The Church of Pentecost, Maryland District

AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT

Written by amadi

CENTRAL TRUTH: People who desire to run their own lives without the restrictions of God's standards will always find an excuse to
ignore God and the potential of His judgment.

MEMORY VERSE: But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. THE VIRGINS WHO WERE READY WENT IN with
him to the wedding banquet. AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT (Matt 25:10). NIV

TEXT: Matthew 25:1-13; 2 Peter 3:3-10; 1: 5-11

TOPIC: “AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT”

INTRODUCTION: While there are about 300 prophecies in the Old Testament that foretold the birth of Jesus Christ, there are 2400 verses (i.e. 8x more) describing His Second Coming. The huge number of prophetic verses about the Second Coming underlines the importance of this event in God's plan for mankind. Consequently, we dare not ignore the prophetic signs pointing to the nearness of His return. This parable pertains to members of the body of Christ. The wedding is only a vehicle God used to convey a vital truth to church members and the oil happened to be the necessity which the foolish virgins failed to supply. It explains the great day of Christ's coming. The overwhelming message of the parable turns on preparation or the lack of it.

POINTS TO BE DISCUSSED:

1. COMMON FEATURES OF THE TEN   VIRGINS

2.THE DIFFERENCE OF THE TEN VIRGINS

3. CARELESSNESS, NEGLIGENCE, INATTENTION:

4. MAKE EVERY EFFORT

5. ONLY ON GOD’S TERMS: YOUR STANDARDS ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH. 6. COMPETING ACCORDING TO THE RULES

7. THE USE OF DIVINE DELAYING:

8.AT MIDNIGHT
9. TERRIBLE DISCOVERY! OUR LAMPS ARE GOING OUT!

10. AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT 11. I DON’T EVEN KNOW YOU- THE GREAT SHOCK,

12. WATCH 13. IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR YOU AND I (John 8: 11; Acts 17: 30, 31

)1. COMMON FEATURES OF THE TEN VIRGINS (verses 1,2): In almost all respects they were all alike, yet there was a difference. (Matt 13: 30 let both grow together until the harvest NIV1 .They all set out together to meet him. 2. They all bear the same name, virgins 3. They all probably wear the same dress (as bridesmaids). 4. They all had real regard for the bridegroom, and desired to honor him by going forth to meet him. 5. They all must have had oil enough in their lamps to keep them burning up to the announcement of the bridegroom’s arrival. 6. They all have vessels (containers).7. They all had the same knowledge, same facts, and the same circumstances. 8. They all believed that the bridegroom was coming. 9. They all got up and got their lamps ready 10. They all slumbered and slept.

2. THE DIFFERENCE OF THE TEN VIRGINS (Lev 6: 13): Looking at the parable, it is evident that the folly of "the foolish" consisted not in having no oil at all; because they must have had oil enough in their lamps to keep them burning up to announcement of the bridegroom’s arrival. Their folly consisted in NOT MAKING PROVISION AGAINST ITS EXHAUSTION, by taking an extra oil wherewith to replenish their lamp from time to time (fresh oil), and so have it burning until the bridegroom should come (Acts 4: 31). So, the primary difference was that the wise virgins took EXTRA OIL. 3. CARELESSNESS–NEGLIGENCE-INATTENTION:The foolish virgins did not take extra oil, but they could have done so. It wasn’t difficult, but it did require care, diligence and attention which they failed to give. This warns us against idleness, carelessness, negligence and inattention.

4. MAKE EVERY EFFORT (2 Pet 1: 5 -11; 1 Cor 9: 24-27; Phil2: 12). They all believed that the bridegroom was coming, but only five of them exercised (DILIGENT –SMART-PRUDENT -Heb 11: 6) their faith to DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to be prepared (ready) for the bridegroom’s arrival. According to the New Unger's Bible Dictionary Oil was a correct symbol of the Spirit or spiritual principle of life, by virtue of its power to sustain and fortify the vital energy.

5. ONLY ON GOD’S TERMS: NOT WHAT ANYONE THINKS OR FEEL: God is the standard for what is right and what is not. We can develop our own ideas of righteousness all we want, but in the end we will be measured against the righteousness of God.

6. COMPETE ACCORDING TO THE RULES: (Acts 7: 44; Ex 25:40;2 Sam 6: 6) 2 Tim2: 5 Follow the Lord's rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize.TLB Heb 8: 5… God warned him to follow exactly the pattern of the heavenly tabernacle as shown to him on Mount Sinai.TLB

7. THE USE OF DIVINE DELAYING: VERSE 5 (John 11: 21), All the virgins would have been (saved) ready if the bridegroom had arrived WHEN THEY EXPECTED. The timing of all things is in God's hand and His timing is always perfect.

8. AT MIDNIGHT VERSE 6 He’s coming soon He’s coming (2 Peter 3:10) But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief NLT

10. AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT: VERSE 10 (last minute preparation). Early Preparation can save. Oil we must have, not merely enough to light, but enough to burn and last

11. I DON’T EVEN KNOW YOU VERSE 12 Matt. 7:22 On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' 23 But I will reply, 'I never knew you (this is scary). Get away from me, you who break God's laws.NLT

12. WATCH, THEREFORE VERSE 13 (Luke 21: 34-35; Mk 13: 35-37)
This was Jesus' own conclusion from the parable; it should also be ours. Watch is not restricted to staying awake but includes thoroughness of preparation, an alertness that takes account of unseen emergencies, and a conscious readiness AT ALL TIMES to respond to the divine directive.

13; IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR YOU AND I (Jn 8: 11; Acts 17: 30, 31). Christ is coming the King of glory. We all have made mistakes in the past but God is saying it is not too late because you are here this morning. The only proper advice; is do it now. The foolish virgins waited and waited until the sun declined, and nightfall came, and darkness fell, until the bridegroom arrived. Then it was too late; may it not be so for us! The lesson is, be watchful, careful and attentive over the nourishing of the inner life. The foolish virgins are not hypocrites, but careless, inattentive and too negligent of their soul. Ps 1: 2 But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely. 3 They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper. TLBPs 92:13 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, NKJV

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