Sheep and Goats Their Nature and Character — E.A. Johnston

My doorbell rang one day, years ago, and there was a couple of Jehovah Witnesses standing there, and I let them talk for a while, until I could figure out who they were and what cult they represented.

I didn't argue with them, but merely listened. Finally, I responded with, The Bible says that one day, God will separate the sheep from the goats. The one man turned to his friend, and with indignation, he said, This guy just called me a goat.

Well, I never called him a goat. I was just stating what God had to say about him in my Bible. My Bible talks about a coming day, where God will divide the sheep from the goats. Turn in your Bibles, friends, to the Gospel of Matthew, in chapter 25.

We're going to be beginning in verse 32. And before him shall be gathered all nations, and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats, and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation of the world. For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat. I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink.

I was a stranger, and ye took me in, naked, and ye clothed me. I was sick, and ye visited me. I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungered, and fed thee, or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in, or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the king shall answer him, saying unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

The Righteous Sheep and the Cursed Goats

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. I will stop their friends. Notice sheep are referred to as righteous.

Goats are called cursed. The sheep are said to be in action for Jesus, doing good for others. But the goats are inactive. The sheep are placed on the right hand of the king to inherit the kingdom. The goats are said on his left hand to be cast into devil's hell.

The Nature and Character of Sheep and Goats

The title of my message today, friends, is Sheep and Goats, Their Nature and Character. Sheep are gentle animals, patient, and who follow the shepherd. Goats are unruly, and like a good fight. I was visiting a friend one time who had a farm in Tennessee, and on that farm was an unruly goat that most everyone was afraid of.

Well, one day I got cornered by that goat. He had me up against a fence line, and he was facing me with his head down and making threatening noises. I made the mistake of grabbing his horns to push him away.

All that did was to rile him to where he came at me as mad as a hornet. Fortunately for me, I was able to jump the fence before he bucked me with his horns. But he was an ornery old goat that people just avoided.

Rebellious Spirits Within the Church

Do you know folks like that at church? They're rebellious. They like to pick a fight. When you see them, you duck down a hallway to avoid them. Part of the problem in our churches today, it's our fault.

Preaching the Law Before Grace

It's the handling of the gospel. Old-time preachers knew better than we today. Both Wesley and Whitefield preached the law before grace. They believed that a sinner must be confronted with his rebellion against Almighty God.

In fact, George Whitefield used to comment that a sinner must first be brought to Mount Sinai before he can be brought to Mount Zion. But today's evangelism says God loves you. Just believe and you will go to heaven.

Matthew Henry on the Distinction Between Saints and Sinners

Is there no wonder that our congregations are mixed herds of sheep and goats who cannot get along and bite each other's tails? I like what the Bible commentator Matthew Henry said about the nature and character of sheep and goats.

He said, The Lord knows them that are His. The godly are the sheep, innocent, mild, patient, useful. The wicked are like goats, a baser kind of animal, unsavory and unruly. But the great distinction unto saints and sinners, sanctified and unsanctified, will remain forever, and man's eternal state will be determined by it.

Following the Shepherd Toward the Crown

Well, I hope you've enjoyed our little message day, friends, on the character and nature of sheep and goats. For those followers of the shepherd who bear the cross will one day wear a crown. But let us pray.