I Want The Oil

Scripture

Matthew 25:1-13 “Then the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were foolish and five were wise. For when the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take olive oil with them. But the wise ones took olive oil in flasks with their lamps. And when the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. But in the middle of the night there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your olive oil, because our lamps are going out!’ But the wise ones answered saying, “Certainly there will never be enough for us and for you! Go instead to those who sell olive oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they had gone away to buy it the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding celebration, and the door was shut.

Prayer

Turn to your neighbor and say I want the oil.

The bridegroom in this story/parable is use to symbolize Jesus Christ. And the entire parable is speaking directly to us on how to prepare for his second coming. This story of the 10 virgins resonsates with me deeply, perhaps it’s the fact that I grew up as 1 of 10 children. Now I won’t tell you which one of us were wise and which one of us were foolish however there’s a mixture of both. Growing up, I had both my mom and my dad and I knew that they loved me very much and I am confident in saying that typically good parents/guardians try to do their best in raising their children so that they are not only prepared but equipped when opportunities arise. Now, I know all parents aren’t perfect and many of us didn’t have the fairy tale upbringing but if you had anyone in your life that cared for you as a child, they had one thing in mind. And that was to make sure you were equipped and ready for the world. I can say that because I have 4 children of my own and every day I’m constantly trying to teach, train, coach and build them up so they can be prepared for this world. I want to start to disect this parable and shed light on what God is speaking. v1 says “the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.”

What is the spiritual meaning of the lamp?

Now in biblical times lamps were symbolized as a sign of life, light of divinity, wisdom, intellect, and to welcome people. In the parable it was necessary for the 10 virgins to take their lamps to light up the pathway. In the 1800’s there was a British Nurse, by the name of Florence Nightingale who was also known as “The Lady with the Lamp” she would carry her lamp down the dark streets and alleys caring for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. God references lamps many times in his word. In Mathew 5:15 He says “No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” So there’s significance in the lamp. I’m going to come back to this, let that marinate a little.

Let me take my time with this. The writer simply says there were 10 virgins 5 wise and 5 foolish. The writer didn’t use the words good or bad, because I believe some “good” folks are going to be left behind and the door shut. I don’t mean to be the bearer of bad news but God reminds us in Mathew 7:22 “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? And then he will declare to them “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of iniquities. Tell your neighbor, good ain’t enough. I want the oil.”

Now this parable, gives us a brief but thorough snapshot into what it means to put our faith on display. Also, it is a refreshing reminder that when you carry the oil, you are given access that others may never get to experience. Come on say it again “I want the oil”

What does the oil in the lamp symbolize? Unlike the times we live in now, were every thing is powered by solar and electricity, back then lamps were powered by oil. The oil provided a sustaining power to the lamp. The Lord commanded the children of Israel anciently to use “pure olive oil beaten from the olives to use for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually” (Leviticus 24:2). Olive oil is a symbol of purity and of the presence and influence of the Holy Ghost.

I need to pause for the cause and insert a praise right here, because I believe that some of you may have experienced some hardships like me and now that you have made it over, you realized it was because of the sustaining oil that continued to burn within you. Come on let’s reflect for just a moment. Song writer said as I look I look back over my life and I think things over, I can truly say that I’ve been blessed I have a testimony. Come on say it with me “It was the oil, it was the oil that kept me, it was the oil that secured me, it was the oil that preserved me! It was the oil!

Let me slow this thing down. Again, I want to highlight the 10 virgins. Numbers in the Bible often communicate significance especially if the number is mentioned multiple times. In this case the number 10 is mentioned 242 times in the bible and conveys the message of authority, completeness of order and responsibility. We are taught to give a 10th of our increase in the form of a tithe, again completeness of order, responsibility. Number ten symbolizes the completion of a cycle.

God never waste words and when he says something we must lean in and grab a hold to what he is saying. So here we have the 10 virgins, 5 foolish and 5 wise. Now I ask myself what made them foolish? It says in the word that 5 of them prepared their lamps with oil, and the other 5 did not.Say preparation…

Preparation is defined as the action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration.

-When you prepare for something you are making sure you are ready when opportunities arise. My mentor always says “you don’t have to get ready when you stay ready” When the blessings are released you want to make sure you are in a position to receive. Come on say I want the oil.

I think back to when the pandemic first began, no one knew how the world would turn, when things became real difficult for our jobs, our businesses, and our families; the government announced they would release stimulus to those who had filed and paid taxes from previous years.

Now, some of us were scrambling trying to prepare so that we could be positioned for the release of the blessings. While others of us, just sat and waited for the release. See, when you are prepared there’s a peace that comes, there’s a overwhelming calm that settles everything around you. When you’re prepared there is an excitement that carry’s you.

V.8-9 says But in the middle of the night there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your olive oil, because our lamps are going out!’

Now, I’m going to ask a question and I want yall to be real honest here. “If you had worked hard, preparing everything you needed for the return of the King. Would you give up your oil?” I’m talking about the oil you prayed for, the oil you sacrificed for, the oil you paid for with blood, sweat, and tears

Come on, some of ya’ll still considering it. Listen a lack of preparation will have you scrambling, confused, afraid. A lack of preparation will have you trying to pull someone else out of alignment to make up for your bad choices, for your lack of consistency, for your lack of discipline…Come on say Preparation. Preparation makes you wise.

Let me take this a little further, What else Lord, what else makes us wise?

The wise virgins knew that a day would come when they would need oil. Say “I want the oil!” They considered the time they may have to wait, if the bridegroom tarried and they also considered how much they would need to sustain them while they waited. Someone say Consideration. We must be consider what it will take to complete the task that God is calling us to. Many times, he is speaking and applying pressure for you to move in a direction and all he is asking for you to do is consider what it will take. In Luke 14:28-30 “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish it, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish!’ Consideration makes you wise. God says, take into consideration what is necessary and add it to your preparation. Come on, say I want the oil. Okay, we got Preparation and we got consideration.

What else Lord, what made them wise? I hear God saying Obedience. Many of us know the meaning behind obedience but it seems to be one of the hardest rules to comply. Obedience requires compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority. It’s okay to admit it, sometimes “I just want to do my own thing” I don’t want to do... what I don’t want to do”…how many of you can relate?

Sometimes it’s just easier for me to do what I like instead of what I’ve been asked to do by the one who is responsible for me. But I feel God pulling on some of you today. I feel a shift taking place in this very atmosphere. That pull you feel is God trying to bring you into alignment with his good and perfect will. His word says in John 14:15 ““If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Come on, there is no shades of gray, only black and white, only hot or cold, only up or down. There’s no time to straddle the fence or remain on middle ground. Choose you this day who you want to serve. God is calling you higher.

Obedience means hearing the word of God and acting on it. It implies aligning our will to God's will; doing what God has asked us to do. It is when we completely surrender to His authority and base our decisions and our actions on His Word.

Obedience to God is not only a way to worship him, but a way to get closer to him, prepare for whatever he leads you to and grow as a person.

Obedience is a gift: The secret of true obedience is a clear and close personal relationship with God. All our attempts to achieve full obedience will fail until we have access to His abiding fellowship. It is God's holy presence, consciously abiding with us, that keeps us from disobeying Him. We must stay present in his presence, and consistent in his word. Obedience makes you wise, say I want the oil. Preparation, Consideration, Obedience what’s next Lord, we need your wisdom?

My final point for this message is Representation. What does it mean to Represent- it’s  the action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone.

What does the life you live say about the one you are living for? The 10 virgins were admonished to keep their lamps trimmed and burning, but only those that prepared, considered, and obeyed were able to properly represent the one who sent them. Don’t be caught without your oil, the oil of the Holy Ghost.

I told yall I was coming back to the lamp. The lamps represents the 10 virgins righteous living and obedience. Christians can say that God's word is a lamp unto their feet and lights up their path because it provides illumination, it provides insight, and direction. It is difficult to see the way if walking through the darkness. You feel exposed and unprotected without a light guiding your steps.

Their lives in this parable represented the light of God that should shine brightly to show others the way to salvation. Our lives should be examples of hope and our faith in a God that not only loves us but is soon to return. Our lives should be shining so bright because of the oil. The bridegroom is coming back and he’s looking for his bride (the church) and we ought to be found with oil! Where is the light from your lamp, has it grown weary and dim due to life circumstances, where is the light from your lamp has it dwindled down due to grief and dissappointed? Where is the light from your lamp has it been hidden under a basket because of what others may think if you shine bright. I’m here to encourage you to get back in the presence of God, and get a refill on His oil. Reconnect with the one who gives you power to live right. Come on tell him out of your mouth, I want the oil!

The oil represents the anointing and the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was about to go to the Father, He told His disciples that He would not leave them alone.  He would send another of the same kind as He to be with them. It was the Holy Spirit. “Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7 HCSB) Jesus saw it necessary for the Holy Spirit to come and live in believers, because the New Covenant has a new way of life:  human beings operating with the Holy Spirit within.

Unfortunately, many believers live their lives ignoring the Holy Spirit. Yet, it is not possible to live the life Jesus wants us to live without the help of the Holy Spirit. Say “I want the oil” the oil empowers you to represent God in this earth, and gives you supernatural abilities and gifting that bring life and that more abundantly. It’s impossible to make it without the oil. So if you want to be like the 5 virgins that were wise, if you want the oil that God has for you and your life, if you want to make sure you’re ready when the bridegroom returns, stretch forth your hands today and let’s begin to create an environment favorable for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to do his work, as you surrender in his presence as you open up your heart to him. Talk to him, ask him to forgive you for foolish decisions, for bad choices, for not making him the priority. Come on, it’s out of your mouth you can speak life. This is our time to prepare, time to consider, time to obey, to represent a God who is faithful! Tell him, I want the oil, we cannot do it without the oil. Come on release your sound in this place. Let’s put the devil on notice. I am the righteousness of God, I am his child, I am the head and not the tail, I am above and not beneath, I have access to His promises which are yes and Amen. Come on , It’s important that he hears you. I want the oil, the purifying oil, the redeeming oil, the sanctifying oil, the healing oil, the renewing oil, the powerful oil of the Holy Ghost. I want to be ready when you return.

Preparation, Consideration, Obedience, and Representation comes when you get the oil of the Holy Ghost, he is our counselor our guide our comforter. John 14:26 says “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name—that one will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything that I said to you.” We need his spirit to be prepared for his second coming. Don’t allow your foolishness to get in the way of what our God wants to do in and through you. Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, so that when he returns you are not like the 5 foolish virgins who didn’t prepare, consider, obey and represent the one who called them. The last part of the parable says that the 5 foolish Virgins left the scene because they didn’t prepare, consider, obey or represent

Verse  [10] And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

[11] Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. [12] But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. [13] Therefore be on alert for you know not the day or the hour neither the day nor the hour.

Come on, the fact that you are here today, lets you know that God loves you. He’s here for you and the door is open. The altar is also open. If you want the oil, this is your opportunity to come into proper relationship with him, to recommit to a life that prepares you for his return. To be filled with his Holy Spirit. We cannot do it alone, we need the Holy Spirit, and it’s Gods gift to us. He said “beloved I wish above all things that you prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers” I want the oil. Come on say it again “I want the oil”! This is your wake up call!I just stopped by to encourage you in the word, in order to prepare, consider, obey, and represent the one who called you is with the oil. Keep your lamps burining with the oil of the Holy Ghost.

May this word fall on good ground and that you be doers of the word and not hearers only. May you seek the Lord while He may be found. I want the oil.