The Wise And The Foolish

THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH

Matt 25:1-13

25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But 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.

10 And 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.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

A. This is a parable that stresses the importance of being ready for the Return of Jesus

1. Jesus IS coming back, and when he returns will he find you awake and alert or sleeping and slumbering?

2. This is the BIG question from this parable. (Will you be ready?)

B. Satan wants us to be unprepared for the Lord’s Coming,

He has created some great distractions, and though seemingly inocent, some of these things have talons which grip and do not let go. Sports, TV, video games, the internet, pleasures galore.

1. Wants us to become so lazy, lukewarm and laid-back that we forget the comming of the Lord.

2. Or we can get so busy and so distracted that we do not put much thought to it.

FOUR PARTS TO THIS WONDERFUL PARABLE:

I. THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE INVOLVEDvv.1-5

A. The wise

1. Those prepared for the Bridegroom’s coming with an abundant supply of oil. They made sure that they were ready.

Can you have too much Jesus? Can you go to church too much? Can you pray, study, give or could there be too much work done for Christ?

2 Cor 5:13

13 If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God.

NIV

2. They believed that he was coming back and took action.

B. The Foolish

1. They were foolish because they didn’t bother with getting enough oil. (Is all that religious stuff necessary? They found out, as you will, when the rapture takes place and when you find the door shut in your face.)

2. They believed they had plenty of time and took no action.

Aunt Louise, maybe in a 100 yrs. He came for her sooner.

If we could turn back the clock, there would be no need for repentance or a place called Hell. Most of us would live like the devil and then turn back the clock to make it right on the day of reckoning.

Friends, we are going to have only one opportunity to make the rapture.

C. Both groups went to sleep.

1. For the wise, this was fine, since they were ready. (No tossing or turning, for you see, there was no guilt, no condemnation, just sweet rest.)

2. For the foolish, going to sleep was fatal, since they weren’t ready, and didn’t know how little or much time they had.

3. Prov.27:1 - Boast not about tomorrow, for we don’t know what it will hold.

For the Lord himself (could) descend from heaven with a shout.

4. Before you go to sleep each night, and when you get up in the morning, and during the day, make sure things are right with God.

II. THE BRIDEGROOM HAD A DISTINCTIVE PLAN vv.6-9

A. The Bridegroom would come at an unexpected hour.

1. This was his prerogative. He could choose when to appear and when the wedding would begin.

2. Opposite of what is seen today, it is the Bride that keeps everyone waiting.

B. We are waiting for Christ, our Bridegroom to return.

1. He has promised he will.

John 14:2-3

2 I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

2. When he comes, it will be as a thief in the night, and every eye will see him.