Commissioning Service

Tonight as we think about the tasks God has set before us all for the year that lies ahead, I want us to think about Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25 and verses 31-46, our New Testament reading.

What is the context for our work here at JPC? At the Home Group leaders’ meeting and last Wednesday, Jonathan Redfearn asked me to say something about the global and UK context of our work. And that is important.

But tonight I want to talk about the even more important universal and eternal context of our work. I want us to think of the ultimate goal, or end, of our work.

The secular mindset finds it very hard to think about “ends” or ultimate goals. The secular person likes to talk about initial “causes” and present ways of working without talking about final purposes and certainly not where all life is going. But that can be very dangerous.

For example, imagine being high-up in a Tower Block somewhere. I then ask you the question, “why is a bell ringing?” You then tell me it is ringing because an electronic system was installed by a Security Services’ firm. And prior to that someone had invented (and others had developed) electronic sensors. These can pick up critical air temperature and toxic particles that cause a bell to ring.

If you stop there, that can be a difference between life and death. If you don’t tell me that the whole purpose (or “end”) of putting in this bell system was to have a fire alarm to make me exit the building as soon as possible, that is not clever but criminal.

Well, as we are going to be seeing tonight, Jesus teaches us to think about the ultimate end of our world and human history and our ultimate future.

A failure to think about this end is dangerous beyond human imagination.

My headings for tonight are very simple, first, THE FUTURE, secondly, THE PRESENT, and, thirdly, THE CHALLENGE.


First, THE FUTURE

In chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is talking about how this world is going to end and where everything is heading.

Having on earth suffered and died, he is now risen and reigning at his Father’s right hand with all authority on heaven and earth; and he is the ruler of the kings of the earth. But one day he will be at last seen to be King. For there is going to be a glorious Second Coming of Jesus Christ at the end of history.

It is amazing when you think about it. Jesus is soon to die on the Cross. But before he faces this terrible ordeal – his trial and crucifixion – we are told he looks forward with confidence to when all the tables will be turned. Then every knee will bow before him as King of all.

We read in verses 31-33:

31When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

He is coming this second time as the judge of the living and the dead, as we say in the Creed. True believers who listen to Christ and follow him have nothing to fear. He is already their Good Shepherd. Jesus had earlier said (John 10.27-28):

27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

He is the one who issued a wonderful invitation (Matthew 11.28):

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened [with anything, but above all, sin] and I will give you rest.

So what does Jesus teach about this final judgment? There are four things he makes clear.

First, it is for everyone – “all the nations will be gathered before him.” Paul echoes that in 2 Corinthians 5:10:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.All that have ever lived must give an account of themselves.

Secondly, there will then be a division into two classes and only two classes of people. This will not be a separation according to nationality, status, career, wealth, education or any other factors or achievements. There will simply be those on Jesus Christ’s right and those on his left. There will be a separation (verse 32)…

one from another as a shepherd separates [still in some Mediterranean areas] the sheep from the goats.

There is, therefore, a hugely serious question for everyone here tonight: what will the King say to you at this time of ultimate separation? Will he put you on his right and say, as we read in verse 34:

Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world?

Or will he put you on his left and say as we read in verse 41:

Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels?

Thirdly, note how this judgement works. It is concerned with evidence. And that evidence is the things people have done in this life. Good works (or the absence of them) are the witnesses in this trial.

Jesus is saying that judgment will relate to the good we did (verse 40) “for one of the least of these brothers of mine;” or the good we did not do (verse 45) “for one of the least of these” – that is believers (“brothers of mine”) needing, for example, hospitality, clothing, and visiting because they were sick or in prison.

He says meeting or not meeting their needs is meeting or not meeting his [Christ’s] own needs. He is identified with them. Helping or not helping his followers is helping or not helping him.

The question to be ascertained [at the last judgment day],” says Bishop J.C.Ryle

…will not merely be what we said, but what we did; not merely what we professed, but what we practised. Our works unquestionably will not justify us: we are justified by faith without the deeds of the law [that is so important]; but the truth of our faith will be tested by our lives.

Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2.17).
Fourthly, there were surprises, on the one hand, and fearful shocks, on the other. Some will be surprised at the judgement on what they thought were small acts of kindness. Others will be shocked that anything was wrong with them. But they should not have been surprised.

Jesus had already taught in the Sermon on the Mount that a tree is known by its fruit. So Matthew 7.21-23:

21Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!

People may have taught some things that were true and even driven out demons and been involved in remarkable answers to prayer. But if they continuously ignore God’s clear will, Jesus will say, “I never knew you.” And it is the sins of omission that are so serious. It is the things we have not done in relation to Jesus himself, that are the life and death issues. Listen to Matthew chapter 11.20-24 which says:

20…Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent…23…you, Capernaum,…if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.

Yes, the sexual sins of Sodom were sinful. But rejecting Christ when there is every reason to accept him, is the great sin. Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour will produce “good works”.

So the last judgment will be one, for everyone; two, there will be a separation between those who inherit “the kingdom” and those who depart “into the eternal fire”; three, the judgment relates to the evidence of good works done especially for Christ’s followers and so for Christ himself; and, four, there will be surprises and shocks. But this is all in the future. So what about,


… Secondly, THE PRESENT?

Why was Jesus teaching all this? We can be certain it wasn’t, so that we spend all our time speculating about his Second Coming, or doubting our assurance of peace with God, or claiming to know the date of Christ’s return. Jesus says in Matthew 24.36:

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

No, Jesus was teaching so that we get on with living Godly lives now, in the present, before that great judgment day. Our passage concludes a block of teaching that you have in Matthew chapters 24-25.

First there is Jesus’ teaching on his Second Coming itself. Then there are four parables on living in this present period between his first and second comings.

The parable of the night burglar teaches the need to be watchful. The parable of the drunken servants teaches the need for holy living. The parable of the Ten Virgins teaches the need to be ready for Christ’s Second Coming at any time. The parable of the Talents teaches the need for the faithful use of our gifts and opportunities.

And tonight’s passage, which is hardly a parable (the sheep and the goats are just a simile), teaches that the goal of Christ’s mission on earth is that his followers will be saved and saved to serve.

Certainly there will be judgment in the light of our service now – what we do for Christ (our works). But there is no legalism about it. It is not that the righteous (as they are called in verse 37) have earned their reward. Theirs are not meritorious works that deserve everlasting life.

The only person that could pay the price for sin, as we sing, and unlock the gate of heaven to let us in, is Jesus Christ. This is what he achieved in dying for our sins.

Jesus had made it clear earlier in his ministry that, Luke 17:10:

you …, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’

So those on Christ’s right side are not said to have put the King under any obligation. They did not deserve to be there. They, too, were sinners. They were only right with God – or justified – by his grace and through faith in Jesus Christ who died for their sins. But by what they had done they had shown the reality of their faith in Christ.

We need to get this right. Nothing we do is, this side of heaven, faultless. Nor is it up to us to judge one another. For we all sin – that is why we regularly need to confess. The issue is, “is there any growth in Christlikeness as the Holy Spirit works in our lives?”

It is a fact some of us start a long way back. So we must not judge one another. Also there are true and false good works, as there is true and false faith.

The Pharisee in Jesus’ Parable in Luke 18 could say, “I give a tenth of all I get” (verse 12). That was objectively better than not giving. But perhaps he could have given more than a tenth. There was certainly pride in his giving.

So things that seem good by themselves do not necessarily evidence true faith in Christ. But – and this is important - an absence of any good is conclusive proof that any claim to faith is a sham.

Articles 11 and 12 of the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England put all this so well, even if somewhat archaically. Let me read them to you:

(11) We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort … (12) Albeit that good works, which are the fruit of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s judgement; yet are they pleasing and pleasant and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively faith; insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit.”

But what is the key “good work” that Jesus is highlighting in our passage. Look at verse 44. Those on the left of Christ say:

Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?”

The word translated “help” is the word usually translated “minister” or “serve”. And that is what is behind all this good that is being done or not done – self-sacrificial ministry or service that is practical.

It is practice not talk that Jesus wants in the present. So Galatians 6:10:

as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

And Hebrews 13:16:

Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Well, if this is the context of our work for this coming year, what finally and …


… thirdly, is THE CHALLENGE to us?

First, there is a challenge to faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus makes it clear that what you do comes from your heart and you need a new heart to start being truly obedient. The good news is that Christ forgives your sins and by his Holy Spirit gives you a new spiritual heart and new spiritual life. So as you come to Christ by faith and learn from him, as he promises, “you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11.29).

Who needs to come to Christ tonight for the first time? If so, read Why Jesus? and join a Christianity Explored group.

Jesus’ teaching in our passage tonight, however, is especially a challenge to all professing believers.

On the one hand, it is a serious warning. In the early Church in Corinth there were those (as there are today) who were saying faith in Christ and being accepted by God without good works means that you can then do what you like – even being sexually immoral. You read this in 1 Corinthians 6.12. Paul, like Jesus, said, “No!” So must we say, “No!”

On the other hand, Jesus’ teaching is a wonderful encouragement. All the ministry you are doing this year out of a good heart and true faith in the youth and children’s work, student work, international work, pastoral work, administration, public address, television, music, sidesmen, women’s work, crèches, sport’s teams, seniors, home groups, other small groups, celebrate recovery and all the many things I have not mentioned will not gain you salvation. But that ministry or service is pleasing to God. And one day you “will receive praise from God” who will (1 Cor 4.5) “bring to light what is hidden” from others who don’t realise all your effort and hard work.

So let me conclude with these words from 1 Corinthians 15:58:

always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.