WHAT IF IT WERE JESUS AT YOUR DOOR?

Would You Recognize Him in the People He Sends Your Way?

Imagine hearing a knock at your front door.

You open it, and standing before you is Jesus Christ Himself.

What would you do?

Would you invite Him inside? Offer Him something to eat? Give Him your most comfortable chair and listen carefully to every word?

Of course you would!

But what if Jesus had already come to your door, and you didn't recognize Him?

What if He came as someone who was hungry, lonely, discouraged, sick, or struggling?

What if He came as someone you would ordinarily overlook?

Jesus gave us a remarkable teaching in Matthew chapter 25.

He said:

"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in."

He continued:

"I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me."

The righteous were surprised. They asked when they had ever seen Him in those circumstances.

Jesus answered:

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Think about that!

In this passage, Jesus was describing the King's judgment and the treatment of His brethren. But throughout Scripture, we find the same important principle: genuine love for God should be demonstrated through our love for others.

First John chapter 3, verse 18 says:

"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."

It's easy to tell someone that God loves them.

But what happens when that person needs something more than words?

Perhaps they need encouragement, forgiveness, a meal, or simply someone willing to listen.

Jesus didn't merely tell people He loved them.

He welcomed outcasts, touched lepers, fed the hungry, and comforted the brokenhearted.

And ultimately, He demonstrated His love by giving His life for our sins.

We are not saved by good works. Salvation is God's gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

But when we belong to Him, His love should change how we treat others.

Now consider something that may be uncomfortable.

It's easy to love people who appreciate us.

But what about those who have offended us, disappointed us, or treated us unfairly?

Jesus said in Luke chapter 6:

"Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you."

That doesn't mean we must accept mistreatment or abandon healthy boundaries.

But it does mean that forgiveness, kindness, and prayer should have a place in our hearts.

One statement in Matthew 25 has become especially meaningful to me.

Jesus said:

"I was in prison, and ye came unto me."

I've had opportunities to visit someone in jail and share biblical encouragement.

Those visits have reminded me that a person's past mistakes do not place them beyond the reach of God's grace.

The Gospel is not reserved for people who have lived respectable lives.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

Sometimes simply showing up, listening, and sharing God's Word can remind someone that they have not been forgotten.

Not everyone is called to visit a prison.

But every believer has opportunities to show Christ's love.

Consider the elderly neighbor who rarely receives visitors.

The widow who eats alone.

The struggling parent.

The discouraged friend.

Or the family member who has become distant.

Sometimes the most meaningful act of Christian service costs nothing more than our time.

A telephone call. A handwritten note. A listening ear. An unexpected kindness.

Galatians chapter 6 reminds us:

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men."

We've often discussed preparing for eternity and the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Our salvation rests entirely on Jesus Christ, but our faithfulness and the motives behind our service matter to Him.

The world may never recognize your kindness.

No one may applaud your sacrifice.

But your Heavenly Father sees.

He sees the visit nobody knew about.

He sees the prayer offered in secret.

He sees the forgiveness that cost you dearly.

So let's return to our opening question.

What if Jesus knocked on your door today?

Would you welcome Him?

Would you make time for Him?

Now consider this.

Someone may cross your path today who needs compassion, patience, or encouragement.

That person may have nothing to offer you in return.

But you have an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ.

Perhaps the question we should ask ourselves is not simply, "What would I do if Jesus came to my door?"

Perhaps the better question is:

"How am I treating the people Jesus has already placed in my life?"

May we never become so occupied with preparing for Heaven that we overlook the people God has called us to love while we're still here.

Because living for eternity includes loving others today.

And may our greatest desire remain to hear those precious words:

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE? THERE WILL YOUR HEART BE ALSO!

What We Treasure Today Reveals What We Are Living For Eternally. 

If Jesus examined your life today, what would He discover that you treasure most?

Would He find a heart occupied with the temporary things of this world? Or would He discover a heart that longs to please Him and invest in things that will last for eternity?

Jesus made a remarkable statement in Matthew 6:21:

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Think carefully about those words.

Jesus did not say that our treasure follows our heart. He said our heart follows our treasure.

What we value most influences how we live, what we pursue, and how we spend the time God has entrusted to us.

So today, let me ask you a question.

If your heart follows your treasure, where is your heart leading you?

WHAT DO YOU TREASURE MOST?

When Jesus spoke about treasure, He was not speaking only about money.

Our treasure is whatever we consider most valuable.

It might be our possessions, financial security, reputation, personal comfort, or the approval of others.

These things are not necessarily wrong.

But when anything becomes more important than our relationship with Jesus Christ, our priorities have become misplaced.

In Matthew 6:19–20, Jesus warned us not to store up treasures on earth, where they can be destroyed or stolen, but to lay up treasures in Heaven.

Why?

Because everything we accumulate on earth is temporary.

Our homes, possessions, and earthly accomplishments will eventually be left behind.

But what we faithfully invest in God's Kingdom has eternal significance.

Jesus was not condemning responsible planning or providing for our families.

He was teaching us to recognize the difference between what is temporary and what is eternal.

And that brings us to an important question.

Are we spending our lives preparing for this world, or are we also preparing for the world to come?

ARE WE PREPARING FOR THE BRIDEGROOM?

In our previous teaching, we examined the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25.

All ten were expecting the bridegroom.

All ten had lamps.

But only five were prepared when he arrived.

The foolish virgins discovered too late that they were not ready.

Jesus concluded with this warning:

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

What does this have to do with our treasure?

What we treasure influences how we live.

And how we live reveals what we are preparing for.

If our hearts are consumed with the things of this world, we may give little thought to eternity.

We may assume there will always be another opportunity to become serious about following Jesus.

But none of us knows how much time remains.

Jesus calls us to be spiritually prepared, not merely to appear religious.

The question is not simply whether we expect Him to come, but whether our hearts are ready to meet Him.

WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH WHAT GOD HAS ENTRUSTED TO US?

Immediately following the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus told the parable of the talents.

A master entrusted his possessions to three servants before leaving on a journey.

Two servants faithfully put what they had received to work.

The third buried what had been entrusted to him.

When the master returned, he called them to give an account.

To the faithful servants, he said:

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Think about what God has entrusted to you.

Your time.

Your abilities.

Your resources.

Your opportunities.

And the people whose lives you can influence.

These are opportunities to honor the Lord.

You may never preach before thousands of people.

But you can encourage someone who is discouraged.

You can pray for someone who is suffering.

You can share the Gospel with someone who does not know Jesus.

You can forgive someone who has hurt you.

You can serve others without expecting recognition.

Our Heavenly Father sees what others may never notice.

The greatest investments we make may be the ones that receive no recognition on earth but bring glory to Jesus Christ.

ONE DAY WE WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT

The Apostle Paul reminds believers in 2 Corinthians 5:10:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.”

For those who belong to Jesus Christ, salvation is not something we earn through good works.

Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches that we are saved by grace through faith.

But Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we were created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

Our works do not purchase our salvation.

They are part of the faithful life to which God has called us.

First Corinthians 3 teaches that the quality of our work will be tested.

Some things will endure.

Other things will be burned up.

Imagine spending an entire lifetime pursuing things that have no lasting eternal value.

But imagine the joy of standing before Jesus, knowing that you sought to honor Him with what He entrusted to you.

That is why our earthly priorities matter so much.

IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO CHANGE OUR PRIORITIES

Perhaps this message has caused you to examine your own heart.

Maybe you recognize that you have been too occupied with things that will not last.

Perhaps you have been postponing something you believe God has called you to do.

Here is the encouraging news.

As long as the Lord gives us another day, we have another opportunity to respond to Him.

We can begin today.

We can spend more time in His Word.

We can become more faithful in prayer.

We can encourage others.

We can share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We can ask the Holy Spirit to help us recognize what truly matters.

And remember, this is not about trying to impress God with religious activity.

It is about loving the One who first loved us.

Jesus said in John 14:15:

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

Our obedience should flow from our love for Him.

WHERE WILL YOUR HEART BE WHEN JESUS COMES?

One day, everything we have accumulated on earth will be left behind.

Our possessions will pass into other hands.

Our earthly accomplishments will eventually be forgotten.

But what we have faithfully invested in God's Kingdom will have eternal significance.

So let me leave you with one final question.

If Jesus called you home today, would the treasure you have been pursuing reveal a heart that has been preparing for Heaven?

Jesus said:

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

May our greatest treasure always be Jesus Christ.

May our hearts be occupied with His Kingdom.

And may we live each day with the joyful expectation of hearing our Master say:

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Amen.

 

Are You Prepared—or Do You Just Think You Are?

The Warning of the Foolish Virgins and the Unprofitable Servant

I'm Well Done | Preparing for Eternity | Matthew 25:1–30

There is a question every person who professes to know Jesus Christ should seriously consider:

Am I truly prepared to meet Jesus, or have I simply convinced myself that I am?

In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus told two remarkable parables. One concerns ten virgins waiting for a bridegroom. The other concerns three servants entrusted with their master's possessions.

Together, they teach us that we must be prepared for Christ's return and faithful with what He has entrusted to us.

But there is another responsibility we must not overlook: helping others come to know Jesus while we still have the opportunity.

The Foolish Virgins: They Thought They Were Ready

In Matthew 25:1–13, Jesus describes ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

Five were wise, and five were foolish.

All ten expected the bridegroom. All carried lamps. All became drowsy and slept while waiting.

But only the wise virgins brought extra oil.

At midnight, the announcement came that the bridegroom was approaching.

The foolish virgins discovered they were unprepared. While they went to purchase more oil, the bridegroom arrived.

Those who were ready entered the wedding celebration.

And the door was shut.

When the others returned, they pleaded to be admitted. But the bridegroom answered:

“Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”

— Matthew 25:12 (KJV)

What a sobering statement!

These women expected to participate in the wedding, yet they were not ready when the moment arrived.

The lesson is not that Christians must accumulate enough good works to earn salvation. Rather, it warns us against assuming that outward religious association is the same as genuine spiritual readiness.

Jesus concluded:

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

— Matthew 25:13 (KJV)

We must never confuse knowing about Jesus with truly knowing Him.

The Unprofitable Servant: He Buried What He Received

Immediately afterward, Jesus tells another parable in Matthew 25:14–30.

A master entrusted his possessions to three servants before leaving on a journey.

One received five talents, another two, and the third one. Each received according to his ability.

The first two servants invested what they received and produced an increase.

But the third servant dug a hole and buried his master's money.

When the master returned, the first two servants presented what they had gained.

Both heard these wonderful words:

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

— Matthew 25:21 (KJV)

But the third servant returned only what he had originally received.

He explained that he had been afraid.

The master called him wicked and slothful.

Consider this carefully.

The servant did not lose what his master entrusted to him. He simply failed to use it.

Fear prevented him from fulfilling his responsibility.

And this raises an important question for every Christian.

Are We Burying the Gospel?

Think about the greatest treasure we have received.

It is not money, property, or earthly possessions.

It is the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the salvation made possible through His death and resurrection.

We have received the Good News that sinners can be forgiven and reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ.

But what are we doing with that knowledge?

Are we sharing it?

Are we helping others understand it?

Or have we become so comfortable with our own salvation that we rarely consider those who still need to hear the Gospel?

Jesus commanded:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations...”

— Matthew 28:19 (KJV)

Not everyone is called to preach publicly. But every believer can participate in making Christ known.

Some share the Gospel through conversations. Others teach, write, encourage, support missionaries, serve their neighbors, or use technology to reach people they may never meet.

We should not assume that every quiet or fearful Christian is identical to the condemned servant in the parable. Jesus' warning concerns a broader failure of faithfulness.

Nevertheless, the application is serious.

If God has entrusted us with opportunities to make Christ known, why would we continually bury those opportunities?

Paul wrote:

“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”

— 1 Corinthians 9:16 (KJV)

Paul understood that sharing the Gospel was a sacred responsibility.

We should approach our opportunities with that same sense of purpose.

Why the Urgency?

We do not know how much time remains before Jesus returns.

Nor do we know how many days remain in our individual lives.

Jesus promised to return, and Paul described believers being caught up to meet the Lord in the air in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17.

Christians differ about the timing of these events, but one truth remains certain:

Our opportunities to serve God in this present life are limited.

Peter wrote:

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

— 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

God's patience should never be mistaken for indifference.

Every additional day provides opportunities for repentance, reconciliation, and faithful service.

We cannot force someone to believe. We cannot save another person's soul.

Only Jesus Christ saves.

But we can faithfully share the message He has entrusted to us.

Paul explained:

“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

— 1 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV)

Our responsibility is faithfulness. The results belong to God.

What If We Have Waited Too Long?

Perhaps you are thinking:

"I have been a Christian for years, but I have never seriously considered these responsibilities."

Maybe you regret missed opportunities. Perhaps fear of rejection or not knowing what to say has kept you silent.

Or perhaps you are only now beginning to understand what preparing for eternity really means.

Here is something important to remember:

You cannot change yesterday, but you can faithfully invest today.

God's grace is greater than our past failures.

Peter denied Jesus three times. Yet Jesus restored him and gave him meaningful work to do.

Our past mistakes do not have to determine how we respond to Christ today.

Remember also that the first two servants did not produce identical results.

One gained five additional talents. The other gained two.

Yet both received the same words of approval:

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

The emphasis was on faithfulness with what each had received.

A conversation with a neighbor, a Scripture shared with a friend, or an act of kindness done in Jesus' name may have an impact we never see.

We are not responsible for producing impressive numbers.

We are responsible for faithfully using what God has entrusted to us.

Salvation Is by Grace, but Faithfulness Matters

Before concluding, we must understand an essential distinction.

We are not saved because we share the Gospel, perform good works, or earn heavenly rewards.

Paul wrote:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

— Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)

But he immediately continued:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

— Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

Salvation is God's gift.

Good works are the fruit of a life transformed by His grace.

Scripture also teaches that believers' works will be examined at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:12–15).

We should not confuse the final judgment portrayed in Matthew 25 with Paul's teaching about the testing of believers' works. Nevertheless, both passages remind us that our response to God matters.

We are called to live faithfully, not to earn salvation, but because we have received it.

Are You Prepared?

As we bring these teachings together, three questions deserve our prayerful consideration.

First: Do I truly know Jesus Christ as my Savior?

Have I placed my faith in Him for forgiveness and eternal life?

Second: Am I faithfully using what God has entrusted to me?

My time, abilities, resources, opportunities, and knowledge of His Word?

Third: Am I helping others prepare for eternity?

Or am I keeping the greatest message ever given to humanity largely to myself?

The foolish virgins remind us that spiritual readiness cannot be postponed indefinitely.

The unprofitable servant reminds us that entrusted opportunities should not be buried.

And the Great Commission reminds us that the Gospel is meant to be shared.

We may not know when our earthly journey will end.

But we know what Jesus has called His followers to do while we are here.

Perhaps there is someone who needs your encouragement, someone who needs to hear the Gospel, or someone who needs to know that forgiveness and eternal life are available through Jesus Christ.

Don't wait until you stand before the Master to consider what you should have done with what He entrusted to you.

Begin today.

Because the greatest reward we could ever hope to hear is not the applause of this world, but those precious words from our Lord:

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

ARE YOU LIVING FOR TODAY—OR FOR ETERNITY?

 

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ARE YOU LIVING FOR TODAY—OR FOR ETERNITY?

The Choices We Make Today Will Have Eternal Consequences

What if you discovered that the most important things you accomplished in your lifetime weren't the things you worked hardest to get?

What if your greatest accomplishments were the prayers nobody heard, the kindness nobody noticed, the sacrifices nobody appreciated, and the people you encouraged to follow Jesus Christ?

We spend so much of our lives preparing for tomorrow. But how much time do we spend preparing for eternity?

One day, we will leave behind everything we have accumulated on earth. But what we have faithfully done for Jesus Christ will have eternal significance.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:19–21 that we should not store up treasures on earth, where they can be destroyed or stolen, but instead lay up treasures in heaven.

Then He made a remarkable statement:

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Think about that for a moment.

Jesus was not merely talking about money. He was teaching us about the direction of our hearts.

What do we value most? What receives our attention, our energy, our affection, and our time?

Are we living primarily for things that will eventually disappear, or are we investing our lives in things that will last forever?

EVERY DAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN ETERNITY

Many people believe that doing something important for God requires becoming a pastor, missionary, evangelist, or someone with a large ministry.

But consider the ordinary believer who quietly serves Jesus without recognition.

A grandmother who faithfully prays for her grandchildren.

A father who teaches his children to love God's Word.

A widow who encourages someone who is struggling.

A believer who visits someone in prison, feeds the hungry, comforts the lonely, or shares the Gospel with a stranger.

The world may never recognize these acts of faithfulness.

But God sees them.

Hebrews 6:10 reminds us that God is not unjust to forget our work and the love we have shown toward His name in serving others.

Isn't that encouraging?

You may feel that your life has accomplished very little. Perhaps you have never received an award, achieved financial success, or been recognized for your service.

But the Lord measures faithfulness differently from the world.

What seems insignificant to others may be precious in His sight.

WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE, BUT CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS

Before going further, we must understand something extremely important.

We cannot earn salvation through good works.

Ephesians 2:8–9 clearly teaches that salvation is God's gift, received through faith, not something we can earn or boast about.

But the very next verse, Ephesians 2:10, tells us that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared for us to walk in.

Do you see the connection?

We are not saved BY good works.

We are saved FOR good works.

God did not save us merely so we could wait for heaven.

He has given us opportunities to glorify Him while we are still here.

Every believer has been entrusted with something valuable: time, abilities, resources, opportunities, and relationships.

The question is not whether we have been given something.

The question is what we are doing with what God has entrusted to us.

ONE DAY WE WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT

Second Corinthians 5:10 tells us that we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, where we will receive according to what we have done while living in our bodies.

For believers, this is not a judgment to determine whether Christ's sacrifice was sufficient to save us.

Our salvation rests upon Jesus Christ.

But Scripture teaches that our works will be evaluated.

First Corinthians 3:12–15 describes how each person's work will be tested by fire.

Some works will endure, while others will be burned up.

This should cause us to examine not only what we do, but why we do it.

Are we serving to receive recognition from others?

Are we giving because we want something in return?

Or are we faithfully serving because we love Jesus and desire to please Him?

The Lord knows the motives of our hearts.

And that brings us to a question worth considering every morning.

Lord, what would You have me do with the life You have given me today?

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO BEGIN INVESTING IN ETERNITY

Perhaps you are listening to this message and thinking about years that seem wasted.

Maybe you regret opportunities you missed or decisions you wish you could change.

But consider this wonderful truth.

As long as the Lord has given you another day, you have another opportunity to serve Him.

You cannot change yesterday.

You cannot guarantee tomorrow.

But you can surrender today to Jesus Christ.

You can pray for someone.

You can forgive someone.

You can encourage someone.

You can share the Gospel.

You can demonstrate the love of Christ through something as simple as an act of kindness.

And you can do these things without expecting anyone to notice.

Colossians 3:23 reminds us to do whatever we do heartily, as unto the Lord rather than unto men.

What a difference that perspective makes!

Instead of asking, "What can I accomplish for myself today?" we begin asking, "Lord, how can I glorify You today?"

That is what it means to live with eternity in view.

THE GREATEST REWARD IS HEARING HIS APPROVAL

In Matthew 25:21, Jesus describes a master saying to his faithful servant:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

What beautiful words!

Imagine standing before the Savior who gave His life for you and hearing His approval of your faithfulness.

Not because you lived a perfect life.

Not because you were wealthy, famous, or accomplished great things in the eyes of the world.

But because you trusted Him and faithfully used what He entrusted to your care.

What could be more valuable?

My friend, one day our earthly journey will end.

Our possessions will remain behind.

Our titles and achievements will lose their earthly importance.

But our relationship with Jesus Christ, and the eternal value of a life faithfully surrendered to Him, will remain.

So before another day passes, ask yourself:

Am I merely spending my days, or am I investing them in eternity?

Remember, we are not preparing to stay here forever.

We are preparing to meet our Savior.

And may our hearts desire to hear Him say:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Amen.

WILL JESUS FIND US FAITHFUL WHEN HE RETURNS?

It's Not Just How We Begin Our Walk With Christ — It's How We Finish.

Have you ever wondered what Jesus would find you doing if He returned today?

Would He find you praying, trusting, forgiving others, and faithfully using the opportunities He has given you?

Or would He find you so occupied with the concerns of this world that you had almost forgotten He was coming?

Jesus asked a remarkable question in Luke 18:8:

"Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

Jesus asked this question after teaching about persistent prayer and trusting God without losing heart.

Would His followers continue trusting Him, even when life became difficult?

And that brings us to today's question:

Will Jesus find us faithful when He returns?

1. Faithfulness Begins With Abiding in Christ

Jesus said in John 15:5:

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Notice that Jesus didn't tell His disciples to produce fruit through their own strength.

He told them to abide in Him.

Our relationship with Jesus must come before we serve Jesus.

We can attend church, study Scripture, and participate in religious activities. But none of these can replace a personal relationship with our Savior.

We don't become faithful to earn salvation. We desire to be faithful because we have been saved by God's grace through faith.

Faithfulness begins with loving Jesus and allowing His Word to guide our lives.

2. Faithfulness Means Being Doers of the Word

James 1:22 tells us:

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

There is a difference between knowing God's Word and living according to it.

This is what I call the "Be Attitude" — being in Christ and becoming a doer of His Word.

Jesus desires more than religious knowledge. He desires obedience flowing from a heart that loves Him.

3. Faithfulness Is Tested During Difficult Times

It's easy to speak about faith when everything is going well.

But what happens when prayers seem unanswered?

What happens when we experience rejection, loneliness, illness, or disappointment?

Do we continue trusting God?

In Luke 18, Jesus told the story of a widow who persistently sought justice.

His purpose was to teach His disciples that they should always pray and not lose heart.

Sometimes faithfulness means continuing to pray when we don't understand God's timing.

Sometimes it means forgiving someone who has deeply hurt us.

And sometimes it simply means waking up another morning and saying:

"Father, I don't understand everything happening in my life, but I still trust You."

Faithfulness isn't the absence of difficulties. It's continuing to trust the Lord through them.

4. Faithfulness Means Using What God Has Entrusted to Us

In Matthew 25, Jesus told the Parable of the Talents.

A master entrusted his possessions to three servants before leaving on a journey.

Two servants invested what they received.

The third buried what had been entrusted to him.

When the master returned, he called each servant to give an account.

To the faithful servants, he said:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Here's something important.

The servants received different amounts, but the two faithful servants received the same commendation.

Their master recognized their faithfulness.

Those opportunities matter to God.

The question isn't how much we have been given. The question is what we are doing with what God has entrusted to us.

5. Our Faithfulness Has Eternal Significance

Second Corinthians 5:10 reminds us that believers must appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

This is something every Christian should understand.

We are saved by grace through faith, not by our works.

But Scripture teaches that our service and faithfulness will be evaluated by Jesus.

First Corinthians 3:12–15 describes how our works will be tested.

Some will endure, while others will be burned up.

A believer may suffer loss of reward while still being saved.

Salvation is God's gift. Faithful service is our grateful response.

Our desire shouldn't be to impress others or receive earthly recognition.

It should be to please the One who gave His life for us.

Even the smallest acts of faithful service, unnoticed by the world, are known to our Heavenly Father.

6. It's Not Just How We Begin — It's How We Finish

Near the end of his earthly ministry, the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Paul experienced persecution, imprisonment, rejection, and suffering.

Yet he continued trusting and serving Jesus.

He kept the faith.

What a testimony!

Our Christian lives aren't simply about the day we first believed.

They are also about the days and years that follow.

Are we growing closer to Jesus?

Are we becoming more obedient to His Word?

Are we investing our remaining time in things that have eternal value?

Finishing well doesn't mean living a flawless life.

It means continuing to depend upon God's grace and remaining faithful to our Savior.

7. What Will Jesus Find?

Let's return to the question Jesus asked:

"When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

Imagine standing before Jesus Christ.

The distractions of this world are gone.

The possessions and achievements we once considered so important have lost their earthly significance.

We are standing before the One who loved us enough to die for our sins.

What will matter then?

What a wonderful hope it is to hear:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

A Final Thought

Perhaps the Lord has placed something upon your heart.

Maybe He's calling you to forgive someone, encourage a struggling believer, share the Gospel, or spend more time with Him.

Don't wait for a more convenient season.

We don't know how many tomorrows we have.

But we do have today.

And today is another opportunity to be faithful.

We cannot change yesterday, and tomorrow is not promised. But we can choose to be faithful to Jesus today.

When Jesus returns, may He find us not merely waiting for Him, but faithfully living for Him.

And may our greatest desire be to hear those wonderful words:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Amen.

I'm Well Done — Preparing for Eternity

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WHO OR WHAT HAS YOUR ATTENTION?

Are Life's Distractions Drawing You Away From Jesus?

Have you ever picked up your cell phone to check one thing, only to discover that thirty minutes have disappeared?

One message becomes another. One video leads to the next. Before we realize it, precious time has slipped away.

But here's a question every follower of Jesus should consider:

If the world can capture so much of our attention, how much attention are we giving to the One who gave us life?

Today, let's examine what Scripture teaches about distractions, deception, and making our limited time count for eternity.

JESUS WARNED US ABOUT DECEPTION

In Matthew 24:4, Jesus warned His disciples:

"Take heed that no one deceives you."

Deception doesn't always appear as an obvious lie. Sometimes it comes through persuasive opinions, misleading teachings, or messages that sound appealing but contradict Scripture.

And although ordinary distractions aren't necessarily deception, they can leave us spiritually vulnerable when they continually pull us away from God's Word.

Consider the messages competing for our attention.

News. Entertainment. Social media. Advertisements. Political arguments. Endless opinions.

How do we determine what is true?

Our ultimate authority must be God's Word.

Paul instructed believers:

"Test all things; hold fast what is good."

— 1 Thessalonians 5:21

That includes examining what we hear from pastors, Bible teachers, social media personalities, and even lessons like this one.

Never accept a teaching simply because someone sounds convincing. Examine it against Scripture.

WHO IS SHAPING YOUR THINKING?

Romans 12:2 tells us:

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Our minds are influenced by what we watch, read, and listen to.

If we continually fill our thoughts with worldly messages while neglecting Scripture, those messages can influence our priorities.

Consider this question:

Are we spending more time scrolling through social media than searching the Scriptures?

This isn't intended to make anyone feel guilty.

It's an invitation to examine how we are using the time God has entrusted to us.

REDEEMING THE TIME

Ephesians 5:15–16 instructs believers to walk wisely, "redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

Every morning we awaken, God has given us another opportunity to live for Him.

But our time is limited.

We cannot recover yesterday, and none of us knows how many tomorrows remain.

Imagine spending just fifteen minutes less each day watching unnecessary videos and fifteen minutes more reading Scripture, praying, or encouraging someone.

That small decision could gradually transform our spiritual lives.

Our time is a gift from God, and how we use it matters.

IS TECHNOLOGY THE ENEMY?

Absolutely not!

The very cell phone that can distract someone from reading the Bible can also deliver the Gospel of Jesus Christ to thousands of people.

Through technology, we can encourage someone lonely, share Scripture, pray with a friend, or introduce someone to Jesus.

In fact, you may be hearing this message through a Facebook Reel!

The problem isn't necessarily the technology.

The question is whether we control how we use it or allow it to control our attention.

Technology can serve temporary purposes and eternal ones.

What matters is whether Christ remains first in our lives.

WHAT ARE WE INVESTING IN ETERNITY?

In our previous lesson, "How to Build a Fireproof Life," we examined Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 3.

Paul explained that the works of believers will one day be tested by fire.

Some works will survive. Others will not.

Salvation is God's gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We cannot earn it through good works.

But what we do with the life He has entrusted to us matters.

Every day offers opportunities to love someone, forgive someone, help someone, encourage someone, and share the Gospel.

Yet those opportunities can pass unnoticed when our attention is consumed by less important things.

Jesus said:

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

— Matthew 6:21

What does the way I spend my time reveal about what I treasure most?

LEARNING TO LISTEN TO OUR SHEPHERD

Jesus said in John 10:27:

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."

What a beautiful picture of our relationship with Christ!

He knows us, cares for us, and calls us to follow Him.

But following Jesus requires intentional attention to His teachings.

We need time in Scripture, time in prayer, and opportunities to reflect on what God is teaching us.

Sometimes the most valuable thing we can do is put down our phones, quiet the distractions, and spend a few moments with our Heavenly Father.

Not because technology is evil.

But because our relationship with Him deserves our attention.

ONE DAY, THE DISTRACTIONS WILL END

Someday, our earthly lives will come to an end.

The notifications will stop.

The videos will be forgotten.

The arguments and controversies that once seemed so important will fade away.

And we will stand before Jesus Christ.

Second Corinthians 5:10 reminds believers that we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

What will matter then?

Not how many followers we accumulated or how many hours we spent being entertained.

But how faithfully we responded to Christ and used what He entrusted to us.

So before you pick up your phone again, ask yourself:

Is what I'm about to do helping me grow closer to Christ, serve others, or fulfill a worthwhile responsibility?

There is nothing wrong with enjoying life or taking time to rest.

But we must not allow temporary distractions to rob us of eternal opportunities.

The world is competing for our attention.

Jesus is calling us to follow Him.

Who will have your attention today?

We cannot take our earthly possessions with us, but we can invest our earthly lives in things that have eternal value.

So redeem the time.

Guard your heart.

Renew your mind.

Follow Jesus.

And live each day preparing to hear those wonderful words:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

— I'm Well Done Blog

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Jesus, Our Good Shepherd, Acknowledges Us Before the Father

The Joy of Being Personally Known by Jesus Christ

Have you ever wondered what it will be like when you finally stand in the presence of Jesus Christ?

Will He know your name? Will He remember your prayers, your struggles, and the times you tried to serve Him faithfully?

And what does the Bible tell us about Jesus acknowledging those who belong to Him before His Heavenly Father?

Yesterday, we considered what happens when we take our final breath and leave this earthly life.

Today, let's consider another wonderful promise Jesus gave His followers.

The Good Shepherd knows His sheep, and He will acknowledge those who belong to Him before His Father.

1. Jesus Knows You Personally

In John 10:14, Jesus declared:

"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."

Think about those words.

Jesus doesn't simply know that Christians exist. He knows those who belong to Him personally.

He knows our names, our struggles, our disappointments, and our deepest concerns.

He knows the prayers we have whispered when nobody else was listening.

He knows the tears we have shed when nobody else was watching.

And He knows the opportunities He has entrusted to us.

In John 10:27, Jesus said:

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."

Notice the relationship.

His sheep hear His voice.

He knows them.

And they follow Him.

Christianity is not merely belonging to a religious organization or knowing facts about Jesus.

It is a living relationship with our Savior, made possible through God's grace and received by faith.

2. Jesus Will Acknowledge His Followers Before the Father

Now consider one of the most remarkable promises Jesus ever made.

Matthew 10:32:

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."

Did you catch that?

Jesus promises to acknowledge those who acknowledge Him.

Imagine the significance of that promise!

The Son of God, who died for our sins and rose again, promises to acknowledge His followers before His Heavenly Father.

Scripture does not describe the precise manner in which this will occur. We should not invent a ceremony or conversation that the Bible does not reveal.

But the promise itself is extraordinary.

The One who knows us completely is not ashamed to acknowledge those who belong to Him.

And consider Hebrews 2:11, which tells us that Jesus is not ashamed to call His people brethren.

What a wonderful expression of His love!

3. We Come to the Father Through Jesus Christ

Jesus said in John 14:6:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

We do not enter God's family through our accomplishments.

We do not earn our acceptance through religious activity.

We come through Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul explains in Ephesians 2:18:

"For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

Think about what this means.

Through Jesus Christ, believers already have access to their Heavenly Father.

We do not have to wait until death to begin that relationship.

And one day, our faith will give way to sight as we enter the fullness of His presence.

What a glorious hope!

4. The Shepherd Who Knows Our Struggles

Perhaps you have experienced loneliness, rejection, disappointment, or circumstances that made you feel forgotten.

Maybe there have been times when you wondered whether anyone really cared.

But remember what Jesus said.

"I know my sheep."

He has not overlooked you.

He knows the burdens you have carried and the times you have struggled to remain faithful.

And even when we fail, His invitation is to turn back to Him in repentance and trust.

Our confidence is not that we have performed perfectly.

Our confidence is in the Savior who loved us and gave Himself for us.

The Good Shepherd is not looking for an excuse to abandon His sheep.

He gave His life to save them.

5. What About Hearing "Well Done"?

This brings us to a subject that has become especially important in our teachings about preparing for eternity.

In Matthew 25:21, the master said to his faithful servant:

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

Those words come from Jesus' Parable of the Talents.

The servants had been entrusted with responsibilities during their master's absence.

When he returned, they gave an account of their stewardship.

And the faithful servants received their master's approval.

This reminds us of 2 Corinthians 5:10, where Paul teaches that believers must appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Our salvation is a gift of God's grace.

But how we live after receiving that gift matters.

Our time, abilities, resources, opportunities, and acts of service are entrusted to us for His glory.

We do not serve Jesus to purchase eternal life.

We serve Him because He has already loved us and saved us.

And what greater desire could a believer have than to live in a way that pleases our Savior?

6. Are You Known by the Good Shepherd?

There is also a solemn warning we must not overlook.

In Matthew 7:21–23, Jesus warned that not everyone who calls Him Lord truly belongs to Him.

Some will point to impressive religious activities, yet Jesus will declare:

"I never knew you."

That is a sobering statement.

It reminds us that outward religious activity is not the same as a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.

The question is not simply whether we know about Jesus.

The question is whether we have truly trusted Him as our Lord and Savior.

Have you placed your faith in His death and resurrection?

Are you trusting His grace rather than your own good works?

Do you desire to follow Him?

Jesus said in John 6:37:

"Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

What a wonderful invitation!

You can come to Him today.

7. The Joy of Belonging to Jesus

One day, our earthly journey will be complete.

Our struggles, disappointments, and responsibilities in this world will come to an end.

And for those who belong to Jesus Christ, there is the glorious hope of being with Him forever.

We cannot describe every detail of that heavenly reunion.

But we can trust what Jesus has promised.

He knows His sheep.

He gives them eternal life.

He will acknowledge His followers before His Father.

And He has prepared a place for those who belong to Him.

So while we are still living on this earth, let us use the opportunities He has given us to love Him, obey His Word, encourage others, and share His Gospel.

Not to earn His acceptance, but because we have already received His grace.

Remember this wonderful truth:

The most important thing about standing before Jesus is not whether the world remembers your name, but whether you belong to the Savior who knows you personally.

And may our lives reflect the desire to hear those precious words:

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Do you know the Good Shepherd—and are you following Him today?