February 27, 2011
Morning Service

Matt. 25:1-13

 

Review:

1.                  Where we are studying in Matthew is so relevant to the time in which we are living.  A time of uncertainty, and chaos.  The world is in turmoil, and it is not going to get any better.  For the Christian, it is exciting times, for we can see the signs of His coming.  He will soon come for His church, to delivery us out of this terrible time, that God pours His wrath out upon a deceived, and lost world.  “What you do, do quickly, for the time of His return draws near.”

2.                  In our studies, we are at the point in Jesus’ life that He is fast coming to Calvary.  In the 17^th chapter Jesus told His disciples that the Son of Man would soon be betrayed into the hands of man, they would kill Him, and the third day He would rise.  We are fast getting to that place in our studies.

3.                  Jesus just entered Jerusalem in a very triumphant manner.  People praising, and crying out, “blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.”  Many singing these praises for what they had experienced at His hands, many for what they had heard from others, and many were just caught up in the moment, going along with the crowd.

4.                  He cleansed the temple of those who were there selling items for sacrifice.  This was a strong act from someone acting as if they had authority to do this.  This upset the ruling class in the synagogue.  Just another reason they would want Him dead.

5.                  Then Jesus began teaching them in the way of parables, in which most were to show them their wrong ways, and hypocritical lives.   This also upset them.

6.                  The Pharisees tried to trick Him by asking if it was lawful to pay taxes, and He explained it was.  The Sadducees tried to trick Him by asking questions about the resurrection, and He answered them by telling them they knew not the scriptures, nor the power of God.  The Pharisees again concerning which is the greatest commandment, and Jesus told them, “to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  The second is like unto it, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments hang all the laws, and the prophets.”

7.                  Then in chapter 23 we see Jesus pronouncing judgments on these religious leaders, in the expression of “woe unto you.”  This of course upset them to no end, pushing Himself closer to Calvary.

8.                  Then in our last chapter study, chapter 24, the disciples ask Jesus upon leaving the temple, and Jesus telling them that this temple would soon be destroyed, they ask, “when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”  Jesus explains to them throughout chapter 24, and closes by teaching the parable of the two servants.  One servant  who was wise gave His household food in due season, and the other beat, and mistreated them, himself being very careless in his relationship with God.  Jesus said I will come in a time when he will not be aware, and will cut him in two, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. 

Jesus closes chapter 24 with this parable of the uncertainty of the day, or hour of His coming, and begins chapter 25 with the same thought, the uncertainty of the time of His second coming.  Because no one knows when this will be, He gives us the parable at the beginning of chapter 25 of the ten virgins, of which 5 were wise, and 5 were foolish. 

·                     Chapter 25 will warn us to be ready for His coming at all times.  Remember the third question that was ask in chapter 24, “when shall the end of the age be?”  Chapter 25 actually tells us what to expect when the end of the age comes, JUDGMENT.  And because of this it should remind us what the Apostle Paul told the church at Corinth;  1Co 15:58 KJVR  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.        Let’s begin the parable, chapter 25.

·                     Mat 25:1-13 KJVR  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 

Now let’s look at this lesson!

·  This statement supplies a key to the parable, whose object is, in the main, the same as that of the last parable--to illustrate the vigilant and expectant attitude of faith, in respect of which believers are described as "they that look for Him" (Heb_9:28), and "love His appearing" (2Ti_4:8). In the last parable it was that of servants waiting for their absent Lord; in this it is that of virgin attendants on a Bride, whose duty it was to go forth at night with lamps, and be ready on the appearance of the Bridegroom to conduct the Bride to his house, and go in with him to the marriage.

·  Or shall resemble. The meaning is, “When the Son of man returns to judgment, it will be as it was in the case of ten virgins in a marriage ceremony.” The coming of Christ to receive his people to himself is often represented under the similitude of a marriage, the church being represented as his spouse or bride. The marriage relation is the most tender, firm, and endearing of any known on earth, and on this account it suitably represents the union of believers to Christ. See Mat_9:15; Joh_3:29; Rev_19:7; Rev_21:9; Eph_5:25-32.   Scriptures concerning the Bride of Christ.

• Remember, the last parable gave us the example of the two servants, they had certain responsibilities to do while the Master was gone.  In this parable these virgins have something to do during the marriage of the Lamb.  They are to provide light for the wedding.
• In the next parable in this chapter we will see that we all have something to do while He is away.
• We should notice that the Bride is not mentioned in this parable.  In a way we are, but not by name, other than virgins.  The purpose of this parable is to show personal responsibilities.
• We will notice that first of all Jesus deals with the condition of our close relationship with Him, and secondly with our service to Him.
• Remember all these virgins were to be at the wedding, and had purpose for being there.  Provide light. 

(2)  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  (3)  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  (4)  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

• We will notice that they were all virgins, and part of the wedding party.  Up to this point they were all suited for their purpose in the wedding.
• Now the oil represents the Holy Spirit in this parable.  It is He that gives us the ability to be what God wants us to be.  To accomplish the work that He has for each of us.

(5)  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 

• They were waiting for the Bridegroom, and He was not in view, so they got some rest.  It was night time, and only right that they should rest.
• In the first parable it was that the Master delayed His coming.
• In both these parables it is for us to understand that the lesson is appropriate for all times.  Not just in the times of Christ, but today even more so. 
• The church is at rest, or some even asleep waiting for the Bridegroom to come for us.

Paul warned us;  1Th 5:6 KJVR  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

(6)  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  (7)  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  (8)  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 

• It’s very clear that these had been careless with their preparation for the wedding.  Their purpose was to provide light, but they had no oil, and therefore their lamps were out, producing no light.  So what purpose are they to the wedding?

(9)  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 

• But, it’s the midnight hour, and no one is in their shops that sell the oil.  The oil is not attainable.

(10)  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  (11)  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  (12)  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  (13)  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

 

SOME VERY SIMPLE, BUT TO THE POINT LESSONS FROM THIS PARABLE.

1.      BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT THAT YOU MIGHT PERFORM THE TASKS THAT JESUS HAS LEFT YOU TO DO.  HE EXPECTS THIS FROM US.

2.     DO NOT BE SLOTHFUL, OR SLEEPING, BUT BE ABOUT YOUR CALLING, AND FAITHFULLNESS TO THE LORD.

 

REMEMBER THE ADMONITION FROM PAUL;

1Co 15:58 KJVR  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, ( DON’T SLUMBER ) unmovable, ( STRONG FAITH ) always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, HELP US TO BE FILLED WITH YOUR SPIRIT, THAT WE MIGHT PERFORM THE TASKS, AND DUTIES YOU HAVE LEFT FOR US, UNTIL YOUR RETURN.   AMEN.