Sunday Preview: The Inheritance of the Righteous

On Sunday, we will examine a very serious passage from Matthew 25. It depicts judgment day. Jesus will judge, and eternal destinies will be determined. The righteous will go to eternal life, and the unrighteous will go to eternal punishment.

As we read Matthew 25:31-46, we observe a key determining point in our salvation: An active, responsive faith that is outwardly focused. As they live their lives, what do the lives of the saved persons in verse 34 look like as they awaited Jesus’ return? The next two verses show they led lives of service. They met the needs of hunger, thirst, separation, inadequate clothing, sickness, and imprisonment. These verses teach us that a responsive faith and humble heart are very much a part of our salvation.

Responsive in what? Sometimes, we equate service to others with big and public things. What we need to see is that these are day-to-day, routine acts of kindness and goodness demonstrated toward others. When we do these things, we are doing them to Christ. See Matthew 10:40; 18:5. Christ is intimately identified with us. The product of your life represents the reality of your life.

In our lesson, we will:

• Examine the judgment scene,  Matthew 25:31-33
• Learn about the inheritance of the righteous, Matthew 25:34-40
• See the fate of the unrighteous, Matthew 25:41-45
• Make some personal applications

As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please give consideration to these questions:

• Who will be returning with Jesus (25:31)?
• Who will be gathered when Jesus returns? What will happen to them? (25:32-33)
• According to Matthew 25:34-37, what type of faith do the saved possess?
• Why are the unrighteous lost (25:42-43)?
• What does this passage teach us about the simplicity of Christianity?

OPENING / WELCOME
Matthew Allen
SONG LEADER
Roy Pyle
PRAYER OF PRAISE
Billy Robbins
LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Greg Morrison
 ASSIST LORD’S SUPPER
Gary Stewart
Dru McLaughlin
Shane McLaughlin
Chris Terrian
SCRIPTURE READING
Dan Dekoski
Matthew 25:31-46
PREACHING
Matthew Allen
CLOSING PRAYER
Jim Grushon
CLOSING COMMENTS
Boyd Hastings
WELCOME CENTER
Kathy Downey / Tina Jacobs
USHERS
Jim Rutter / Bob Hoopes
SONG DEVOTIONAL
Rich Walker
COMMUNION PREP
Jeri Hastings
CLOSING THE BUILDING
Dan Spargo