Choose the Right Pursuit

Matthew 25:1-13

Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon Him while He is near. – The Prophet Isaiah

Welcome to WHCC. Today, I believe that the Lord brought you here for a great purpose. I believe that He brought you here so that you might come to a greater understanding of the Word of God and be prompted to “Choose the Right Pursuit” in your life starting this day.

Illustration: Years ago there was man by the name of D.L. Moody and he loved the Lord. He had the lost always on his heart and one day he went to a bar to ask the bartender if his two little girls might be allowed to attend his Sunday School. He was told that an atheist club met there every Thursday night and the owner of the bar was in no mood to offend them. Moody looked in the face of this man and pleaded with him on behalf of his girls.

Finally, the man’s heart was touched, and he said, “Preacher, I’ll tell you what I’ll do. If you’ll come down here Thursday night and meet with the boys in a discussion, and win, you shall have the children. But if not, its all off!”

“Agreed,” said Moody. That day Moody sought out a young man from his church who was disabled but known to be a great prayer warrior and said to him, “Tommy, I need you next Thursday night!” When the hour of the meeting arrived, Tommy and the evangelist entered the bar. It was full of men sitting on whiskey barrels and even on the bar—eagerly awaiting the coming debate. Moody began by saying, "Gentlemen, it’s our custom to open our meeting with prayer. Tommy, will you lead us in prayer.” Tommy began to call on the Lord for the souls of all present.

Tears rolled down the little fellow’s cheeks and suddenly the more tenderhearted of the men left in a retreat. Finally, even the hardest men present began to leave until there was no one left except the bartender, Moody and the praying boy. Moody turned to the father and said, “I claim your girls for Christ!” The bartender answered, “All right, you win. But it’s a unusual way to fight!” And Moody answered, “It’s the way I win every battle.”

Moody understood the importance of “Choosing the Right Pursuit” in living this life. He knew that to win the battles you face and overcome the enemies that you encounter then you must be filled with faith and centered in prayer.

Today, we continue on with our series called “Make it Count” and the purpose of this series is to equip you with the right tools in the Word of God to “Make Your Life Count” for the Kingdom of God starting this year, this month, this moment.

If this something you have always wanted to do then turn with me to Matthew 25:1-13 and let us learn about the wise, the foolish, and the lesson of choosing the right pursuit.

Matthew 25:1-13 (ESV) – 1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Big Idea – Your Life is a Gift from God…Live Courageously and Passionately for His Glory

Quote – “The will of God is not something you add to your life. It is a course you choose.” – Elizabeth Elliot

Three Steps in Choosing the Right Pursuit

Step #1

The first step that we examine is found in verses 1-2. It is here that we begin by laying the right foundation for this life and eternity.

Matthew 25:1-2 (ESV) – 1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

As you look to these verses then you see that Jesus gives us another parable and it is one that describes our culture to the core when dealing with those who proclaim to be followers of Christ.

At this point, I believe it is imperative for us to remember a central truth that is not often observed or recognized in today’s culture. It is what I call the Law of Action.

The Law of Action teaches that your life reflects your deepest beliefs. What you prioritize today determines your actions, and those actions shape your future. If you desire a life that honors God and fulfills His purpose, you must align your present priorities with the truth of God’s Word.

This parable is given to emphasize the great importance of living your life in a way that spiritually prepares you for the day that you meet Christ, the day that you kneel before Him and give an account of your life.

Romans 14:11-12 – For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

This is the Law of Action and it is here that we see 10 bridesmaids that light their lamps and go off to meet the bridegroom but notice that 5 were wise and 5 were foolish.

Sidenote: The Greek word used here for lamp comes from the root word, “lampas” and it is where we get the English word “lamp” from but here the word refers to a literal “torch.” The same word was used in John 18:3 to describe the torches the soldiers were carrying when they went to arrest Jesus.

The torches lit the way for the wedding procession but more importantly they identified members of the wedding party, marking them off as special participants. It was therefore critical that each of the bridesmaids have a torch.

There is much symbolism in this parable that we need to understand. First, this is a parable about the Kingdom of God, who will be allowed to enter and who will not. Second, the bridegroom is Christ Himself. Third, the bridesmaids are believers who are eagerly awaiting His return. Finally, some of these believers are wise in their seeking of the Lord and others are foolish which is what the rest of the parable unpacks for us.

What you need to see in the following verses is the great difference between the wise and foolish followers of the Lord and choose to be one of the wise the rest of your days.

Both claim to know the Lord, both claim to love the Lord, both seek the Kingdom of God, and both even start out well in preparing their torches to be recognized as one of the Lord’s own. But remember this today, five were wise and five were foolish. Five were spiritually alert and ready for the return of the Lord and five were not.

For a moment, let us remember the father’s instruction to his son in Proverbs 4:7

Proverbs 4:7 – The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

My friends, whatever you do be sure you learn and live the “Law of Action” starting today.

Step #1 – Lay the Foundation: Urgently Pursue Godly Wisdom to Stay S

to Stay Spiritually Alert and Be Ready for the Savior’s Return

Quote – “The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized in the lifetime of the opportunity.” – Leonard Ravenhill

Application: Are you spiritually alert, or are you distracted by life? Set aside time each day to seek God, asking Him to sharpen your focus on His Wisdom and His will.

Learn Godly Wisdom and Live the Way of the Wise Today

Step #2

The second step that we see in these verses is found in verses 3-9 as we look to the way of the foolish.

Matthew 25:3-9 (ESV) – 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’

What do we learn from the foolish bridesmaids in these verses? The main lesson is simple: The foolish teach us that too little preparation and too much presumption will result in rejection.

As you study Scripture, if you want to get the most out of what you are studying then remember this “the Details matter from the smallest to the largest. They all matter.”

It’s the little details that are vital. Little things, make big things happen. – John Wooden

Keeping this in mind, let us compare the actions of the wise versus the foolish in these verses.

Actions of the Foolish

Actions of the Wise

Take their lamps but leave the oil.

Take their lamps and bring the oil.

They were drowsy and slept.

They were drowsy and slept.

They heard the cry that the bridegroom had come.

They heard the cry that the bridegroom had come.

They heard the cry that the bridegroom had come.

They heard the cry that the bridegroom had come.

They lack preparation which results in panic and missing the moment of the invitation.

They were prepared and ready to respond to the invitation.

My friends, as you live this life you will find that life needs constant preparation. There is no one way to be prepared for everything that comes your way; however, not being prepared in important areas of your life can result in great difficulty. When you are not prepared you lack the right knowledge and the right tools to deal with the obstacles you encounter. This often results in panic, stress, anxiety, confusion, compromise, derailment, and even destruction.

Illustration: Many years ago shortly after the beginning of WW II, Winston Churchill the new Prime Minister of Great Britain found himself facing the German forces who were ready to overtake Paris France. Paris was separated from England by the English Channel, meaning that France was only separated by England by a total of 4 miles. This also meant that with fall of Paris, Hitler would set his sights on Great Britain, specifically London.

During these days, the British War Cabinet met with Churchill and advised that they surrender to Hitler for they were outnumbered, outgunned, and they were certain the future only held their own defeat.

Churchill, knew Hitler was an evil man and there could be no reasonable surrender to such evil. Churchill had inspected the front lines of the French personally, he had fought alongside of his fellow British soldiers, he had been in the British Navy, and for years he had been warning the government leaders about this day of reckoning and so this was his response to those who sought surrender to evil. “We will not surrender to evil. We shall go on and we shall fight it out, here or elsewhere, and if at last the long story is to end, it were better it should end, not through surrender, but only when we are rolling senseless on the ground.”

He also declared to the House of Commons, “You ask what is our policy. I will say, it is to wage war with all our might, with all the strength that God can give us, to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark…You ask what is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory. Victory at all costs. Victory in spite of all terror. Victory however long and hard the road may be. For without victory there is no survival.”

I give you this real-life example because I want you to understand that preparation is critical to avoid peril in your life. It was true for Churchill as he stood against the forces of evil and it is also true for your life and mine.

The most important area of your life where you need to be prepared is the area of your “Faith.”

The wise understand this truth both then and now. Look at the response of the wise as the foolish asked for some of the oil that the wise had with them. The wise responded by declaring, “There will not be enough oil for the both of us so go and buy your own.”

Some me be appalled at the response of the wise and may say but Christians are to be sharing, loving, and sacrificial. All of that is true but never at the point of sacrificing obedience to the Lord. The torches only carried so much oil and the wise knew that they miss being in the presence of the bridegroom if shared the oil and the bridegroom was awaiting their arrival.

Every parable has a lesson and in this moment the lesson was about preparation and obedience to seek the presence of the King of Kings. The idea is simple, too little preparation leads to little faith-filled action and reveals a lack of faith not a steady and strong faith therefore this little preparation leads to rejection.

A torch without fuel is worthless, and a profession of faith in Jesus Christ without a saving relationship to Him is infinitely more worthless, because you are left in spiritual darkness.

If the foolish simply would have followed the example of the wise then all would be different.

Step #2 – The Principle of Persistent Commitment: Pursue God’s Priorities in Your Life to E

in Your Life to Equip You to Actively Focus on Eternal Significance

John Wesley once remarked, “Light yourself on fire with passion, and people will come from miles to watch you burn.” Preparation for God’s purposes involves a passionate commitment to action.

Learn Godly Wisdom and Live the Way of the Wise Today

Step #3 – Pursue Readiness: Live Each Day With an Eternal Perspective

The final step that we examine is found in verses 10-13 as we see the bridegroom come and welcome those who are ready and takes them to go and be with him in his presence.

Matthew 25:10-13 (ESV) – 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

My friends, these last verses pierce our heart and mind with a sobriety like nothing else for these verses are a great and clear warning. The question is simple: Do you hear this warning today or will you ignore it to your own peril?

Illustration: Several years ago, an old flyer circulated that was one of thousands that dropped over Japan before the first Atomic bombs were unleashed. One side was a picture of bombers dropping their deadly cargo. The other side was a warning in Japanese and English. This warning read…"ATTENTION JAPANESE PEOPLE”

Read this carefully as it may save your life or the life of a relative or friend. In the next few days, the military installations of some or all of the cities named on the reverse side will be destroyed by American bombs. These cities contain military installations and workshops or factories which produce military goods. We are determined to destroy all of the tools of the military which they are using to prolong this useless war. But, unfortunately, bombs have no eyes. So, in accordance with America’s well-known, Humanitarian policies, the American Airforce which does not wish to injure innocent people now gives you warning to evacuate the cities named and save your lives…

Some read the warning, believed the warning, and acted upon the warning getting themselves and their families to safety but others ignored the warning. It the Law of Action among the wise and foolish.

As you read this parable, you see that the foolish finally arrive prepared to enter the presence of the bridegroom but the moment had passed, the door was closed, and they cried “Lord, lord, open to us.” But there was only one response, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.”

With these words, Jesus sounds the warning bell telling of the dreadful fate of those who know they should be watching in faithful preparation and action for the Lord’s return but still choose not to do it.

The parable ends with these words, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” These words literally call each of us stay alert physically and spiritually in this life for the condition of life dictates we do not know how long life might last but we can be prepared to live forever by choosing to be wise in the time in which we have and to be faithful in all the seasons of life until the end.

Maybe now is the time to apply the wisdom of the prophet Isaiah in your life as he declares,

Isaiah 55:6 – Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.

Step #3 – The Law of the Faithful Finish: Persevere and Stay Committed in Your Faith to the Lord Through All Seasons of Life Until the End

“It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day.” – Matthew Henry

Illustration: There used to be a tradition many years ago among churches in old England. As you would enter the foyer, you would see a stone in the wall that had a Latin phrase which translated into English meant this, “As you enter this place: Make God your focus." A similar phrase was also in a stone positioned over the exit of the building which declared, “As leave this place: Make God your focus.”

Learn Godly Wisdom and Live the Way of the Wise Today

Memory Verse

Matthew 24:13 (ESV) – But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Challenge:

You are called to consistently apply the divine principles and truths found in the Word of God. Take the next step in your study by (1) Discussing and applying the sermon with your family or small group or (2) Participating in a Sunday School class.