When The Door Is Shut

WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT

Matthew 25:1-13 Text: v.10

SCRIPTURE: 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. 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.’ 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.

TEXT: "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

PROPOSITION: That the hearers may understand the finality of their deci-sion concerning Christ.

INTRODUCTION:

I. THE SHUT DOOR INDICATES THE FAILURE OF CHOICE

The shut door indicates the failure of choice because ...

A. No Longer Can One Choose

"... and the door was shut."

Application: You now have the freedom of choice - You are choosing either heaven or hell.

Deuteronomy 30:19 (God said ...) I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing, therefore choose life, that both you and your children may live.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Application: I am sure that if these virgins could, they would have changed their minds and taken extra oil also. I wonder how many people here today will one day wish they had made the choice to trust Christ?

The shut door indicates the failure of choice because ...

B. No Longer Can One Confess

Application: There is no time to confess - there is no one to hear the confession.

v.12 But He answered and said, assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.

Application: A barrier -the door- now prevents the bridegroom from hearing their explanations ... one day eternity will prevent God from hearing every lost person.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.

The shut door indicates the failure of choice because ...

C. No Longer Can One Change

Application: These foolish virgins couldn’t undo anything. Their actions have forever sealed their fate. "... and the door was shut." The past has decided the present.

Galatians 6:7,8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, the he will also reap. 8. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlast-ing life.

II THE SHUT DOOR INDICATES THE FULFILLMENT OF GRACE

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.

Grace is fulfilled because ...

A. God’s Grace is Freely Given Only For a Time

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Grace is fulfilled because ...

B. God’s Grace Can Be Exhausted

1. Grace is Exhausted by Unrepentant Hearts.

Genesis 6:3 And the Lord said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh ..."

2. Grace is Exhausted by Excessive Sin.