February 21, 2016
Morning Service

Matt. 25:1-13

 

            We are finishing up our study on the parables of the Lord.  Next Sunday we will begin the trip to Calvary, with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and finishing on the 27^th of March, with the D. B. R. of Jesus Christ. 

            Our parable this morning is in chapter 25 of Matthew.  To set the feeling of what Jesus is trying to tell them we should know what He just discussed with them, and that is the destruction of the temple, and His second coming.  Here is the last portion of that discussion.        

 

Matt. 24:42-51

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

This morning we will look at the parable of the 10 virgins, as Jesus continues with the thought of not knowing the day nor the hour of His return, and being ready.  What Jesus does here is to reemphasize the importance of living a faithful Christian life.

 

(Mat 25:1-13)

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 recognize the representations. 

·         The kingdom of heaven, in which Jesus went away to prepare, which is the goal for Christians.

·         Ten virgins, in which we will say all are Christians.

·         Lamps, which we will say is their bodies, or temples of the Lord.

·         And the Bridegroom, this is Jesus.

 

Now let’s see how this plays out.

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

·         Now the oil here represents the Holy Ghost.

·         So these foolish five virgins, went out to meet the Lord, without possessing the Holy Ghost.

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

·         The wise virgins were filled with the Holy Ghost.  

While the bridegroom tarried,

·         He’s been tarrying now for nearly 2000 years.

they all slumbered and slept.

·         Only the wise, slumbered, and slept, filled with the Spirit of God.

·         And the foolish, slumbered, and slept in the things of the world.

And at midnight there was a cry made,

·         The Bridegroom is coming.

Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

·         Now they recognize that they are unworthy to meet the Lord.  They are worldly, and are possessed with the things of this world, and they didn’t stay filled with His Spirit.  (Faithful living)

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.

·         Now remember this is a parable.  In reality we would do everything we could to help those not ready to meet the Lord.  Jesus is emphasizing the importance of living daily in a Spirit filled life.  Not depending on anyone except Jesus.

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.     (THEY THAT WERE READY)

·         This is very similar to the story of Noah, and the ark.  Noah preached 120 years, and only eight were saved from the flood.  They all had a chance, but they loved the things of the world more than the things of God.  Just like so many today.    (IITim. 3:1-5)

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.   (Lk.6:46)

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Hopefully we can see the picture:  All the virgins were Christians, but the foolish were living for the things of the world, and not seeking to remain filled with the Spirit of God.  These, like the five wise virgins, in the beginning, received a portion of the Holy Ghost in their lives, to help them live a life for God.   But they chose to follow after the things of the world, and lost their oil.  The wise chose to add daily to their portion of the Holy Ghost, and when the time came to go with the Lord, they heard Him say, “enter in thou good, and faithful servant.”  The foolish heard, “I know you not.”

How did the foolish lose their oil?

1.       Quit attending church.

2.      Quit giving to the Lord’s work.

3.      Quit reading their Bibles.

4.      Quit praying, except in times of needs.

5.      They put family, and recreation before God.

6.      They lusted after the things of the world.  Cars, houses, trucks, boats, campers, music, worldly pleasures.

So why was the wise ready?  They increased their portion of the Spirit, by:

1.       Being faithful in attendance to church.

2.      Giving to the Lord’s work.

3.      Daily Bible reading.

4.      Walking, and praying without ceasing.

5.      Using the things of this world sparingly, and kept them in their place, behind God.

6.      Loved their family enough to see to it that they had a good relationship with God.

James said “show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

John said plainly, “the books were opened.”  One was the book of life, the other the book of works.  Our names better be in both books.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, QUICKEN THESE TRUTHS TO OUR HEARTS, AND MINDS.  ENCOURAGE US BY YOUR WORD, TO SEEK FOR MORE OF YOU.  AMEN.