The Oil of Readiness

Are you prepared? Are you living off of borrowed oil?

ME:

When my friends would tell me they could hangout but they didnt know when, I was like a dog waiting for it’s owner to come home. I waited eagerly at the window looking out of it every 10 seconds until I could see them coming up the driveway. (They lived right next door to me.) I was fully prepared. My shoes were already on, the toys we were going to play with were in hand, and I was locked in. I was fully prepared!

WE: We all have these things in our life that we feel like we need to be prepared for. A game in sports, prepping for a tournament or a test, prepping for a day at the waterpark or Silverwood. These all seem like things we’d want to be ready and prepared for. But, when we either stop caring or don’t care, the preparation follows. We either pack at the last minute, or we forget a ton of things and realize it when we get to where we’re going.

TRANSITION: That’s what happens in this story we’re about to read together in the Bible. There are 10 bridesmaids, and their job was to wait for the bridegroom and light the way for him. Well, it doesn’t go super well for 5 of them. Lets read it.

GOD: Matthew 25:1-13

' “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.'

YOU: What does this mean for you?

Be Prepared! Plan Ahead!

The five wise bridesmaids didn’t just bring their lamps - they brought extra oil.

The foolish ones only brought what they thought they’d need right away.

The Bridegroom was delayed and the foolish ones lights went out and they missed the bridegroom and weren’t allowed in.

So what does this mean for you?

Believing in God isn’t just a one-time decision-it’s a daily relationship.

Build upon it

Strengthen it

2. Faith requires preparation

Don’t wait until life gets hard to seek Jesus

Read your Bible a little each day - don’t just wait for Sunday.

Pray daily - talk to Jesus like He’s your best friend.

Think ahead - ask, “What can I do today to grow closer to Jesus tomorrow?”

Point 2: Stop Living Off Of Borrowed Oil

The Foolish bridesmaids Tried to Borrow Oil

They weren’t prepared and asked the others to share.

The wise bridesmaids couldn’t help - they only had enough for themselves. - They were prepared.

2. You can’t borrow someone else’s faith.

Not your parents

Not your leaders

Not your friends

3. Check your “WHY”

Are you coming to YTH just because your parents expect you to?

Do you just show up only because your friends are here?

Don’t get me wrong, I love that you’re here, but ask yourself if there’s really more to WHY you’re here.

Action Steps:

Ask “Do I really know Jesus for myself?”

Take ownership of your faith - decide to follow Jesus for you, not for anyone else.

Point 3: The Door Won't Stay Open Forever

What happened in the story

The foolish bridesmaids came back too late - the door to the wedding feast was shut.

They knocked and called out, but they weren’t let in.

2. What Jesus is saying

This isn’t meant to scare you - it’s a loving warning.

Jesus wants everyone to be ready before it’s too late.

3. The Reality

There will be a moment when the opportunity to choose Jesus ends.

For some, that’s when Jesus returns

For others, it’s the end of their physical life.

4. The Good News

The door is still open today

NOW is the time to make your faith real - not later.

ACTION STEPS: 1. Make your decision for Jesus today - don’t put it off.

2. Stop just “going through the motions” - ask God to help make your faith personal and alive!

3. Stay spiritually awake - keep reading your Bible and praying even when life is busy.

4. Remember Jesus could come when no one expects - live every day ready. Don’t live in fear - live in preparedness

WE: What would it look like if we…

Made our faith our own

Spend personal time with Jesus through prayer and Bible reading.

Ask questions and seek the truth - don’t just settle for secondhand faith.

2. Live it out daily

Let our faith show in how we treat our family, friends, and classmates. Really anyone around us.

Make Godly choices even when no one else is watching.

Grow our character - live like Jesus is real to us everyday - hopefully He is!

3. Don’t wait

Start your relationship with Jesus today - don’t wait for a “better time.”

If you already know Him, grow deeper - take one step today to get closer.

The bridegroom (Jesus) is coming.

Keep your lamp burning bright - not out of fear, but out of love and excitement to meet Him!

Let’s pray.