JUDGMENT DAY SURPRISES (5 OF 5)
by Roger Thomas
Scripture: MATTHEW 25:31-46
This content is part of a series.
Judgment Day Surprises (5 of 5)
Series: End Times Survival Manual
Roger Thomas
Matthew 25:31-46
Introduction: A drunken man flagged down a bus late one night. He staggered up the aisle, and flopped down right next to an older woman who was clutching a Bible. She looked the wayward drunk up and down disapprovingly. Finally, she announced to him in a stern voice, "I've got news for you, mister. You're going straight to hell!" The man jumped up out of his seat and shouted, "Oh, man, I'm on the wrong bus again!"
Do you know which bus you're on? I've got news for you today. You are on a bus to somewhere. It is not standing still. In fact, it's picking up speed. If you are headed the wrong direction, now is the time switch buses.
Today we are looking at the last of three parables in Matthew 25. Jesus offered these parables as illustrations for a principle found Matthew 24. His disciples wanted to know the signs for the end of the world. We all understand why they wanted to know that. If we knew when the world is ending, we would know how much time we have before we need to get serious.
Jesus knew that knowing the date wouldn't motivate us to greater faith. Quite to the contrary, it would just encourage our already-present tendency toward spiritual foolishness. Instead of naming a date or providing a secret signal, Jesus issues a warning. The bottom line comes in verse 42: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Again in verse 44, "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." So much for the authors and tele-evangelists who make fortunes predicting the date!
The first parable (the ten virgins) emphasized the need for full preparation. Five girls foolishly did what most of our farmers would be tempted to if they thought Jesus was coming back on the 4th of July. Park the tractor and forget about planting corn. Why waste any money on f ...
Series: End Times Survival Manual
Roger Thomas
Matthew 25:31-46
Introduction: A drunken man flagged down a bus late one night. He staggered up the aisle, and flopped down right next to an older woman who was clutching a Bible. She looked the wayward drunk up and down disapprovingly. Finally, she announced to him in a stern voice, "I've got news for you, mister. You're going straight to hell!" The man jumped up out of his seat and shouted, "Oh, man, I'm on the wrong bus again!"
Do you know which bus you're on? I've got news for you today. You are on a bus to somewhere. It is not standing still. In fact, it's picking up speed. If you are headed the wrong direction, now is the time switch buses.
Today we are looking at the last of three parables in Matthew 25. Jesus offered these parables as illustrations for a principle found Matthew 24. His disciples wanted to know the signs for the end of the world. We all understand why they wanted to know that. If we knew when the world is ending, we would know how much time we have before we need to get serious.
Jesus knew that knowing the date wouldn't motivate us to greater faith. Quite to the contrary, it would just encourage our already-present tendency toward spiritual foolishness. Instead of naming a date or providing a secret signal, Jesus issues a warning. The bottom line comes in verse 42: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Again in verse 44, "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." So much for the authors and tele-evangelists who make fortunes predicting the date!
The first parable (the ten virgins) emphasized the need for full preparation. Five girls foolishly did what most of our farmers would be tempted to if they thought Jesus was coming back on the 4th of July. Park the tractor and forget about planting corn. Why waste any money on f ...
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