SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(Ephesians 5:14) "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."
(Matthew 25:1-5) (1) "Then the kingdom of heaven, shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom." (2) " Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish." (3) " Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them," (4) "but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." (5) " But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept."
(Matthew 25:6-9) (6) " "And at midnight a cry was heard: "Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!" (7) " Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps." (8) " And the foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out." (9) "But the wise answered, saying, "No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves."
(Matthew 25:10-13) (10) " And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut." (11) "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us!" (12) "But he answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you." (13) "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."
PREFACE SUMMARY
The parable of the Ten Virgins is a story told by Jesus to illustrate the need for Christians to be prepared for his second coming. It speaks of ten virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom; five were wise and brought enough oil for their lamps, while the other five were foolish and did not.
When the bridegroom was delayed, all ten virgins fell asleep. But when he arrived, the foolish virgins realized they had run out of oil and asked the wise ones to share with them. The wise ones refused and advised the foolish ones to go and buy oil for themselves.
The foolish ones left to buy oil, but by the time they returned, the bridegroom had already arrived, and the door was closed. The parable concludes with the bridegroom telling the foolish virgins, "I do not know you."
This parable teaches us the importance of being prepared and ready for the return of Christ. The wise virgins who brought enough oil for their lamps represent true believers who are prepared and ready for the second coming of Christ. The foolish virgins who did not get enough oil represent those who attend church just for appearances, lacking genuine faith and failing to prepare for the return of Christ. The parable emphasizes that the second coming of Christ will be sudden and unexpected, and those who are not ready will not be accepted into the kingdom of God.
In this parable, Jesus uses ordinary events and customs of the day to relate spiritual truths to his disciples. The five foolish maidens in the parable chose to do things their way, and as a result, the wedding party had to walk in less light on a dark path. This is because Jewish weddings are usually held at night.
In today's world, many people in the church may appear to be ready to meet the Lord, but in reality, they have not completely surrendered their lives to Christ. They may still identify as Christians but have not obeyed His commandments to serve others and be a light to the world.
It is essential to understand that being a Christian is not just a matter of words but also of actions. The Bible teaches us that faith without works is dead. Therefore, following Jesus' teachings and spreading His love and kindness to others is essential.
As we prepare ourselves for the Lord's coming, we should remember that we do not know when He will return, and we must always be ready. We must strive to live a life that is pleasing to God and be diligent in our efforts to serve and love others. Only then can we be assured that we are ready to meet the Lord and welcome him into His kingdom.
"LESSONS FROM THE TEN VIRGINS."
The parable of the Ten Virgins is a moving story that Jesus shared to highlight the necessity of being spiritually prepared for Christ’s second coming. In this parable, ten virgins set out to meet the bridegroom. Five virgins were wise and brought extra oil for their lamps, ensuring they would be ready in case of a delay. The other five, described as foolish, neglected this crucial preparation and brought insufficient oil.
In the parable, the Lord emphasizes that when the bridegroom arrived, only the wise virgins were ready to enter the wedding feast, while the foolish ones were left outside. This conveys the vital lesson that spiritual preparedness is essential, as we do not know the exact time of Christ's return.
The parable notes that all ten virgins fell asleep while waiting for the delayed bridegroom. However, when his arrival was announced, the foolish virgins woke up to find they had run out of oil. They approached the wise virgins, asking to share their oil. The wise virgins firmly declined, explaining that they only had enough for themselves. Instead, they advised the foolish ones to purchase oil for themselves.
The foolish ones left to buy oil, but by the time they returned, the bridegroom had already arrived, and the door was closed. Jewish weddings traditionally occurred at night, and armed guards were stationed at the entrance to prevent interruptions. The parable concludes with the bridegroom telling the foolish virgins, "I do not know you."
The foolish virgins who failed to bring enough oil symbolize those who attend church merely for appearances, lacking genuine faith and failing to prepare for Christ's return. The parable reinforces that Christ's second coming will be sudden and unexpected, and those who are unprepared will not be accepted into the kingdom of God.
In this parable, Jesus employs everyday events and customs to illustrate spiritual truths to His disciples. The five foolish virgins in the parable chose to do things their way, resulting in the wedding party navigating a dark path with less light, which embarrassed the bride.
In today's world, many people within the church may seem ready to meet the Lord, yet in reality, they have not fully surrendered their lives to Christ. They may still identify as Christians but have not adhered to His commandments to serve others and be a light in the world.
It is crucial to recognize that being a Christian involves words and actions. The Bible teaches that faith without works is dead. The wise virgins brought sufficient oil for their lamps and represented true believers prepared for Christ's second coming.
As we prepare for the Lord's return, we must remember that we do not know when He will come, so we should always be ready. We should strive to lead lives pleasing to God and remain diligent in serving and loving others. Only then can we be confident that we are prepared to meet the Lord and welcome Him into His kingdom.
"EMBRACING A SERVANT'S HEART."
Have you ever encountered someone who frequently refers to others as hypocrites, emphasizing their perceived insincerity or contradictions? It is intriguing to observe how this excuse often serves as a defense mechanism for people, allowing them to justify their choices. For instance, when these individuals choose not to attend church, they might cite the presence of "too many hypocrites" in the congregation as their excuse.
This behavior invites a deeper reflection on the nature of community and human imperfection. It raises an important question: Can we find a church free from flaws that are filled with perfect people? Is it wise or fair to isolate ourselves based on others' judgments, mainly when everyone is, to some extent, grappling with their own moral and spiritual shortcomings? Engaging with these questions can lead to a more compassionate understanding of our shared human weaknesses.
According to Webster's dictionary, a hypocrite is a person who pretends to hold virtues or religious beliefs but behaves in a way that contradicts those principles. When someone claims that they are better off not attending church due to the many hypocrites present, they are inadvertently making a statement that they are spiritually superior and capable of judging the people in that church. However, they are also shining a searchlight on their souls.
I recall a revival I attended in a country church nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. As the successful radio host of the "Two More for Jesus" program, I received numerous reports of God performing creative miracles through my program. This led to churches uniting in the radio listening area to have me come for revival.
I was preaching in the revival, and mid-way through my sermon, I informed the congregation that there were hypocrites among them. I intended to expose them before closing the service. As a result of God's many miracles through my ministry, the church was packed, and I noticed everyone looking at each other suspiciously as I made that statement.
I strolled over to the grand piano in the corner of the church and picked up an artificial plant sitting on top of it. With a playful grin, I told the congregation that this plant represented the hypocrite in our midst. Although it appeared lifelike, it lacked the roots and essence necessary to thrive.
The room filled with laughter as my words resonated with the varied experiences of those present. I noticed a few faces in the crowd change; some attendees, who had long harbored suspicions about their partners’ faithfulness, looked down sheepishly, suddenly aware of the metaphorical spotlight on their relationships. It turned into a light-hearted moment, reminding us of the importance of accountability in our lives and the need to nurture the connections that truly matter.
This powerful end-time message to the sleeping church reminds me of how some people attend church without opening their Bible throughout the week, idolize their minister without questioning what is being preached, and leave feeling entertained but spiritually empty. The five foolish virgins in the parable were chosen as close friends of the bride, but they harbored selfish spirits and took shortcuts, embarrassing themselves and the bride.
In today's world, it's not uncommon to find people who want to have the best of both worlds. They want to experience life's joys and pleasures without giving up their freedom or surrendering their lives to the Lord. They believe they can do things their way and hope to attain salvation and eternal life. However, the Lord calls such people foolish.
It's important to understand that true salvation and spiritual fulfillment can only be attained by surrendering our lives to Christ. We need to study the Bible and question our faith to truly understand what it means to live a life that is pleasing to God. Only then can we discover the joy and peace of faith-based life.
The Bible teaches that the path to salvation is narrow and challenging. It requires us to relinquish our selfish desires and trust God completely. Embracing this path means letting go of our ambitions and aligning our lives with His divine will. This commitment involves living in obedience to His commands and striving to follow the loving example set by Jesus Christ, who demonstrated unconditional love and selflessness in all His actions.
It’s important to understand that genuine spiritual fulfillment cannot be found in the pursuit of fleeting pleasures or the desire to have it all. The journey to deeper faith calls for a willingness to surrender our lives to Christ, which includes studying the Bible diligently and engaging in honest self-examination of our beliefs and practices, which is essential for personal growth in faith.
In conclusion, when we earnestly pursue a relationship with God and take these steps, we open ourselves up to experiencing profound joy and peace, qualities that are fundamental to a life grounded in faith leading us to a deeper understanding of our place in the world as followers of Christ.
"WHAT GOOD IS A WEDDING WITHOUT THE WINE?"
Do you remember John 2:1-2, speaking of the wedding in Cana in Galilee where they ran out of wine, and there Jesus performed his first miracle, turning the water into wine? I like to entertain the idea that the water blushed in the face of its creator and turned to wine, but we all know this was an essential part of this wedding. Had he not performed this miracle, his mother and the ones sponsoring the wedding would have suffered embarrassment.
A wedding is a celebration of love, unity, and joy. However, it's incomplete without one crucial element: Wine. Wine brings a sense of elegance and celebration to the occasion. It's a symbol of happiness and togetherness; without it, the wedding feels incomplete. So, ask yourself, "What good is a wedding without the wine?"
The wine here was physical, but I would like to examine the spiritual condition of some of our church services today. They consist of man-made programs, leaving little room for the Spirit of God to bless his people. This is an outward show with no Spirit, as the people are being entertained and leave with empty hearts.
Church, the call has gone out that requires action on our part. According to this parable, God will honor those who are prepared, but sadly, today, many are satisfied by being entertained. Many churches today are not concerned about souls and changed lives but how many people they can get to help build their kingdom. God did not call us to make our kingdom but to be light, and the sad truth is, "We are not hearing many words today, only man’s ideas and programs.
We have a gospel that has risen today that will allow the flesh to stay alive when God’s word says that we must die daily for our agendas, desires, and self-righteousness. People are living below the standards that the atoning blood of Jesus has purchased for them, and sadly, deceptive lying spirits are leading them, and they are allowing those spirits to dominate their lives.
I always strive to give a remedy in my writings, especially if I expose or diagnose some problems in the church that need addressing. That is what I shall do. First, let us review what has brought us to the dangerous world conditions we live in and face daily.
It was in the 60s that a newspaper came out with the headline in bold type declaring that the Living God is dead, and it was then that the Beatles came over from England with their secular music infiltrating the hearts of our young teens. One song titled “The Yellow Submarine” which was a song referring to the high of experimenting with hallucinating drugs.
God will never allow the devil’s seat to rise above his, and he began to work through the Christian populace by having a songwriter write a song stating, "If God is dead, who is this living in my Soul?"
Let’s look at where we are today and how far our nation's moral standards have been let down by men and women who were supposed to be watching for our souls. Because of the Lukewarmness that infiltrated the church, we are living in an age of spiritual confusion and darkness, for we now have people who were born in the era called the baby boomers who mainly were involved in the protest of the Vietnam War as they lived it up on college campuses with their free love and unprotected sex.
We now have some people from that generation holding offices in our government. We have teachers using books in our schools to teach evolution and denying Creation, telling our young people that life does not mean anything and that we were merely tadpoles that came out of the ocean or the offspring of a monkey.
They are denying the very God who clearly showed his protection in the founding of the Republic of the United States of America, which caused such men as Benjamin Franklin to make the statement, "It is undeniable that a Sovereign Being is responsible for the founding of this Republic, and it would do us good to remember this formidable friend."
God helped establish a Nation that would be a haven for his church to take his gospel of the kingdom to a lost and dying world, which he has done for two hundred-plus years. Do a study on the history of America. You will discover that George Washington was surrounded by the British at a critical point in history when a mysterious fog set in, allowing him and his men to escape up the Delaware River. Just when they got out of gun range, the mist lifted to enable the British to see them escaping. Without warning, the wind kept the British ships from chasing them, or we would probably be flying the British flag today instead of the blessed stars and stripes.
The enemy decided that since we were a solid, unified republic protected by a mighty power that had shown himself strong in our founding, they would have to find a way to bring us down because our God was too strong to attack us. Like Daniel of old, they decided the only way to reach us was through our morals and finding a way to indoctrinate our young to the point that this Sovereign Being would have to turn his back on us, and that is what they did through our music, Hollywood, and MTV.
During the end of World War II, the Industrial Revolution set in, taking mothers away from their children to make a living in the factories that were springing up throughout our land. This left our young unsupervised and allowed MTV to raise our children.
1. Laws were passed that legalized abortion till 1.5 million babies are aborted every year.
2. Prayer was outlawed in schools and public gatherings, leading to teens shooting it out in our streets, our parks
and in our schools.
3. Today, student rape, teen pregnancy, drug deals, muggings, and drive-by shootings are considered to be the
norm of the day.
4. The secular humanistic school boards reject the Holy Bible, while pornography, humanism, occultism, and
Satanism are the regular curriculum and lately have been the entertainment in our sports events.
MY CONCLUSION
The Lord's parable about the ten virgins reveals that those who do things their way will walk in less light on a dark path. The five foolish virgins had oil in their lamps but not in their vessels, indicating they were not fully prepared for the bridegroom's arrival. They were not ready to go with him to the wedding feast, so they were shut out.
God is raising and re-aligning people in this hour who will spend time with him in prayer, solitude, and communion. His plan for this hour is for his people to turn from their worldliness and prayerless lives and repent of their selfish fleshly cravings for power and positions.
He desires believers to repent of their church quarrels and denominational jealousy. He wants our pulpits to again thunder and burn with the power and cleansing fire of his Holy Spirit through men and women who have decided not to compromise the truth for a meal ticket.
Church, it is time to wake up to the call and task upon us and strip ourselves of the love of this world and the love of self. Yes, and we turn to the Lord with our whole hearts fasting, our prayers saturated with our tears until we hear from heaven.
The church we see today proclaiming itself to the world appears to be a weak church caught up in materialism instead of reaching out to lost, broken humanity. Many leaders we see today need to be led, which is the direct result of jealous leaders who refuse to acknowledge and mentor someone coming up in their stead.
Many so-called leaders in the church today are like people who have found themselves in a powerful earthquake. The buildings around them are beginning to fall, and concrete and steel beams are being twisted to pieces because they have lost their stability. People under their leadership are reeling as they try to understand what is happening and lose focus on making sound decisions.
Feeling overwhelmed in times of hardship and uncertainty is natural, and losing hope is easy. Still, it's crucial to take a step back and examine how we ended up in this situation and what we can do to prepare for the future. This means taking a long-term view and considering what steps we can take to ensure we're ready for whatever comes our way.
We must continue working towards fulfilling the Great Commission and share the good news: God loves and saves sinners. We are responsible for spreading this message and ensuring that others know His love and salvation.
In conclusion, we should also remain vigilant and watchful, knowing that His return could be any moment. As we continue to fulfill our responsibilities as believers, let us not lose hope but trust God's grace and mercy. Let us keep striving to do good and live according to His will, knowing that one day, we will be rewarded for our faithfulness.
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
