Ten Bridesmaids

I. EXORDIUM:

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit with the Word?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show the importance of the Holy Spirit with the Word in a believer's life.

IV. TEXT:

Matthew 25:2 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

V. THESIS:

Holy Spirit and the Word of GOD equals wedding with the bridegroom

VI. TITLE:

Ten Bridesmaids

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Apostle Matthew

B. Keyword: Fulfilled

C. Emphatic Thought: Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy

D. Audience: Jews

E. Apparent Purpose: To show that JESUS of Nazareth was the kingly Messiah of Jewish prophecy.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Similarities:

1. Both groups are five. Why five?

a. Five is a number used to represent people before someone important (Genesis 47:2, Leviticus 26:8) shows also balance on the left and the right (2 Chronicles 4:6-8), implies profitability and leadership (Luke 19:18-19), five words are enough to teach with understanding (1 Corinthians 14:19), five is enough number of times for punishment (Revelation 9:5,10)

b. Five (5) is use in the following scriptures:

Genesis 47:2 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Joseph took five of his brothers with him and presented them to Pharaoh.

Leviticus 26:8 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand! All your enemies will fall beneath your sword.

2 Chronicles 4:6-8 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

He also made ten smaller basins for washing the utensils for the burnt offerings. He set five on the south side and five on the north. But the priests washed themselves in the Sea.

He then cast ten gold lampstands according to the specifications that had been given, and he put them in the Temple. Five were placed against the south wall, and five were placed against the north wall.

He also built ten tables and placed them in the Temple, five along the south wall and five along the north wall. Then he molded 100 gold basins.

Luke 19:18-19 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

“The next servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.’

“‘Well done!’ the king said. ‘You will be governor over five cities.’

1 Corinthians 14:19 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.

Revelation 9:5 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

They were told not to kill them but to torture them for five months with pain like the pain of a scorpion sting.

Revelation 9:10 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

They had tails that stung like scorpions, and for five months they had the power to torment people.

2. Both groups are virgins (Revelation 14:4)

a. virgins came from Greek word:"parthenos" meaning maiden, by implication an unmarried daughter, virgin

(1) represents purity in Christianity because the Head and soon-to-be bridegroom is pure, that is the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

b. According to Revelation 14:4, Virgins are (1) pure, (2) they follow the Lamb (CHRIST) wherever He goes, a follower of CHRIST, (3) Purchased by the blood of the Lamb, (4) Living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)

Revelation 14:4 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

They have kept themselves as pure as virgins, following the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been purchased from among the people on the earth as a special offering to God and to the Lamb.

Romans 12:1 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

B. Five foolish virgins (Matthew 25:3)

Matthew 25:3 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps,

1. Foolish came from Greek word:"moros" meaning dull, stupid, heedless, blockhead.

2. They have lamps but no oil.

3. Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit, specifically olive oil which is poured out before the Holy Spirit comes. (1 Samuel 16:13)

1 Samuel 16:13 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

4. Lamp symbolizes GOD's Words (Proverbs 6:23, Proverbs 20:27, Psalms 119:105, 2 Samuel 22:29)

Proverbs 6:23 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.

Proverbs 20:27 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.