Understanding the nature of Jesus

• Some really want to focus on Jesus with a whip in his hand
• Some really want to focus on Barefoot Jesus
• Some really want healing Jesus, miracle Jesus, walking on water Jesus, ACTION FIGURE JESUS
• Some really want Santa Claus Jesus
  • To the degree that they can’t imagine that God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament.  

One of culture’s favorite verses:

• Matthew 7:1 (NLT) — 1 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 

The Jesus that everyone likes

• John 3:17 (NLT) — 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

The Jesus that is responsible to judge fairly

• John 5:27 (NLT) — 27 And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man.
• Matthew 16:27 (NLT) — 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

The bottom line:

• Who is this Jesus that we will be looking at? What will he say to us? You? Me? 

The great news is he’s given us a cheat sheet

• Like a mom going upstairs to look around and say “next time I come here...”
• Like Ms. Humphrey’s in school - We need a cheat sheet

Matthew 25 contains 3 stories. Each of them represents an area of judgement. They all can be summarized in the word STEWARDSHIP

• You and I are stewards... bottom line

1. Stewardship of your FAITH
   1. 5 wise and 5 foolish virgins
      1. 5 took enough oil for the lamps, 5 didn’t 
   2. Your faith will take some blows... Experiences
   3. Your faith will take some lies... luring doctrines and thoughts
   4. Your faith will take some time... wearing away of zeal and passion
   5. Three keys to keeping in the faith
      1. Remember God’s faithfulness to you
      2. Stay in God’s Word! 
      3. Stay connected to ON FIRE PEOPLE!! 
2. Stewardship of your GIFTS
   1. 5 bags of silver, 2 bags of silver, 1 bag of silver
      1. Given according to their abilities
      2. Long trip
      3. Day of accounting 
   2. The things that the master has put in your life
      1. He’s put natural talents and abilities
      2. He’s put precious people - Family, friends, etc..
      3. He’s put the gospel of his coming in your hands! 
3. Stewardship of your love
   1. The sheep and the goats
      1. Keith Green
   2. Matthew 25:31–36 (NLT) — 31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his 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 creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
   3. The danger is it puts us in a works mentality 
   4. If you are staying connected to the Lord, His love will tangibly flow through you.

Is Jesus fit to Judge?

• He is actually the only one that is fit to judge.
  • He was perfect
  • He is perfect
• He gives us the chance to be judged in him. He took the punishment for our sin.