OIL IS ESSENTIAL

INTRODUCTION

WHEN speaking about wisdom, the Bible says, “Seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures.” Silver and hidden treasure are located underneath the ground. They require digging. The fact that the treasures are hidden implies that it is not on top of the ground, obvious to the casual eye. Why would God not make wisdom available for anyone to pick up too easily? It’s too valuable. He doesn’t want folks to pick it up who don’t intend on using it. He has placed wisdom as a hidden treasure underneath the ground for those who really want it. Just like people who truly desire to find gold don’t mind digging and working to find it, wisdom is only to be found by people who value it enough to search for it.

SCRIPTURE READING

Congregational Reading

Matthew 25:1–13 ESV

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 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.’ 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. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

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CENTRAL IDEA

Be ready when the bridegroom comes

Not everyone who starts out to go with him will be ready when the bridegroom comes

Not everyone who starts out to go with him will be ready when the bridegroom comes

POINT 1

the text says that the kingdom of heaven is comparable to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. We learn very quickly that the number 10 is symbolic to wholeness or completion. In other words it represents the sum total. That is everyone who confessess faith. We know this because the text uses the imagery of virgins. A virgin is a young woman who is, in essence, pure. How many of you know that when we put our trust in the Lord , He makes us whiter than snow. So then, everyone who has confessed Christ as Lord and Savior are the virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

POINT 2

POINT 2

POINT 3

POINT 2

POINT 3

CONCLUSION

INVITATION