The Ugly Truth On Being Prepared Matthew 25:1-13 August 13, 2017

Being Prepared Matthew 25:1-13 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.

Being Prepared Matthew 25:1-13 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.'

Being Prepared Matthew 25:1-13 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.

The Ugly Truth On Being Prepared Parable of the 10 Virgins “virgins” = those in the “bridegroom coming” = 2nd coming of Christ “lamps” = faith of Christians “extra oil” = good works Jesus uses this to teach the urgent need to be prepared for His 2nd Coming.

…Name in the church Directory is no guarantee. Be Prepared Because… …Name in the church Directory is no guarantee.

Name in Directory is NOT enough. Christians as a whole place “stock” in one of two directories. - the church informational directory - the Lamb’s Book of Life Consider these examples:

Name in Directory is NOT enough. Parable of the Sower – 2/3 were lost!! Parable of the Talents – 1/3 were lost!! Parable of the Virgins – 1/2 were lost!! It is NOT just those in the church who are saved, but those who are properly prepared!!

Be Prepared Because… …Name in the church Directory is no guarantee. …No one can do it for us.

No One can Do It For You The 5 foolish sought the “oil” of the 5 wise. Romans 14:12 - So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

No One can Do It For You Be Prepared… Outwardly – “by having our lamps” Roman 6:17-18 - 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

No One can Do It For You Be Prepared… Inwardly – “by having oil in our lamps” 2 Peter 1:5-9 - 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Be Prepared Because… …Name in the church Directory is no guarantee. …No one can do it for us. …Christ is coming back.

Christ is Coming Back Acts 1:9-11 - 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

Christ is Coming Back 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 - 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

Christ is Coming Back Romans 2:16 - in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. 1 Corinthians 4:5 - Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.

Christ is Coming Back Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 - 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

Be Prepared Because… …Name in the church Directory is no guarantee. …No one can do it for us. …Christ is coming back.

Conclusion There will be NO 2nd chance for someone to be prepared for the Coming of Christ. Virgins: - could not buy oil - were not allowed in Christians: - can not do good works - will not be allowed in

Invitation Non - Christians Hear – Romans 10:17, Acts 18:8, Believe – Romans. 10:9-10, Hebrews 11:6 Repent – Luke 13:3,5 Acts 17:30 Confess – Acts 8:37, Matthew 10:32 Be Baptized – Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-5 Be Faithful – Revelation 2:10, Hebrews 10:35

Repent - Acts 8:22, Revelation 2:5 Invitation Christians Repent - Acts 8:22, Revelation 2:5 Confess - James 5:16, 1 John 1:9 Pray - Acts 8:24, James 5:16