Cultivating the Oil of Intimacy with Jesus

Cultivating the Oil of Intimacy with Jesus

The Passion Translation Chapter 25

“At the time my coming draws near, heaven’s kingdom realm can be compared to ten maidens who took their oil lamps and went outside to meet the bridegroom and his bride. 2–4 Five of them were foolish and ill-prepared, for they took no extra oil for their lamps. Five of them were wise and sensible, for they took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. 5 When the bridegroom didn’t come when they expected, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. 6 Then suddenly, in the middle of the night, they were awakened by the shout ‘Get up! The bridegroom is here! Come out and have an encounter with him!’ 7 So all the girls got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 But the foolish ones were running out of oil, so they said to the five wise ones, ‘Share your oil with us, because our lamps are going out!’

9 “ ‘We can’t,’ they replied. ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. You’ll have to go and buy some for yourselves!’

10 “While the five girls were out buying oil, the bridegroom appeared. Those who were ready and waiting were escorted inside with him and the wedding party to enjoy the feast. And then the door was locked. 11 Later, the five foolish girls came running up to the door and pleaded, ‘Lord, Lord, let us come in!’

12 “But he called back, ‘Go away! Do I know you? I can assure you, I don’t even know you!’

13 “That is the reason you should always stay awake and be alert, because you don’t know the day or hour when the Bridegroom will appear.”

In the parable, the oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon the heart as people spend time with God. The oil also represents the liveliness of the Christian life and the degree of seriousness with which someone keeps their eyes on Jesus. The wise virgins' lamps represent their righteous living and obedience. 

Let’s go deeper

I. five wise virgins: acquired oil as their ministry lamps shined

2. Five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,

4. but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (Mt. 25:2-4)

A. The “oil” speaks of the presence of the Spirit touching our heart as we spend time with God (2 Cor 1:21; 1 Jn. 2:20, 27). The oil of the Holy Spirit touches our hearts in different ways:

1. It tenderizes our heart, enabling us to feelmore of God’s desire for us. 2. It enlarges our desire for Him by encountering His desire for us. 3. It illuminates our understanding with revelation of God’s beauty. 4. It imparts zeal for righteousness, which helps us in our struggle with besetting sins.

B. The foolish took their lamps (ministry), but took no oil. In other words, they followed ministry as their first priority, instead of acquiring oil in their relationship with Jesus.

C. The wise ministries took oil in their vessels with their lamps. In other words, they pursued acquiring oil as their first priority before seeking to expand and network their ministry.

D. Our relationship with Jesus is our most important “dream,” not our ministry assignment.

1) oil of intimacy

2) the anointing of His presence

3) a lifestyle of prayer

4) spending time in the secret place

5) being a good steward of your time

6) making changes in your lifestyle to have time with the Lord

7) In this parable, Jesus’ warning is that the wise can become foolish if they neglect to continue to cultivate intimacy with Jesus by going into their secret place.

8) Some wise leaders with good motives end up working with a wrong spirit by neglecting to maintain their intimacy with God.

Psalm 91:1 (AMP) 1 HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].

If we have no oil to brighten your lamp people in darkness will not see.

We must let our light shine!

Why wait Intel tomorrow. When you can have it today

THIS WILL prepare US for the wave of the Holy Spirit that is here NOW!!

F is for FORGIVENESS

We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God's forgiveness.

A is for AVAILABLE

Forgiveness is available. It is available for all.

I is for IMPOSSIBLE

It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven.

T is for TURN

Turn means to repent.

H is for HEAVEN

Heaven is eternal life.

How can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord? By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness.

Forsaking All, I Trust Him.

Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”