Kernan Community Groups
Sermon Discussion Guide
June 21, 2026
Matthew: The Final Judgment
Matthew 25:31-46
What are some of the most famous courtroom trials of our lifetime? What did you think about the verdict?
What comes to mind when you hear the word “justice”?
1. Jesus will return.
Matthew 25:31
[31] “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
Why is Jesus going to return again?
2. Jesus will judge.
Matthew 25:32-33
[32] Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
> Actions speak louder than words
Matthew 25:34-45
[34] Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ [37] Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38] And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39] And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ [40] And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
[41] “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42] For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43] I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ [44] Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ [45] Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
Salvation is never earned, but it is always demonstrated.
“The concept of justice in the Bible covers more than punishing wrongdoing. It includes treating all people not only with fairness but also with protection and care. God calls all people to seek justice for those most vulnerable to suffering injustice.” ~Theologian Brian Rosner
Practically speaking, what do you think this looks like in our church and in our community?
If we’re going to seek justice in today’s world, it’s probably going to cost us time and money. How can we better structure our personal finances and calendars to caring for those in need?
> We will either be eternally punished or eternally rewarded
Matthew 25:46
[46] And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Why is it right and proper for God to sentence people to eternal judgment (hell)?
Why is this bad news for all humans?
In the end, people in hell get what they really wanted all along: life without Jesus.
Romans 3:23-26
[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. [26] It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
When you put your faith in Christ alone (and not yourself or anything else), his record of perfection is credited to your account. Your courtroom trial is over. You are his. How does that change the way you feel about facing his final judgment?
