Don't Be Such A Moron

Introduction: Jim Marshall running the wrong way

Read Scripture/Pray

Explanation of Jewish wedding – 3 stages:

Background: 2nd part of Olivet discourse, disciple’s question, sandwich of 5

Purpose Statement: To avoid losing site of the goal

I. Be Committed

A. Recognize Who it is that called you

1. These virgins – significance, great honor

2. King’s invitation goes out to all – Is. 55, Matthew 22

B. Recognize why you’ve been called

1. Ephesians 2:8-10

2. Virgins light the path – we invite others

C. 5 were/5 weren’t

1. 10 received an invitation, 10 said yes, all appeared the same outside

2. Matthew 7:21

D. It’s not their work but their commitment level

1. Samuel, Saul and David, David was a man after God’s own heart

2. By their preparation they demonstrate their love for Jesus

II. Avoid complacency

A. What did the 5 do wrong?

1. Sins of commission vs. sins of omission

2. Moros = dull-witted, heedless

3. For Want Illustration

B. The significance of the oil

1. Holy Spirit

2. Oil in the Bible

C. You can’t get oil from anyone else

1. The oil was available to all ten, but only from God and by the time they sought it, it was too late

2. Are you operating in the Holy Spirit

D. Complacency left them shut out – Kingdom

1. They probably figured they’d take care of it tomorrow

2. Moody Quote

III. Be Prepared

A. The lamps

1. All trimmed them at the appropriate time…

2. Ameritrade Commercial illustration

B. Live life but always be ready

1. Be staying continually on watch = gregoreuo

2. Minute men

C. The delay

1. Possible hint to Jesus’ timeline

2. Gloria Estefan – Always tomorrow (NO - there is not!)

D. Be found faithful… at all times

1. Sales Job Illustration

2. Sheep and the goats

Conclusion: It is not my goal to make you doubt your salvation, but make sure you’re running the right way…

Jim Marshall Illustration

Despite his positive achievements(Football’s Cal Ripken – 2nd in longevity with 19/20 years, 1st with 282 consecutive games), defensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings 1970’s “Purple People Eaters,” Marshall is probably best remembered around the NFL as Wrong Way Marshall. In 1964 he scooped up a fumble, carried it 66 yards into the end zone and then jubilantly tossed the ball toward the stands. Trouble was, it was the wrong end zone. "I was so intent on picking the ball up and doing something with it that I wasn’t even aware of what I had done until the ball had been whistled dead," Marshall recalls. "It was the perfect example of a young player using energy without thinking.

Jewish Wedding

1st stage – engagement

2nd stage – betrothal, exchange vows last from weeks to a year or more

3rd stage – wedding feast, started early evening and could go on for days

Ephesians 2:8-10

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God;

9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (NAS)

Matthew 7:21

21 "Not everyone who says to Me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. (NAS)

For Want …

For want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the enemy; and for want of care about a horseshoe nail. - B. Franklin

Oil in the Bible

Oil, throughout the Scriptures, is commonly used as a type or picture of the Holy Spirit. Some of you remember that in the book of Zechariah the prophet was given a vision of two olive trees standing, one on either side of a lampstand, and the oil from the olive trees dripped into a bowl on top of the lampstand. It was the oil, constantly flowing down, which caused the lamps in the lampstand to burn. Zechariah was told that the oil symbolized the Spirit of God. It is here we have that great quotation which is frequently heard, although very few people realize where it is from. Zechariah is told, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts," {Zech 4:6b KJV}. The oil is a picture of the power of the Holy Spirit which keeps the light of knowledge and truth burning brightly.

Moody Quote

"Excuses are the cradle that Satan rocks men off to sleep in." D. L. Moody

Ameritrade Commercial

Recent commercial for Ameritrade - advertising the ease and speed with which you can establish an online investment account. Lazy husband on Saturday told by wife to do just one thing. Last second . . . he does it and acts indignant - "Yeah." We can’t do it that way with God. That’s the point of this parable. Last second preparation isn’t effective.