Introduction

Good morning, brothers and sisters. Today, we're diving into a part of Scripture that Jesus used to teach us some crucial lessons about being prepared, using what we've been given wisely, and the importance of being accountable. We'll be exploring Matthew 25, where we find the Parable of the Ten Virgins and the Parable of the Talents.

Noted Christian author, C.S. Lewis, once said, "The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is." This quote gives us a little hint about the themes we'll be uncovering today. Ready or not, the future is coming. The question is, how are we preparing for it?

Let's open our Bibles and read Matthew 25, starting from verse 1, all the way through verse 30. As we delve into these parables, let's remember that they were told by Jesus himself, as a way to instruct, guide, and prepare us for the Kingdom of Heaven. [Read text.]

I. The Parable of the Ten Virgins

The Parable of the Ten Virgins, found in Matthew 25:1-13, is a powerful story that Jesus used to teach about the importance of being prepared. In this parable, ten virgins or bridesmaids were waiting for the bridegroom to begin the wedding feast. Five of them were wise and brought extra oil for their lamps, while the other five were foolish and did not bring any extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, all ten virgins fell asleep. At midnight, a cry rang out announcing the arrival of the bridegroom. The wise virgins were able to trim their lamps and go out to meet him, but the foolish ones had run out of oil and were left in the dark. While they went to buy more oil, the bridegroom arrived, and the wise virgins went in with him to the wedding banquet. When the foolish virgins returned, the door was shut, and they were denied entrance.

This parable is rich in symbolism and lessons for us today. The ten virgins represent those who profess to be Christians, while the bridegroom symbolizes Jesus Christ. The wedding feast represents the Kingdom of Heaven, and the oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit and our personal relationship with God. The delay of the bridegroom and the midnight cry represent the Second Coming of Christ, an event that will come unexpectedly.

A. The key lesson from this parable is the importance of being prepared. The five wise virgins were ready for the bridegroom's arrival, no matter when it happened. They had brought extra oil, symbolizing their preparedness and their deep, personal relationship with God. On the other hand, the five foolish virgins were unprepared. They had lamps, but no extra oil. They had a form of godliness, but they lacked a genuine, personal relationship with God. When the bridegroom came, they were left in the dark and excluded from the wedding feast.

B. This parable is a sobering reminder that not everyone who professes to be a Christian will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who are truly prepared, who have a genuine relationship with God, will be ready for Christ's return. It's not enough to merely look the part; we must have the oil of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We must be living in a way that is pleasing to God, keeping our spiritual lamps trimmed and burning brightly.

C. The Parable of the Ten Virgins also teaches us that there are certain things we cannot borrow from others. The foolish virgins asked the wise ones to share their oil, but they were told to go and buy their own. In the same way, we cannot rely on the faith of others to save us. We cannot borrow a relationship with God. We must each have our own personal relationship with Him.

D. Finally, this parable teaches us that there will come a time when it's too late to get ready. The foolish virgins went to buy oil, but by the time they returned, the door was shut. They were too late. Similarly, there will come a time when it's too late to accept Christ's offer of salvation. This is why it's so important to be ready now, to live each day as if it could be our last.

II. The Parable of the Talents

The Parable of the Talents, found in Matthew 25:14-30, is a powerful teaching about stewardship, responsibility, and the expectation of fruitfulness ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO