The LORD's Day, October 4, 2009

Prepared for the Bridegroom

Matthew 25.1-46

This story (vs.1-14) is about these 10 virgins or as we would call them today, bridesmaids, centers in on being prepared for Jesus, the bridegroom, by the church, His bride, His servants.

Fool has said in his heart there is no God...
fool=godless

wise= prudent, intelligent, mindful of one’s interests

The lamp is no good with out the oil.
The body without the spirit is dead.

To fully understand this parable you must understand the:
Steps in a Jewish Wedding

The Jewish Wedding was a symbol chosen to describe Jesus’ coming.The bridegroom took the initiative and traveled from his father’s house to the home of the prospective bride. (John 3.16)

The father of the woman then negotiated with the prospective bridegroom the price that must be paid to secure his bride (I Corinthians 6.19-20)When the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant was thereby established. At that point, the man and the woman were regarded to be husband and wife, even though no physical union had taken place. This is the point at which Mary was at when she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

The moment the covenant was established, the bride was declared to be set apart exclusively for the bridegroom. The groom and the bride then drank from a cup over which the betrothal benediction had been pronounced. This symbolized that the covenant relationship had been established(I Corinthians 11.25)

.After the marriage covenant was in effect, the groom left the home of the bride and returned to his father’s house. He remained there for a period of twelve months separated from his bride.
During this period of separation, the bride gathered her wardrobe and prepared for married. The groom prepared living accommodations in his father’s house for his bride. (John 14.1-3)

After this period of separation, the groom, best man, and other male escorts left the house of the groom’s father, usually at night, and conducted a torch-light procession to the house of the bride.The bride was expecting her groom to come for her; however, she did not know the exact time. Thus, the groom’s arrival was preceded by a shout.

The groom received the bride with her female attendants and returned to his father’s house.The bride and the groom then entered the bridal chamber and, in the privacy of that place, entered into physical union for the first time, thereby consummating the marriage. Then a great celebration took place The Wedding Feast.

1. The Bridegroom was a long time in coming. vs. 1-14
Linger, delay, tarry

They all took their lamps which were their own personal property. Each one was responsible for their own lamp.

They all fell asleep.
Romans 13.11-14
11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

This message is to both the foolish and the wise virgins... to those who have not made adequate preparations for the LORD’s coming and to those who have.

This is a time to examine your life, have some house cleaning and get ready for the Bridegroom to come. Be alert.

Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. He sets our hearts on fire for God.
Stir your hearts up- fan into flame!
Stir up the gift of God that is within you.

2. Invest with what God has given you. vs.15-30
.... example - the church here... children over there...
We’ll work til Jesus comes.

All three of these servants were given an ample Supply of what they needed to do trading and turn a profit.

We have the unsearchable riches of Christ: The Word of God, His Spirit, the Gospel, the spiritual gifts, the faith once entrusted to the saints.

Some have more, other less. Everyone of has something! We are to take what God has given us and invest it wisely for His glory.

The true motive for fruitfulness is love for the Master.

The third trader was idle. He didn’t try. He waited without working. He was a nominal Christian if he could be called a Christian at all because he disobeyed the Master.

Joyful, faithful service brings joy and rewards. He really didn’t know the Master. He actually misrepresented Him!

3. Keep doing good- you never know Who you are doing it to! vs.31-46

We measure far too much these days. There are some things that are immeasurably. Things in the spiritual realm for the most part cannot be measured. Many things are unexplainable. God’s ways are beyond our finding out.

Vs.34-40 are an example of this. In the end there will be people whom we have helped we had no idea we were helping. This is the scene as we are about to enter into eternity.

Keep serving the LORD with a heart that is full of His Spirit and overflowing in good works. Invest in His Kingdom with what He has given you. Serve Him until the end!

You will be richly rewarded. (Hebrews 10.35)
Not really never! At the end, when Jesus comes again, you will know. He will uncover everything.

We don’t look back. We look ahead. God is keeping accounts. He knows what you did in Jesus’ Name this week and what you put in the offering this morning. He knows everything you have done, all you have given. Keep on serving, giving, loving. Keep your lamps all trimmed and burning. If you do these things you will be prepared for the Bridegroom when He comes.

I Corinthians 15.58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.