It’s You or Them  
Matthew 25:31-46   
God judges the living & dead, for life & punishment 

Current Series:
Judgment 
Just and merciful, not scary 

Study & Share Insert
...#1 Notice how the story unfolds. First, the sheep & goats are separated, next the sheep’s blessing is announced, then their works are described, finally they are surprised at their righteous works. What does the Old Testament tell us about such vindication? See Psalms 17:2, 24:5, 26:1, 35:24-27, 37:6, 43:1; 54:1, 98:2, 103:6, 135:14; Isaiah 34:8, 58:8, 61:1-2; Jeremiah 51:10; Joel 2:23; Micah 7:9-10

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Get Action!  
Matthew 25:1-13   
God judges our “meh” response to his gospel 

Current Series:
Judgment 
Just and merciful, not scary 

Study & Share Insert
...#6 How can you explain to a pre-Christian the connection between v13 & the guaranteed, imminent return of Jesus? See Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 2 Peter 3:10

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Hey Y'all, Watch This  
Matthew 23:1-12   
God judges our prideful competition & showing-off toward one another 

Current Series:
Judgment 
Just and merciful, not scary 

Study & Share Insert
...#1 What do 11:28-30, 12:1-8, & 15:1-20 add to the context? How does Jesus’ critique include (or not) something like “you can’t get there [righteousness] from here [right behavior]? See Romans 3:22-26; 1 Corinthains 1:26-31; Ephesians 2:4-9

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Holy Love  
Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-19   
God judges our (lack of) love for neighbor, who needs our good works 

Current Series:
Judgment 
Just and merciful, not scary 

Study & Share Insert
...#1 How does the refrain “I am the LORD” root the Israelites’ behavior in God, not themselves? By the way, review the Golden Calf incident to see what happens when we look within/give into ourselves (see Exodus 32). See Exodus 19:5-6, 20:2, 8-11; Deuteronomy 6:20-25, 7:6, 26:18-19; Isaiah 61:6; Romans 6:12-23; Ephesians 2:12-13; 1 Peter 2:9

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Ready or Not  
Matthew 22:1-14   
God wants guests at his banquet to BE READY for the feast. 

Current Series:
Judgment 
Just and merciful, not scary 

Study & Share Insert
...#How does Isaiah 25:1-9 connect with this parable? How does it help you decipher the characters & plot of the story? Hint: v7 likely refers to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem & the Temple Mount in AD 70. See Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 9:15; Galatians 3:27; Formula of Concord-Epitome: XI 12; FC available bookofconcord.org 

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Ready or Not  
Matthew 22:1-14   
God wants guests at his banquet to BE READY for the feast. 

Current Series:
Judgment 
Just and merciful, not scary 

Study & Share Insert
...#How does Isaiah 25:1-9 connect with this parable? How does it help you decipher the characters & plot of the story? Hint: v7 likely refers to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem & the Temple Mount in AD 70. See Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 9:15; Galatians 3:27; Formula of Concord-Epitome: XI 12; FC available bookofconcord.org 

Download the rest (*.pdf) SS_2023-10-15_Pentecost20