Sermon on 12 March 2023 by Ps Gaius
Introduction
The Holy Spirit teaches us to keep watch, which we told to do from the bible. Let us look to the parable of the ten virgins.
Message
The role of the ten virgins is to wait with lamps to welcome the bridegroom.
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 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.’ 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. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ – Matthew 25:1-12
The five foolish virgins were shut off as they were not being recognized by the bridegroom. Verse 12 tells us that even believers will not be recognized by Jesus if we do not keep watch.
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. – Matthew 25:13
For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.– Matthew 24:37
During the time of Noah, there was a lot of violence and men were corrupt. There was also a lot of enjoyment without keeping watch.
Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. – Genesis 6:11-12
For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. – Matthew 24:38-39
The ark was enormous. It could not have been something Noah made at home; it would have been seen by many people. No doubt they would have asked Noah what it was for, and accordingly received warnings, which they likely ignored and continued enjoying themselves, and only became aware of the flood on the day it happened. Similarly, in our current times, we may be ignoring reminders and putting off living righteously, until it is too late. We can continue to enjoy the Lord’s blessings but do not forget to stay alert.
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. – Matthew 24:42
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. – Matthew 24:44
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. – Matthew 25:13
Why keep watch?
1. The bridegroom will return
2. Everyone will sleep
3. Judgement will happen
What does it require to keep watch?
1. Look upward to God
2. Look inward to check – check our lives – are we living the way as taught by the bible? If we are not, are we returning back to God? Are we repenting?
3. Look forward to move – Faith without works is dead.
How must we keep watch?
1. Prepare abundantly – the wise virgins did not know when the bridegroom would arrive, so they prepared an additional flask of oil. When we prepare for God, prepare abundantly; we want to have more than enough for God. For ourselves, we only need what is sufficient.
2. Prepare always
3. Prepare actively
God wants us to be good stewards. Let us see an example of a bad servant (Matthew 24:48-50).
But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know – Matthew 24:48-50
God wants us to live as taught while waiting for His return, reflecting His gentleness and humility. We do not merely wait. Good stewards continues to be faithful and wise servants.
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? – Matthew 24:45
Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. – Matthew 24:46
Closing
Jesus will return. Let us continue to encourage one another to be good stewards.
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