Introduction

Good morning, family. It's a joy to be here with you all today. We've got a real treat in store for us this morning. We're going to be looking at a passage from the Gospel of Matthew that's packed to the brim with wisdom and insight. It's a story that Jesus told to his disciples, and it's one that I think we can all learn a lot from.

Before we get into that, though, I want to share a quote with you. This is from the great Christian author and theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He once said, "Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes." It's a powerful statement, isn't it? It speaks to the importance of faith and obedience in our walk with God. And I think it's especially relevant to the passage we'll be looking at today.

Enter the Gates of Gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful force. It's a shift in perspective that can transform our lives. When we're grateful, we see the world in a different light. We see the blessings that are all around us. We see the hand of God at work in our lives. And this shift in perspective can have a profound impact on our relationship with God.

A clear contrast: In this parable we can see an obvious difference between those who were prepared and those who were not. The five wise virgins had brought extra oil for their lamps. They were ready for the bridegroom's arrival, no matter when it happened. They were grateful for the opportunity to be part of the wedding feast, and they showed their gratitude by being prepared. On the other hand, the five foolish virgins were not prepared. They had not brought extra oil for their lamps. When the bridegroom arrived, they were left scrambling to find more oil. They were not ready to meet the bridegroom, and as a result, they missed out on the wedding feast.

The importance of gratitude: The wise virgins were grateful for the opportunity to be part of the wedding feast, and they showed their gratitude by being prepared. They entered the gates of the wedding feast with gratitude in their hearts.

But what does it mean to enter the gates of gratitude? How can we cultivate a spirit of gratitude in our own lives? Let's look at four key aspects of gratitude.

First: Gratitude is a choice. It's not something that happens to us. It's something we choose. We can choose to focus on our blessings, or we can choose to focus on our problems. We can choose to be grateful, or we can choose to be ungrateful. The choice is ours.

Second: Gratitude is a habit. It's something we need to practice. Just like any other habit, it takes time to develop. We need to make a conscious effort to be grateful every day. We need to make gratitude a part of our daily routine.

Third: Gratitude is a mindset. It's a way of looking at the world. It's a perspective that focuses on the positive rather than the negative. It's a mindset that sees the good in every situation, even in the midst of trials and tribulations.

Fourth: Gratitude is a lifestyle. It's not just something we do. It's something we live. It's a way of life that permeates every aspect of our lives. It's a lifestyle that impacts our relationships, our work, our health, and our spiritual growth.

The wise virgins: The wise virgins were ready to meet the bridegroom because they had a spirit of gratitude. They were grateful for the opportunity to be part of the wedding feast, and they showed their gratitude by being prepared. They entered the gates of the wedding feast with gratitude in their hearts.

For us: As followers of Christ, we too are called to enter the gates of gratitude. We are called to choose gratitude, to practice gratitude, to cultivate a mindset of gratitude, and to live a lifestyle of gratitude. And when we do, we will be ready to meet the bridegroom, just like the wise virgins in the parable.

The Ten Virgins Being Prepared

This parable serves as a stark reminder for us ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO