Bible Text: Matthew 25:1-13 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: End Times
Matthew 25:1-13 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. 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. 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.
WATCH and WAIT!
Be prepared; we do not know the day or hour of HIS return:
Luke 21:34-36 Watch out! Don’t let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life…Keep a constant watch…
Our Spiritual Anticipation
A Jewish Marriage at the time of Jesus consisted of:
The Engagement
Betrothal
Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Feast
Jesus is coming again! Get ready! Be ready!
There will be no second chance following our death. The opportunity for salvation is NOW!
TEN
The number TEN represents “completion”
TEN: commandments; talents; pieces of silver; servants; pounds; cities; ten families make up a synagogue;
Virgins: There were TEN but only FIVE would represent professed believers in Christ
Lamps: (lampas) Greek term that primarily denotes a torch.
These lamps represent a visual reality and mission we all share as believers in Jesus:
Philippians 2:14-16 …shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…
Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit that indwells every believer.
Bridegroom is Jesus Christ.
FOOLISH bridesmaids looked the same as the others, but they had NO oil, Holy Spirit or light/life.
WISE bridesmaids had an outward profession, which was substantiated by inward possession. They had the “oil” of the Holy Spirit and a active, real relationship with the Lord.
Our Urgency
The bridegroom was delayed, and the purpose for the delay is the hope that no one would perish.
2 Peter 3:9-10 …He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief…
There are NO EXCUSES!
Romans 1:18-20 …So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.
Our Responsibility
Tend to our lamps
It is through obedience and submission that we maintain our living relationship with Jesus.
Consistent obedience is essential to anointing and blessing
Our Submission and Obedience
Water Baptism is an act of our submission and obedience.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit through our submission and obedience.
In order to keep oil in the lamp so that the flame is burning and bringing light and warmth we need to:
Live with Jesus every day (worship)
Read the Word every day (integration/application)
Talk and listen to the Lord every day (prayer)
Share Jesus everyday (witnesses – light)
Everyday integrity with Jesus (faithfulness and consistency)
Live faithfully, honorably with commitment in God’s community (church)
Live with submission and in obedience
Be generous and give (time, talent and treasures)
Be loving, hopeful and faithful
Be kind and encouraging to one another while serving others before self
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.
Our Opportunity
Luke 13:22-30 …Someone asked him, Lord, will only a few be saved? He replied, the door to heaven is narrow. Work hard to get in, because many will try to enter, but when the head of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. Then you will stand outside knocking and pleading, Lord, open the door for us! But he will reply, I do not know you. You will say, But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets. And he will reply, I tell you, I don’t know you. Go away, all you who do evil.
Three powerful and sorrowful WARNING statements:
Your LAMPS are dark.
The DOOR is shut; you cannot come in.
Go away, I do not KNOW