Where Will You Be When The Door Closes? (November 12. 2017).

WHERE WILL YOU BE WHEN THE DOOR CLOSES?

Text: Matthew 25:1 - 13

The story is told of neighbors having a conversation. The “…were talking over the back fence. “I went to a wedding this weekend,” said one, “but I don’t think the marriage will last.” “Why Not?” asked the other. “well when the groom said ‘I do,’ the bride said don’t use that tone of voice with me.’ ” (Steve May. The Story File. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 2000, p. 203). We laugh but there are some marriages that perhaps we all might wonder of there was even going to be a honeymoon phase.

Beyond the honeymoon phase, there is the journey of marriage that is supposed to last as long as they both shall live. “A couple had been married for fifty years. “Things have really changed,” she said. “You used to sit very close to me.” “Well I can remedy that,” he said moving next to her on the couch. “And you used to hold me tight.” “How’s this?” he asked as he gave her a hug. “Do you remember you used to nudged my neck and nibble my ear lobes?” He jumped to his feet and left the room. “Where are you going?” “I’ll be right back,” he said “I’ve got to get my teeth!” (Steve May. The Story File. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 2000, p. 204). A marriage is supposed to be til death do us part.

One of the saddest things in the world is the fact that there are many of the lost who have been married to worldly ideals instead of having a relationship with the creator, sustainer and redeemer! As we know from events of last Sunday, when 26 were shot and killed at a worship service at a small town Baptist church in Texas. Life and death can be very unpredictable! In this life, God wants us to have a relationship with the Savior, His only begotten son Jesus Christ. Despite what others say, Jesus is the only way to heaven! Were they all ready when the door of this life closed for them? How about you? What if the door to this life would close today, would you be ready to meet the Lord?

Today’s text is about the stewardship of your soul. Have you been saved or is salvation like a taxi cab ride? There is a relationship beyond your baptism because as it has been said, “your baptism is like a wedding ring”. How have you been doing with the your life since you were baptized?

HOW IS YOUR LAMP?

How many times have you been at a wedding awaiting the arrival of the bride? When the music for “Here Comes the Bride” starts, everyone gets ready to see the bride process up the aisle. Those in her wedding party, the bride’s maids and the groomsman are usually in front of the altar. The bride usually comes down the aisle with her father or another relative to present the bride to the groom.

Have you ever wondered what it was like for the weddings in the ancient customs in the days of Jesus’s earthly ministry? Listen to the answer to that question.

The usual Jewish custom was for the “friends of the bridegroom” to conduct the bride to her husband’s home; and when the procession arrived, the bridegroom went forth to lead the bride across the threshold. The imagery of the parable, however, implies that the bridegroom himself went to fetch his bride, perhaps from a great distance, while a group of maidens await his return, ready to welcome him in Oriental fashion with lamps and flambeaux (Carr).

(The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary).

You can see traces of those customs of our weddings of modern day.

Could it be that the lamp is a symbol beyond its ceremonial purpose in this parable? I think it is. 1) Signpost: Could it be that the lamp is a symbol beyond its mentioned purpose? In this parable the anticipation of the arrival of the groom points to the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2) Blackout: Could it be that keeping your lamp lit is a metaphor for staying in the right relationship with the Lord? What do you think? Obviously, Satan wants to create a good news “blackout” in order to prevent you from seeing the light of the gospel (II Corinthains 4:4). 3) Stewardship: If the answer to the previous question is yes, then could it be that this parable is a reminds us that we have stewardship in our salvation? How is your spiritual lamp? Bright, dim or blacked out? 4) Evangelistic stewardship: Don’t we have stewardship responsibility in the sacred trust that God has placed on us to be salty and bright in sharing the gospel with others?