Blessed are the Merciful
CENTRAL TEXT: Matthew 25:31-46
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 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 food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matt. 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 24:3-5, 7-8
PRAYER/SCRIPTURE READING/CONFESSION OF FAITH: Titus 2:11-14
BENEDICTION: Titus 3:5-7, 14
LEADER: he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. . . . And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
ALL: Amen!
Illustrations:
Related Scriptures:
Proverbs 14:31
Discussion Questions:
- Aside from your parents, who in your life has shown you consistent mercy–help in time of need? What’s a story from that contribution? What difference(s) did it make?
- What are we to make of the fact that at the return of Christ almost His first order of business centers on an assessment of our heart for mercy?
- What is the goal of showing mercy? Defend your answer.
- Diversity of opinion rests on whether the “least” Jesus refers to are the vulnerable everywhere or the vulnerable of the church who have become vulnerable for their identification with Christ. Make your case for either option. How has the church across history–and even referenced in the New Testament–demonstrated attention in both universal and particular directions?
- Don’t flinch but face the warning words of Christ with respect to speaking of destinies. Do the actions determine destinies, or do they reflect where the heart’s hope is set?
- Be patient in your answer and then patient in reflecting on these sometime later: how has Christ been for you in a spiritual way that parallels what He asks from us for one another in a material way?