The Day of Separation Part 2 | Matthew 25:31-46

Scripture

• Matthew 25:31–46

About this sermon

Introduction: We would have to acknowledge that not every warning is an act of love. People have declared warnings when hatred was in their hearts. “One more step and I’m going to punch you in the face” would not represent a warning full of love. But when God warns sinners of the judgment that is coming — when He describes it, and when He joins those warnings to the gospel of His grace — there is nothing but love that could ever explain it. Certainly, God’s warnings make men more responsible, but they are already responsible. What God’s warnings represent is an OPPORTUNITY for repentance, an opportunity for deliverance, an opportunity to move from the precipice of the greatest disaster a human life could ever experience, to the greatest joy a human life could ever know. THIS IS WHY GOD’S PEOPLE MUST DECLARE ALL OF GOD’S WORDS, INCLUDING HIS WARNINGS. WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO MUTE THE LOVE OF GOD BY MUTING THE WARNINGS OF GOD. If we allow Christ’s final words in the Olivet Discourse to really enter our hearts and minds, we will discover that it is one of the most sobering passages in all the Bible. We are given a view of a great day of separation, a great day of eternal destinies, a great day of eternal sentences declared by THE GREAT JUDGE, THE GREAT SHEPHERD, THE GREAT KING, THE SON OF MAN, THE SON OF GOD, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. It is the very one who will utter those judgments who is telling us about that day of judgment. HE IS TELLING US WHAT HE WILL DO WHEN HE RETURNS FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH TO USHER IN HIS KINGDOM. What he describes is straightforward. • THE DETAILS OF THE JUDGMENT (vs.31-33) Several things to note about this judgment that ushers in the kingdom. • THE JUDGE Jesus is speaking of Himself, but He does so in objective terms. This is who He is. This is not just who HE CLAIMS TO BE, this is not a self-styled description. THIS IS THE ONE SPOKEN OF THROUGHOUT THE SCRIPTURES. He is the fulfillment of all of God’s promises regarding the Messiah. • THE SON OF MAN (vs.31) (26:1) ESV Daniel 7:13 "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. • THE KING (“sit on His glorious throne”) (vs.31, 34) • THE GREAT SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP (vs.32) • THE SON OF GOD (vs.34) • THE SOVEREIGN SAVIOR (vs.34) • THE LORD (vs.37) • THE DIVINE SAVIOR BROTHER (vs.40) ESV Hebrews 2:9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." 13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me." 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. • THE HEIR OF ALL THINGS ESV Hebrews 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Jesus came the first time in a humble state, He will come again in GLORY. He will be seen as glorious. He will be accompanied by glorious angels. He will sit on a glorious throne. He will rule with glorious authority. • THE TIME FOR THE JUDGMENT — When He comes in His glory (vs.31) Jesus is not talking about a “spiritual” coming, or some invisible coming, He is talking about His return to the earth. Mat 16:27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and will then recompense every man according to his deeds.

Topics

• Marriage