Switch Sunday October 18, 2015

Are You Living in the Pig Pen of Foolishness? most people trapped here don’t know it, which is why it is one of the hardest places to escape

WHAT THE BIBLE TELLS US ABOUT FOOLS FOOLS think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. (Proverbs 12:15) A FOOL takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. (Proverbs 18:2) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; FOOLS despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) Whoever trusts in his own mind is a FOOL, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26) Doing wrong is like a joke to a FOOL. (Proverbs 10:23)

 About 200 references in the bible about fools/ foolishness  Jesus repeatedly warns people about being foolish o Wise man builds his house on rock; fool builds on sand (Matthew 7:24-27) o Poor rich fool saves up lots of money so he can live the good life, but dies before he can spend the money (Luke 12:13-21)  Greek term for “foolish” used in the new testament is “móros,” which is where we get the word moron. THE PITFALL OF FOOLISHNESS IS A COMMON THEME IN THE BIBLE

Matthew 25: 1-13 The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

THE SETTING Jesus Just Finished Teaching About His Return Matthew 24: 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming…. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Jesus follows his teaching in Chapter 24 with a parable about 10 bridesmaids chapter 25 to help us understand the importance of being ready for his return

Matthew 25 Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids 1 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Bridesmaids = Everyone who has an invitation to heaven Bridegroom = Jesus

Matthew 25 Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.

Matthew 25 Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

Matthew 25 Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids 6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ 7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.

Matthew 25 Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

Matthew 25 Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids 10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.

Matthew 25 Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you! 13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.’

Application #1: Decide Who Christ Is to You! Have you really accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior? 1 John 1:4: If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 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.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ The foolish bridesmaids were focused on going to the party rather than honoring the bridegroom. In the same way, if you haven’t really surrendered you life to Christ, you will not get into heaven.

Application #2: Stop Hanging Out with Fools! If you really love Christ, why would you hang out with people who tempt you to sin? 1 Cor 15:33: “Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” Prov 13:20: “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” If you hang out with 4 people who are making wise decisions, you will probably make wise decisions, too. But if you hangout with 4 fools, you will probably become the fifth fool.

Application #3: Rely on Christ, not Others Your relationship with Christ is a personal responsibility; just hanging out with other Christians won’t get you into the Kingdom of Heaven John 14:6: “Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me..” The 5 fools thought the 5 wise bridesmaids would help them out, but they didn’t. In the end, only the bridegroom’s opinion of the bridesmaids mattered, and the wise ones knew this.

Application #4: Live Like Christ Is Coming Today Will you want to run to him or hide from him when he comes?  Spend time in his word  Read a book of the bible (Genesis, Matthew, Mark, Luke or John)  It only takes about 70 hours to listen to the whole bible  Obey His Commands  Honor your parents by doing what they ask of you when they ask you  Stop lying and cheating  Stop looking at porn  Stop wanting things that other people have  Stop gossiping  Engage and Serve Others  Make Switch a priority and attend every week  Look for opportunities to serve others and take action!

 Jesus is always looking out for what is best for you  You only get one chance to:  Grow up with your brothers and sisters  Be a teenager  Have a first marriage  Raise your children  Don’t waste your life being trapped in foolishness; if you do: you won’t know it’s too late until it’s too late! CHRIST LOVES YOU AND WANTS YOU TO BE WITH HIM FOREVER