The Final Judgment Matthew 25: 31-46 25:40
LETTER FROM A PASTOR To My Dear Friend, Pastor Phil Blowhorn,
I sure hope attendance at your church was better than my church. Mercy, pastoring ain’t always easy, now is it? We had us a bunch of sick folk, and them added to all the shut- ins made for a whole lot uh’ pew cushion to look at from the pulpit. I got to admit, I was feeling’ somewhat put out, but I went ahead and preached anyhow. Only thing was, with all them people missing’, the echo in the church gave me a hoot of a headache. My wife said I needed to get out and ride a bit ’cause the fresh air would make me feel better. Well, she took to driving’ and I took to riding and sure ’enough, she was right. Not only did my head clear up, but what I saw renewed my faith in the Good Lord. I tell you, Brother, I seen miracle after miracle!
My Sunday School superintendent, Hank Weaselbaum had called to tell me that he was so deathly sick; he wouldn’t make it to church. But there he was, driving’ down the road with his favorite fishing’ pole sticking’ out the window. I tell you, only a miracle could have snatched him out of the jaws of death that way! Then there was my head deacon, Wilbur Snooch. He had done left a message on my answering machine that his back was so jerked out of line that he thought he might have to have surgery. But I want you to know that when we drove past the golf course, there he was, hitting’ golf balls on the driving’ range. Hallelujah, our prayers worked! Edna Brump sent word with her sister that she wouldn’t make it ’cause her stomach was all upset and she didn’t want to take a chance on having’ a mishap in the church. But glory! There she was, standing’ in line at the Feeding’ Trough Smorgasbord. Another healing’! All told, we saw that 20 of our sick folk had taken’ a turn for the better and were up and about. Not only that, but I just couldn’t help from rejoicing’ over all our shut-ins that got themselves healed too. There was Sam Burply, who don’t attend church much causing’ of him being allergic to crowds, and he was in line to buy a ticket at the ball park.
Margaret Guffhunker, who’s been feeling’ all poor and sickly that she’s done missed the last eight Sundays, she was coming’ out of the mall with both arms full of packages. And then there was Horace Dweedle, who ain’t been to church in six months cause of his bum knee; he was playing’ basketball down at the park.
Seeing’ all these mighty miracles and healings got me so worked up, I started singing’ the Doxology! Yes, sir, Brother Blowhorn, I’m excited! I just know we’ll be having’ us a packed house next Sunday, what with all the sick and shut-ins revived by such a touch from Heaven. I look forward to giving’ you right nice report.
Your good friend, Pastor William Robert
Seven Steps to Forgiving Yourself
Take a moment to imagine the worst thing you’ve ever done in your life. When was it? Did you do something you’ll never forget and always regret? Does the incident still cause your face to flush or stomach to churn?
Do shame and guilt flood through your soul again as the events of that day, the emotions of that moment seem as fresh as when it happened? Does the remembrance make you want to cry? Then I must ask you, have you ever experienced the grace of God’s forgiveness for that particular moment? Have you forgiven yourself?
God promises that if we bring that moment, that event to Him in all its personal horror, describing and admitting the
event without rationalization and without diminishing its reality as sin, He can be completely trusted to forgive us.
David retells his experience, “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity, I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’ – and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5) We are told in the Bible that ultimately all sins are acts against God Himself, because we are missing His mark and standard for our lives, His perfect glory. Yet in His grace and mercy, forgiveness is guaranteed when we confess our sin. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9) You admit your sin to God. He promises its total removal and we can count on His promise. So why does the humiliation of the memory persist? I can think of two reasons. The first is Satan’s accusation. He helps you with this unforgiveness. The enemy of your soul, Satan, enjoys your misery and preoccupation. All the time you spend focusing on your sin keeps you from spending time focused on God. Guilt and shame cause you to continually hide your face from Him. So Satan spends His time besieging you with accusations. Yet we learn of the remedy for this in Revelation, “The great dragon was hurled down-the ancient serpent called the devil, Satan, who leads the whole world astray...Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony...” Besides Satan, you may be your own worst enemy. May I ask you another question? Have you ever forgiven yourself? Maybe you believe God has forgiven you but you can’t seem to let yourself forget it. You still believe you deserve punishment. You imagine that God must not have understood the gravity of this sin. He should have treated you more harshly. So you never forgive yourself. How can you stop this relentless attack?
1. Find a quiet place to do business with God. Create a “once and for all time” moment set aside to deal with the specific sin that haunts you.
2. Confess this sin to God for the last time facing it exactly as you remember it with all its ramifications. Neither hide nor rationalize anything. State the truth about this sin.
3. Write a detailed synopsis of the event in a prayer to God. Confess your sin to God in writing and prayer according to I John 1:9.
4. Receive the assurance of God’s promise to you in I John 1:9 based on the knowledge that He cannot lie and is faithful to keep His word. Burn your written confession as an act of faith, confirming the reality that the sin is completely forgiven, and to be remembered no more.
5. Determine that if the memory and its accompanying feelings attempt to return, you will choose to willfully reject both. We are told, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Do not even allow yourself to entertain the memory, but choose to put it out of your mind by repeating God’s promise for your forgiveness. Psalm 103:12 and Micah 7:18-19 are God’s powerful promises to memorize and repeat.
6. Renew your mind by focusing on the good things of God. Recount your blessings. Allow God’s power to renew your mind by following Paul’s directions to the Philippians, “Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things... And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:6-8)
7. Thank God for His forgiveness.
A young lady named Sally relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says that Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture. Sally’s friend drew a picture of who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved. The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn’t have a chance to throw any darts at her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced. Dr. Smith said only these words... "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Matthew 25:40. No other words were necessary; the tears filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.
EASY - DIFFICULT
Easy is to judge the mistakes of others. Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes.
Easy is to talk without thinking. Difficult is to refrain the tongue
Easy is to hurt someone who loves us. Difficult is to heal the wound...
Easy is to forgive others. Difficult is to ask for forgiveness.
Easy is to set rules. Difficult is to follow them...
Easy is to dream every night. Difficult is to fight for a dream...
Easy is to show victory. Difficult is to assume defeat with dignity...
Easy is to admire a full moon. Difficult to see the other side...
Easy is to stumble with a stone. Difficult is to get up...
Easy is to enjoy life every day. Difficult to give its real value...
Easy is to pray every night. Difficult is to find God in small things...
Easy is to promise something to someone. Difficult is to fulfill that promise.
Easy is to say we love. Difficult is to show it every day...
Easy is to criticize others. Difficult is to improve oneself...
Easy is to make mistakes. Difficult is to learn from them...
Easy is to weep for a lost love. Difficult is to take care of it so not to lose it.
Easy is to think about improving. Difficult is to stop thinking it and put it into action.
Easy is to think badly of others. Difficult is to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Easy is to receive. Difficult is to give.
Easy is keeping the friendship with words. Difficult is to keep it with meanings. Easy is to get a place is someone’s address book. Difficult is to get a place in someone’s heart.
Easy is to talk without thinking. Difficult is to refrain the tongue
Easy is keep the friendship with words. Difficult is to keep it with meanings.
The language of friendship is not words, but meanings.... Easy to read this. Difficult to follow.
If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door...
