1. Keeping Watch-Part III Parable of the Ten Virgins Matthew 25:1-13

2. Matthew 24:42 Jesus-“Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

3. Matthew 24:42 Jesus-“Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” -like the wise steward

4. Matthew 24:42 Jesus-“Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” -like the wise steward -like the one who kept watch for thieves

5. Matthew 24:42 Jesus-“Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” -like the wise steward -like the one who kept watch for thieves -like the wicked steward, we can easily lose that attitude of ‘keeping watch’.

6. Matthew 25:1-13 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

7. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

8. 10 “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. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

10. Jesus uses this story from His culture to illustrate truths about His second coming

11. He is the Bridegroom who will appear unexpectedly to claim His bride, the Church. He is the Bridegroom who will appear unexpectedly to claim His bride, the Church.

12. Jesus uses this story from His culture to illustrate truths about His second coming He is the Bridegroom who will appear unexpectedly to claim His bride, the Church. He is the Bridegroom who will appear unexpectedly to claim His bride, the Church. John the Baptist is the friend of the bridegroom who announced His coming. John the Baptist is the friend of the bridegroom who announced His coming.

13. Jesus uses this story from His culture to illustrate truths about His second coming He is the Bridegroom who will appear unexpectedly to claim His bride, the Church. He is the Bridegroom who will appear unexpectedly to claim His bride, the Church. John the Baptist is the friend of the bridegroom who announced His coming. John the Baptist is the friend of the bridegroom who announced His coming. Some will be prepared, others will not be. Some will be prepared, others will not be.

14. Jesus uses this story from His culture to illustrate truths about His second coming He is the Bridegroom who will appear unexpectedly to claim His bride, the Church. He is the Bridegroom who will appear unexpectedly to claim His bride, the Church. John the Baptist is the friend of the bridegroom who announced His coming. John the Baptist is the friend of the bridegroom who announced His coming. Some will be prepared, others will not be. Some will be prepared, others will not be. To those not ready, Jesus will say, “I don’t know you”, and the door will be closed for eternity. To those not ready, Jesus will say, “I don’t know you”, and the door will be closed for eternity.

15. Who is Jesus confronting in this story? Unlike the wedding story of Matthew 22, this story isn’t aimed at those who outright reject His message. Unlike the wedding story of Matthew 22, this story isn’t aimed at those who outright reject His message.

16. Who is Jesus confronting in this story? Unlike the wedding story of Matthew 22, this story isn’t aimed at those who outright reject His message. Unlike the wedding story of Matthew 22, this story isn’t aimed at those who outright reject His message. It is aimed at religious seekers who are attracted to His message, but only to the degree that suits their own agenda. It is aimed at religious seekers who are attracted to His message, but only to the degree that suits their own agenda.

17. Key Question: What does the oil represent?

18. The impartation of God’s Holy Spirit The impartation of God’s Holy Spirit The illumination of the Spirit The illumination of the Spirit

19. Charles Spurgeon “A great change has to be wrought in you, far beyond any power of yours to accomplish, before you can go in with Christ to the marriage. You must first of all be renewed in your nature, or you will not be ready. You must be washed from your sins, or you will not be ready. You must be justified in Christ’s righteousness, and you must put on His wedding dress, or you will not be ready. You must be reconciled to God, you must be made like unto God, or you will not be ready. Or, to come to the parable before us, you must have a lamp, and that lamp must be fed with heavenly oil, and it must continue to burn brightly, or else you will not be ready. No child of darkness can go into that place of light. You must be brought out of nature’s darkness into God’s marvelous light, or else you will never be ready to go in with Christ to the marriage, and to be forever with Him.

20. Jesus message to religious seekers: 1) Seeking Him isn’t enough. To get into the wedding feast (heaven) you need oil.

21. 2) Spiritual preparedness for Jesus’ coming isn’t transferable.

22. 1) Seeking Him isn’t enough. To get into the wedding feast (heaven) you need oil. 2) Spiritual preparedness for Jesus’ coming isn’t transferable. 3) Lost opportunities to receive Jesus cannot be re-gained.

23. Alfred Lord Tennyson (virgins) Late, late, so late! And dark the night and chill! Late, late, so late! But we can enter still. (Jesus) Late, late, so late! Ye cannot enter now. (virgins) No light had we; for that we do repent; And learning this, the bridegroom will relent. (Jesus) Late, late, so late! Ye cannot enter now.

24. (virgins) No light; So late! And dark the chill the night O let us in, that we may find the light! (Jesus) Too late, too late; Ye cannot enter now. (virgins) Have we not heard the bridegroom is so sweet? O let us in, tho’ late, to kiss His feet! (Jesus) No, no, it’s too late. Ye cannot enter now. now.