WEBVTT 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:08.480 So I had one job and I failed. 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:11.040 Allow me to explain the story a little bit. 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:23.680 So sometimes my kids will ride the bus home from school, and it's a blessing because busy schedules between myself and my wife, it's nice to have the rides home to school sometimes taken care of by the bus. 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:30.799 And so my kids will occasionally ride, and there are very rare occasions where my younger two children will be the only ones on the bus. 00:01:30.959 --> 00:01:32.799 Maybe there are practices or things like that. 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:42.640 And when that happens, the bus driver will drop them off, but they can't leave until they know that someone is at the home that's responsible, an adult, to receive the kids. 00:01:42.719 --> 00:01:43.760 Now I appreciate that. 00:01:43.840 --> 00:01:44.719 That's a good thing. 00:01:44.959 --> 00:01:46.159 Safety is very important. 00:01:46.319 --> 00:01:48.560 But the two little ones, we don't want the home by themselves. 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:54.480 And so uh that's a good thing, but there was a time about a month ago where it created a little bit of a problem for me. 00:01:54.640 --> 00:01:57.359 I was uh a Monday morning, I've got Mondays off. 00:01:57.439 --> 00:01:58.959 My wife gave me really clear instructions. 00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:03.439 She said, Hey, the little two are riding the bus today, so you need to be home. 00:02:03.599 --> 00:02:08.240 And when they get home, you need to peek out and wave to the bus driver so they know, right? 00:02:08.479 --> 00:02:09.520 Pretty simple instructions. 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:14.319 I have one job: be home, watch for the bus, wave, that's it. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:20.479 Now, technically, I was home that day and I was watching, kind of. 00:02:21.280 --> 00:02:26.719 Every once in a while I would glance out the window and see if the bus was there, but then I would go on and do something else. 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:34.639 Now, the thing is, typically when that happens, I can hear the bus pull up, a very distinct sound of the bus, you know, putting on the brakes and stopping in front of the house. 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:39.120 And so I would check here and there, but you know, it was the I was waiting, I was waiting. 00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:41.199 The bus wasn't there as quickly as I thought it would be. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:42.879 It was a little, felt like a little delay. 00:02:43.039 --> 00:02:46.719 So I'm waiting there, and eventually I begin to get a little distracted. 00:02:46.960 --> 00:02:52.000 You see, I was given one job, but personally I had my own priorities that day, which included some other things. 00:02:52.159 --> 00:02:56.000 And so I got a little distracted, and then all of a sudden I was startled by a noise. 00:02:56.080 --> 00:02:57.599 It was a knock at the front door. 00:02:57.759 --> 00:03:09.919 I open my front door, we got a long driveway, open the front door, and there are my two little ones, and they're standing there, and they said, the bus driver's waiting, and I look out, sure enough, the bus driver who looks slightly disgruntled at me, is standing there. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:13.280 I wave, I yell sorry, they drive off, we move on with life. 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:15.520 Now, at the end of the day, it's all good, right? 00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:20.400 Kids were home safe, bus driver was slightly more delayed, everything worked out fine, though. 00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:21.759 They finished their route. 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:24.560 I share that because it reminds me of something. 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:32.400 It's possible to know that something is coming, but not to be ready when it arrives. 00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:37.360 Uh, this morning, that's exactly what we're gonna hear about in God's Word. 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:42.240 Because according to Jesus, there's something that each and every one of us should know about. 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:45.840 There's something that each and every one of us should be waiting for right now. 00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:57.120 God has not left us in the dark about it, He's given us clear instructions, He's told us what to expect, He's commanded us how to live, and He's told us to be watchful as we wait. 00:03:57.439 --> 00:04:08.240 But here's the thing if we're not paying attention, if we're not vigilant, if we're not prepared, that day may arrive and we might be caught off guard. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:12.479 Now, if that's the case with the bus, not really that big of a deal. 00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:21.199 But with this situation that Jesus describes, if we're not ready for the arrival of this, well, the consequences are significant. 00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:29.680 So if you want to see what Scripture has to say about all this and what Jesus has to say, I want to encourage you to open your Bibles with me to Matthew chapter 25. 00:04:29.839 --> 00:04:32.079 Matthew 25 is where we're at this morning. 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:34.560 Uh if you came here and brought your Bibles, excellent. 00:04:34.639 --> 00:04:35.839 We open our Bible every Sunday. 00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:37.680 If you didn't bring your Bible, we got you covered. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:39.040 There should be a Bible in front of you. 00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:41.360 If you don't own a Bible, take that Bible home. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:45.040 And if you're looking for the book of Matthew, let me help you out three-quarters of the way in. 00:04:45.120 --> 00:04:46.079 We get to the New Testament. 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:47.519 It's the first book of the New Testament. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:49.279 After Malachi, you hit Matthew. 00:04:49.600 --> 00:04:51.360 If you went to Mark, go backward. 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:53.839 Matthew 25 is where we're at. 00:04:54.079 --> 00:04:59.920 And um, as you're turning there, we are wrapping up this short little series through the month of May that we've been covering. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:02.319 Uh, and it's all about the parables of Jesus. 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:04.399 We've called this series once upon a time. 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:06.959 We are wrapping up this five-week series. 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:12.160 The first three weeks we looked at various parables that were very famous from the Gospel of Luke. 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:18.639 Last week we looked at one of the parables in Matthew, and now today we're rounding this out with another parable in Matthew 25. 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:22.000 Just a reminder: Jesus loved to speak in parables. 00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:29.839 Parables are short, simple stories where Jesus would glean information from everyday life in the first century of Israel. 00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:36.240 But he would take these simple stories and he would communicate deep truths about the kingdom of God. 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:48.079 Now, for his disciples, for his followers, when he would tell a parable, this would reveal more about the kingdom, and it would reveal more about the mysteries of the kingdom to his followers. 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:56.079 But interestingly, when he told those parables at the same time, it would conceal more about the mysteries of the kingdom to those who didn't follow him. 00:05:56.240 --> 00:06:00.319 That's the dual-fold nature of the parables, and we saw that a lot more last week. 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:05.600 But once again, Jesus is telling another parable, um, and we're in Matthew chapter 25, as I mentioned. 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:10.079 Now, we're gonna be in chapter 25, but we're gonna start in chapter 24. 00:06:10.160 --> 00:06:13.199 So do me a favor and just flip the page before. 00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:18.240 Take a moment as we unpack a few things from chapter 24, and then we'll jump into our parable. 00:06:18.399 --> 00:06:20.720 Uh, just uh some context. 00:06:20.959 --> 00:06:24.639 It's a point in the story of Matthew where three and a half years have passed. 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:26.480 Jesus has had his ministry. 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:30.800 He's coming to the tail end now of his public ministry, he's preparing to die. 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:33.759 He's in Jerusalem, he's with his disciples. 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:37.519 It's only days before his crucifixion here in Matthew chapter 24. 00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:44.319 And as he's passing through the temple complex, uh, Jesus begins to make some comments to them. 00:06:44.720 --> 00:06:51.839 Jesus talks about the temple, and he describes in chapter 2 the fact that this temple is going to be destroyed. 00:06:52.079 --> 00:06:55.360 And so he's making these comments as he's passing through the temple complex. 00:06:55.439 --> 00:07:00.560 He's going to go through the eastern gate, we could presume that, down the Kidron Valley, up to the Mount of Olives. 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:03.199 But he makes a statement that this temple is going to be destroyed. 00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:06.879 Not one stone will be left upon another, he says in verse 2. 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:12.000 Then, picking up in verse 3, the disciples ask him a question when he gets to the Mount of Olives. 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:23.120 It says, As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately saying, Tell us when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:28.480 Now, this question from the disciples, to me it sounds like a two-part question. 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:30.560 It sounds like there's really two questions here. 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:33.279 First of all, tell us when will these things be. 00:07:33.439 --> 00:07:35.120 Well, what are these things they're referring to? 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:36.399 That's a question. 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:42.079 And secondly, he says, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? 00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:45.680 Again, I think I would suggest to you this is a two-part question. 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:50.240 Now, full disclosure, Matthew chapter 24 is called the Olivet Discourse. 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:57.519 The Olivet Discourse is one of the more widely debated and argued passages in the New Testament. 00:07:57.600 --> 00:08:01.199 Uh, talks a lot about end times, and so people have lots of opinions about this. 00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:12.399 It's not going to be our primary focus today, but here's my conviction is if we just talk about the parable in chapter 25 and we don't talk about anything that Jesus said in chapter 24, I think we we miss some things. 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:19.759 Our parable comes on the heels of what Jesus talks about in the Olivet Discourse, and so it really flows from it. 00:08:19.839 --> 00:08:26.800 And so, in order to understand the parable in chapter 25, let's just glean some things from chapter 24 in the Olivet Discourse. 00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:29.120 So again, I think there are two questions here. 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:33.200 The first question they ask, I think is connected to verse two. 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:39.919 Jesus just told them that the temple will be destroyed, and immediately after that, they ask a question. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.919 They say, Well, when are these things going to happen? 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:45.919 I think these things are referring to what Jesus said about the temple. 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:47.519 That's one question. 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:52.799 The second question is, when are you going to come and establish the fullness of your kingdom? 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:55.039 When is the end of the age? 00:08:55.360 --> 00:09:00.960 And so the the disciples are essentially curious about what Jesus is going to do in the future. 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:03.759 They're asking the question, Jesus, what's the plan? 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:05.759 What's the plan? 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:07.679 And so that's where I want to begin. 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:09.840 Let's start number one by talking about the plan. 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:12.080 What's the plan, Jesus? 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:14.320 What should we look forward to in the future? 00:09:14.559 --> 00:09:19.679 Well, again, I think through those two questions, it frames up the way we interpret the Olivet discourse. 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:26.559 First of all, when they ask the question about when will these things take place, Jesus just talked about the destruction of the temple. 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:33.360 We know, we have the vantage point of history, that 40 years after these events, the temple was destroyed. 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:36.720 So in 70 AD, the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:39.120 It was a catastrophic event for the Jewish community. 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:45.360 The Romans swept in and they sieged the city, they destroyed the temple, devastating for people. 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:49.919 And I think that Jesus unpacks some of that in the Olivet Discourse. 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:56.399 However, those events that happened in 70 AD, those are not the end of the age, are they? 00:09:56.799 --> 00:10:00.240 But that's not when Jesus comes and establishes the fullness of his kingdom. 00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:02.559 No, that's the second question they ask. 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:05.039 And that hasn't happened yet. 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:08.240 We're still waiting for Jesus to fulfill that. 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:10.240 Now again, we have history on our side. 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:17.120 We know what happened in 70 AD, and we know what happened immediately after Jesus explained this to his disciples. 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:23.360 We know that in the days ahead, Jesus ended up going to the cross, where he was crucified on our behalf. 00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:28.879 He was buried, he rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and we were given promises that he will return. 00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:37.759 We know that Jesus has promised that one day he will come back, and when he does come back, he will usher in the fullness of his kingdom. 00:10:38.159 --> 00:10:44.080 We've been given promises that upon his return there will come a point where our bodies will be transformed. 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:53.279 These lowly bodies will be made glorified like Christ, like his resurrected body, and not just our bodies, but all creation will be made new. 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:59.759 One day Jesus will return, he will establish his kingdom in all its fullness, and he will bring about the new creation. 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:01.679 This is what Jesus has promised. 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:03.600 That day has not happened yet. 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:05.440 That day is still coming. 00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:07.440 And that's the second part of their question. 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:09.679 Jesus, explain this. 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:11.200 When is that going to happen? 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:18.080 The question they ask is this and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age? 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:21.840 Well, that's something we're still waiting for. 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:24.720 And Jesus talks a little bit about this in the Olivet Discourse. 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:27.440 And what I would suggest to you is it's incredible what Jesus says. 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:34.799 First of all, Jesus describes many events that will begin to unfold as his disciples are looking toward the future. 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:48.159 He describes all sorts of things that will happen, and he says that through these tumultuous times there will be some who will try to be deceptive and to say that the arrival of Christ has come, the end has come. 00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:55.200 Jesus actually describes this near the beginning of the sermon, his discourse, and he says, when this happens, don't be deceived. 00:11:56.159 --> 00:12:02.639 In light of the end and looking toward the future, don't be too gullible about the claims of people that the Messiah has come. 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:06.320 Be wise, be discerning, be resilient. 00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:13.519 In fact, Jesus says that many of the things that we experience in this world, these are what he describes as birth pains. 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:18.639 Now, I do not have firsthand knowledge of birth pains. 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:20.320 Yes, really. 00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:23.840 I am a man, so I cannot have babies. 00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:26.639 Some might try to debut debate me on that today. 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:28.799 I know that it's a little bit of a weird time we're in. 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:31.039 I'm pretty convinced I cannot have babies. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:34.240 I'm a man, I have no firsthand knowledge of birth pains. 00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:40.960 I did, however, once stub my toe really hard on a coffee table, though, and it hurt, all right? 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:45.840 And my wife has assured me that they're not connected at all. 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:47.519 No way, not even close. 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:50.639 I have secondhand knowledge of birth pains, not first. 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:55.840 Uh my wife had children and she experienced the pain that associated with that. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:13:00.639 And so I know that there are times where when you go through birth pains, it can be also deceptive, right? 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:05.919 We had an experience like that as well, where we kind of felt like, oh man, I think this is the moment, right? 00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:06.639 The time has come. 00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:10.799 And so we go to the hospital and we're told, no, it's Braxton Hicks, right? 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:13.360 Which, if you don't know, it's it's a false labor, right? 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:16.559 It feels like you're gonna have a baby and you're not. 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:18.320 And so we went home that day. 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.519 They're birth pains. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:25.039 This is the way that Jesus describes the world we're in, the times we're in, as we await the new creation. 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:32.559 We're waiting for something incredible, miraculous, something that we're hopeful for, excited about, just like having a baby. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:48.480 But the process to get there is painful and difficult, and there are things that happen that are very, very challenging, and sometimes we can be deceived into thinking that maybe the end has come when it hasn't, that the moment has arrived and it hasn't. 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:54.559 That's the first danger that Jesus warns about in this Olivet discourse, but it's not the only danger. 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:56.399 You see, that's one side of the coin. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:14:01.360 We can be deceived to think that the end has come because all these signs and things are happening. 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:02.960 We can be deceived to think that. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:08.399 Every danger, every hardship, every war, every earthquake, every headline, immediately we can assume this is it. 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:10.399 Don't be deceived. 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:12.320 But the other danger is this. 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:20.960 The danger of assuming that because Jesus hasn't returned yet, we don't really need to live with a sense of anticipation, right? 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:22.159 We've been waiting a while. 00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:25.919 It's this idea of, you know, maybe we can just relax. 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:29.120 Maybe we can just live however we want. 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:30.720 We have all the time in the world. 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:35.360 This is the other danger that Jesus warns against. 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:44.799 He warns against the danger of being complacent in our spiritual life, the danger of being careless, the danger of not being ready. 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:48.960 He warns against this in the Olivet discourse. 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:51.120 This is dangerous because, beloved, hear me. 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:53.679 Jesus is coming back. 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:56.879 He will return. 00:14:57.039 --> 00:14:59.679 That's a guarantee, you can take it to the bank. 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:06.320 This is why at the end of the discourse he encourages his disciples to be watchful, to be vigilant, to be ready. 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:09.759 He says, Nobody knows the time nor the hour, not even the Son of Man. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:14.480 Nobody knows the time or the hour, but rest assured, it's happening. 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:17.120 This is why in verse 44, Jesus says this. 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:19.039 This is significant for a message today. 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:24.960 Therefore, you must also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.519 That's the plan. 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:31.440 Jesus makes it clear the temple was destroyed. 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:36.320 That event has happened, but now the other question, when will be the end of the age? 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.039 We're still waiting. 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:39.279 We're living in the gap between those two things. 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:41.919 We're still waiting for Jesus to return. 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:43.200 That's the plan. 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:45.440 And he's really laid it out very clearly for us. 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:56.000 So now that we've seen number one, the plan, and now that we have some context for the Olivet discourse, I want to now take us to chapter 25, where we're going to look at our text today, which is number two, the parable. 00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:57.759 The parable. 00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:01.919 So now that we're in chapter 25, let's look at the first twelve verses. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:02.720 I'll just read it. 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:06.720 You can listen or follow in your Bible, and then we'll unpack it section by section. 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:08.639 And notice what it says. 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:15.519 Then the kingdom of heaven will look like, what will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:18.720 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:25.360 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:30.080 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:34.879 But at midnight there was a cry, Here is the bridegroom, come out to meet him. 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:38.240 And then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:42.399 And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:49.200 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. 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:55.759 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:59.440 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:02.399 But he answered, Truly, I say to you, I do not know you. 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.000 So that's our parable. 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:08.640 Let's unpack this bit by bit. 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:11.440 First of all, let's start in verse one. 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:14.880 So it begins by saying, Then the kingdom of heaven. 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:16.400 Now note, we've talked about this. 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:20.000 The parables are all about unveiling these mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:23.599 And once again we have a parable about the kingdom of heaven. 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:29.920 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:37.119 Now, this might seem a little bit disconnected from our culture, but if you lived in the first century and lived in Israel, this would make perfect sense. 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:41.039 Marriage in the first century in Israel was different than ours. 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:42.720 We have engagement and then we have marriage. 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:45.519 You find someone, you fall in love, you get engaged, you get married. 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:51.839 In their culture, the families would arrange the marriage, and then you would enter into this one-year betrothal period. 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:54.319 Now, this one-year betrothal was legally binding. 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:57.839 This is what Joseph and Mary were in when Mary became pregnant. 00:17:57.920 --> 00:18:01.119 This is why Joseph almost went for that certificate of divorce, right? 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:04.079 Because it required a divorce in order to break a betrothal. 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:08.319 So you have one year of betrothal, and then finally you get to the big day, the wedding day. 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:22.799 And what happens is the groom, he will leave his home and he will have a procession over to the bride's house where he'll meet with the bride, and both bridal parties will be there, and then they'll go to the marriage ceremony, and then they'll go all the way back to the groom's house where the reception will take place. 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:25.599 That's where the party goes down, and it's a great time of celebrating. 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:27.519 And so that was Jewish marriage. 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:33.039 And so this is something that often happened at nighttime, a very fest uh festive event. 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:41.279 And so what happens here is it's night, these women, they the ten virgins, these young ladies, part of the bridal party, they bring lamps with them. 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:43.039 These lamps are like torches. 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:57.519 So it was a long stick, they would soak rags in oil, they would place them on the top, they would light them, and they would burn for a little while, but it would often go out, and so you're supposed to bring with you extra oil if you want those to be lit for a prolonged period of time. 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:59.039 Well, that's the problem. 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.519 Notice verses two through four. 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:06.160 It says, five of them were foolish of the virgins, and five were wise. 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:12.559 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:18.079 You see, according to Jesus, half of the group was totally unprepared. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:26.400 One half was prepared, they took extra oil, the other was not prepared, and the ones who were not prepared, their lamps wouldn't last very long. 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:29.119 And so notice what it says in verse 5. 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:34.319 It says, And as the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:45.680 So the virgins are there, they're waiting for the groom to come out, they're waiting for this procession to the bride's house so they can get the show on the road, so they can have the ceremony and have the party, but the groom is delayed. 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:49.599 Now, this shouldn't be surprising, especially in that culture. 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:56.559 I did some digging this week and kind of learned that in the first century of Israel, punctuality was not a cultural virtue. 00:19:56.640 --> 00:20:02.480 There are places in the world today where it's very comparable, where this idea of being on time, it's a little more relative, right? 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:09.200 People aren't concerned with being places in a very exact, precise time like we are in the West or like we are in America. 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:13.839 You may have traveled to an island before and they talk about island time, right? 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.200 That's the idea. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:17.200 Or maybe you've been to other countries. 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:20.640 I was in Africa a little over a year ago, went to Ethiopia. 00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:25.599 Many places in Africa, they're not so concerned about precision with time. 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.880 It's not that big of a deal. 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:28.799 It's kind of a relative thing. 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:30.640 And so I was in Ethiopia. 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:33.359 I had this training at a Christian hospital with Christian doctors. 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:36.640 I took it very seriously because, you know, I wanted to make sure I did a good job. 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.599 So I was punctual. 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:39.279 My training started at 1 p.m. 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:41.759 I showed up at 12:30, ready to go. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:44.720 Got all my stuff, waiting for people to show up. 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.680 It's one o'clock. 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:47.440 I'm looking, and guess what? 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:48.319 Nobody was there. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:50.319 Not a soul was there at one o'clock. 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:52.240 I'm like, am I in the right building? 00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:53.440 Like, I don't know what's going on here. 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.880 I'm waiting, I'm waiting. 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:58.880 10 minutes or so, the first person comes in, like, oh, is the training here? 00:20:58.960 --> 00:20:59.440 Yeah, yeah. 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:00.160 One o'clock. 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:00.799 Yep. 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.759 Waiting, I'm waiting. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:07.440 I'd say about a half hour in, people start trickling quite a bit now. 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:09.599 45 minutes, a lot more people show up. 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:12.559 The one o'clock training started at 2 15. 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:13.680 Yeah. 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:16.319 And for me, I was like, wow, that was a little surprising. 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:17.599 For them, it was totally normal. 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.960 It's not wrong, it's just different. 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:21.839 Some of you type A people like it would make your skin crawl. 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:22.799 I get it. 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:24.160 It's the culture. 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:25.200 It's just the culture. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.720 This was the same thing in the first century. 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.920 This is Jesus' culture. 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:29.359 The groom is delayed. 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:31.440 We shouldn't be surprised by that. 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:37.359 And the issue really isn't that the groom is late, the issue is that he was later than some of them expected. 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:41.920 You see, the point here is the wise virgins, they planned well. 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:43.680 They planned accordingly. 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:49.440 They they thought through this whole thing and said, well, maybe he'll be delayed longer, so let me bring some extra oil. 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:50.799 They were wise. 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:54.160 The other ones were foolish and really reckless. 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:59.759 It would be really, really silly to show up and to not bring extra oil for an event like this. 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:03.119 And so as they wait, there's a delay from the groom. 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:06.240 Eventually, after a long delay, everyone falls asleep. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:10.240 Then notice what it says next, picking up in verse 6, it says this. 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:20.240 But at midnight, and technically this is the middle of the night, so it's not necessarily midnight, but the middle of the night there was a cry, Here is the bridegroom, come out to meet him. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:24.400 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:29.279 So as soon as the groom appears, it's time for the wedding procession to begin. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:32.240 It's time to move to the bride's house so we can get the show on the road. 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:38.000 And so the virgins begin quickly preparing their lamps, getting them ready for the procession. 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:39.039 There's a problem, though. 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:41.839 Notice what it says, picking up in verse 9. 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:48.559 It says, 8 and 9, and the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:56.640 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. 00:22:58.640 --> 00:23:01.519 Now, notice here how the wedding is about to begin. 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:06.240 Those five virgins who have prepared well, they're ready to go. 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:08.960 But the five who didn't prepare, they have a dilemma. 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:10.799 They're not able to keep their lamps lit. 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.839 They don't have enough oil. 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:16.559 And so immediately they begin to go to the people next to them and say, Hey, you've prepared well. 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.759 Can I have some of your oil? 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:20.480 But they realize there's not enough for both to go around. 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:27.759 And so they're forced to go into the city and to try to wake up the dealers and to see if they can secure oil so they can be part of this procession. 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:31.839 It's the eleventh hour, but they go out into the city and then notice what it says. 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:40.319 It says, 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. 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:45.039 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:49.519 But he answered, Truly, I say to you, I do not know you. 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:52.720 Now, this is the part of the story that gets kind of strange. 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:53.759 People maybe struggle with it. 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:54.960 It's like, well, hold on. 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:57.200 All of them were expected to be at the feast. 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:58.559 All of them are supposed to be there. 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:59.359 There's a procession. 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:07.759 Clearly, the groom and the bride know who's part of the bridal party, but now all of a sudden, because they're late, the door is shut and he can't open the door and he pretends like he doesn't know them. 00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:08.880 What's up with that? 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:11.359 Some of you maybe struggle with that part of the story. 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:13.680 Can I remind you that this is a parable? 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:19.680 We've called this series once upon a time because these parables aren't true stories, they're just stories. 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:24.799 And from these fictitious stories, we draw truths out of them. 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:27.200 And so this parable is not true, it's an illustration. 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:29.279 Don't get hung up on the story. 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:32.640 Seek to find the deeper meaning, which leads us to our last section. 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:37.359 Now that we've seen number one, the plan, now that we've seen number two, the parable. 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:40.400 Third and finally, let's draw out the point. 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.680 The point. 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:50.319 Jesus ends in verse 13 by saying these words Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. 00:24:51.680 --> 00:25:03.200 Now, let me remind you, there was a verse we looked at in Matthew chapter 24 that spoke about the fact that we don't know the day nor the hour that the Lord Jesus is coming back. 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:05.119 This is repeating that same phrase. 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:09.519 And so this parable is all about the return of Jesus, if you haven't picked that up already. 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:13.440 So in the story, in the parable, the bridegroom is Jesus. 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:26.480 He's the groom, we are the ten virgins, and what the story is teaching us is that while we wait for the return of the groom, we can wait one of two ways, either wise or unwise. 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:36.319 The foolish way, the unwise way, is to wait in such a way that's totally and completely unprepared for the return of Jesus. 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:46.400 Now, in this parable, it's important to notice that the foolish virgins are so unprepared that they actually don't end up making it to the wedding feast, do they? 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:52.640 No, they're outside the door and they're knocking on the door and they're saying, Lord, Lord, and the groom says, I don't know you. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:26:05.839 Now, this should sound familiar if we know our Bibles well, because earlier in Matthew's gospel and Matthew chapter 7 in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talked about the fact that some will cry out, Lord, Lord. 00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:10.000 But they won't enter the kingdom. 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:15.200 And then Jesus goes on to say, I'll say, Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness. 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:17.440 I never knew you. 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:22.160 You see, what Jesus is teaching here is this idea of the wedding feast. 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.960 It's the kingdom. 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:28.400 There are some who will say, Lord, Lord, and they're not actually the Lord's. 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:30.400 They won't enter into the feast. 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:39.920 You see, in this parable, Jesus is explaining, everybody there was invited, everyone was expected, but there were some who were totally unprepared and they didn't enter. 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:43.920 They were unprepared for the delayed arrival of the groom. 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:48.880 And beloved, can I just remind you once again, Jesus is coming back. 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.759 Jesus is coming back. 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:53.039 He gave us a promise. 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:56.640 2,000 years ago, he promised that he will return. 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.440 And guess what? 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.799 We're still waiting. 00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:04.960 After 2,000 years, we're still waiting for the groom to show up and get this party started. 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:12.480 We're waiting for the wedding feast, that day to come, that thing that we're looking forward to when we took communion, we're waiting for that to happen. 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:18.160 And the danger with waiting is that maybe we begin to presume, man, you know, Jesus said he's coming back. 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.279 That was a long time ago. 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:22.720 I don't know if it's really happening anytime soon or really happening at all. 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:24.880 And you begin to get complacent. 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:27.440 You get you begin to get relaxed. 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:30.880 You begin to say, man, I got plenty of time to do what I want. 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:33.359 Let me just live however I please. 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:38.000 The danger is about getting too comfortable. 00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:44.559 I I can tell you I've got firsthand experience of this with the bus, but at the end of the day, it wasn't a big deal when I missed the arrival of the bus. 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:46.079 That's not a problem. 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:48.720 You're unprepared for the arrival of Jesus? 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.920 That's a problem. 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:52.079 That's a big problem. 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:55.599 Jesus is coming back. 00:27:55.759 --> 00:28:00.319 And when he returns, there will be a day of judgment, Scripture says. 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:04.319 For some of you out there, I don't know if you're ready for that day of judgment. 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:08.640 Are you ready, prepared to stand before the judge of all the earth? 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:16.000 Because on that day, I can assure you that the person sitting next to you, their preparedness won't help you out on the day of judgment. 00:28:16.400 --> 00:28:18.079 We saw that with the ten virgins. 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:19.680 There were some that were prepared around them. 00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:26.160 They were friends, and they were trying to rely on their friends' readiness in order to prepare them, and it was insufficient. 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.920 It is so true with you as well. 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:33.200 There's coming a day where you as an individual will have to stand and give an account to the judge of all the earth. 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:35.119 Are you prepared for that day? 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:44.000 You see, for those individuals who are ready, those who are prepared, they're ready because they've repented of their sin. 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:52.480 They've realized that they're sinners and they're desperate and in need of a savior, and so they've placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. 00:28:52.640 --> 00:29:05.279 Those who are ready who are ready for the arrival of Christ, they've already been justified, declared righteous, not because of what they had done, but because of what Jesus has done on their behalf, because of his death, burial, and resurrection. 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:08.720 These are people who are ready for the return of Christ. 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:14.160 Because they've been made right with the holy God through what Jesus has done. 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:16.079 Are you ready for that? 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:20.880 Are you ready for the return of Jesus and for judgment day? 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:22.160 He's coming back. 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:24.160 I believe he's actually coming back soon. 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:29.359 But if he tarries, if he delays further, can I warn you? 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:33.839 Can I warn you not to get complacent? 00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:35.759 Don't get relaxed. 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:38.480 Don't lose sight of the truth that he's coming back. 00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:45.119 The big idea this morning, very simply, that we see in the text is this ready or not, Jesus is coming. 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.119 Jesus is coming. 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:50.400 He's made a promise, and he who promises is faithful. 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:53.759 He made a promise and he will deliver. 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:56.720 And he's inviting you to come to the party when he returns. 00:29:56.880 --> 00:29:58.960 You're invited, you're all invited. 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:01.440 We're invited to the party. 00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:05.599 And he's not given us unclear instructions. 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.400 He's been clear. 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.839 We're not left in the dark. 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:12.000 He's told us what to expect, he's showed us how to live, he's told us to be watchful. 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:13.440 So I hope that you're ready. 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:15.119 I hope that you're paying attention. 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:18.480 I hope that you're prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ. 00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:22.319 I hope you're vigilant about the way that you live and not complacent. 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:27.920 But turning to the Lord and saying, Lord, I'm a sinner in desperate need of salvation. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:30.400 I'm turning from my sin and I'm trusting in Jesus. 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.920 I want to be ready for his return. 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:34.480 I hope that that's your posture this morning. 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:51.759 If you're the person right now in the room who's been living your life for yourself, living complacent, living a life that's all about what you want to do and what your agenda is, completely unaware of what God's agenda for all creation is, you're in trouble. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:59.039 Can I challenge you to wake up, to come to your senses, to be prepared? 00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:00.960 Jesus is coming. 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:02.880 Are you ready for it? 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:05.200 Are you ready for his return? 00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:09.119 Ready or not, Jesus is coming. 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:10.559 Let's pray. 00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:14.960 Lord, thank you for the promise that you've given us. 00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:20.240 We live in a world filled with challenges and hardships and pain and struggle. 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:22.880 And Lord, this should not be surprising to us. 00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:24.319 These are birth pains. 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:34.799 We know that these pains are indicators, signs, as the people ask for from Jesus, that there's something that's coming. 00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:37.039 New creation is coming. 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:45.119 In fact, all creation, as Roman says, groans inwardly as we eagerly await the adoption of sons. 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:48.799 Lord, we long for the fullness of redemption. 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:50.319 We long for new creation. 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:54.640 We long for the king to return, the judge to return. 00:31:54.880 --> 00:32:05.200 We thank you for those of us who've been reconciled to you through faith in Jesus, that that judgment took place on the cross, that we don't have to give an account for our sin that was already dealt with. 00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:09.039 We thank you that on judgment day we don't have to fear condemnation. 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:12.480 There's therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:26.240 But Lord, for the people in the room who've grown complacent, who are living lives for their own agendas, doing whatever they want to do, Lord, I pray that they would be roused in this moment. 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:36.240 That through the power of the Spirit, you would awaken them to the truth of what your plan is, and that they would come and fall before you, repenting and believing the gospel. 00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:37.200 I pray. 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:41.039 So thank you, Lord, for this promise of the return of Jesus. 00:32:41.279 --> 00:32:43.359 May we be people who are ready. 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:46.880 May we be people who say, Come, Lord, Jesus. 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:54.319 I pray that that would be the posture of our heart in this church for your glory and for our good and for the good of those around us. 00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:56.799 We ask and pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:57.759 Amen.