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Church Goats Ramming Their Way to Hell
E.A. Johnston
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0:00 4:39
E.A. Johnston

Church Goats Ramming Their Way to Hell

E.A. Johnston · 4:39

E.A. Johnston warns that many churchgoers are like unconverted goats, relying on empty religion rather than a true relationship with Christ, and urges believers to recognize the vital difference between sheep and goats as taught by Jesus.
In this challenging sermon, E.A. Johnston confronts the spiritual complacency and false hope prevalent in many churches today. Drawing from Jesus' teaching in Matthew 25, Johnston vividly contrasts the obedient sheep with the rebellious goats, urging listeners to examine their own spiritual condition. With clear biblical references and personal illustrations, he calls for genuine repentance and a true relationship with Christ to avoid eternal separation. This message is a wake-up call to the church to reclaim its voice and authority.

Full Transcript

I believe, friends, that the spirit of Antichrist is in the land. I believe the Church, through compromise and conformity, has lost her voice of authority. And I also believe that 90% of most congregations are not saved sheep, but unconverted goats who have a false hope of heaven because they rest upon an empty religious profession.

In Matthew's Gospel, in chapter 25, and in verses 31 through 33, Jesus mentions a separation of sheep and goats at a future judgment. When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory, 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. In the Bible, Jesus is referred to as a shepherd, as a good shepherd, and His followers are called the sheep of His pasture.

Every church in this country has its share of sheep and goats. Sheep are compliant and follow their pastor, while goats cause division in a church by butting heads through power plays and strife. It's the goats that end up getting the pastor fired for standing for the truth.

Goats love a good fight. I have a friend in Tennessee who owns a farm, and on that farm is a feisty goat. One day as I visited that farm, the goat cornered me against a fence, and the more I pushed on his horns, the madder he got.

I was lucky when I jumped the fence and got away from that angry goat. And years ago, there was a knock on my door one day, and two Jehovah Witnesses stood there trying to proselytize me. Finally, I said to the one nearest to me that Jesus talked about a future day of judgment, where He would separate the sheep from the goats.

And this young man got upset, and he turned to his friend in an angry voice and said, This guy just called me a goat. Well, I didn't call him a goat. I was just telling him what Jesus called him.

But an unsaved religionist, no matter what denomination he belongs to, is nothing but a goat ramming his way to hell. And that's the title of my message today, friends. Church Goats Ramming Their Way to Hell.

Now look at verse 41 in our chapter today, regarding the eternal destiny of the goats on his left hand, and listen to the strong language that Jesus uses here. Then shall he say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. And that's what we have today, friends, in the majority of our churches.

Church goats ramming their way to hell. And be careful that you don't get in their way, or their herd will run right over you. The main difference between a saved sheep and an unconverted goat is this.

A goat has religion without a relationship with the Savior. He's never been awakened to his lost condition, and brought under Holy Spirit conviction, and therefore he's never exercised repentance and faith, and consequently he's missed Christ entirely and missed salvation. A sheep, on the other hand, has an experiential knowledge of Christ Jesus, because they are born from above and washed in the blood.

Let me ask you, friend, which herd are you running in? Let us pray.

Sermon Outline

  1. I
    • The presence of the spirit of Antichrist in the land
    • The church's loss of authority through compromise
    • The prevalence of unconverted goats in congregations
  2. II
    • Jesus' teaching on the separation of sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-33)
    • Characteristics of sheep versus goats in the church
    • The destructive nature of goats causing division
  3. III
    • Personal illustration of a feisty goat and its symbolism
    • Encounter with Jehovah's Witnesses and the meaning of 'goat'
    • The eternal destiny of goats as described in Matthew 25:41
  4. IV
    • The difference between religion without relationship and true salvation
    • The necessity of Holy Spirit conviction, repentance, and faith
    • A call to self-examination: which herd are you in?

Key Quotes

“I believe, friends, that the spirit of Antichrist is in the land.” — E.A. Johnston
“An unsaved religionist, no matter what denomination he belongs to, is nothing but a goat ramming his way to hell.” — E.A. Johnston
“The main difference between a saved sheep and an unconverted goat is this: A goat has religion without a relationship with the Savior.” — E.A. Johnston

Application Points

  • Examine your heart to ensure you have a genuine relationship with Jesus, not just religious affiliation.
  • Avoid causing division in the church by submitting to spiritual authority and fostering unity.
  • Respond to the Holy Spirit's conviction with repentance and faith to secure your salvation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jesus mean by separating sheep and goats?
Jesus uses the metaphor of sheep and goats to distinguish between those who are truly saved and obedient (sheep) and those who are not (goats) at the final judgment.
Why does the speaker say many church members are 'goats'?
Because many attend church with a false hope based on empty religious profession without a genuine relationship with Christ.
What is the danger of being a 'goat' in the church?
Goats cause division, resist true spiritual authority, and face eternal separation from God.
How can one avoid being a 'goat'?
By experiencing true repentance, faith, and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, being born again and washed in His blood.
What is the significance of Matthew 25:41 in this sermon?
It highlights the eternal punishment prepared for the goats, emphasizing the seriousness of false religion without salvation.

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