
lifetime actions!
b. They all fall short of showing
Christ's nature in their lives.
2. Jesus runs down the same list only
showing how they DIDN'T DO THESE THINGS!
a. How well will you do one day when
Jesus asks these questions about you?
b. It is interesting to note that
Jesus describes "Hell" as the place designed for the "Devil and his
angels."
c. Hell was never intended to hold
human beings, sin separates us from God and since there are only 2 dwelling
places in eternity and you miss heaven by living in sin you send yourself to the
only other place ... Hell!
3. It is really more a matter of
INHERITING HELL if you reject Heaven!
4. Jesus here throws an interesting
twist to the concept of SIN, He explains here that SIN is not just WHAT WE DO
... IT CAN ALSO BE WHAT WE DON'T DO!
a. These are the sins of
omission!
b. It is stated this way in JAMES
c. Jesus seems to be equating here that the
sins of omission are greater than the sins of
commission!
d. Why? Because they rob others of the
opportunity to see Christ in action!
5. Notice the response of the wicked,
it is with injured innocence that they ask, “When did we
see” or in the NIV “Lord, when did we see you
…”
a. They plead ignorance of Jesus’
needs!
b. They fail to see the obvious;
they lived for themselves, the very nature of all
sin!
6. Their excuses however do not stand,
they had lived their lives for only self, now they would get exactly what they
lived for -- only self -- a place
called Hell where God won't bother them, or anyone else, they will live in
self-exiled darkness forever.
7. Jesus in no way waters down the
concept of Hell here, it is real, and will be the final destination of those who
reject Christ and who live their lives for
self.
ILLUS: YEARS AGO
IN LIVERPOOL THIS STORY WAS SHARED ABOUT THE FUNERAL OF DAVID LIVINGSTONE, THE
GREAT MISSIONARY AND MAN OF GOD. IT
WAS THE GREATEST FUNERAL LONDON HAD EVER SEEN. A GREAT PROCESSION MARCHED THROUGH TOWN
AS THE BODY OF LIVINGSTONE WAS CARRIED.
IN THE GREAT THRONG OF PEOPLE A SHABBILY DRESSED BUM FOUGHT HIS WAY
THROUGH THE CROWD TO SEE THE CASKET GO BY, BUT HE WAS REBUKED BY THE CROWD, BUT
HE CRIED OUT ... "I HAVE A RIGHT TO SEE DAVID LIVINGSTONE, I KNOW HIM BETTER
THAN ANY OF YOU! WE WERE IN SUNDAY
SCHOOL TOGETHER. HE DECIDED FOR
CHRIST AND I DECIDED AGAINST CHRIST."
WHAT A SAD COMMENTARY ON THE REALITY OF THE TWO DESTINIES ... ALL FOR
CHOOSING RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY! BUT IT
IS TRUE! -- SOURCE
UNKNOWN
8. The sin of doing nothing is as
damaging as the sins of doing wrong!
They too leave others in darkness!
9. Jesus' invitation still stands
today, take it while you can! You
can choose to come and inherit Christ’s salvation and reward; it’s your call
NOW.
CONCLUSION: Jesus' greatest invitation to us
still stands as an open door, to "come … and inherit." This invitation is to an event yet to
come, the invitation has gone out, and we yet await the event! In this invitation however two possible
outcomes are waiting; and the choice of which one is deeply affected by our
actions now! Like all inheritances
the quality of it depends on the investments and management taken during an
entire lifetime. Have you invested
wisely? How much are you putting in
your retirement
account?!