Matthew 25

A few days ago we read this sober warning by Jesus in Matthew chapter 7:

(Matthew 7:21-23) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

Contrast this with His warning in Matthew 25.

(Matthew 25:41-43) “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. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 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.’”

I find it really interesting/challenging/scary that, in Matthew 7, you have a group of lost people who profess Jesus as Lord, prophesy in His name, cast out demons and do other mighty works. These folks are performing, what at least appears to be miracles and yet, they don't know Jesus. They were able to do things that would have landed them in the news, guaranteed them a book deal with Zodervan and got them their own television show on TBN and Jesus tells them, "Depart from me."

On the other hand, the crowd who here these same words ("Depart from me.") in Matthew 25 cannot even feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked or visit the sick or the prisoner - No Miracles Necessary! Jesus doesn't rebuke them for their lack of mountain moving faith. He doesn't confront them because they failed to cast out a particularly troublesome demon. He utterly rejects them because, "Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."

Maybe it simply comes down to the fact that it's easier to manufacture miracles (the flashy stuff that everyone notices), than it is to do the ordinary, common, simple activity of loving people in Jesus' name. Matthew 25 is full of ordinary people doing ordinary things and receiving extraordinary recognition.

• Those who were simple ready when the Bridegroom came get to go to the wedding feast.
• Those who are faithful in the little things are rewarded with, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master’s happiness!’
• Those who feed the hungry and visit the sick are welcomed with, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."

I don't need to perform miracles; I just need to be faithful. I don't need to make a splash; I just need to be faithful. I don't need the world's recognition; I just need to be faithful. 

Prayer: Father, I want to be faithful in the little things, in the things no one sees but you. I want you to continue to work in me and through me. Thank you that my salvation is not based on my Good works but on your Son's good work. 

  BOBBY PRUITT  |  Lead Pastor

Bobby was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. He is the youngest of 13 children and was the first believer in his family. He graduated from Columbia Bible College and served in churches in North & South Carolina before coming to Texas in 1994. Bobby and Amy have been married since November of 1990 and have 3 children (Riley, Beau, and Emma Grace).