The question is not “do you know Jesus” but “does Jesus know you”?
Sermon Title: PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS
Sermon Text: MATTHEW 25:1-13 (ESV)
Sermon Series: LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS
By: PTR NESTOR SY
Sermon Notes:
MATTHEW 25:1-13 ESV
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose 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, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
We must be alert and ready because no one knows the day or hour of his return.
I. THE WEDDING BANQUET: A SLICE OF LIFE
foolish | Greek: móros
“dull, stupid, foolish”
MATTHEW 25:11-12 ESV
11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’
12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
MATTHEW 25:13 ESV
13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
We are all waiting for the bridegroom.
II. THE CRUSCIAL CONTRAST: OIL
MATTHEW 25:5 ESV
5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.
Five of the virgins figured out that the bridegroom might be late and made preparations to be ready.
MATTHEW 25:3-4 ESV
3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
MATTHEW 25:3 CEV
3 The foolish ones took their lamps, but no extra oil.
1 SAMUEL 16:13 ESV
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
JOHN 14:16-17 ESV
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
EPHESIANS 1:13-14 ESV
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
MATTHEW 25:11-12 ESV
11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’
12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
JOHN 10:27 ESV
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
The question is not “do you know Jesus” but “does Jesus know you”?
III. LESSONS FOR THE CONTEMPORARY CHURCH
Personal Applications:
- THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH WHEN JESUS COMES
- YOU CANNOT “BORROW” SALVATION
- THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY WILL NOT BE OPEN FOREVER
MATTHEW 25:1-13 ESV
10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
HEBREWS 9:27 ESV
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment
2 THESSALONIANS 2:8-12 ESV
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
- THOSE WHO ARE READY CAN SLEEP PEACEFULLY
MATTHEW 25:1-13 ESV
5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.
JOHN 10:27-28 ESV
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.