Dear Christian friends:

We are nearing the end of the church year. Only two more Sundays left. The new church year begins on December 3rd, the first Sunday in Advent. We are also approaching the end of 1968. Only one and a half months left in this year. Time is flying away. When our time is finished, what's next? Judgement Day.

The Bible says so and also Jesus in our text says so. We are tempted to forget about time. We may think that Judgement Day will never come. And so we are tempted to continue living in sin. Or we may think, "I've got plenty of time to get ready for God." Then we may be surprised and caught asleep in sin.

Let us attend to our text and consider: There will be a Judgement Day. Many people will deny this. Jesus tells us so also. Hebrews 9:27-28, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

So what is the basis of the judgement? In our text it tells of the "good fish and the bad fish." The bad fish are thrown out. Who are the righteous and who are the bad? All are really bad: Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;", Psalm 14:1-3, "None that doeth good; no not one;", 1 John 3:4, "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness."

The greatest law, Matthew 22:37-38, "Love God more than anything or person." Put God first. Do we? With our jealousy, hatred, revenge, greed and pride? With our sins of omission? James 4:17, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them."

Are we helping the poor and needy? We often don't do it and look other way or make excuses. Are you not a "bad fish", a "wicked man?" Who can be saved? Who can say he is a good fish, a righteous man?

Those who believe in Jesus Christ can be saved. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He took our sins upon the cross. So Jesus says, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16) If we humbly confess our sins and wickedness and trust in Jesus, our Savior, God forgives us. 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

To all believers in Jesus, the Judge on the Last Day will say, "Come, ye blessed, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34)

Therefore on these last few Sundays of the Church year while our minds think of the end of time and the end of life. As we see wickedness increase on the earth. Less and less people believing in God. More and more following Satan. Let us not be bitter or give up. Let us hold tight to Jesus our Savior and rejoice in Him and hope for the wonderful day when Jesus our Savior and Judge will come to separate the good from the bad and take us to glory.

Surely this gives great joy and hope to all who believe. Does anyone here not believe these things? Are you still defending your sin and excusing it or hiding it. Do you say, "Where is God? There is no God!" You will be surprised and sorry if you continue to doubt.

Now is the time to confess your sins and trust in Jesus. Don't sleep in sin. Let us all stay awake by attending to God's word.

Amen.