Match Made in Heaven

Mark 16:15–18 KJV 1900

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

A match made in Heaven

Opening illustration

There are many partnerships and alliances that we would qualify as certainly not being made in heaven...

Bonnie and Clyde

Frank and Jessie James

Live and onions

Salt and Vinegar

but on the other side of the coin, there are partnerships that have provided spectacular advances and excellent experiences for mankind.

Wilbur and Orville Wright

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak

the three stooges

Not to mention the chocolate chip and the cookie!

Peanut butter and jelly!

The oreo and a glass of milk

I think think we would all agree that these would qualify as partnerships and associations that have advanced society and enhanced our quality of life!

Of course my intention tonight is not to sentimentalize the inventors of flight or romanticize the experience of well dunked Oreo, but to bring our attention to two passages portrayed in scripture and a common link that joins them together.

Work on this transition a little bit more

the five foolish virgins (Matthew 25)

The actions

They have squandered opportunities

they have behaved foolishly...

Their mindset

they are frantic.

They are without oil and the bridegroom is coming.

they are hopeless

Their pursuit

They ask the five wise virgins to give them some of their oil…their response “Not so”. Go find you merchants of oil.

they are looking for merchants of oil

Parallel to the hour that we are living in

Our world is frantic

They are looking for something to fill the emptiness…to fill the void

etc...

2 kings 4

Gather empty vessels…gather them not a few

The mother had been in a desperate and hopeless situation

the creditors were coming to take her sons.

She was frantic…she was desperate.

But then…the prophet came by and spoke hope into her hopeless circumstance.

He came by and provided a remedy where there seemed to be headed for ruin.

Gather vessels…Get not a few…borrow them. From your neighbors, from you friends, from your enemeies…get vessels.

And then she began to pour the oil. and the more she poured, the more there was.

Parallel to us that have found the oil