EXPLORE THE TEXT
We should recognize that
unbelievers will be eternally separated from God and will face everlasting punishment.
41 “Then he will also say to those on the left,
‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!
42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat;
I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink;
43 I was a stranger and you didn’t take me in;
I was naked and you didn’t clothe me, sick and in prison and you didn’t take care of me.’
44 Then they too will answer,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger,
or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help you?’
45 Then he will answer them,
‘Truly I tell you,
whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 And they will go away into eternal punishment,
but the righteous into eternal life.”
Contrast the situations faced by the two groups:
The words of this condemnation mirror the words spoken to those on the right.
Instead of “come,” the King said “depart from me.”
Instead of blessed, they were cursed.
Instead of a kingdom prepared there was eternal fire prepared. .The King read the indictment against these wicked ones
for their indifference to the “least of these.”
As before, the hearts of those gathered before the throne were weighed
by their compassionate care for others.
In this case, this group lacked the compassion for others,
which came about as a result of rejection of the message of Jesus. (PSG, p. 111)
Jesus made it clear that eternal punishment
in a place of torment is real.
Hell is not a metaphor or philosophical idea.
As believers, we should recognize that
those who reject Jesus will spend eternity in hell-
and we should do all we can to convince them
to turn to Christ before it’s too late.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 113 of the Personal Study Guide, considering how these truths should shape our relationships and our ministries:
Direct a volunteer to read the first set of questions on page 113 of the PSG. Allow the group to suggest ways they have shown compassion in the past and how they could again in the future. Stress that the root of today’s focal passage reminds us that Christ looks at the heart. Draw attention to Pack Item 7 (Poster: Key Verse: Matthew 25:40). Encourage the group to read the verse again and commit to looking for ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus this week.
Lead adults to reflect silently on the second set of questions on page 113 of the PSG. Urge them to identify ways they can demonstrate the love of Christ and encourage others to move toward Him. Allow them to spend a few minutes in silent prayer, talking to God about how He wants to work in their lives. Close in prayer, asking God to give each adult a clear vision for showing mercy to other believers and showing grace to the world.
Send a group email or text to the adults in your Bible study, reminding them of Matthew 25:40. Encourage anyone who has had a chance to minister to the “least of these” to share their stories. Challenge adults to consider writing out their testimony as a way to share their faith journey with someone who needs to hear it
this week.
The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord. (See
2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 21:8.)
Respond emotionally to a principle of doctrine
Read Matthew 13:40-43,49-50; 18:7-9; and 25:41,46 and record your thoughts about the eternal destiny of the lost. What is their prospect? How is it described? How long will it last? Is there any reprieve? How should knowing the destiny of the lost impel believers to share the gospel with others? Spend time talking to God about your level of concern for the lost and how you can see them the way He sees them.