God's Wedding Announcement

11/11/2018 13:03

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Date: 6 November, 2018
Text: Matthew 25:1-13
Title: God's Marriage Announcement
 
Introduction:
 
Holly's engagement to Stephen this past week.
 
How exciting. She is going to be a bride. I'm sure she is looking forward to walking down the aisle. When they have decided on a date I'm sure she will be counting the days until they are married. They will send out formal announcements of their engagement at some point - letting everyone know to be ready to attend on that day.
 
ill.Our story - of Jesus coming to take His bride away. (The wedding feast and ceremony are about to take place.
question: Who is the bride of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Ephesians 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
exp. If Ephesians is just a picture - it differs nothing from the story which Jesus gives in our text. He is the groom and He's coming for His bride.
 question: Why hasn't he come yet?
2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
 
note:THIS STORY IS GOD'S MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENT OF AN IMMINENT MARRIAGE.
 
 ill. The Jewish wedding at the time of Christ would differ very much from our weddings.
D.A. Carson in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary describes the setting this way: “Normally the bridegroom with some close friends left his home to go to the bride’s home, where there were various ceremonies, followed by a procession through the streets – after nightfall – to his home. The ten virgins may be bridesmaids who have been assisting the bride; and they expect to meet the groom as he comes from the bride’s house…Everyone in the procession was expected to carry his or her own torch. Those without a torch would be assumed to be party crashers or even brigands. The festivities, which might last several days, would formally get under way at the groom’s house.”
 
 note: Jesus is teaching truths about the coming Kingdom and the King of that Kingdom (Himself) says that His coming for His bride will be like these Jewish weddings - accept the time of his coming is imminent.
 
13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
WE NEED TO BE WATCHING FOR THE IMMINENT RETURN OF JESUS FOR HIS BRIDE.
ill. Last week we enjoyed watching the community fireworks in the field accross from our house. Last year Mrs. Shore was away. We were excited to share with her what we did the year before. To watch the fireworks we had to - get coats, get in loft, turn off lights, open windows.... (If we weren't ready we would miss the fireworks.)
question: What are you doing to get ready for the return of Jesus for His bride? If you are not ready you will miss it!
 
13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
 
WE NEED TO BE WATCHING FOR THE IMMINENT RETURN OF JESUS.
 
I. Get with those who are going to welcome the Bridegroom.
1  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
exp. Notice that they are all in the right place. Good! It would be foolish indeed not to be with those who are waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus.
Psa 53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
exp. There is none so foolish as the atheist, agnostic or antiChrist (denying Jesus) for they are living as if the Bridegroom is not coming. WHEN HE DOES COME THEY WILL NOT GO WITH HIM.
A. You ought to get into God's Word! (No matter who you are.)
 ill. Witnessing this week - "I don't get into it that deep." I told her, "You will not go to Heaven without getting into the Word of God."
Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
exp. Don't let fear or unbelief keep you for getting into the Bible.
1.) Who wants to think about things so serious!
ill. The young lady to whom I witnessed  had an aversion to anything so sobering as Hell and really seeing what God says about our sin.
2.) I don't know if I will ever believe what the Bible says. 
exp. You'll never know unless you get into it.
 question: Can you possibly expect to be ready for the return of Jesus without getting into the Word of God which tells you how to be ready.
B. You ought to get to the house of God! (No matter who you are.)
 exp. That whole faith thing which you struggle with when reading the Word - IS BEST ACTIVATED THROUGH THE PRECACHING OF GOD'S WORD.
1Co 1:21  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
app. Nothing is so blessed of God to man's conscience as the authoritative declaration of God's Word. 1Pe 4:11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
C. You ought to get away from houses of sin! (No matter who you are.)
exp. Does the pub help you get ready for Jesus return? The bookie? The pornography? If you are ready to wake up and seriously seek to get ready - GET RID OF EVERY KNOWN SIN!
Jer 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
app. You aren't going to find a righteous God in the house of SIN! IF YOUARE SERIOUS GET AWAY FROM IT. Get with those who are getting ready to meet the bridegroom!
 
II. Get oil in your lamp.
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.
exp. The wise had oil in their lamps that would burn brightly when the bridegroom came. The foolish had no oil and no flame.
A. Get the oil from Heaven - God's Holy Spirit.
exp. Jesus had the annointing oil and we need Him as well.
Luk 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor;
Act 10:38  How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
1. The Holy Ghost is given at salvation.
exp. According to God's Spirit - indwells believers, He baptizes believers into the body of Christ, He seals believers and he fills believers. (indwelling, baptizing and sealing all take place at salvation.)
 ill. Peter's Message at Pentecost (Acts 2)
36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
app. When they repented and put their faith in Jesus - God's Spirit was received. Praise God! But, if they didn't believe on Jesus they did not get the Holy Ghost.
2. The absence of the Holy Ghost means you are not saved.
Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
ill. Jude points to this fact as he preaches against false teachers.
Jud 1:19  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
question: Do you have the witness of God's Spirit - do you have oil in your lamp?
Ephesians 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
 ill.  The earnest - is the guarantee - if you don't have the earnest - you don't have the inheritance!
app. Do you have oil in your lamp today? These women all had lamps BUT SOME WERE EMPTY AND WOULD NEVER BURN FOR JESUS.
B. Get the fire from Heaven - Jesus light of the world.
exp. Jesus is the light of the world.
Joh 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
 note: Lights in Jesus day were candles, lamps or torches. (Not battery powered) They burned to emit light. LAMPS MUST HAVE OIL OR THEY CAN NOT BURN.
exp. If you have oil in your lamp - THE HOLY GHOST - YOU ARE READY TO BURN FOR JESUS. (If you do not - you can not burn for Jesus and will not burn for Jesus.)
Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
app. How like Jesus is your life. 
He burned purely. (sanctification is clearly a mark of someone who has oil.)
He burned consistently. (He wasn't on again, off again....)
He burned continually. (His light never stopped burning!)
 transition: Get oil in your lamp - if it isn't not there YOU ARE FOOLISH TO THINK YOU ARE READY EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE. (church, Bible, shunning sin....)
 
III. Get ready now for the announcement.
5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
exp. What an exciting cry for those who are ready! There is nothing more exciting than no longer having to wait but going to that longed for ceremony!
ill. William Wilberforce - met his future wife and asked her to marry him the following week. Two weeks after that they were married.
question: How shocking to begin a month single and to end it married!
 note: We could be lulled into a false sense of normalcy. Jesus didn't come this past year, month, week, day.... and soon we could stop living as if He is coming.
exp. Matthew 24
37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40  Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43  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.
44  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
note: 4 Times in revelation Jesus says He is coming soon!
Rev 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Rev 22:7  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Rev 22:12  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Rev 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
ill. Are you deceived into thinking that Jesus will not come as soon as He has said? PAUL ANTICIPATE THAT HE WOULD BE AMONG THE LIVING WHEN JESUS CAME.
15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
app. If you think you don't have to be ready now YOU ARE DECEIVED. Jesus could come today and is even more likely because when you don't think he is coming HE WILL COME! Are you ready? If Jesus came this afternoon would you be left behind?
 
IV. Get rid of any foolish notions.
 exp. Deception is thinking something that is not true. There are many deceived people who think they are ready BUT THEY ARE NOT READY!
A. Your heredity or religion are meaningless.
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.
ill. These are people to who said, "I'm a Christian." "I go to church." "I'm a good person."
- the simple answer is they will arise to go and they can not go because suddenly they are made aware that they do not have oil.
ill. Like Sampson who had lost the power of God, the Bible says Jdg 16:20  And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.
exp. He arose to have his eyes put out. These will arise to have their eyes opened to the fact that THEY NEVER HAD GOD'S SPIRIT.
B. You can not go if you are not ready.
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.
exp. Too late! Yes, they must go get for themselves. But, the coming of Jesus is too quick to make last minute preparations.
1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Hymn: God's Final Call
Someday you’ll hear God’s Final Call to you
To take his offer of salvation true-
This could be it my friend if you but knew-
God’s Final Call, God’s Final Call
How can you live another day in sin,
Thinking some day with Christ you will begin?
O will you hear above the world’s loud din-
God’s Final Call, God’s Final Call
If you reject God’s Final Call of grace,
You’ll have no chance your footsteps to retrace
All hope will then be gone and doom you’ll face.
 app. Did you think that you'll have another chance - purgatory does not exist - Hell is eternal - Jesus returns is coming and then God's wrath will fall on this world.
C. You can miss the wedding and be locked outside.
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.
app. Notice that this is final! Like those shut outside of the New Jerusalem there will be no second chance for these. (It isn't speaking about death - it is speaking abou the coming of Jesus.) You will miss the marriage feast of Jesus!
Matthew 25:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
D. If you do not have oil, you are not part of the wedding party. 
1. You can plead but you won't get in.
11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
exp. Like those who stand before Jesus and claim their right to enter based on their self righteousness (thought they have no oil.)
Matthew 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
 exp. Without oil you will be left to plead your self righteousness and GOD WILL NOT ACCEPT IT. JESUS HIMSELF WILL REJECT YOU.
2. You will be told so by Jesus Himself.
12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Matthew 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
app. Sadly those who are thus sent away from Jesus are cast into Hell.
Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
 
conclusion:
 
IS THERE ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT TODAY THAN WATCHING FOR JESUS?
 
13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
 
Ill. Our new church tract - Have you a minute to think about eternity?
 
1.) Are you with those who are going to welcome Jesus?
a. In God's Word.
b. In church
c. Away from the houses of sin. (Nothing more foolish than atheism.)
2.) Do you have oil in your lamp? (The holy Ghost, the Light of life.)
3.) Are you ready right now for the marriage announcement? 
4.) Have you dealt with foolish notions.
a. That your heredity and religion are meaningless. (self righteous)
b. That you can not go if you are not ready. (no more time)
c. That you can miss the wedding and be locked outside. (God's rules)

Date: 6 November, 2018

Text: Matthew 25:1-13

Title: God's Marriage Announcement

 

Introduction:

 

Holly's engagement to Stephen this past week.

 

How exciting. She is going to be a bride. I'm sure she is looking forward to walking down the aisle. When they have decided on a date I'm sure she will be counting the days until they are married. They will send out formal announcements of their engagement at some point - letting everyone know to be ready to attend on that day.

 

ill.Our story - of Jesus coming to take His bride away. (The wedding feast and ceremony are about to take place.

question: Who is the bride of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Ephesians 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

exp. If Ephesians is just a picture - it differs nothing from the story which Jesus gives in our text. He is the groom and He's coming for His bride.

 question: Why hasn't he come yet?

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 

note:THIS STORY IS GOD'S MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENT OF AN IMMINENT MARRIAGE.

 

 ill. The Jewish wedding at the time of Christ would differ very much from our weddings.

D.A. Carson in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary describes the setting this way: “Normally the bridegroom with some close friends left his home to go to the bride’s home, where there were various ceremonies, followed by a procession through the streets – after nightfall – to his home. The ten virgins may be bridesmaids who have been assisting the bride; and they expect to meet the groom as he comes from the bride’s house…Everyone in the procession was expected to carry his or her own torch. Those without a torch would be assumed to be party crashers or even brigands. The festivities, which might last several days, would formally get under way at the groom’s house.”

 

 note: Jesus is teaching truths about the coming Kingdom and the King of that Kingdom (Himself) says that His coming for His bride will be like these Jewish weddings - accept the time of his coming is imminent.

 

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

WE NEED TO BE WATCHING FOR THE IMMINENT RETURN OF JESUS FOR HIS BRIDE.

ill. Last week we enjoyed watching the community fireworks in the field accross from our house. Last year Mrs. Shore was away. We were excited to share with her what we did the year before. To watch the fireworks we had to - get coats, get in loft, turn off lights, open windows.... (If we weren't ready we would miss the fireworks.)

question: What are you doing to get ready for the return of Jesus for His bride? If you are not ready you will miss it!

 

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

 

WE NEED TO BE WATCHING FOR THE IMMINENT RETURN OF JESUS.

 

I. Get with those who are going to welcome the Bridegroom.

1  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

exp. Notice that they are all in the right place. Good! It would be foolish indeed not to be with those who are waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus.

Psa 53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

exp. There is none so foolish as the atheist, agnostic or antiChrist (denying Jesus) for they are living as if the Bridegroom is not coming. WHEN HE DOES COME THEY WILL NOT GO WITH HIM.

A. You ought to get into God's Word! (No matter who you are.)

 ill. Witnessing this week - "I don't get into it that deep." I told her, "You will not go to Heaven without getting into the Word of God."

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

exp. Don't let fear or unbelief keep you for getting into the Bible.

1.) Who wants to think about things so serious!

ill. The young lady to whom I witnessed  had an aversion to anything so sobering as Hell and really seeing what God says about our sin.

2.) I don't know if I will ever believe what the Bible says. 

exp. You'll never know unless you get into it.

 question: Can you possibly expect to be ready for the return of Jesus without getting into the Word of God which tells you how to be ready.

B. You ought to get to the house of God! (No matter who you are.)

 exp. That whole faith thing which you struggle with when reading the Word - IS BEST ACTIVATED THROUGH THE PRECACHING OF GOD'S WORD.

1Co 1:21  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

app. Nothing is so blessed of God to man's conscience as the authoritative declaration of God's Word. 1Pe 4:11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

C. You ought to get away from houses of sin! (No matter who you are.)

exp. Does the pub help you get ready for Jesus return? The bookie? The pornography? If you are ready to wake up and seriously seek to get ready - GET RID OF EVERY KNOWN SIN!

Jer 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

app. You aren't going to find a righteous God in the house of SIN! IF YOUARE SERIOUS GET AWAY FROM IT. Get with those who are getting ready to meet the bridegroom!

 

II. Get oil in your lamp.

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.

exp. The wise had oil in their lamps that would burn brightly when the bridegroom came. The foolish had no oil and no flame.

A. Get the oil from Heaven - God's Holy Spirit.

exp. Jesus had the annointing oil and we need Him as well.

Luk 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor;

Act 10:38  How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

1. The Holy Ghost is given at salvation.

exp. According to God's Spirit - indwells believers, He baptizes believers into the body of Christ, He seals believers and he fills believers. (indwelling, baptizing and sealing all take place at salvation.)

 ill. Peter's Message at Pentecost (Acts 2)

36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

app. When they repented and put their faith in Jesus - God's Spirit was received. Praise God! But, if they didn't believe on Jesus they did not get the Holy Ghost.

2. The absence of the Holy Ghost means you are not saved.

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

ill. Jude points to this fact as he preaches against false teachers.

Jud 1:19  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

question: Do you have the witness of God's Spirit - do you have oil in your lamp?

Ephesians 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 ill.  The earnest - is the guarantee - if you don't have the earnest - you don't have the inheritance!

app. Do you have oil in your lamp today? These women all had lamps BUT SOME WERE EMPTY AND WOULD NEVER BURN FOR JESUS.

B. Get the fire from Heaven - Jesus light of the world.

exp. Jesus is the light of the world.

Joh 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

 note: Lights in Jesus day were candles, lamps or torches. (Not battery powered) They burned to emit light. LAMPS MUST HAVE OIL OR THEY CAN NOT BURN.

exp. If you have oil in your lamp - THE HOLY GHOST - YOU ARE READY TO BURN FOR JESUS. (If you do not - you can not burn for Jesus and will not burn for Jesus.)

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

app. How like Jesus is your life. 

He burned purely. (sanctification is clearly a mark of someone who has oil.)

He burned consistently. (He wasn't on again, off again....)

He burned continually. (His light never stopped burning!)

 transition: Get oil in your lamp - if it isn't not there YOU ARE FOOLISH TO THINK YOU ARE READY EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE. (church, Bible, shunning sin....)

 

III. Get ready now for the announcement.

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

6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

exp. What an exciting cry for those who are ready! There is nothing more exciting than no longer having to wait but going to that longed for ceremony!

ill. William Wilberforce - met his future wife and asked her to marry him the following week. Two weeks after that they were married.

question: How shocking to begin a month single and to end it married!

 note: We could be lulled into a false sense of normalcy. Jesus didn't come this past year, month, week, day.... and soon we could stop living as if He is coming.

exp. Matthew 24

37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

40  Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

43  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.

44  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

note: 4 Times in revelation Jesus says He is coming soon!

Rev 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Rev 22:7  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Rev 22:12  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Rev 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

ill. Are you deceived into thinking that Jesus will not come as soon as He has said? PAUL ANTICIPATE THAT HE WOULD BE AMONG THE LIVING WHEN JESUS CAME.

15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

app. If you think you don't have to be ready now YOU ARE DECEIVED. Jesus could come today and is even more likely because when you don't think he is coming HE WILL COME! Are you ready? If Jesus came this afternoon would you be left behind?

 

IV. Get rid of any foolish notions.

 exp. Deception is thinking something that is not true. There are many deceived people who think they are ready BUT THEY ARE NOT READY!

A. Your heredity or religion are meaningless.

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.

ill. These are people to who said, "I'm a Christian." "I go to church." "I'm a good person."

- the simple answer is they will arise to go and they can not go because suddenly they are made aware that they do not have oil.

ill. Like Sampson who had lost the power of God, the Bible says Jdg 16:20  And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

exp. He arose to have his eyes put out. These will arise to have their eyes opened to the fact that THEY NEVER HAD GOD'S SPIRIT.

B. You can not go if you are not ready.

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.

exp. Too late! Yes, they must go get for themselves. But, the coming of Jesus is too quick to make last minute preparations.

1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Hymn: God's Final Call

Someday you’ll hear God’s Final Call to you

To take his offer of salvation true-

This could be it my friend if you but knew-

God’s Final Call, God’s Final Call

How can you live another day in sin,

Thinking some day with Christ you will begin?

O will you hear above the world’s loud din-

God’s Final Call, God’s Final Call

If you reject God’s Final Call of grace,

You’ll have no chance your footsteps to retrace

All hope will then be gone and doom you’ll face.

 app. Did you think that you'll have another chance - purgatory does not exist - Hell is eternal - Jesus returns is coming and then God's wrath will fall on this world.

C. You can miss the wedding and be locked outside.

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.

app. Notice that this is final! Like those shut outside of the New Jerusalem there will be no second chance for these. (It isn't speaking about death - it is speaking abou the coming of Jesus.) You will miss the marriage feast of Jesus!

Matthew 25:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

D. If you do not have oil, you are not part of the wedding party. 

1. You can plead but you won't get in.

11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

exp. Like those who stand before Jesus and claim their right to enter based on their self righteousness (thought they have no oil.)

Matthew 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

 exp. Without oil you will be left to plead your self righteousness and GOD WILL NOT ACCEPT IT. JESUS HIMSELF WILL REJECT YOU.

2. You will be told so by Jesus Himself.

12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Matthew 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

app. Sadly those who are thus sent away from Jesus are cast into Hell.

Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

conclusion:

 

IS THERE ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT TODAY THAN WATCHING FOR JESUS?

 

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

 

Ill. Our new church tract - Have you a minute to think about eternity?

 

1.) Are you with those who are going to welcome Jesus?

a. In God's Word.

b. In church

c. Away from the houses of sin. (Nothing more foolish than atheism.)

2.) Do you have oil in your lamp? (The holy Ghost, the Light of life.)

3.) Are you ready right now for the marriage announcement? 

4.) Have you dealt with foolish notions.

a. That your heredity and religion are meaningless. (self righteous)

b. That you can not go if you are not ready. (no more time)

c. That you can miss the wedding and be locked outside. (God's rules)

 

d. That without oil - you are not part of the wedding party. (No matter how much you want to be there - you will not be.)

d. That without oil - you are not part of the wedding party. (No matter how much you want to be there - you will not be.)
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