No Time Like the Present - Matthew 25:1-13 - September 21, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – No Time Like The Present – September 21, 2008

This is lesson three (3) in our series of study.

Our scripture is Matthew 25:1-13.

In Matthew Chapter 24, JESUS and HIS disciples were leaving the temple. (This was still during the week of HIS crucifixion.) HIS disciples were admiring the buildings and JESUS made an astonishing statement.

Matthew 24:1-2: 1 As Jesus left and was going out of the • temple complex, His disciples came up and called His attention to the temple buildings. 2 Then He replied to them, “Don’t you see all these things? • I assure you: Not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down!”

This statement peaks their interest and they ponder it. JESUS took a break on the Mount of Olives and the disciples asked HIM, "When will these buildings be destroyed?"

Matthew 24:3:

3 While He was sitting on the • Mount of Olives, the disciples approached Him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what is the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”

JESUS told them about the last days. HE ended this discourse with a parable (still in Chapter 24) regarding the need to remain on the alert for HIS return. This led to the parable in today’s study regarding a wedding involving ten (10) bridesmaids.

JESUS gave a parable regarding a wedding. The wedding ceremony had taken place at the bride’s home and the wedding party was waiting for the bride and groom at or near the bride groom’s parents’ home or the bride groom’s home. It was customary for the bride and groom to leave her home and go to his parents’ home or his home for a celebration. The bridesmaids or young women had a duty to perform. Those bridesmaids were all virgins. Since it would be dark, the bridesmaids would wait with lamps to light the path for the bride and groom. It was critical that they be prepared and at the right moment have oil in their lamps to light the way.

Let’s read Matthew 25:1-5:

The Parable of the 10 Virgins

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins[1] Or bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were sensible. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them. 4 But the sensible ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. 5 Since the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

This was an event that most, if not all, of the hearers of the parable could relate.

In Chapter 24, JESUS had been talking about a certain master who left a trusted servant in charge of his household. The master left but had not returned for a long time, so the servant began mistreating those who had been entrusted to him. The unexpected return of the master caught the servant mistreating those his master had entrusted to him. The true nature or heart of the servant was revealed. As a result of his unfaithfulness, he suffered the consequences of his unfaithful actions.

In this parable, JESUS is the Master and all believers are HIS trusted servants. HE would go to heaven but one day, when least expected, HE will return to earth. HE left all believers in charge of preaching, teaching, witnessing and living the gospel until HE returns or we go to HIM in heaven through death.

In Chapter 25, JESUS continued the idea of faithfulness versus unfaithfulness and the importance of being prepared for the coming of the LORD. Only GOD knows when the end times will happen, so stay alert.

The ten (10) virgins were likely friends or relatives of the bride and groom. They were all single women. Their duty was to be prepared with lamps to provide light for the bride and groom. The bride and groom would go from her parents’ home to his parents’ home or his home following the wedding ceremony and celebrate the wedding. The celebration would go on for up to seven (7) days.

There were ten (10) virgins each with the responsibility to have a lamp with oil to light the way for the bride and groom. They gathered at the appointed place. You would think when they were all together it would be obvious that five (5) had extra oil and five (5) did not. When the five (5) foolish virgins realized they did not have extra oil, they could have gone immediately to obtain what they needed. But they chose not to do so.

All ten (10) of the virgins fell asleep. The issue was not that they fell asleep, although it was vital time lost for the five (5) foolish virgins to be properly prepared. The issue was that the five (5) foolish virgins ran out of oil. The very thing they needed most, they treated carelessly.

The five (5) foolish virgins represent those who know CHRIST intellectually. They have never experienced HIM personally and lack the extra oil of the HOLY SPIRIT to secure their salvation. They are willing to take a chance with their own theology in spite of the evidence that their theology is flawed.

Let’s read Matthew 25:6-9:

6 “In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 “Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 But the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 “The sensible ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell, and buy oil for yourselves.’

The ten (10) virgins were all asleep when all of a sudden there was a mighty shout, “Here’s the groom!” All ten (10) virgins trimmed their lamps. That is when the five (5) foolish virgins realized their lamps were running out of oil and asked the wise virgins to share some of their extra oil with them. The wise virgins refused because they wouldn’t have enough oil to complete their responsibilities. It was better to have five (5) lamps burning brightly than no light or dim light.

JESUS was making the point that each individual is responsible to be prepared for the coming of the LORD. No person can depend upon someone else.

This brings to mind what I have heard some people say when asked if they are Christians. Their reply is, “I was born a Christian”, or “My parents were Christians”, or “I was raised in a Christian home” or “I always go to church.” These are all well and good but the question is “Have you accepted CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR?” GOD holds each of us personably accountable. Remember, it is CHRIST in you that makes you a Christian and nothing else. It is the miracle of rebirth in your spirit that makes you a Christian and not the church you attend.

Let’s read Matthew 25:10-13:

10 “When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived. Then those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. 11 “Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘• I assure you: I do not know you!’ 13 “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.[2] Other mss add in which the Son of Man is coming.

JESUS emphasized the importance of being ready and staying ready to meet HIM. Many think they have plenty of time but every human is one (1) heartbeat away from meeting GOD.

When the five (5) foolish virgins were off buying oil for their lamps, the groom arrived. The five (5) wise virgins, who were ready, went in the house along with the bride and groom and the door was shut. When GOD closes the door it is closed for good. Why not go into heaven with CHRIST while there is still time?

That is why now is the time to ask CHRIST to forgive you of your sins and ask HIM to come into your life. The moment you ask HIM into your life, HIS Spirit unites with your spirit and you are born-again in your spirit. At that instant you become a child of GOD. You have been born into HIS family and are now a citizen of heaven. Just as when the sperm unites with the egg that union is permanent and so is our rebirth in CHRIST. It is your born-again spirit that leaves your body when you die. Your destination, the instant you die, is heaven. You enter and the door is shut for you.

The Good News is that you will be in with JESUS, the Bride Groom!!!

These parable main points are:

- JESUS is telling them and us today that each person is responsible and accountable to GOD.

- Each individual needs to be prepared. If he or she does not know what is required he or she needs to find out and do it.

- Being unprepared has severe consequences.

- There are those around you who are wise and prepared. While there is time, when a person realizes they are not prepared, they need to prepare.

- No person should think he or she has plenty of time and is lulled into complacency. Then, all of a sudden, awake at the last minute to realize he or she is not prepared. Be fully prepared for the return of the LORD by having enough oil for your lamp, which is the confirmation of the HOLY SPIRIT in your heart. Romans 8:16: 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,

- We do not have to wonder or guess if we have been born-again in our spirit. Our spirit within testifies to our hearts that we are GOD’S children. It is a knowing that only you know. It is a confirmation in the eyes of your heart.

Salvation is simple, yet so hard. We try to understand it intellectually but salvation from sin and death will never be understood intellectually. (I know, I tried for many years to figure it out.) You must take a step of faith and trust GOD through CHRIST. CHRIST is the earthly presence of GOD in human form. HE died for your sin and mine. HIS death paid the debt for sin as required by GOD. The proof that CHRIST was and is the SON of GOD is HIS resurrection from the dead. Of all religious leaders in the world, JESUS is the only ONE to be resurrected from the dead.

Salvation from sin and death is a free gift from GOD to you though CHRIST. It is your choice, accept or reject CHRIST as your SAVIOR now.