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| Jas 5:16b The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. | August 19, 2008 |
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I’ve something that the Lord has laid on my heart. I have desired for a time to bring before you all, but have lacked opportunity. The text is Matthew 25:1-13 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; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom come; 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. We read here, what we know as a parable. A parable does not necessarily illustrate a true story but a TRUTH. This truth is concerning Christ and Christendom. Now in most fundamental congregations, there are two basic kinds of people. There are those professing to be Christians, and those who truly have Christ in their hearts and lives. We can call them professors and possessors. The Bridegroom, in our parable, is representative of Christ. The numbers five and ten here, are mankind’s responsibility, man having five senses, I believe, so we can know Him. God also gave us five fingers on each hand, so we can be about His work. God gave us five toes on each foot, to be walking in His ways. We could go on and on about the meaning of numbers, but lets get back to our parable. I would like to direct some remarks now to those who may be professors. Please turn to the Gospel of Luke 19:10. For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. What a wonderful truth, He is seeking for you. He is at the door of you’re heart knocking. But now, there is a responsibility that you have. Lets turn to Romans 10:9-10. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. You see confession is important, but believing in your heart goes along with it. I’m saying this because there may be some here presently who really don’t have oil in your vessels, That is the Holy Spirit. If you are in that situation, that is that you sitting here and you know that you don’t have Christ in your heart or life, Do not leave here today without inviting Him into your life. This is important, so I’m going to repeat, don’t leave here today without inviting Christ into your life. You don’t know your future, you may die tonight and go into eternity and never have a chance to do it later. How awful to hear those words, "I know you not," and go into eternity where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, the place of eternal torment. We’ll speak again to those who are professors, let us now direct our remarks to possessors. In verse five we read: "While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept." Down through the centuries, The truth of Christ’s return was lost. This, I believe, is what the ten virgins slumber and sleep mean. Then the reformation came in the early eighteen hundreds and the truth was recovered, thus the midnight cry. But what I wanted to address today is concerning the five wise and the five foolish virgins. Our vessels signify our bodies, Oil, the Holy Spirit indwelling. Five had it, Five didn’t. The five foolish, who did not have the oil, the Bridegroom said to them, "I know you not." How solemn it is for anyone to go into eternity with those words echoing in their ears. There is one very simple thing that makes the difference. The five wise are possessors, the five foolish are professors. To possess Christ in our hearts is to simply invite Him into our hearts and lives. He is there at the door of your heart right, now knocking. You may think you are a Christian because you were born to Christian parents. Going to church doesn’t make me a Christian. Doing lots of good works doesn’t make me a Christian. Having Christian friends and family doesn’t make me a Christian. If I were born in a donut shop, that doesn’t make me a donut. If I were born at Macdonald’s, that doesn’t make me a hamburger. A true Christian has Christ; it’s as simple as that. You have to invite Him. If you haven’t as yet, do it now. When the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps and the five foolish found that their lamps are going out because they lacked oil in the lamps. They asked, "give us of your oil." I must add here that I take this parable as prophetic, that Christ was prophesying what was to take place. The midnight cry has gone out. The truth concerning His soon return has been recovered. But notice that the five wise could only answer, "Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you." Dear Christians, this is happening now. We have become complacent over the years. We’re getting lax. How sad to send someone off somewhere else. Is there not enough Christ to go around? We who have oil in our lamps need to let them shine. Be ready in season, out of season. Share this treasure we have within. Dear ones, we are in the last days before His return for us. I’m sure of it. That midnight cry has gone out about two hundred years ago. The morning is right on the horizon, and all in Christ will rise to be with Him forever. Then, no more suffering, no more pain or tears. Before I came up here, I prayed that God would save all those here who have yet to accept Him and also to instill in the believers a deep sense of the judgement awaiting the lost. I realize of course that it is not myself that can do this but God only can. Dear believers, pray that God will touch your hearts and use you to speak to others. You may have neighbors or even unbelieving family members. Think about going home to be with Christ and leaving behind those dear ones. Now, those who may still be in your sins. Please ask Christ into your hearts. He is there knocking. Pray this prayer with me! "Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I know that I need Thee in my life. Please come into my heart and change me. For I know you only have the power to do this, and you have promised to do this for all who ask. In Your blessed name Lord Jesus."
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