Church watchful-fruitful-mat25

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WATCHFUL, WATCHFUL, FRUITFUL, FRUITFUL, HELPFUL HELPFUL (Or Else!) (Or Else!) Matthew 25

Transcript of Church watchful-fruitful-mat25

WATCHFUL, WATCHFUL, FRUITFUL, FRUITFUL, HELPFUL HELPFUL (Or Else!)(Or Else!)

Matthew 25

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Being a ‘good Christian’ is more Being a ‘good Christian’ is more comprehensive than just ‘believing’.comprehensive than just ‘believing’.

God has great expectations of his kids…is it God has great expectations of his kids…is it time for me to shape up?time for me to shape up?

These are church guidelines before the These are church guidelines before the church was even born…pretty beefy aren’t church was even born…pretty beefy aren’t they?they?

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) ““At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” bridegroom.” --Matt. 25:1--Matt. 25:1

““Again, it (the kingdom) will be like a man going on a Again, it (the kingdom) will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.” property to them.” --Matt. 25:14--Matt. 25:14

““When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him…he will separate the people one from angels with him…he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” goats.” --Matt. 25:31, 32--Matt. 25:31, 32

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Members Of Christ’s Body Are To Be Ready To Depart The Planet Yet Engaged In Earth-Work To The End

Although Jesus had ascended to heaven by the time the church Although Jesus had ascended to heaven by the time the church was born he left plenty of instructions about what the Christians was born he left plenty of instructions about what the Christians should be about.should be about.

Prophecies regarding Christ’s return are sketchy…you’d better be Prophecies regarding Christ’s return are sketchy…you’d better be prepared right now.prepared right now.

What does readiness look like…what kind of behavior will be What does readiness look like…what kind of behavior will be acceptable to the Lord when he returns?acceptable to the Lord when he returns?

There’s a world of difference between the ‘church work’ and ‘the There’s a world of difference between the ‘church work’ and ‘the work of the church’.work of the church’.

He Has Been Talking About End Times (Chapter 24) And Now Directs Us To Be In A State Of Readiness

--Matthew 25:1-13

No one knows about that day or hour, not even No one knows about that day or hour, not even angels, only the father. Vs.36angels, only the father. Vs.36

It will be as in the days of Noah (life going on as It will be as in the days of Noah (life going on as usual) Vs.37usual) Vs.37

So keep watch! Vs.42So keep watch! Vs.42

He Has Been Talking About End Times (Chapter 24) And Now Directs Us To Be In A State Of Readiness

--Matthew 25:1-13

The parable of the virgins is about this very matter: The parable of the virgins is about this very matter: Preparedness rather than presumption.Preparedness rather than presumption.

Therefore keep watch! Matt. 25:13Therefore keep watch! Matt. 25:13

Are you keeping watch? In what way?Are you keeping watch? In what way?

Fruitfulness Is Required. Is This ‘Works’ Theology --Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus made a distinction between works of the Law and Jesus made a distinction between works of the Law and faithfulness to his commands.faithfulness to his commands.

Our Lord often commanded his followers to bear fruit. How Our Lord often commanded his followers to bear fruit. How about John 15?about John 15?

This parable is a clear call to use what has been entrusted to This parable is a clear call to use what has been entrusted to us to advance the kingdom of God. us to advance the kingdom of God.

““Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.” Matt 25:21and share your master’s happiness.” Matt 25:21

Fruitfulness Is Required…Is This ‘Works’ Theology --Matthew 25:14-30

Fruit? Character growth…souls won…maturing of others?Fruit? Character growth…souls won…maturing of others?

What has God entrusted to me? Wealth, health, personality, What has God entrusted to me? Wealth, health, personality, brain power, special opportunities, relationships, my brain power, special opportunities, relationships, my neighborhood, family…you name it.neighborhood, family…you name it.

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I believe that Jesus is the Christ, I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.the Son of the living God.I trust him as my Lord and Savior.I trust him as my Lord and Savior.

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2000 Years Before Our Congregation Was Planted God Put A Standard In Place For What It Means To Be

A Member Of The Church

We are to be a watchful people…living our lives as though We are to be a watchful people…living our lives as though Jesus might come today, plans as though he may not come for Jesus might come today, plans as though he may not come for one hundred yearsone hundred years

We’ve been entrusted with so much…a ripe field, gifted We’ve been entrusted with so much…a ripe field, gifted people, energy, strength, mature saints, young students, a people, energy, strength, mature saints, young students, a facility…the list goes on. God is expecting a return from such facility…the list goes on. God is expecting a return from such assets.assets.

Can we miss this? God expects us to love the whole spectrum Can we miss this? God expects us to love the whole spectrum of humanity…not just people like ourselves. How are we doing? of humanity…not just people like ourselves. How are we doing?

Christians…Called To Be A Helpful Bunch--Matthew 25:31-46

The Second Coming will be a time of sorting…base (in part) on loving service to the impoverished, neglected, abused and lonely…and even convicts. Vs. 34-36

Tending to ‘the least of these brothers of mine’ is considered service to Jesus himself. V.40

Sheep and Goat designations come from compassionate behavior.

Christians…Called To Be A Helpful Bunch--Matthew 25:31-46

Do we see this lived out in the life of the early church? --Acts 4:32

Is this a regular part of your life…giving loving care to ‘the least’ among us?

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Being a ‘good Christian’ is more Being a ‘good Christian’ is more comprehensive than just ‘believing’.comprehensive than just ‘believing’.

God has great expectations of his kids…is it God has great expectations of his kids…is it time for me to shape up?time for me to shape up?

These are church guidelines before the These are church guidelines before the church was even born…pretty beefy aren’t church was even born…pretty beefy aren’t they?they?

Go & Be Go & Be Watchful, Watchful, Fruitful, Fruitful, Helpful Helpful