Stay Ready So you Don’t Have to Get Ready

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.

Exegetical Idea: Jesus teaches that spiritual preparedness is essential for participation in the kingdom when He returns. Homiletical Big Idea: Spiritual readiness isn’t a one-time act—it’s a daily posture of devotion and dependence.

Introduction

Jesus is teaching His disciples about the kingdom of heaven. This parable is not about outsiders—it’s for insiders—people who look the part, talk the part, and carry the lamp.

But the parable exposes something deeper: five were wise, and five were foolish. Not because of what they carried—but because of what they lacked.

This is a wake-up call—not for the world, but for the Church. It’s not enough to just be present. The question is—are you prepared?

Transition: The passage introduces three principles for staying ready. The first principle:

Keep Your Lamp Lit with Daily Devotion (v.4)

Matthew 25:4 ESV

4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.

The word “wise” (Greek: phronimoi) means prudent, thoughtful, discerning. These were women who expected the unexpected.

In ancient Jewish weddings, the lamp was necessary for the nighttime procession. But the oil was the fuel.

The lamp represents your public walk—the outward life.

The oil represents your private devotion—your inner connection with God.

See, You can carry a lamp and still have no oil. You can look the part and still be spiritually empty.

You can sing in the choir. Preach in the pulpit. Sit on the pew. And still be dry.

A flashlight looks useful. But without batteries, it can’t help in the dark. A believer without oil might shine for a while—but will burn out under pressure.

This oil—this inner life—comes from time with God. Prayer. Worship. The Word. Obedience. Stillness.

You don’t get oil from Sunday alone. You need to refill daily.

Are you spiritually dry because you haven’t been at the well?

Start your day not with scrolling, but seeking. Not with notifications, but with the Name above every name.

When the Bridegroom shows up, only those with oil will shine. But here’s the danger, Church—too many are assuming they’ll have time to get ready later. They’re waiting until the last minute to get serious about their walk with God.

Transition: But Jesus says the call comes at midnight—unexpected, unannounced, and unavoidable. Let’s look now at the second principle:

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late to Prepare (v.6)

Matthew 25:6 ESV

6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’

“Midnight” is a time of testing. It’s when the unexpected happens. The cry comes, but there’s no warning. No second chance.

This is not about immorality—it’s about spiritual procrastination.

The foolish virgins had lamps. But no oil. They were unprepared. And when the cry came, they tried to borrow what can’t be borrowed.

You can’t borrow someone else’s walk with God. You can’t borrow someone else’s faithfulness. When that trumpet sounds, you need your own oil.

Some of us are treating salvation like we treat our phones—we wait until it’s down to 1% to find a charger. We’re trying to get spiritually ready in emergency mode.

But you can’t cram for a spiritual final. You can’t prep your soul at midnight.

This is the moment to get serious. To repent. To forgive. To serve. To love.

What are you delaying? What are you putting off that God has called you to?

Don’t wait until life falls apart to get committed. Don’t wait until the Groom is in the sky to find your oil.

When the call comes—you either are ready… or you’re not.

They tried to borrow what can’t be borrowed. They came knocking when it was too late.

But Jesus ends this parable with a direct word to us: Watch.

Transition: In other words—don’t just get ready… stay ready. Let’s look at what it means to live each day with spiritual alertness. Here is the final principle in the text:

Live Every Day Like Jesus Could Return Tonight (v.13)

Matthew 25:13 ESV

13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

The word “watch” (Greek: grēgoreō) doesn’t mean stare at the sky. It means stay awake spiritually. Stay alert. Stay faithful.

Jesus isn’t talking to strangers—He’s talking to saints. This is a warning for people in the church.

The parable ends with a locked door. The foolish virgins return and knock. But the Bridegroom says, “I never knew you.”

This isn’t about whether you attended church—it’s about whether you knew Him.

Knowing church is not the same as knowing Christ. Carrying a lamp isn’t enough—you need oil.

When the door closes, it’s final. That’s why today is the day of salvation. This is the time to respond.

Live like Jesus could return tonight. Let it change how you pray, how you parent, how you love, how you forgive.

The trumpet won’t come with a warning. The cry will come suddenly. Live ready.

When the door shut, it didn’t reopen. The opportunity was missed—not because they were far away, but because they were unprepared.

Transition: Jesus didn’t tell this story to scare us, but to wake us up.

Conclusion

This parable is not a scare tactic. It’s a soul check.

Jesus is saying: I’m the Bridegroom. You’re the bride. And I’m coming for those who are ready.

This isn’t about fear—it’s about faithfulness. Not about ritual—but relationship.

Don’t just carry a lamp—carry the oil. Don’t just look ready—stay ready.

Keep your heart pure. Keep your witness bright. Keep your devotion consistent.

The midnight cry is coming. The Groom is on His way. Stay ready.

Hooping Close

Stay ready—so you don’t have to get ready!

Because the cry is coming! The trumpet is sounding! The Groom is stepping out of glory!

And when He comes, He’s not coming to negotiate. He’s coming for those who are ready to rise.

Jesus stayed ready! In the Garden, He stayed ready. On the Cross, He stayed ready. In the tomb, He stayed ready.

But early Sunday morning—He got up with all power in His hands! He’s ready right now to save, to forgive, to heal, and to return.

So stay filled. Stay faithful. Stay focused.

And when the cry rings out at midnight—you won’t panic… you’ll rise!