If I stopped by your house, could I tell that you were preparing for Christmas?
What would I find?
Lights, stockings, wreaths, a Christmas tree?
These are signs that you’re preparing for Christmas.
If I looked at your checkbook or credit card statement, could I tell you were preparing for Christmas?
Would I see purchases that you’ve made to get ready for that special day?
For you husbands who were told not to worry about getting anything for your wife, would I see that you know better, and you bought something anyways?
this morning we’re talking about -
Title: What it Means to be Prepared
What would it be like if we weren’t sure if Christmas was coming or not.
We’d be able to see who was convinced of it by the way they spent the next few weeks.
We’re in the middle of Jesus’ teachings on being prepared.
And these teachings take the form of four parables.
Let’s learn from the story of 10 bridesmaids in v. 1-13
· 1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
· 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 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.’
· 10 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. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
From the first of today’s parables on what it means to be prepared, I implore you to -
1. TAKE JESUS’ RETURN SERIOUSLY.
· 1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
From what we know of the wedding practices of the day, there were many celebrations and ceremonies.
One of these appears to involve the wedding party waiting vigilantly for when the groom would appear to take his bride from her house to a late-night feast.
These virgins would be young women/bridesmaids that were tasked with ushering the groom to the bride.
It may be that they were expected to provide the light for journey and possibly for the feast.
The tern used for lamp actually means a torch which had oil-soaked rags that burned for light.
These would need to be rewrapped with freshly-oiled rags every fifteen minutes or so.
For the foolish bridesmaids to take their torches without oil wasn’t an forgetful mistake.
There seems to be a lack of sincerity in their plans to participate or a lack of belief that the bridegroom is actually going to show up.
We might be tempted to allegorize several items in this parable.
But parables usually communicate just one or two principles.
We can safely know that the bridegroom represents Jesus.
This is clear from other places like 9:14-15 where He describes Himself in this way
* Matthew 9:14–15 14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
From the final instruction on being watchful, we can assume that we’re to be like the wise bridesmaids.
This means believing Jesus’ promise that he’s coming, and thus live in a way that reflect this.
We see in verse 5 the common theme of the returning person being delayed
· 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 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.’
The only meeting that might cause the groom to be delayed in coming to get his wife would be meeting with the bride’s father.
If this is indeed what is assumed in this story, what would be in question is the sincerity of the groom.
The thought would be that, if the bride price ended up too high, he might back out.
According to this thinking, the bridesmaids would be doubting the grooms love & commitment to his bride.
This could “shed some light” onto why the bridesmaids’ lack of oil reflected a lack of faith.
They would be thinking, “The groom isn’t really willing to pay what the bride’s father is asking.”
The lack of preparedness for someone’s coming is the theme of this section for sure.
Their lack of preparedness may be due to a lack of faith.
Once the groom appears and the bridesmaids wake up, they Trimmed their lamps
This literally means they “put their torches in order.”
This parable isn’t intended to encourage selfishness or hording.
Craig Keener’s Bible Background Commentary tells us,
“if the bridesmaids had shared their oil, eventually, none of the torches would’ve had enough for the journey and celebration.”
In verses 10-12 , we see another common theme of those who are unprepared miss out
· 10 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. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
A key statement shows up in v10 those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast
The condition that’s encouraged in Christ’s followers is readiness.
There’s also a strong sense of finality in v. 10 - the door was shut - it’s too late
Again, don’t take this as God relishing the idea of shutting people out from His kingdom.
This is a tragedy being played out.
And it’s clear that the bridesmaids were to blame for their foolishness and insincerity.
I believe this is meant to spark concern in the one who claims to follow Christ but isn’t living with a readiness for His return which the Holy Spirit invokes in the child of God.
Is v12 describing the bridegroom as experiencing amnesia when he answers the unprepared latecomers with I do not know you?
No, these words are meant to invoke a sense of finality and shock for the person that thought they could delay deciding to believe that Jesus is the Messiah that will one day return for us.
These tragic words reflect the same sentiment from Matthew 7:22–23
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
It’s not God being mean and calloused.
It’s God stating the plain facts that would be devastating and leave the person spoken of thinking,
“How could I get something so important so clearly wrong or delay reflecting and believing?!”
You might be thinking, “Where’s God’s grace in this parable?”
God’s grace doesn’t mean opening the door to us even though we haven’t believed in Christ.
God’s grace is what provides for us to believe in Christ.
Jesus gives his command based on this parable in verse 13.
· 10 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. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
The command in this parable is to watch or stay awake - gray-goray-e-o
It’s where we get the name Gregory meaning “one who is watchful”
This is the common theme in these 4 parables we’re in.
It’s not a matter of just staying awake - all the bridesmaids fell asleep.
It’s a matter of being prepared which is evidence of truly believing.
The New Testament Commentary states,
“This parable, like the last (see 24:50), insists that delay is no excuse for not being ready at any time.”
A department store floor manager noticed a young boy staring intently at the handrail of an escalator. The manager walked over to him and asked, "Son, are you all right?" The boy nodded yes without looking up. "Can I help you?" he asked. The boy shook his head no and continued to look at the handrail. "Well, young man, do you want me to explain to you how escalators work?" The lad replied, "No, Mister. I'm just waiting for my gum to come back!"
The little boy was waiting for something physical that he put on the railing himself.
It’d be easy for him to stand there and wait for his gum since he put it on the rail
Waiting on Jesus calls for faith in God’s promises and perseverance in that faith.
It took Noah six months to find a parking space.
Jacob labored 14 years for his wife he wanted.
David waited 15 years to become king.
Israel waited 2,000 years for their promised Messiah.
Even if you die waiting for the Marriage Feast of the Lamb, you’ll be in heaven.
And I’m sure the appetizers are AMAZING!
Be patient.
Someone complained as they paced back and forth, “My problem is that I’m in a hurry, and God is not.”
How do we become watchful?
By believing the gospel
By Trusting Christ as our Redeemer who is returning.
What’s something that partly confirms that we know Christ as our Savior?
Our waiting expectantly for Him to return
What would confirm that someone probably doesn’t have a saving faith?
They’re only prepared to wait for a period of time and no more.
Our second parable on being prepared takes us the issue of HOW the true follower of Christ prepares
· 14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.
· 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
· 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
· 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Remember the banquet of Matt 22:1-14?
There was a man that accepted the invitation but didn’t wear the wedding clothes.
He faced the same result of being thrown out into a place that symbolizes hell.
Like the banquet situation, this parable should be read as a tragedy.
Don’t think that Jesus/God enjoys the idea of people being secluded from His kingdom.
As with the bridesmaids, It is tragic that our rebelliously foolish hearts put us in a place of disbelief outside of God’s grace.
Both their behavior and that of this third servant would’ve been considered very foolish and unexpected.
The original hearer wouldn’t have been surprised by this servant being cast out of the master’s presence.
Jesus’ terms tips His hand that He’s referencing issues of eternal destiny
So, from our second parable, we see that What it Means to be Prepared in that we should -
2. TAKE STEPS TO BEAR FRUIT FOR CHRIST’S KINGDOM.
· 14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
By opening this parable with For, we see that Jesus continues to explain the same theme of these 4 parables - being ready for Jesus’ return.
Jesus tells a story to illustrate this them.
In involves a very rich an with servants that are entrusted with investing his riches while he’s away.
One talent of silver amounted to 6000 days wages for a laborer or 20 years worth of wages.
At $15/hr, we’re talking $600,000.
So, the servants are given around $3 million, $1.2 million, and $600,000.
We’re told that the master did so according to each one’s ability.
These men would have been some of the man’s highest ranking money managers.
As the application of this long parable can’t help but bleed through our walk through it, this is stands out.
We actually call a person’s natural abilities “talents” because of this parable.
With this, the English language acknowledges that natural abilities are a stewardship from God.
· 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.
It was normal for those with capital to be able to make large returns on their money.
These first two servants are doing what was expected in the culture, especially among the Gentiles.
· 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.
The behavior of the third servant would’ve been shocking to Jesus’ disciples as they listen.
It’s clear that he is directly ignoring his master’s intention.
In keeping with the theme of these parables, it may be that this servant was banking on his master not returning and planned to keep the money for himself.
It’s possible that, if he had given the money to the bankers, there would’ve been a paper trail.
Regardless, the fact is that the servant does not do with his master’s wealth what he was supposed to do.
In verse 19, we see again the theme of the Lord character returning after a long/delayed time.
· 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
The idea that the master was gone for a long time matches the with the groom being delayed in the previous parable.
Jesus is clearly calling His followers to persevere in their service despite the length of the wait.
· 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
This is a statement that is commonly understood as applied to the follower of Christ that enters heaven.
Interestingly, we see the second money manager receives the same commendation and reward.
· 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Their receiving the same commendation is a principle that a person showing integrity with smaller ventures shows they might be able to handle larger ones.
It appears that the a heavenly application is being communicated with the statement, “Enter into the joy of your master” as there doesn’t seems to be cultural examples of this
This was not a normal statement of business or reward but seems to point to eternal reward in heaven.
the rest of the parable involves the sad state of the servant that disregarded the master’s wishes.
· 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
When it came time for the unfaithful steward to give back what he had to show for his master’s investment, it was a dismal situation.
The unfaithful servant basically did nothing and wanted nothing to do with this responsibility while his master was away.
He’s basically saying, “I didn’t want to have anything to do with your money because I don’t trust you or like how you do things.”
This is reflected in his saying, Here, you have what is yours.
His description of his master shouldn’t be seen as a description of God.
It was common for Jesus and other teachers to use ungodly people as examples of one or two eternal principles.
The master’s response in v26 either agrees with the servants assessment or calls his bluff by essentially saying, “If you knew me to be this way, your fear of me should’ve been all the motivation you needed.”
The bottom line seems to be that the servant didn’t take the master’s commands seriously.
And like the foolish bridesmaids, his lack of obedience shows a lack of faith.
the land owner continues with his rebuke.
· 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
In v.29, it appears that the king in the story starts to speak the eternal truths that Jesus is getting across.
v. 30 definitely shows the eternal significance of the teaching as this scenario is used to describe a person who represents someone who will be cast into hell
The statement of v. 29 is a the same that Jesus made previously when the disciples asked Him why He taught the crowd in parables.
It seems to be pointing to the gospel and its acceptance.
Everyone who has are those with saving faith.
Upon entering eternity at death or upon Christ’s return, those who have saving faith have only more life to enjoy.
Those who live in this world that God created but do not bow the knee to Christ as Savior are going to have all the beauty and joy of this life is going to be ripped from them and not available when in hell.
What they don’t have is a saving faith.
What will be taken from them is what they might appreciate about the life they lived apart from God.
I don’t have any sort of training or knowledge on how to invest money for retirement.
What I do have is Jimmie over at Edward Jones.
Kelly and I meet with Jimmie once a year and find out what our tiny amount of retirement is doing.
What if I met with Jimmie and he said, “to me what this third servant said to his master.”
I’d probably say, “Why did I give you the money if you weren’t going to invest it for me?”
If you know Christ as your Savior, you have privileges and opportunities to bear spiritual fruit like no other…
How can you maximize your fruit for God’s kingdom while you wait for your Savior’s return?
Much of the answer has to do with your spiritual gifts.
Your spiritual gifting is the area of ministry that bears the most spiritual fruit when you serve with it while walking in obedience to the Lord…
As a church, we should not want it to simply fill ministry needs.
When we look for people to help with ministry, we’re hoping that Harvesters will have a desire to serve God.
We hope to maximize our fruit by plugging you in where you’ll bear fruit - and that requires trying things…
We want you to have the joy of preparing for Christ’s return and enjoying Your Master when He returns.
I asked the question earlier - What would it be like if we weren’t sure if Christmas was coming or not?
In a way, that’s how it was before Jesus came to earth the first time - what we celebrate as Christmas.
It’d been thousands of years since Isreal had been told that they would host the Messiah.
It’d been over 400 years since God had said anything through one of His prophets.
In the time of Jesus birth, most people weren’t waiting expectantly for Him.
There was a man named Simeon, who was waiting.
In fact, he waited in Jerusalem for the Messiah to come.
Finally, he was led by the Holy Spirit into the temple.
And there he saw Jesus with Mary and Joseph.
We’re told in Luke 2:29–32 that he took baby Jesus in his arms and said
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples”
Like Simeon, we’re to be prepared for Jesus’ return to the earth.
We’re to tell others that He has come already to save the world.
But he will come again to judge it.
