Bible Text: Matthew 25:1-13 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: End Times According to God’s Word
Parable Of The 10 Virgins
WATCH! ENGAGE! WAIT!
Matthew 25:1-5 The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they ALL became drowsy and fell asleep.
The Jewish Marriage in New Testament Times
The Engagement
The Betrothal
The Wedding Ceremony
The Wedding Feast
 Matthew 25:6-10 At midnight they were roused by the shout, Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him! All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out. But the others replied, we don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves. But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.
The Symbols Of This Parable:
Ten: the number ten represents completion
Virgins: the young unmarried women were the bridesmaids – represent professed believers in Christ
Lamps: represents a visual reality and mission we all share as believers in Jesus (Philippians 2:14-16)
Oil: is symbolic of the Holy Spirit that indwells believers
The Bridegroom is Jesus the Messiah
Foolish is contrasted to Wise
Foolish: despite their outward appearance the fact that they had no oil. NO Holy Spirit. Looking and acting like a believer is cold and empty and dark. Without FAITH in Jesus Christ; without an active, real personal relationship, we are dead.
Wise: Their outward profession was substantiated by inward possession. They had the “oil” of the Holy Spirit and an active, real relationship with the saving grace of the Lord.
HOW DO WE MAINTAIN OUR LAMPS?
Live with/for Jesus every day (worship and commitment)
Read the Word (integration; devotions)
Talk and listen to the Lord (prayer)
Share Jesus (witnesses – light)
Everyday integrity with Jesus (faithfulness and consistency)
Live faithfully, honorably in God’s community
Live with submission and in obedience
Be generous and give (time, talent and treasures – tithing)
Be loving, hopeful and faithful
Be kind, respectful and encouraging to one another while serving others before self
ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE
Luke 6:48-49 If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING DISENGAGED
Matthew 25:11-13 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, Lord! Lord! Open the door for us! But he called back, believe me, I don’t know you! So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
Three powerful and sorrowful statements of Jesus:
The LAMPS have no light
The DOOR is shut you cannot come in
Go away, I do not KNOW you