Don't Wait Until It's Too Late

DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE

Even the most tragic effect of catastrophe can be avoided or minimized by proper preparation. But the sad thing in life is that many people can only realize the importance of preparation when it is already too late.

Delaying is a problem of almost everybody. Here is the related story that I read few days ago.

The Shoe Repair Ticket:

Arnold was cleaning out the attic with his wife when he came across a claim ticket from the local shoe repair shop. The date stamped on the ticket showed it was over eleven years old. He asked his wife, "Do you think the shoes will still be in the shop?"

"Not likely," his wife said. “But it's worth a try."

Arnold drove to the shoe repair shop and, with a straight face, handed the ticket to the man behind the counter. The man looked at the ticket and said, “Just a minute. I'll have to go look for these." He disappeared to the back of the shop.

Two minutes later, the man called out, "Here they are!"

"No kidding?" Arnold called back. "That's terrific! Who would have thought they'd still be here after all this time."

The man came back to the counter and said, “They'll be ready on Thursday."

It’s time to read our Sermon Text today.

BIBLE READING: Matthew 25:1-13

Mat 25:1 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Mat 25:2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

Mat 25:3 For when the foolish ones took their lamps, they took no oil with them.

Mat 25:4 But the wise ones took oil in jars along with their lamps.

Mat 25:5 “Now while the bridegroom was taking a long time, they all got drowsy and started falling asleep.

Mat 25:6 But in the middle of the night there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.

Mat 25:8 Now the foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, since our lamps are going out.’

Mat 25:9 But the wise ones replied, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Instead, go to those who sell, and buy some for yourselves.’

Mat 25:10 “But while they were going off to buy, the bridegroom came. And those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.

Mat 25:11 Now later, the other virgins came, saying, ‘Sir, Sir, open up for us!’

Mat 25:12 “But he replied, ‘Amen, I tell you, I do not know you.’

Mat 25:13 Therefore stay alert, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

THE LESSONS FROM THE PARABLE OF THE 10 VIRGINS

Now, it’s time to study these portions of scripture pieces by pieces

Mat 25:1 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

OPENING QUESTION 1:

What do you think is the significance of the lamps carried by the ten virgins before they meet the bridegroom?

All of the Virgins are carrying their own lamps. These lamps symbolize the gospel that enlightened everyone. It is imperative that a person waiting for the coming of Jesus should be enlightened first by the gospel of our Lord who is the Light of the World. The Word of God which is the lamp of our feet and the light of our path will give us the right to meet our Savior.

Abraham stood on this truth even on his life after death. He is talking with the Richman who died with the poor man Lazarus:

27 So the rich man said, ‘Then, father [Abraham], I beg you to send Lazarus to my father’s house—28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may solemnly warn them and witness to them, so that they too will not come to this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have [the Scriptures given by]Moses and the [writings of the] Prophets; let them listen to them.’(Luke 16:27-28)AMP

Abraham made it clear on the above verses that there’s only one way that a man can avoid the torment of hell and it is by believing the scripture (gospel). They have to be enlightened by the lamp of the gospel.

So, based on the above truth, here is our first lesson from this parable:

Lesson 1 – BE ENLIGHTENED BY THE LAMP

Only those who were enlightened by the lamp of the gospel have the right to meet the bridegroom.

Lets us move on to the next verses.

Mat 25:2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.