EXPLORE THE TEXT
We demonstrate our love for God when we minister to other believers.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father;
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat;
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink;
I was a stranger and you took me in;
36 I was naked and you clothed me;
I was sick and you took care of me;
I was in prison and you visited me.’
37 Then the righteous will answer him,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38 When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you?
39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’
40 And the King will answer them,
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Lead a brief discussion based on the group’s responses to the question.
Highlight that once Jesus (the King) separated the sheep and goats,
He began to explain His criteria:
The rewards were based on their actions of ministering to the King.
In each case, the King was the recipient of the care they had given.
A note of caution and clarification is necessary at this point.
Although
these righteous ones were applauded for their acts of compassion, these acts did not earn them the reward of the kingdom.
This account is not teaching salvation by works.
The clear teaching of the New Testament is that no one can merit or earn God’s gracious gift of salvation.
That comes by the grace of God through Christ’s achievement on the cross.
These actions of compassion by the righteous ones were the outflow and evidence of a right relationship with God (see Eph. 2:8-10). (PSG, pp. 109-110)
Focus on the ways the sheep ministered to others.
Identify practical ways believers can provide similar ministry to others today.