March 10, 2025 • 21 mins
Are you spiritually prepared for the unexpected? Join Pastors Lee and Jim in this enlightening episode of Beyond Sunday as they unpack the profound lessons from the Parable of the Ten Virgins found in Matthew 25. This timeless parable teaches us the importance of personal faith and highlights the necessity of being spiritually awake and ready as we anticipate Christ’s return.
In this episode, we explore why each of us must cultivate our own relationship with God rather than relying on the faith of others. Pastors Lee and Jim dive deep into the story of the wise and foolish virgins, discussing how living off someone else’s spiritual oil can lead to unpreparedness when the call comes. They remind us that spiritual maturity is a personal journey that requires investment, effort, and intentionality.
The episode also emphasizes the urgency of staying alert in our faith, especially when life presents delays and uncertainties. Just like the wise virgins who prepared for the bridegroom’s arrival, we are called to live with anticipation and purpose. Tune in to learn how to keep your lamp full and shining brightly in a world that often distracts us from our true calling.
Let this be a reminder that our spiritual lives are not to be taken lightly. The call to action is clear: keep your lamp full, and encourage those around you to do the same. Subscribe to our podcast today and join us in this essential journey of faith. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and insights with us—how are you ensuring your spiritual preparedness?
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Beyond Sunday, the podcast that takes
you deeper into the Word of Godthroughout your week With your
hosts, Pastors Lee and Jim.
It's time to inspire, upliftand dig deeper.
Beyond Sunday starts now.
Welcome back to Beyond Sunday.
(00:23):
Friends, I'm Pastor Jim herewith Pastor Lee.
We are excited to be joiningyou today with another parable
from the book of Matthew,beginning in the 25th chapter,
and we're going to be talkingabout the parable of the 10
virgins, and really there ain'tnothing to do but just to get
right into it, so we're going tostart diving in straight to the
scriptures.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Yeah, that's right, guys.
We're coming from Matthew,chapter 25, verses 1 through 13.
And if you've got your Bibles,let's go ahead and get there.
Jesus is teaching in the textand this is what the Word of God
says Then the kingdom of heavenwill be like 10 virgins who
took their lamps and went tomeet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish andfive were wise.
For when the foolish took theirlamps, they took no oil with
(01:05):
them, but the wise took flask ofoil with their lamps.
As the bridegroom was delayed,they all became drowsy and slept
.
But at midnight there was a cryhere is the bridegroom, come
out to meet him.
Then all those virgins rose andtrimmed their lamps and the
foolish said to the wise Give ussome of your oil, for our lamps
are going out.
But the wise answered sayingsince there will not be enough
(01:31):
for us and for you, go rather tothe dealers and buy for
yourselves.
And while they were going tobuy, the bridegroom came and
those who were ready went inwith him to the marriage feast
and the door was shut.
Afterward the other virginscame also saying Lord, lord,
open to us.
But he answered truly, I say toyou, I do not know you Watch,
therefore, for you know neitherthe day nor the hour.
(01:54):
You know, pastor Jim, in awedding ceremony back then, two
things would take place First,the bridegroom and his friends
would go to claim the bride fromher parents' home, and then,
after that, the bride and thegroom well, they would return to
claim the bride from herparents' home.
And then, after that, the brideand the groom well, they would
return to the house of the groomfor what was called the
marriage feast.
So what we are seeing here isthat the groom has gone to take
(02:16):
with him his bride.
Today, the church, you and I,we are the bride, jesus Christ,
well, he is the groom, he is thebridegroom, okay.
And so here we have thisbeautiful illustration, this
beautiful picture of Christreturning in the rapture to take
back the saints, the church.
And there's going to come a daywhen that eastern sky is going
(02:40):
to split wide open and JesusChrist will return.
There will be that trumpetblast and the bride, the church,
is going back home with thebridegroom.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Yeah, all of that's so important because at first
glance, if you don't startlooking deeper in the text, it
might seem like this is just astory about some lamps, about
some oil, about some virgins,but at the end of the day, it's
so much more going on here.
Jesus is teaching just like yousaid, Pastor Lee really about
spiritual preparedness and theurgency that we need to be
(03:10):
having as Christians to livewith a purpose.
That's right.
It's really a reality that wecan't afford to be spiritually
complacent, and I want to breakthat down, and I'm going to jump
to verse 8 and 9 to do it,because the first point that I
really want to bring to thetable today is this you cannot
borrow your faith.
In verse 8, the foolish virginsasked the wise virgins will you
(03:33):
give us some of your oil?
For our lamps are going out.
But the wise virgins they replywell, since there won't be any
enough for us, you need to go,and rather go to the dealers and
buy it for yourselves.
I think Jesus is pointing outhere something critical about
our own spiritual preparedness.
You cannot rely on somebodyelse's faith to sustain you,
(03:56):
your relationship with God.
It's personal.
You cannot borrow oil, and whatthat means is you can't borrow
someone else's walk with God.
Their relationship with Christis their faith.
It's what they got going on.
It's something that only youcan cultivate for yourself.
And really Paul says it when hesays work out your own
salvation.
He says it in Philippians workout your own salvation, because
(04:19):
salvation, faith and spiritualreadiness, they're all personal
responsibilities.
Hebrews 12 says this fix youreyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith.
It is not about waiting forsomeone else to get us ready.
It's about us personallywalking with Jesus, cultivating
our own faith and filling ourlamps with oil daily.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yeah, you know I've seen this happen a lot within
the church, where someone triesto live off of someone else's
oil.
You know, and when I say a lotin the church, I'm not just
specifically speaking aboutwhere we go, I'm saying I've
been through different churchesin my life.
I've got friends from otherchurches, you know, and we talk,
(05:03):
you know we share, and so whenI say I see this a lot in church
, I'm talking about the body ofChrist.
You know the bride that we arementioning in the text right now
.
But I've seen it happen a lotwhere someone tries to live off
of someone else's Christianity.
Somebody tries to live off ofsomebody else's oil.
They're living off of somebodyelse's joy, somebody else's
(05:24):
relationship with the Lord.
And if you're taking notes youcan just jot this down you must
have your own oil, you know, andI don't want to live off of
yesterday's oil either.
You know I want fresh oil.
I want fresh oil today.
That type of person that livesoff of somebody else's oil.
You know they come to church,they go through the motions,
they enjoy the fellowship ofGod's people while they're there
(05:45):
, but they lack their ownpersonal relationship with the
Lord.
That type of person they'retrying to live off of other
people's oil, but at the end ofthe day we can't do that.
We got to have our own.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
Yeah, I've actually heard this before as well.
You know someone will look atand I'll just use you as an
example.
Pastor Lee, you get up and youpreach every single Sunday and
there might be somebody who says, man, I want to be that.
But they forget that it takeswork and it takes years of
prayer.
It takes years of being on yourface.
It takes years of maturation.
It takes years of going beforethe Lord and seeking knowledge
(06:20):
to be able to get up in front ofpeople and speak and preach and
hear from the Lord and be soattuned to what the Spirit is
doing in and through your lifethat you have reached that part
where God has you.
But someone might look at youand say, well, I want that, but
they forget that there has to bework that goes into it.
So, just like these virginsright, they were smart, they
(06:40):
were wise, they stored up oiland now you just can't say let
me get some of that.
You need to go get on your face.
You need to go get on having arelationship with the Lord for
yourself and letting that mature.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Yeah, it's a lot of time, a lot of sacrifice, a lot
of training ground and if peoplejump into it too quick in any
call in life it can destroy themif they get there too early.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Yeah, and that's going to bring me to my second
point, which is spiritualpreparedness requires
anticipation.
If you look at verse five,we're told that the bridegroom
was delayed and that they allbecame drowsy and slept.
The delay of the bridegroom, asunexpected as it was, shows us
that life isn't always going togo according to our plans.
The virgins couldn't controlthe timing of the bridegroom's
(07:27):
arrival.
But the wise virgins, they,were ready in advance.
They didn't wait until the lastminute.
They were anticipating thedelay and they were prepared for
it.
The principle in all of that islike James 5, 7 tells us and
encourages us that we need to bepatient and anticipate the
Lord's return.
It says be patient, therefore,brothers, until the coming of
the Lord.
(07:48):
See how the farmer waits forthe precious fruit of the earth,
being patient about it until itreceives the early and the late
rains.
Being spiritually prepared isabout living with the
expectation and urgency, evenwhen things seem to be delayed.
We're called to live inanticipation of God's return,
staying faithful in the waitingand not being lulled into this
(08:09):
spiritual sleep and losingmeaningful time.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Yeah, you know, the fourth verse tells us that the
wise took extra oil knowing thatthey would need it.
There was a delay in the comingof the bridegroom, and so if
you're wondering what's takingthe Lord, jesus Christ, so long
to get the church, allow me toremind you of 2 Peter, chapter 3
, verses 8 through 9, where itsays this but do not overlook
(08:35):
this one fact beloved that withthe Lord, one day is as a
thousand years and a thousandyears as one day.
The Lord is not slow to fulfillhis promise, as some count
slowness, but is patient towardyou, not wishing that any should
perish, but that all shouldreach repentance.
So, you see, it's so veryimportant, pastor Jim, that as
(08:58):
we wait for the return of ourLord, we inventory our oil.
We don't want to run out ofthat fresh oil.
That's why it's so veryimportant to get into a good
church, a Bible-teaching,god-honoring, god-fearing church
, and begin to serve within thatchurch building and begin
growing and strengtheningrelationships with other people
(09:22):
who are like-minded in Christ.
So we may be here for a whilelonger, but I want to make sure
that my light is always shiningfor Christ, and can I just say
that I'm thankful for the delay,because it was the delay that
allowed me to come to Christ.
So, in the process of waitingfor the return of the Lord I'm
(09:43):
not getting impatient I'm tryingto see who else needs to come
to Christ.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
And that point actually speaks to the urgency.
When you look at Matthew 25, 10through 12, speaks to the
urgency.
You know, when you look atMatthew 25, 10 through 12,
there's this powerful image ofthe door being shut.
The kingdom of God is not aplace where you can just show up
whenever we feel like it.
There's going to be moments inour life that require readiness
and if we aren't prepared whenit calls, then the door is going
(10:08):
to be closed on us.
And to me that's a supersobering thought, you know,
especially when you look atMatthew 7, and Jesus says not
everyone who says to me, lord,lord, is going to be entering
into the kingdom of heaven,right?
So it's not about just sayingthe right words or showing up
when it's convenient.
The wise virgins they wereready before the door was shut.
(10:29):
They lived their lives without,or rather with the knowledge
that the opportunity to enterinto God's feast it's not a
guarantee.
The invitation's there, but youhave to choose to accept it.
And they made sure and that wasthe biggest difference, they
made sure that they wereprepared to be able to accept
the invitation to enter into thefeast.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Yeah, you know.
As Christians we need thatfresh oil.
You know our lamps must remainburning so others can see the
light.
And we know through the textthat all 10 started out with oil
in the lamp, you know, but onlyfive bought extra oil, you know
.
So I'm reminded of what Jesustaught in Matthew, chapter 5,
verses 14 through 16, when Jesussays this you are the light of
(11:12):
the world.
14 through 16, when Jesus saysthis you are the light of the
world.
A city set on a hill cannot behidden, nor do people light a
lamp and put it under a basket,but on a stand, and it gives
light to all in the house In thesame way.
Let your light shine beforeothers so that they may see your
good works and give glory toyour Father, who is in heaven.
Oh, child of God, can I justsay this if you're listening, I
(11:34):
just want to encourage you rightnow to let your light shine for
the glory of our Lord.
This world is already darkenough, pastor Jim.
It does not need peopleclaiming to be the bride of
Christ but lacking the oil andnot shining their light.
Let's just remember what theoil is a representation of so
many times throughout Scripture.
You know both Old and NewTestament.
(11:55):
The oil is a representation ofthe Spirit of God, you know.
And how many people claimChrist but, man, you don't see
any fruit in their life.
You know they claim to be aChristian, but we just don't see
fruit coming from theirtestimony.
You know it's just lacking, youknow.
So they bear the name, pastorJim, but where's the oil?
(12:18):
You know, where's the oil?
The light's not shining.
You know the light's not on.
And so I just want to encourageour listeners as children of
God, it's our responsibility tolet the light shine for the
glory of the Lord.
And so here's your reminder.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
We got to keep our lamps full, right?
What are you filling your lampswith the oil?
Is this representation of yourspiritual life, our relationship
with God, our faith, ouractions?
The wise virgins took flasks ofoil with their lamps, right?
You can see that in verse four,ensuring that they were ready
when the bridegroom arrived.
Psalm 119, 105 tells us yourword is a lamp to my feet and a
(12:58):
light to my path, and this isthe fuel that we need to keep
our lamps burning brightly.
We're also told in Ephesians5.18 to be filled with the
Spirit.
We must continuously replenishour lamps by staying connected
to God's word and staying inprayer and worship and being
obedient to his leading, as wetalked about last week with
(13:19):
following the Good Shepherd.
He is our leader and we need toreally lean into that.
So, really, the question that Ihave for you today is this is
your lamp full and what's itfilled with?
Are you filling it with thingsthat will sustain you
spiritually, things that willkeep you ready when that call
comes?
Speaker 2 (13:37):
Yeah, that's so good, brother.
If I could for a minute getback to a point we were both
making just a few moments ago,in Matthew 25, 7 through 9,
where it says then all thosevirgins rose and trimmed their
lamps and the foolish said tothe wise give us some of your
oil, for our lamps are going out.
But the wise answered sayingsince there will not be enough
for us and for you, go rather tothe dealers and buy for
(13:59):
yourselves.
And we talked about how we'veseen this happening within the
churches, within the body ofChrist.
I'd like to address with ourlisteners if you know someone
like that, if you know someonethat really enjoys being in the
fellowship.
They really enjoy hanging outwith Christian guys or Christian
girls, and you know theirbrothers and sisters and they
enjoy the fellowship, but youjust don't see them stepping out
(14:23):
into the deep end, if you will,and just completely selling out
and doing what it takes.
I think it's our role, as thosewho do have the oil and our
lamps burning.
I think it's our role tolovingly encourage these people
to pick their Bible up, to readtheir Bible.
Someone could say well, youknow, I'm not a good reader man.
Nowadays you can pick yourphone up and listen to it.
You know you can have someoneelse on your phone read it to
(14:46):
you.
You know I mean get it in there.
However, you got to get it inthere.
But I think we do a hugedisservice to our brothers and
sisters who are not growingdeeper in their faith.
They're kind of mooching off ofour oil, if you will.
You know, I think we do a hugedisservice when we don't
encourage them to get some oilof their own.
(15:08):
And in Matthew, chapter 25, 10through 12, it goes on to say
and while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came and those
who were ready went in with himto the marriage feast and the
door was shut.
Afterward the other virginscame also saying Lord, lord,
open to us.
But he answered.
Truly, I say to you I do notknow you, pastor, Jim, you know.
(15:33):
I just want to make a point.
It says the door was shut and,brother, when the door is shut,
the door is shut.
I'm reminded of Matthew, chapter7, 21 and 23, when Jesus says
not everyone who says to me,lord, lord, will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but the onewho does the will of my father,
who is in heaven.
On that day, many will say tome Lord, lord, did we not
prophesy in your name and castout demons in your name and do
(15:55):
many mighty works in your name?
And then I will declare to themI never knew you.
Depart from me, you workers oflawlessness.
You see, pastor Jim, the issueis this Jesus is saying to those
types of people I never knewyou.
In other words, there was nopersonal relationship.
There was no personalrelationship there.
That type of person, they mayhave had a religion, they may
(16:17):
have been religious, they mayhave been churched up, but they
lacked in relationship.
It's not religion that gets usinto heaven.
It's not church that gets usinto heaven.
It's having a relationship withGod through Jesus Christ, his
personal Lord and Savior.
And for all those that arelistening and maybe you are
gently being convicted by theHoly Spirit right now, that
(16:38):
you've been borrowing someoneelse's oil, can I just say my
oil can't get you into heaven,my name can't get you into
heaven, pastor Jim's oil andname can't get you into heaven.
Where you go to church and yourattendance record to that
church cannot get you intoheaven.
You must have your own oil.
You must have your own personal, real, intimate relationship
(16:59):
with Jesus Christ as Lord andSavior.
So we cannot make it to gloryon someone else's oil.
And again I say, if you knowsomeone like this, please love
them enough to share with themthat it is their responsibility
to grow in the Lord, to readGod's Word, to worship God, to
walk with the Lord and havetheir own oil.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
God's Word, to worship God, to walk with the
Lord and have their own oil andman.
That's so good.
And it leads right into thenext verse, in 13, where there's
really this importance ofpersonal responsibility.
Jesus closes this parable witha clear call to action.
He says Watch.
Therefore, you know neither theday nor the hour, and that is a
reminder that we don't know whenthe end's going to come.
We don't know when Christ isgoing to return, but what we do
(17:43):
know is that we are responsiblefor being ready at all times.
This mirrors what we read in 1Thessalonians, in chapter 5,
verses 2 through 6, where Paulreminds us that the day of the
Lord will come, like a thief inthe night, and he says we must
stay awake, stay sober, andthere's this sense of urgency
here.
Man, spiritual preparationisn't something that we can just
(18:05):
put off until tomorrow.
It's not something that we canjust rely on somebody else to
carry us with them through.
We must live with this sense oftoday being the day to be ready
, to be fully engaged in ourrelationship with God and
anticipate Christ's return.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Yeah, that's right man.
Right here, at the closing ofthis teaching, we see Jesus
giving a warning.
And this warning, friends, isfor all of us, it's for every
one of us.
Watch, therefore, for you knowneither the day nor the hour.
And I just want to take a momentbefore we close and maybe
consider some people that youknow that you've got to
(18:43):
encourage to get some fresh oil.
You know, maybe they've been aChristian for a long time and
they've just kind of juststepped back for a moment.
Or, you know, maybe they'vejust we're all in so much to the
point where maybe they've justkind of burnt out and you've got
to encourage them through loveto get back into that fresh oil.
Or maybe they've just beenblinded by the goodness and
(19:05):
fellowship that Christians offerthem and they just kind of
mooch off of that, they moochoff of other people's faith,
they mooch off of other people'soil and they just feel like
kind of riding along for thejourney is good enough for them.
You know, I want to encourageyou to get out there and share
with those people too that theyneed the fresh oil of God.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
Amen, and you know I think that is a really good
point to end on and go ahead andgo before the Lord and pray
that a fresh oil would fall onus and everyone listening right
now.
Father, we love you, we praiseyou, we're so grateful for an
opportunity that you show up,even in this podcast.
(19:46):
Lord, we do pray that a freshoil would fall on us and your
people and, father, that wewould begin to think about these
things and be prepared For weknow not the time nor the hour
upon your return.
But, lord, we know that you'veleft us with a call and a clear
purpose, and that's to liveclosely to you, learn more about
(20:06):
you and gain more Christians,grow your kingdom and, father,
that's what we pray that youwould give us the strength and
perseverance to continue to do.
We love you and we praise you.
It's in Jesus' name that wepray Amen to continue to do.
We love you and we praise you.
It's in Jesus' name that wepray Amen.
(20:26):
So, friends, jesus ischallenging us in this parable
to be wise and to live withanticipation, stay spiritually
awake and take personalresponsibility of our faith.
Remember your friend's faithwon't get you in.
We don't know when Christ willreturn.
We don't know when he's goingto come back, but what we do
know is that we need to be readyat all times.
So thank you for joining ustoday, on Beyond Sunday.
Let's go out this week ready tolive for God with purpose and
(20:48):
intentionality.
Keep your lamp full and we'llsee you next time on Beyond
Sunday.
You.
Welcome to Beyond Sunday, the podcast that takes
you deeper into the Word of Godthroughout your week With your
hosts, Pastors Lee and Jim.
It's time to inspire, upliftand dig deeper.
Beyond Sunday starts now.
Welcome back to Beyond Sunday.
(00:23):
Friends, I'm Pastor Jim herewith Pastor Lee.
We are excited to be joiningyou today with another parable
from the book of Matthew,beginning in the 25th chapter,
and we're going to be talkingabout the parable of the 10
virgins, and really there ain'tnothing to do but just to get
right into it, so we're going tostart diving in straight to the
scriptures.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Yeah, that's right, guys.
We're coming from Matthew,chapter 25, verses 1 through 13.
And if you've got your Bibles,let's go ahead and get there.
Jesus is teaching in the textand this is what the Word of God
says Then the kingdom of heavenwill be like 10 virgins who
took their lamps and went tomeet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish andfive were wise.
For when the foolish took theirlamps, they took no oil with
(01:05):
them, but the wise took flask ofoil with their lamps.
As the bridegroom was delayed,they all became drowsy and slept
.
But at midnight there was a cryhere is the bridegroom, come
out to meet him.
Then all those virgins rose andtrimmed their lamps and the
foolish said to the wise Give ussome of your oil, for our lamps
are going out.
But the wise answered sayingsince there will not be enough
(01:31):
for us and for you, go rather tothe dealers and buy for
yourselves.
And while they were going tobuy, the bridegroom came and
those who were ready went inwith him to the marriage feast
and the door was shut.
Afterward the other virginscame also saying Lord, lord,
open to us.
But he answered truly, I say toyou, I do not know you Watch,
therefore, for you know neitherthe day nor the hour.
(01:54):
You know, pastor Jim, in awedding ceremony back then, two
things would take place First,the bridegroom and his friends
would go to claim the bride fromher parents' home, and then,
after that, the bride and thegroom well, they would return to
claim the bride from herparents' home.
And then, after that, the brideand the groom well, they would
return to the house of the groomfor what was called the
marriage feast.
So what we are seeing here isthat the groom has gone to take
(02:16):
with him his bride.
Today, the church, you and I,we are the bride, jesus Christ,
well, he is the groom, he is thebridegroom, okay.
And so here we have thisbeautiful illustration, this
beautiful picture of Christreturning in the rapture to take
back the saints, the church.
And there's going to come a daywhen that eastern sky is going
(02:40):
to split wide open and JesusChrist will return.
There will be that trumpetblast and the bride, the church,
is going back home with thebridegroom.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Yeah, all of that's so important because at first
glance, if you don't startlooking deeper in the text, it
might seem like this is just astory about some lamps, about
some oil, about some virgins,but at the end of the day, it's
so much more going on here.
Jesus is teaching just like yousaid, Pastor Lee really about
spiritual preparedness and theurgency that we need to be
(03:10):
having as Christians to livewith a purpose.
That's right.
It's really a reality that wecan't afford to be spiritually
complacent, and I want to breakthat down, and I'm going to jump
to verse 8 and 9 to do it,because the first point that I
really want to bring to thetable today is this you cannot
borrow your faith.
In verse 8, the foolish virginsasked the wise virgins will you
(03:33):
give us some of your oil?
For our lamps are going out.
But the wise virgins they replywell, since there won't be any
enough for us, you need to go,and rather go to the dealers and
buy it for yourselves.
I think Jesus is pointing outhere something critical about
our own spiritual preparedness.
You cannot rely on somebodyelse's faith to sustain you,
(03:56):
your relationship with God.
It's personal.
You cannot borrow oil, and whatthat means is you can't borrow
someone else's walk with God.
Their relationship with Christis their faith.
It's what they got going on.
It's something that only youcan cultivate for yourself.
And really Paul says it when hesays work out your own
salvation.
He says it in Philippians workout your own salvation, because
(04:19):
salvation, faith and spiritualreadiness, they're all personal
responsibilities.
Hebrews 12 says this fix youreyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith.
It is not about waiting forsomeone else to get us ready.
It's about us personallywalking with Jesus, cultivating
our own faith and filling ourlamps with oil daily.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yeah, you know I've seen this happen a lot within
the church, where someone triesto live off of someone else's
oil.
You know, and when I say a lotin the church, I'm not just
specifically speaking aboutwhere we go, I'm saying I've
been through different churchesin my life.
I've got friends from otherchurches, you know, and we talk,
(05:03):
you know we share, and so whenI say I see this a lot in church
, I'm talking about the body ofChrist.
You know the bride that we arementioning in the text right now
.
But I've seen it happen a lotwhere someone tries to live off
of someone else's Christianity.
Somebody tries to live off ofsomebody else's oil.
They're living off of somebodyelse's joy, somebody else's
(05:24):
relationship with the Lord.
And if you're taking notes youcan just jot this down you must
have your own oil, you know, andI don't want to live off of
yesterday's oil either.
You know I want fresh oil.
I want fresh oil today.
That type of person that livesoff of somebody else's oil.
You know they come to church,they go through the motions,
they enjoy the fellowship ofGod's people while they're there
(05:45):
, but they lack their ownpersonal relationship with the
Lord.
That type of person they'retrying to live off of other
people's oil, but at the end ofthe day we can't do that.
We got to have our own.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
Yeah, I've actually heard this before as well.
You know someone will look atand I'll just use you as an
example.
Pastor Lee, you get up and youpreach every single Sunday and
there might be somebody who says, man, I want to be that.
But they forget that it takeswork and it takes years of
prayer.
It takes years of being on yourface.
It takes years of maturation.
It takes years of going beforethe Lord and seeking knowledge
(06:20):
to be able to get up in front ofpeople and speak and preach and
hear from the Lord and be soattuned to what the Spirit is
doing in and through your lifethat you have reached that part
where God has you.
But someone might look at youand say, well, I want that, but
they forget that there has to bework that goes into it.
So, just like these virginsright, they were smart, they
(06:40):
were wise, they stored up oiland now you just can't say let
me get some of that.
You need to go get on your face.
You need to go get on having arelationship with the Lord for
yourself and letting that mature.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Yeah, it's a lot of time, a lot of sacrifice, a lot
of training ground and if peoplejump into it too quick in any
call in life it can destroy themif they get there too early.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Yeah, and that's going to bring me to my second
point, which is spiritualpreparedness requires
anticipation.
If you look at verse five,we're told that the bridegroom
was delayed and that they allbecame drowsy and slept.
The delay of the bridegroom, asunexpected as it was, shows us
that life isn't always going togo according to our plans.
The virgins couldn't controlthe timing of the bridegroom's
(07:27):
arrival.
But the wise virgins, they,were ready in advance.
They didn't wait until the lastminute.
They were anticipating thedelay and they were prepared for
it.
The principle in all of that islike James 5, 7 tells us and
encourages us that we need to bepatient and anticipate the
Lord's return.
It says be patient, therefore,brothers, until the coming of
the Lord.
(07:48):
See how the farmer waits forthe precious fruit of the earth,
being patient about it until itreceives the early and the late
rains.
Being spiritually prepared isabout living with the
expectation and urgency, evenwhen things seem to be delayed.
We're called to live inanticipation of God's return,
staying faithful in the waitingand not being lulled into this
(08:09):
spiritual sleep and losingmeaningful time.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Yeah, you know, the fourth verse tells us that the
wise took extra oil knowing thatthey would need it.
There was a delay in the comingof the bridegroom, and so if
you're wondering what's takingthe Lord, jesus Christ, so long
to get the church, allow me toremind you of 2 Peter, chapter 3
, verses 8 through 9, where itsays this but do not overlook
(08:35):
this one fact beloved that withthe Lord, one day is as a
thousand years and a thousandyears as one day.
The Lord is not slow to fulfillhis promise, as some count
slowness, but is patient towardyou, not wishing that any should
perish, but that all shouldreach repentance.
So, you see, it's so veryimportant, pastor Jim, that as
(08:58):
we wait for the return of ourLord, we inventory our oil.
We don't want to run out ofthat fresh oil.
That's why it's so veryimportant to get into a good
church, a Bible-teaching,god-honoring, god-fearing church
, and begin to serve within thatchurch building and begin
growing and strengtheningrelationships with other people
(09:22):
who are like-minded in Christ.
So we may be here for a whilelonger, but I want to make sure
that my light is always shiningfor Christ, and can I just say
that I'm thankful for the delay,because it was the delay that
allowed me to come to Christ.
So, in the process of waitingfor the return of the Lord I'm
(09:43):
not getting impatient I'm tryingto see who else needs to come
to Christ.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
And that point actually speaks to the urgency.
When you look at Matthew 25, 10through 12, speaks to the
urgency.
You know, when you look atMatthew 25, 10 through 12,
there's this powerful image ofthe door being shut.
The kingdom of God is not aplace where you can just show up
whenever we feel like it.
There's going to be moments inour life that require readiness
and if we aren't prepared whenit calls, then the door is going
(10:08):
to be closed on us.
And to me that's a supersobering thought, you know,
especially when you look atMatthew 7, and Jesus says not
everyone who says to me, lord,lord, is going to be entering
into the kingdom of heaven,right?
So it's not about just sayingthe right words or showing up
when it's convenient.
The wise virgins they wereready before the door was shut.
(10:29):
They lived their lives without,or rather with the knowledge
that the opportunity to enterinto God's feast it's not a
guarantee.
The invitation's there, but youhave to choose to accept it.
And they made sure and that wasthe biggest difference, they
made sure that they wereprepared to be able to accept
the invitation to enter into thefeast.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Yeah, you know.
As Christians we need thatfresh oil.
You know our lamps must remainburning so others can see the
light.
And we know through the textthat all 10 started out with oil
in the lamp, you know, but onlyfive bought extra oil, you know
.
So I'm reminded of what Jesustaught in Matthew, chapter 5,
verses 14 through 16, when Jesussays this you are the light of
(11:12):
the world.
14 through 16, when Jesus saysthis you are the light of the
world.
A city set on a hill cannot behidden, nor do people light a
lamp and put it under a basket,but on a stand, and it gives
light to all in the house In thesame way.
Let your light shine beforeothers so that they may see your
good works and give glory toyour Father, who is in heaven.
Oh, child of God, can I justsay this if you're listening, I
(11:34):
just want to encourage you rightnow to let your light shine for
the glory of our Lord.
This world is already darkenough, pastor Jim.
It does not need peopleclaiming to be the bride of
Christ but lacking the oil andnot shining their light.
Let's just remember what theoil is a representation of so
many times throughout Scripture.
You know both Old and NewTestament.
(11:55):
The oil is a representation ofthe Spirit of God, you know.
And how many people claimChrist but, man, you don't see
any fruit in their life.
You know they claim to be aChristian, but we just don't see
fruit coming from theirtestimony.
You know it's just lacking, youknow.
So they bear the name, pastorJim, but where's the oil?
(12:18):
You know, where's the oil?
The light's not shining.
You know the light's not on.
And so I just want to encourageour listeners as children of
God, it's our responsibility tolet the light shine for the
glory of the Lord.
And so here's your reminder.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
We got to keep our lamps full, right?
What are you filling your lampswith the oil?
Is this representation of yourspiritual life, our relationship
with God, our faith, ouractions?
The wise virgins took flasks ofoil with their lamps, right?
You can see that in verse four,ensuring that they were ready
when the bridegroom arrived.
Psalm 119, 105 tells us yourword is a lamp to my feet and a
(12:58):
light to my path, and this isthe fuel that we need to keep
our lamps burning brightly.
We're also told in Ephesians5.18 to be filled with the
Spirit.
We must continuously replenishour lamps by staying connected
to God's word and staying inprayer and worship and being
obedient to his leading, as wetalked about last week with
(13:19):
following the Good Shepherd.
He is our leader and we need toreally lean into that.
So, really, the question that Ihave for you today is this is
your lamp full and what's itfilled with?
Are you filling it with thingsthat will sustain you
spiritually, things that willkeep you ready when that call
comes?
Speaker 2 (13:37):
Yeah, that's so good, brother.
If I could for a minute getback to a point we were both
making just a few moments ago,in Matthew 25, 7 through 9,
where it says then all thosevirgins rose and trimmed their
lamps and the foolish said tothe wise give us some of your
oil, for our lamps are going out.
But the wise answered sayingsince there will not be enough
for us and for you, go rather tothe dealers and buy for
(13:59):
yourselves.
And we talked about how we'veseen this happening within the
churches, within the body ofChrist.
I'd like to address with ourlisteners if you know someone
like that, if you know someonethat really enjoys being in the
fellowship.
They really enjoy hanging outwith Christian guys or Christian
girls, and you know theirbrothers and sisters and they
enjoy the fellowship, but youjust don't see them stepping out
(14:23):
into the deep end, if you will,and just completely selling out
and doing what it takes.
I think it's our role, as thosewho do have the oil and our
lamps burning.
I think it's our role tolovingly encourage these people
to pick their Bible up, to readtheir Bible.
Someone could say well, youknow, I'm not a good reader man.
Nowadays you can pick yourphone up and listen to it.
You know you can have someoneelse on your phone read it to
(14:46):
you.
You know I mean get it in there.
However, you got to get it inthere.
But I think we do a hugedisservice to our brothers and
sisters who are not growingdeeper in their faith.
They're kind of mooching off ofour oil, if you will.
You know, I think we do a hugedisservice when we don't
encourage them to get some oilof their own.
(15:08):
And in Matthew, chapter 25, 10through 12, it goes on to say
and while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came and those
who were ready went in with himto the marriage feast and the
door was shut.
Afterward the other virginscame also saying Lord, lord,
open to us.
But he answered.
Truly, I say to you I do notknow you, pastor, Jim, you know.
(15:33):
I just want to make a point.
It says the door was shut and,brother, when the door is shut,
the door is shut.
I'm reminded of Matthew, chapter7, 21 and 23, when Jesus says
not everyone who says to me,lord, lord, will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but the onewho does the will of my father,
who is in heaven.
On that day, many will say tome Lord, lord, did we not
prophesy in your name and castout demons in your name and do
(15:55):
many mighty works in your name?
And then I will declare to themI never knew you.
Depart from me, you workers oflawlessness.
You see, pastor Jim, the issueis this Jesus is saying to those
types of people I never knewyou.
In other words, there was nopersonal relationship.
There was no personalrelationship there.
That type of person, they mayhave had a religion, they may
(16:17):
have been religious, they mayhave been churched up, but they
lacked in relationship.
It's not religion that gets usinto heaven.
It's not church that gets usinto heaven.
It's having a relationship withGod through Jesus Christ, his
personal Lord and Savior.
And for all those that arelistening and maybe you are
gently being convicted by theHoly Spirit right now, that
(16:38):
you've been borrowing someoneelse's oil, can I just say my
oil can't get you into heaven,my name can't get you into
heaven, pastor Jim's oil andname can't get you into heaven.
Where you go to church and yourattendance record to that
church cannot get you intoheaven.
You must have your own oil.
You must have your own personal, real, intimate relationship
(16:59):
with Jesus Christ as Lord andSavior.
So we cannot make it to gloryon someone else's oil.
And again I say, if you knowsomeone like this, please love
them enough to share with themthat it is their responsibility
to grow in the Lord, to readGod's Word, to worship God, to
walk with the Lord and havetheir own oil.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
God's Word, to worship God, to walk with the
Lord and have their own oil andman.
That's so good.
And it leads right into thenext verse, in 13, where there's
really this importance ofpersonal responsibility.
Jesus closes this parable witha clear call to action.
He says Watch.
Therefore, you know neither theday nor the hour, and that is a
reminder that we don't know whenthe end's going to come.
We don't know when Christ isgoing to return, but what we do
(17:43):
know is that we are responsiblefor being ready at all times.
This mirrors what we read in 1Thessalonians, in chapter 5,
verses 2 through 6, where Paulreminds us that the day of the
Lord will come, like a thief inthe night, and he says we must
stay awake, stay sober, andthere's this sense of urgency
here.
Man, spiritual preparationisn't something that we can just
(18:05):
put off until tomorrow.
It's not something that we canjust rely on somebody else to
carry us with them through.
We must live with this sense oftoday being the day to be ready
, to be fully engaged in ourrelationship with God and
anticipate Christ's return.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Yeah, that's right man.
Right here, at the closing ofthis teaching, we see Jesus
giving a warning.
And this warning, friends, isfor all of us, it's for every
one of us.
Watch, therefore, for you knowneither the day nor the hour.
And I just want to take a momentbefore we close and maybe
consider some people that youknow that you've got to
(18:43):
encourage to get some fresh oil.
You know, maybe they've been aChristian for a long time and
they've just kind of juststepped back for a moment.
Or, you know, maybe they'vejust we're all in so much to the
point where maybe they've justkind of burnt out and you've got
to encourage them through loveto get back into that fresh oil.
Or maybe they've just beenblinded by the goodness and
(19:05):
fellowship that Christians offerthem and they just kind of
mooch off of that, they moochoff of other people's faith,
they mooch off of other people'soil and they just feel like
kind of riding along for thejourney is good enough for them.
You know, I want to encourageyou to get out there and share
with those people too that theyneed the fresh oil of God.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
Amen, and you know I think that is a really good
point to end on and go ahead andgo before the Lord and pray
that a fresh oil would fall onus and everyone listening right
now.
Father, we love you, we praiseyou, we're so grateful for an
opportunity that you show up,even in this podcast.
(19:46):
Lord, we do pray that a freshoil would fall on us and your
people and, father, that wewould begin to think about these
things and be prepared For weknow not the time nor the hour
upon your return.
But, lord, we know that you'veleft us with a call and a clear
purpose, and that's to liveclosely to you, learn more about
(20:06):
you and gain more Christians,grow your kingdom and, father,
that's what we pray that youwould give us the strength and
perseverance to continue to do.
We love you and we praise you.
It's in Jesus' name that wepray Amen to continue to do.
We love you and we praise you.
It's in Jesus' name that wepray Amen.
(20:26):
So, friends, jesus ischallenging us in this parable
to be wise and to live withanticipation, stay spiritually
awake and take personalresponsibility of our faith.
Remember your friend's faithwon't get you in.
We don't know when Christ willreturn.
We don't know when he's goingto come back, but what we do
know is that we need to be readyat all times.
So thank you for joining ustoday, on Beyond Sunday.
Let's go out this week ready tolive for God with purpose and
(20:48):
intentionality.
Keep your lamp full and we'llsee you next time on Beyond
Sunday.
You.
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