Keep the Lamp Lit

Series: Ready or Not: Living Faithfully Until He Comes

Matthew 25:1–13 KJV 1900

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 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. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

INTRODUCTION: LOOKS READY… UNTIL IT GETS DARK

Have you ever thought you were prepared—

Only to realize you were ready in theory, but not ready in reality?

You had the outfit.

You had the plans.

You had the appearance of readiness.

But then something happened…

The pressure came.

The darkness fell.

The waiting got longer than expected.

And suddenly what looked like preparation wasn’t enough.

That’s exactly the moment Jesus is talking about in Matthew 25.

Jesus is nearing the end of His earthly ministry.

He’s answering the disciples’ burning question:

“What will it be like when You come and establish Your Kingdom?”

So Jesus does what He often does—

He tells a story.

Not to entertain them.

But to expose hearts.

Matthew 25:1 says,

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be likened unto…”

That word “then” matters.

It means at that future time.

Jesus is pointing forward—to His return.

This is not a parable for pagans alone.

This is a warning for people who expect to meet the Groom.

And here’s the big idea Jesus presses home:

Followers of Jesus must not only look alert on the outside—

they must be alive and ready on the inside.

Because when the Groom comes…

Only what’s burning internally will matter.

MOVEMENT 1:

THE DANGER OF OUTWARD READINESS WITHOUT INWARD REALITY

Jesus introduces ten virgins—ten young women who have done the right thing culturally and morally.

They are waiting.

They are invited.

They are included.

From the outside, they all look the same.

Same lamps.

Same invitation.

Same expectation of the wedding.

But Jesus divides them with one word:

Five were foolish. Five were wise.

“Foolish” doesn’t mean silly.

It means devoid of sound judgment.

These women believed their lamps were enough.

A lamp without oil looks useful…

Until the darkness hits.

And that’s the problem.

They assumed the external appearance could replace internal preparation.

And church—this is where Jesus gets uncomfortably close to us.

Because it is entirely possible to:

Look like a Christian

Talk like a Christian

Attend like a Christian

Serve like a Christian

And still be spiritually empty.

In 2025, we live in a bandwagon faith culture.

People jump on what’s trending:

Faith when it’s popular

Church when it’s convenient

Jesus when it adds social value

But the foolish mindset says:

“I’ll deal with oil later.”

Later never comes.

Waiting until the last minute is never wise—

Spiritually or otherwise.

Illustration

It’s like relying on your phone battery when you never charge it.

You scroll.

You text.

You watch.

You assume.

Then suddenly—

1%

Low Power Mode

Battery Dying

And when you need it most… it shuts off.

A lamp without oil is just religious décor.

Application

Let me ask you plainly:

Are you living off past spiritual experiences?

Are you borrowing faith from your spouse, your parents, your church?

Do you look ready—but lack daily dependence on Christ?

Jesus is not impressed by lamps.

He is looking for oil.

DELAY EXPOSES OUR HEARTS

Verse 5 says something fascinating:

“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered.”

Even the wise slept.

Read that carefully—

sleep is not the problem.

The delay is intentional.

The groom took longer than expected.

And delay always reveals devotion.

The foolish assumed the timing would fit their convenience.

The wise planned for the wait.

Then—verse 6:

“At midnight there was a cry…”

Midnight.

The darkest hour.

The least expected moment.

“Go ye out to meet him!”

This wasn’t a whisper.

It was a clear, understandable shout.

When Jesus returns, no one will miss it.

Suddenly the foolish realize their lamps are going out.

And here’s the moment that feels harsh to modern ears.

They ask the wise for oil.

The wise refuse.

Not because they’re cruel—

But because oil cannot be transferred.

You cannot borrow salvation.

You cannot inherit devotion.

You cannot outsource obedience.

Each soul is responsible before God.

Biblical Truth

When the foolish go to buy oil, the groom comes.

And verse 10 says:

“They that were ready went in with him to the marriage—and the door was shut.”

That is terrifying.

The foolish come back pounding on the door:

“Lord, Lord, open to us!”

And Jesus says:

“Verily—I know you not.”

Not “I don’t recognize your face.”

But “I have no relational knowledge of you.”

Church—this is not about church attendance.

This is about relationship.

Gospel Moment

Oil is not earned.

It is received.

You don’t produce it—

You surrender for it.

Oil represents the inner work of God:

Repentance

Faith

New life

The Spirit’s presence

You can’t buy it at midnight.

You receive it when you humble yourself before Christ.

Jesus lived perfectly.

Jesus died sacrificially.

Jesus rose victoriously.

Not so you could look ready—

But so you could be ready.

STAY AWAKE—LIVE READY

Jesus ends with a command:

“Watch therefore—for ye know not the day nor the hour.”

That word “be alert” means to stay awake on purpose.

This is intentional faith.

The wise were not fearful—

They were faithful.

Their oil came from:

Love for the Master

Gratitude for His provision

Commitment to His return

And here’s the beauty—

Wise believers live better lives now.

They don’t just wait for heaven—

They walk with God today.

They don’t just wear faith—

They are fueled by it.

Final Application

Let me ask the heart-level question:

Do you have oil—or just a lamp?

Are you prepared for His return—or just familiar with church culture?

If Jesus came tonight—would your faith still be burning?

INVITATION:

KEEP THE LAMP LIT

There are decisions to be made today.

For the unbeliever

You’ve been close.

You’ve been around faith.

But you’ve never surrendered.

Today—receive oil.

Today—trust Christ.

For the believer

You’ve let your flame flicker.

You’ve coasted.

You’ve delayed.

Today—refill the lamp.

Return to devotion.

Live alert.

Because church—

Ready or not…

The Groom is coming.

And only what’s burning will enter the celebration.

For Your Week

“May the God who called you keep your lamp burning,

your heart awake,

and your life ready—

until the day you meet the King face to face. Amen.”