Are You Ready?
January 15, 2023

Are You Ready.jpg


January 15, 2023
Dave Stephens


ARE YOU READY?

    Are we ready personally?
    Are we ready to lead?

We need to be ready…then we have to be ready to help others be ready.

Matthew 25:1-13
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘ Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”


We looked at a couple of thoughts Last week…

1. It’s What’s Inside the Lamp that Matters Most

    In this parable, having a lamp was not enough to meet the Groom.

    The lamp represents our life. The oil in scripture always represents… the presence of the Holy Spirit.
    With no oil, the lamp was virtually useless. This leads to an important question. Are you focused on what the outside of the lamp looks like, or do you care about what’s fueling the lamp?

2. Your Lamp Can Go Out
    You are an oil lamp…if we aren’t attentive, the oil burns away and must be replenished.
    “BE CONTINUALLY FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT.”
    We know we’re continually being filled with the Holy Spirit when the fruit is growing in our lives…

    Galatians 5:22-23, Paul says that the Spirit produces a sign in us that lets us know if we’re being replenished:
      “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (ESV).


This Week…

3. This Is a Parable About the
Reveal Answer


    The Rapture is a Christian belief, based on scripture, that Jesus is returning to take those who are in relationship with Him, to heaven. It’s referred to as the rapture of the church. The bible has several ways of describing this, but in this parable, its exemplified by the bride (Christ followers) and the groom (Christ Himself).

    Consider what Paul said in Thessalonians. You may notice some parallels.

      “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

    Jesus was helping his disciples understand what that day will be like when he returns for us.


4. Preparation Happens
Reveal Answer
You
Reveal Answer


    Remember: we are preparing now for what’s to come in the future.
    Once you die or fall asleep, it is too late. There is no more preparation. Your eternity is sealed. Remember, those who were ready went into the banquet, and the door was shut. Those who were not ready were locked out.

    The day of decision is now, and we want as many people as possible to enter that banquet when he comes. Today is the day of salvation.


5. The Greatest
Reveal Answer
in
Reveal Answer


    I think one of the most stunning statements in this entire story is verse 12.

      “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’”
    In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said on that day, there will be many people who had done things in His name. Yet his response to them will be, “depart from me I never knew you.” (Matthew 7:23). This leads me to believe the greatest question in life is not, “Do you know Jesus?”

The greatest question in life: Does Jesus know you?


Many recognize him as their savior, but not their Lord. There is responsibility of the believer in the relationship. I must submit my will - to His.

When we say, “Jesus is Lord,” we commit ourselves to obey Him fully. Jesus asked, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).

An acknowledgment of Jesus’ lordship is accompanied by a submission to Jesus’ authority. If Jesus is Lord, He owns us; He has the right to tell us what to do.

Does Jesus know you? Would he say that you are obedient to His will?
Are You Ready to meet Him?


The parable of the 10 virgins is a wake-up call.

This parable is a wake-up call to those who believe they can live a life contrary to the word of God and still have the promises of God. According to the parable, those who have empty lamps.

More than ever before, if you are not living the way you should, this is the day to get it right.

Do you have oil in your lamp? Are you Ready?


The urgency of this story cannot be taken lightly. The parable of 10 virgins is about preparation and readiness. That preparation begins now. If you don’t do anything else in this life, make sure you are ready for his appearing.

You don’t want to miss it!