IT IS DANGEROUS TO BE EMPTY
Matthew 25:1 - 13
I. The Five Virgins
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
A. What was the Sin of the Five Virgins?
• The five virgins were still virgins.
• They had kept themselves unspotted from the world.
• They were still pure and clean.
B. What possibly could be their sin?
• THEY – WERE – EMPTY!
• Matthew 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
II. THE MASTER WILL HOLD HIS SERVANTS ACCOUNTABLE.
A. Matthew 25:14 - 15 14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
1. Jesus had a great vineyard – THE EARTH.
• He was leaving for a while
• He left able bodied people in charge to maintain and advance the vineyard.
Or spread the seeds of his word and reap a harvest.
B. Matthew 25:16 - 18 16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
1. What Did the Master tell these servants?
• Five Talents – Doubled his talents to make ten talents.
“ thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
• Two Talents – Double his talents to make four talents.
“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
• One Talent – Out of fear he hid his talents and gained none.
His lord answered and said unto him,
Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
2. This reminds me of a song we sung as kids – The versus of this song go something like this:
• This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine.
• Hide it under a bushel? NO!
• Don’t let Satan blow it out.
• Shine all over Grover (your town)
• Let it shine til Jesus comes
3. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
***A SK MUSICIAN TO COME AND PLAY SOFTLY***
III. Hot or Cold
A. Bow your heads
B. Revelation 3:15 - 17 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17Because thou sayest, I am rich,
and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Closing:
Roman 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
“The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving. To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it—but we must sail, and not drift, nor live at anchor.” Oliver Wendell Holmes
Quote courtesy of Sermon Central .com – Quote as submitted by Curtis Kittrel
