The Priority of BEING PREPARED for the Kingdom (Matthew 25: 1-13)

Be prepared for the Coming of Christ!

Wachet auf! Ruft uns die Stimme

Wachet auf! Ruft uns die Stimme Wake up! The voice calls us

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 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.'

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ….. ”

Kingdom of Heaven = Kingdom of God In one sense the Kingdom of God is eternal and timeless. It is God’s ultimate sovereignty over His world. In another sense, the Kingdom of God has come (in Jesus), yet it will come in the future when Jesus returns.

The Kingdom was ushered in by Jesus about 2000 years ago. Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt 4:17)

The Kingdom is a present reality. It is the realm in which Christ’s kingly rule is acknowledged. You enter the Kingdom by surrendering to the King, by acknowledging His right to be the ruler of your life.

Today we live in the tension of “already”, The Kingdom is also a future reality. The Kingdom is coming in all its fullness and glory! Jesus is coming as victorious King! Today we live in the tension of “already”, but “not yet”

“THEN the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ….. ” “Then” refers back to Matthew 24: themes of judgment & readiness

Jesus is coming again! Be prepared! But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ (Matt 25: 6) Avoid the obsession of setting dates! Do not ignore that Jesus will come back!

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.'

Why were some of the maidens not prepared Why were some of the maidens not prepared? Why are many people today not prepared? Are you prepared?

HOW can I be prepared? “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the Gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

HOW can I be prepared? “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. … Therefore what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God. … beloved, since you are waiting for this, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” (from II Peter 3: 10,11,14)

Share the Gospel with others, so they will be prepared, too! HOW can I be prepared? Share the Gospel with others, so they will be prepared, too! “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9)

The Priority of BEING PREPARED for the Kingdom (Matthew 25: 1-13)

The Kingdom has a door that can and does close! “And … the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.”

But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (Matthew 7: 21-23)

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:13)

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (II Corinthians 6:2)

JESUS IS COMING! Are you ready?