by Gene Heacock (Feb 19, 2012)
(We’ve gotten behind on publishing posts. We’ll catch-up this week.)
“Christianity will always reproduce itself after its own kind” –A.W. Tozer
What kind are we?
Jesus is going away and the shadow of the cross looms over this passage.
- JESUS WANTS YOU TO SUCCEED AND CAPTURE HIS HEART.
- HE WANTS YOU TO BE LIKE HIM AND TO BE READY!!
- HE WANTS YOU TO BE MORE LIKE HIM. HE IS HERE TO DO THAT!! DO YOU SEE THAT??
3 Passages of preparation:
- Passion of our hearts for intimacy (25:1-13)
- Passion of stewardship (25: 14-30)
- Passion for Jesus heart of compassion (25:31-46)
Computer as a paradigm to get a fresh look at this passage…
Surprises of what we though we lost stays and what we thought we saved got lost. Passage although not a true parabolic form, has a spiritual left hook. In the final day there will be surprises…
How many of you believe in a Devil? I do — anyone who has a computer has to believe there is at least on territorial spirit hiding behind every terminal!
Computer story: Stop check program protects what you have done even if it is erased and other have saved everything that will eventually be erased.
Outline the sheep and the goats- Blind goats and seeing sheep
Righteousness is the key word in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-6)
2 Corinthians 5:21 we are to become key word process, growth journey spirit dependent
“The sermon of the mount is not a list of rules and regulations but rather it is description of the life we live when the Spirit has His way in our life ” –Oswald Chambers
Examine definition of uprightness scripturally and theologically describes a person whose way of th8knig and acting and doing is wholly conformed into the character of God
Saint Francis ” preach the gospel at all time use words if necessary ”
St Basil “Annunciations are many incarnations just a few “
Lets examine the text read and expand on verse 34-42
Description of a righteous life ( Life Of Jesus)
They serve people who can not pay them back
They are willing to expose them self to risk as they serve
They are kind to people who do no deserve it
They may have to suffer personal inconvenience as they serve
They go to places and do things no one ever think of doing
( WHO DOES THIS SOUND LIKE??)
The new paradigm in passage dumb sheep dumb goats- they were both dumb but one was blind and the other could see and from a Biblical world view the organ of sight is not the physical eye but rather the heart see verses 37 and 44
Illustration Subway train ride that changed a paradigm Have you had one Do you need one??
Sheep Stories – Great Heroes are you not me or preachers or those who tour on stage for His name but rather those who have his heart and see people as He sees them and simply obey Jesus where they are.
SHEEP STORIES
- A WEALTHY WOMAN FROM ATLANTA
- A MIDDLE AGE WOMAN IN A GROCERY STORE
- A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AND HIS BEST FRIEND WITH CANCER
- A MECHANIC IN TORONTO WHO HAD ANOTHER BOSS
Where is your heart today and what do you see?
What will be on your computer screen in heaven?
Gregg Caruso 