Day: 20
Text: Matthew 25: 31-46
Introduction-
Characteristics of Goats and Sheep
Goat: Independent, Quick to learn good and bad habits, Aggressive, Stubborn, Argumentative, Dragged to follow direction and so on.
Sheep: Impressive memory, Recognition of skills, Friendly, Stick to one another, Submissive, Sad when others are frightened, Knows shepherds voice: Easily experience emotions – for example, fear, anger and rage.
This parable started with the judgement of the nations. It illustrates how people will be judged. Although salvation is free to everyone who believes, but our actions while we are still living will be judged and rewarded. Heavenly reward involves activities in helping other people’s needs too.
Life Lessons–
- Judgement day for the sheep. In Matthew 25: 32-40, Jesus will judge the world by separating the sheep and the goats. The sheep he will keep on his right and the goat on His left hand. To the sheep He said: inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. They asked why, and he replied that He was hungry and they gave him food, thirsty and was given drink, and a stranger and was welcomed. All these were done to Him through giving it to his brethren.
- Judgement day for the goat.. Matthew 25: 41-45. To the goats on his left hand, He said depart from me you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels . They asked why and he replied that He was hungry and you gave me no food, thirsty and you gave me no drink and a stranger and you did not welcome me. All these were not done for my brethren.
- Where will you spend eternity? Matthew 25:34. Jesus will say to the sheep, come and inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Matthew 25; 41 to the goat, He said depart from me you cursed into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Life applications
- The sheep and our Lord Jesus Christ
John 10:27-28. Christ is the shepherd of the sheep, not the goat and they hear His voice. They know him and he knows them. They follow his voice, He gives them eternal life and they shall never perish or any man pluck them out of His hands.
Luke 15: 4-7. God looks for the well being of his sheep.
He makes sure that they never get astray. His eyes are on the sparrow and I know He watches me.
Psalms 23:1. The sheep calls The Lord “my shepherd” and trusts that He will not leave him in any want/needs. The sheep will reign with God in His kingdom.
- Dependability.
The sheep depends on the shepherd while the goat is stubborn and disobedient. The sheep hears God’s voice and follows, because he knows that he will not mislead him, although sometimes it may not look logical but he is about to do a miracle.
- Reward day.
Judgement day is coming. What will the Lord reward you for? What are you doing for Him? What sacrifice are you doing for Him?
Lesson of the Day
The choice to be a sheep or goat lies in our hands. Choose wisely while we are alive, because judgement day is coming. There is no work in the grave.
Complied by: Decaoness Christiana Ekwue
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