Sheep or Goat?

This post comes from the message that I was privileged to give yesterday at Northstar church; a church just a few miles from where I live. During my recent mission trip to New Orleans, this text really challenged my walk. I have a simple question for you; are you a sheep or a goat? Are you on the RIGHT side of the King…or are you LEFT out of His kingdom? Take just a few minutes and read Matthew 25:31-46. I’ll wait.

These are some points that I’ve gathered from the text.

1. Sheep = RIGHT with the Lord.
a. His Right Defeated Sin (Salvation)
- Moses teaches us in Exodus 15:6 that the Lord’s right hand is glorious in power…and shatters the enemy. This verse occurs after the glorious parting of the Red Sea and the defeated of the Egyptians. I love the promise of this verse. We are given the defeat of sin, the glorious right hand of God…by way of the cross. Jesus tells Caiaphas in Matthew 26:64 that He alone will be seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. This verse brings chill bumps to my soul! Jesus, the glorious One, tells one of His accusers that He alone is the RIGHT and glorious treasure that will conquer sin and return in glory. We are told in Hebrews 12:2 that we must, “Look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of God” What glory! As sheep to His right, we are given the gift of Jesus…the one that endured the cross and gave us the perfection of our own faith! Finally, we see in Colossians 3:1 that we must, “been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the RIGHT hand of God.” Christ is seated at the RIGHT hand of God…and as sheep, we join Him on His side. What grace!
b. His Right draws us to the Pasture (Worship)
- Looking to Matthew 25:40, we see the ROOT of our mission…to worship Jesus. Whenever we help the homeless, feed the hungry, take care of the oppressed, and preach the Gospel…we are doing it all for worship. Are you in His pasture? Are you grazing on His glorious field? Is Christ your shepherd? Psalm 23 comes to mind here. What field are you grazing? What satisfies your soul? Jesus told us in John 10:27 that, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they will follow me.” Does He know you? Do you know Him? What do you worship?
c. His Right identifies us with His mission (Evangelism)
- Matthew 9:36 really jumps out to me. Matthew writes that when Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them as sheep without a shepherd. When we realize His saving power and worship Him for His grace…we must look to others with the same compassion. What mission are you on? Matthew 25:35-39 tells us the mission.

2. Goats = LEFT out of His Kingdom
a. Left side people aren’t saved.
- John 3:36 really jumps out here. John teaches us that, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not OBEY the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. Left side people, goats, aren’t saved. They don’t turn to His saving power over sin. They don’t listen to His commands. They live for themselves. Jesus tells us that one day He will command us to depart from Him, because he never knew us! (Matthew 7:23)
b. Left side people rob Him of His worship…for now.
- Galatians 5:20 shows us how this happens. Left side people, goats, live by the desires of their own flesh. What do you live for? Matthew 6:19 tells us that left side people spend their resources on treasures of this earth. They aren’t looking after the needs of others. They are seeking what will please themselves. Does this fit your life today? Philippians 2:10-11 tells us that one day…left side people will worship…but only when it is too late and the wrath of the Holy God is on them. Don’t let that happen to you!
c. Left Side people live by their own mission.
- Go back and read Matthew 25:41-46. Does this fit you? Left side people reject the mission of the Savior. They live for themselves. Don’t fall into this sinful trap. Leonard Ravenhill once said, “Christians spend more money on dog food than on global missions.” What a tragedy! I’m not saying dogs should starve…but we should approach the mission with great joy and urgency. John 14:15 really hits it on the bull’s eye. If we love our Savior, if we are RIGHT with Him…than we should do what He commands.

Friend, today, come to the RIGHT side of the King. Repent of your left-sided, sinful, selfish living. Turn to the only One that has redeemed you from the darkness of the left. May you enjoy and graze upon His field of glory forever.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Dave