Matthew 25:1-13 on the Parable of the 10 Virgins. In this time and age when we are told in Matt 24 to keep alert and keep watch for the Lord returning, the question I ask myself is not am I asleep or awake, but am I prepared? The 5 foolish virgins were so not because they did not anticipate the coming groom or that they fell asleep, it was them not preparing an extra flask of oil when they had to wait a longer time that anticipated. How about us Christ followers today? When we first followed Him, we were on fire, passionate, ever ready to serve. We were preparing and were prepared. But as time passed, are we getting tired? Distracted? Have we stopped preparing and started focusing on having what we want in life? Don’t get me wrong, doing what we need to do in life for a good quality of life in itself is not wrong, but be wary lest we get distracted from preparing for the Lord’s kingdom come. How do we stay in preparation? Live in anticipation of his coming. Do good in the world. But beyond that: share the Gospel, and make disciples of all nations…. How do we make disciples? That is for another message. Til then, God bless you all.

1. 24th SUNDAY after Pentecost: 12th November 2023
Preparing
for the
Coming of
the Groom

2. Major problems we face today globally
Ukraine Gaza

3. How we continue to live
Enjoy food
Worry about future
Work hard
Play hard
Enjoy life

4. What happened before this?

5. What is the message for TODAY?

6. Today…
What does God’s Word have to say to us today?
Matthew 18: 1-20
(Message from Matthew 18: 15-20)

7. 25:1 "Then the kingdom of heaven will
be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their
lamps and went to meet the
bridegroom.
25:2 Five of them were foolish, and five
were wise.
25:3 When the foolish took their lamps,
they took no oil with them;
25:4 but the wise took flasks of oil with
their lamps.
25:5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all
of them became drowsy and slept.

9. 25:6 But at midnight there was a
shout, 'Look! Here is the
bridegroom! Come out to meet
him.'
25:7 Then all those bridesmaids got
up and trimmed their lamps.
25:8 The foolish said to the wise,
'Give us some of your oil, for our
lamps are going out.'
25:9 But the wise replied, 'No! there
will not be enough for you and for
us; you had better go to the dealers
and buy some for yourselves.'

11. 25:10 And while they went to buy
it, the bridegroom came, and those
who were ready went with him into
the wedding banquet; and the
door was shut.
25:11 Later the other bridesmaids
came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open
to us.'
25:12 But he replied, 'Truly I tell
you, I do not know you.'
25:13 Keep awake therefore, for
you know neither the day nor the
hour.

12. What is the message for TODAY?
When is Jesus coming back?
The bridegroom’s return is certain
The timing is not… hence the need for CONSTANT vigilance
Live in anticipation of His coming
Bear witness to His Kingdom

13. I have made You too small in my eyes
O Lord, forgive me
I have believed in a lie
That You were unable to help me
Be Magnified….

14. But now, O Lord, I see my wrong
Heal my heart and show Yourself strong
And in my eyes and with my song
O Lord, be magnified
O Lord, be magnified

15. I have leaned on the wisdom of men
O Lord, forgive me
And I have responded to them
Instead of your light and your mercy

16. But now, O Lord, I see my wrong
Heal my heart and show Yourself strong
And in my eyes and with my song
O Lord, be magnified
O Lord, be magnified

17. Be magnified, O Lord
You are highly exalted
And there is nothing You can't do
O Lord, my eyes are on You
Be magnified
O Lord, be magnified