Being a member of a popular denomination doesn’t make you ready.
Acts 26:4-5 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most strait sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Gal 1:13-14 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Being a member of a popular denomination doesn’t make you ready. Just being good doesn’t make you ready.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Being a member of a popular denomination doesn’t make you ready. Just being good doesn’t make you ready. Just being a member of a local church of Christ doesn’t make you ready.
1 Cor 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.
Being a member of a popular denomination doesn’t make you ready. Just being good doesn’t make you ready. Just being a member of a local church of Christ doesn’t make you ready.
“It’s not that these parables teach salvation by works or merit. It is not that they offer some other way into the kingdom of God – some harder, more legalistic kind of Gospel. That’s not it at all. There is no contradiction in these parables with the clear teaching of the free give of God’s redemption received through faith alone.
The purpose of these three parables in Matthew 25 is to teach what genuine faith looks like. Of course we are saved only by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, when He died on the cross and roses from the dead to deliver us from sin and death. That doctrine is not threatened nor argued with in any of the parables of Jesus in Matthew chapter 25.
What Jesus is doing in Matthew 25 is defining real faith. He’s saying many professing Christians are fooling themselves about what faith in Him is all about. Faith that doesn’t prepare isn’t faith at all. It will be shut out like those five foolish virgins. Faith that doesn’t sacrifice and obey isn’t faith at all. It will be cast into outer darkness like the lazy servant. Faith that doesn’t love and reach out isn’t faith. It will be eternally lost like those who ignored their brothers and sisters in need.
Phil 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Heb 5:8-9 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Attend extra classes (e.g. personal work class) Read you Bible everyday Attend gospel meetings in the area Visit the shut-ins
You can’t borrow someone else’s oil (Whatever is needed to be ready) Faith Conduct Character Holiness Righteousness
What the Shut Door Indicates You no longer have a choice You can no longer change The finality of things