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FEMA And The Ten Bridesmaids
Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13
Closing Hymn: Come Now Is The Time To Worship. 289, 287
Date: 9/29/12
Several disasters have come to parts of our country in the last few years (Colorado Springs Fire, Joplin tornado, Katrina). (Slides 1,2,3) Are you ready for a disaster. FEMA recommends every family have a disaster kit.(Slides 4,5) How many have one? That’s what I thought. Until this sermon, we didn’t either. Here is our kit. What are some things you think FEMA recommends1?
Water- one gallon per person per day for at least three days
Food – three day supply of non perishable food
Radio- Battery or hand crank powered and a NOAH radio with extra batteries
Flashlight with extra batteries
First Aid Kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust Mask – filter contaminated air
Duct tape and plastic sheeting – to shelter in place
Moist towelletes and garbage bags for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Manual can opener
Local map
Cell phone with chargers, inverter, or solar charger
Prescription meds
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and water
Cash
Important documents (ID, Bank acct, Insurance)
Emergency Reference material like first aid book
Sleeping bags
Complete change of cold weather clothes
Bleach and a medicine dropper to purify water
Fire extinguisher
Feminine supplies
Mess Kit
Paper and pencil
Books games and puzzles for children
After a disaster, help will probably arrive in less than three days. Are you ready?
What about the time of trouble? Are you ready for that? Seventh-day Adventists believe that revelation 13 teaches that the United States will become the enforcer of the Roman Catholic Church and will attempt to force everyone to worship the Pope (Slide 6) (Revelation 13:11-12: Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed). Satan will convince America to do this by performing miracles (Slide 7) (Revelation 13:13: He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those[e] who dwell on the earth by those signs). Just as in the middle ages the civil government will enforce Rome’s laws, the American government will enforce Rome’s law to worship on Sunday. (Slide 8) (Revelation 12:17: And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.). At first the persecution is “soft”, you can’t buy or sell unless you worship on Sunday (slide 9) (Revelation 13: 17: and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.). Eventually, the persecution is “hard”, worship on Sunday or die (SLIDE 10) (Rev 13:15: He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed).
This seems impossible right now. (SLIDE 11)Sunday is one of the biggest commercial and recreational days of the week. Americans do not want to be told how to behave by anyone, let alone a church. How will it change? I think it will go down something like this. As the time of the end nears, God does not hold back Satan as He has (text). The world will get very wicked. Law and order will break down. (SLIDE 12) (Matthew 25:12: And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold) There will be wars, famines, natural disasters ( Mt 24:7). People begin to wonder what they can do to turn things around. Satan appears as Jesus saying, “Follow the roman Catholic Church. Worship on Sunday.” People are skeptical. Satan does miracles to prove he is Jesus. Who can argue with miracles? Only one group does. They say, “Excuse me, the Bible says to worship on Saturday.” They become the scapegoat for the world’s problems. If they would just fall in line, things will get better again. And the persecution begins.
During this time of trouble, there will be plagues (SLIDE 13) (Revelation 16): Sores, Oceans and rivers turn to blood, incredible heat, darkness, Euphrates dried up, earthquake and hail. And instead of the government coming to help you in three days, they are coming after you to kill you. Are you ready for that?
To prepare for the end of the world some have installed bomb shelters in remote locations off the grid. Others have learned to survive on edible plants. (SLIDE 14)According to CNBC.com you can purchase a luxury shelter in Indiana able to withstand a 50megaton nuclear blast, biological attacks, chemical attacks, earthquakes, and tsunamis for $25,000 to $50,0002. Is the way to be ready?
Jesus tells us how to be ready in Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus and the disciples are on the Mount of Olives. The sun has set. The pleasant time between day and night has arrived. In full view is a home brilliantly light for a party. Light streams from the windows illuminating an expectant group. A wedding procession is about to appear! It was the custom in those days for the groom and his party to come by torch light to the bride’s home and bring her and the guests to the bride and groom’s new home.
(SLIDE 15) Lingering near the brides house are ten young women. (SLIDE 16) Each carrying lighted lamps and a small container of oil. All are anxiously waiting for the groom. But there is a delay. (SLIDE 17) The women become weary and fall asleep. At midnight they hear they cry, “The bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.” They suddenly awake. They see the bright procession. They hear the glad music. They hear the voice of the bride and groom. They seize their lamps and begin to trim them. But five have not filled their extra containers with oil. They did not anticipate such a long delay. They are not prepared. (SLIDE 18) They ask their companions for extra oil. The five wiser bridesmaids tell them there is not enough oil for them all, go and buy some. While the five go to buy oil, the wedding procession moves on to the groom’s home. (SLIDE 19)When the five foolish bridesmaids reach the groom’s home, they are not let in. The master of the feast tells them, “I know you not.”
The two groups of bridesmaids represent the two groups who claim to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they believe in a pure faith. The lamps represent the word of God. (SLIDE 20) (Psalm 119:105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.) The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. (Zecharaih 4.)
Look at this slide. (SLIDE 21) Can you tell the wise from the foolish bridesmaids? In this parable, all the bridesmaids went out to meet the groom. All had lamps and containers for oil. For a while there was no difference between them. So it will be in the church just before Jesus returns. All know the scriptures. All know Jesus is coming soon. But when it really maters, some are not ready. They do not have oil for their lamps. They do not have the Holy Spirit.
Without the Holy spirit, knowing the scriptures is worthless. (SLIDE 22) We can be familiar with the commands and promises of the Bible, but unless the Holy Spirit brings the truth home, out characters will not be transformed. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot distinguish truth from error, and we will fall under the masterful temptations of Satan.
The group represented by the five foolish bridesmaids are not hypocrites. They believe the truth. They have worked to spread the truth, but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit. They study the bible, but fail to assimilate its principles. They do not know God. They have not studied His character. Their service devolves into form. (SLIDE 23( (II Timothy 3:5: in the Last days perilous times will come…having a form of Godliness, but denying its power.)
In times of peril, this groups cries, “Peace and safety.” They lull their hearts into security. When startled from their lethargy, they realize their lack of spiritualality, they ask others to supply it. But this is not possible. Character is not transferable. No one can believe for another. No one can receive the spirit for another. (SLIDE 24) (Ezekiel 14:20.
(SLIDE 25) Some say sports builds character, others say sports reveal character. Both are probably true. It is the same in times of crisis. It is during times of crisis that our character is built and revealed. When the sleeping bridesmaids were awoken from their slumbers, it was seen who was prepared. So it is for us today. When we come face to face with some calamity, we will see if we have real faith in the promises of God. We will see if our lamps have oil. Think about your last crisis. Was your lamp full? If so, Praise God. If not, make some changes. Maybe the calamity was a test to pint out what group you are in.
As I look out on the congregation, I can’t tell who is ready and who is not. Like the ten bridesmaids, we all have a call, a name, a lamp. We are all waiting for Christ’s return. The parable tells us some are ready, but some are not.
On the final day, all of us will claim admission to the kingdom. (SLIDE 26)“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’” Yet Jesus says the saddest words ever to some of us, “I never knew you.” (Matthew 7:22-23). Why? “The fellowship of the Spirit, which you have slighted, could alone make you one with the joyous throng at the marriage feast. In that scene you cannot participate. Its light would fall on blinded eyes, its melody upon deaf ears. Its love and joy could awake no chord of gladness in the world-benumbed heart. You are shut out from heaven by your own unfitness for its companionship” (COL 413). We cannot keep Christ apart from our lives here, and be ready for His companionship in heaven.
(SLIDE 27)In the parable, the groom comes at midnight, the darkest hour. So the coming of Jesus will be at Earth’s darkest hour. Isa 60:2 says, Darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people. The darkness of misunderstanding God is enshrouding the world. Men have lost their knowledge of God’s character .
In the parable the wise bridesmaids had oil in the lamps. The light burned with undimmed flame through the night of watching. It helped swell the illumination of the groom’s honor. So we are to shed light into the darkness of the world. Through the Holy Spirit God’s word becomes a transforming power in our lives. We become more like God. People see God’s character in us. We are the light of the world. (SLIDE 28) We are to say to the world “Behold your God” Is 40:9. this is what He is like. He is merciful. His character is love. Look what he has done for me. He can do it for you. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
(SLIDE 29) The prophet Isaiah calls us to a practical work. Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh. Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. IS 58:7-8
(SLIDE 30) In the night of spiritual darkness, God’s glory is to shine in us lifting up the poor and oppressed. We are to give food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, shelter to the homeless. God calls not only for our gifts, but our cheerful face, hopeful words, and kind touch. When Jesus healed the sick, He laid his hands on them. We should come in close contact with those we seek to benefit. Many today have lost hope. We can bring sunshine to them. Many have lost their courage. We can speak words of cheer to them. If we do all this then they will see Jesus love in us and wonder. Then tell them about Jesus.
(SLIDE 31) We cannot do this on our own. We cannot give what we have not received. Jesus did not tell his followers to strive to shine. He says to let our light shine. If we have the holy Spirit we can’t help but shine.
(SLIDE 32) What does this tell us about surviving the time of trouble? Notice the parable does not say those that have prepared a shelter and stored up food are the ones who go to the wedding feast. Mrs. White says the Lord has repeated shown her that it is contrary to the Bible to store up for the time of trouble. She saw that if the saints had stored up food, it would be taken from them by sword, amine or pestilence. This will be a time to wholly trust in God andHe will sustain us. I bread and water will be sure. We will not lack or suffer hunger. If necessary God will send ravens to feed us, or manna from heaven3. (SLIDE 33) To survive the time of trouble we don’t need a luxury shelter that can survive a nuclear attack. We need the Holy Spirit.
(SLIDE 34) How can you tell if you have the Holy Spirit? We’ve talked about three ways. One, How did you respond to your last crisis? Did you’ like Job’s wife, curse God? You might need to check your oil container. Did you say with Job, “I know my Redeemer liveth?” You probably good.
(SLIDE 35) Two, Has your character changed for the better? If you are the same person you were when you accepted Jesus long ago, you probably need to check your oil container. If you are improving, your probably good. Our lives will reveal whether the grace of God is dwelling within us. A change will be seen in the character, the habits, the pursuits. The contrast will be clear and decided between what they have been and what they are. The character is revealed, not by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds, but by the tendency of the habitual words and acts. The things we once hated we now love, and the things we once loved we hate. The proud and self-assertive become meek and lowly in heart. The vain and supercilious become serious and unobtrusive. The drunken become sober, and the immoral pure. The vain customs and fashions of the world are laid aside. Our lives will be filled with the fruits of the spirit. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(SLIDE 36) Three, is your light shining? If you haven’t helped your neighbor in a long time, you should probably check your oil supply. If you haven’t told someone about Jesus recently, you probably need more oil. If you are helpful, kind, and compassionate, if people ask you about Jesus, you’re probably good.
If the answer to these three questions makes you nervous, If your oil container is near empty, you probably asking, “How do I get the Holy Spirit?” Here’s how:
(SLIDE 37) One, repent and be baptized. Acts 2:28. Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
(SLIDE 38) Two: Ask. “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread[d] from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:9-13
I believe Jesus, the bridegroom, is coming to take his bride, the church, to His home. I believe He is just around the corner. Don’t wait. Fill you lamps today. Try it. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain. (SLIDE 39) Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John,[a] saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (SLIDE 40) And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
