TEXT:  Matt. 25:31-46

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THREE EXHORTATIONS TO PREPARE: Virgins, Talents, Judgment.

B.      THE BIBLE SAYS ALOT ABOUT JUDGMENT( Acts 17:30-31 ).

C.      vs. 41. SADDEST WORDS IN THE BIBLE.  WHY?

I.      THE REASON FOR CONDEMNATION.

A.      SOME THINGS THAT WERE NOT THE REASON.

          1.       Not their refusal to obey the gospel.. It will cause one to be lost( 2 Thes.1:8 ).

          2.       Not something they did against God's will; however, ( Gal. 5:21 )

          3.       Not that they didn't profess Christianity. ( see Luke 6:46 ).

B.      THE REASON WAS A FAILURE TO DO.

          1.       They refused to help those in need.

          2.       The principle can apply to anything God commands( James 4:17 ).

          3.       The nature of things they refused to do:

                   a.       They were possible. God doesn't require impossible( 2 Cor. 8:12 ).

                    b.       They were small, a morsel of bread or cup of water( vs. 35-36; 10:42 ).

C.      THE LORD'S ESTIMATE OF UNPREPARED( Mat. 25:8, 26, 41 ).

II.     THE REASON FOR FAILURE TO DO WHAT WE CAN.

A.      SOMETIMES WE DON'T KNOW THE NEEDS OF OTHERS.

          1.       Responsibility implies awareness and opportunity( Gal. 6:10 ).

          2.       ( Phil. 2:4;  Gal. 6:2 ).

B.      OFTEN WE RATIONALIZE, "WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING."

          1.       God doesn't expect more than we are able( 2 Cor. 8:12 ).

          2.       Are we really doing our share, or looking for excuses?

C.      FEAR MAKES SOME HESITATE.

          1.       Some fears are legitimate.

          2.       Sometimes we need to walk a mile in the other man's shoes( Mat. 7:12 ).

D.      COULD IT BE SELFISHNESS?( Luke 12:15; 2 Tim. 3:2; Phil. 2:4;  Eph.5:21 ).

III.    THE REASON WE MUST DO WHAT WE CAN.

A.      THE TEACHING OF CHRIST.  HE TAUGHT

          1.       To say and do not is hypocrisy( Mat. 23:3 ).

          2.       The wise man hears and does( Matt. 7:24-27 ).

B.      THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST( 1 Cor. 11:1;  Acts 10:38 ).

          1.       Sympathy( Heb. 4:15 ).

          2.       Did he stop to consider their worthiness?

C.      SHARING WITH OTHERS IS SHARING WITH JESUS(Matt.25:40; Heb.13:2).

CONCLUSION:  HAVE WE DONE WHAT WE CAN?( Gal. 6:10 ).