Join us in this enlightening episode as we delve into the profound teachings of Jesus through the parable of the ten virgins, as narrated in Matthew 25:1-13. Discover the wisdom embedded in this timeless story and how it echoes the importance of readiness and preparation in our spiritual journey. Our speaker, Jeff Archie, guides us through vital lessons, encouraging us to align our priorities with spiritual values.
It’s parable time from International Gospel Hour, so let’s take an earthly story and learn the heavenly meaning, shall we? It’s coming up in just a moment.
SPEAKER 01 :
It’s time for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jay Webb, and welcome to our study today as we embrace God’s Word to help us meet the challenges of today. Let’s open our Bibles and open our heart for this time of Bible study with our speaker Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. Here’s Jeff.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, a kind thank you to our J-Web. Greetings and hello to everyone. It’s great having you with us for our broadcast here from International Gospel Hour. You know, the teaching of Jesus Christ, the Master Teacher, is unlike any other. After His preaching in what we title the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, we read from Matthew 7-28, the people were astonished at His doctrine. Not only the doctrine or the teaching which he brought forth, but also his approach. You know, when you hear the word parables, what comes to your mind? Well, probably the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The master teacher who came to die, but he lived to teach. In about 35 or so occasions, Jesus used the teaching of parables to instruct people on the lessons that they needed. And the use of Jesus’ parables grants us an opportunity to learn. The word parable means to throw alongside of or a parallel. And I suppose the most common definition that I have heard is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus is going to take something of which they are familiar with. He will throw it alongside with the spiritual teaching therein. So in a moment we’re going to consider one of those parables that is referred to simply as the parable of the ten virgins from Matthew 25 verses 1 through 13. Before we come back and read that parable and bring forth the application therein, here are a few words from our J-Web.
SPEAKER 01 :
World Video Bible School is at wvbs.org. That’s wvbs.org. You can check out over 2,400 videos on a number of biblical subjects, and you can also enroll in their online school and work at your pace. And friends, it’s absolutely free. That’s wvbs.org. Again, that’s wvbs.org.
SPEAKER 02 :
And now, friends, Matthew 25, verses 1 through 13. Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard, Behold, the bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose 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, No, lest there should not be enough for us and you, but rather go to those who sell and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Now, as in all of his parables, Jesus used something the people were familiar with, and the people were familiar with marriage. and the preparation was really something in biblical times. For example, the bride went to the home of the groom, and sometimes the bride’s relatives would take her there, or sometimes the groom would go and get her and bring her to the house. Now, the custom says the groom must arrive precisely at midnight, but he could be delayed depending on negotiations with the bride’s parents, in other words, the gifts given to the parents. And going to the house of the groom was a grand procession, and only those with a torch or lamp burning bright could join up. Young virgins traditionally served in the wedding, and in the ancient East, ten would join the party. And seeing when the groom would arrive, he could not wait. He had to go. Thus, Jesus used this parable, this exceptional illustration, to instruct being ready and prepared. Think about it. The virgins all had the same intentions. They all took their lamps, they all went forth, they all slumbered and slept, they all awakened when the time had come, and they all trimmed their lamps. And while they had the same intentions, there was a difference in preparation. Five took vessels of oil, extra oil for later when they need it. Five did not, and therefore they had less at trimming time or to be ready. They were already behind the eight ball, as we would say. Five knew to prepare and did, to bring the vessels of oil. Five knew to prepare and did not. I mean, when we note that they took no oil with them, they knew what to do. Culture would have told them so. And five had to tell what to do. And five had to be told what to do. It’s rather interesting to see they had the same intentions, but they were different in preparation. So let’s think about some important lessons as we continue our study. From verses 1 through 3, I would suggest that when one fails to prepare, priorities are absolutely missing. Now, considering the background, these foolish virgins knew better. I mean, lamps were the dominant use of their light. It was their electricity. And yet they failed to plan on something they knew they needed. Well, friends, let’s do some application. In Matthew 6 and verse 33, Jesus says, and all these things shall be added unto you. The things that he mentioned in verses 19 through 32. We must put the spiritual things in life first and all other second. And, again from Matthew 6, going back to verses 19 through 21, one’s treasures should be above. And we are even reminded in Colossians 3, 1 through 4, that those who are risen with Christ are the Christian, we should seek those things which are above. And so when one fails to prepare, there are priorities that are missing. Let’s learn a second lesson. And I want to look at verses 10 through 12 for this one. That when one fails to prepare, one practices tardiness and procrastination. It’s been said procrastination is the thief of time. So friends, are we making the most of the time available? Ephesians 5 verses 15 through 16 says, See then that you walk circumspectly or carefully, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Now, verse 16 is like what I just read is like a commentary. Redeeming the time because the days are evil. Then I come back with a little bit of a commentary from another translation to look carefully how you walk. Don’t walk as unwise but wise and make the best use of our time. Friends, I have noted a lot of times people that are tardy are people who practice tardiness. It is a frustration when you prepare and you are somewhere and people say, let’s wait on a few others. Well, excuse me, those few others knew about this time. Now, I do realize things come up. But there’s a difference in things coming up and us continually bringing them up. And we need to work on our lives with tardiness and procrastination to put things off that need to be done. Friends, we have to go back to number one to have the priorities set. And when priorities are right, schedules are right. Very quickly, verses 6 through 9. When one fails to prepare, they depend on others when they should be depending on themselves. Now concerning the old, there was not enough for the foolish and wise virgins. In other words, my obedience is enough for me. I cannot be saved for you, and you cannot be saved for me. I have to make the decision to follow Jesus. You know, in Acts 24, Felix, and in Acts 26, a grip of both of them declined, but those in Acts 2 and verse 37 accepted and knew when they said, What should we do? And Peter said, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. He told them that in verse 38. He continued with many other words we see in Acts 2 and verse 40. And in Acts 2 and verse 41, they that gladly received his word were baptized, you see. And friends, note 2 Corinthians 5 and verse 10, that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. You see, with my salvation, I can’t depend on you or anybody else. I must make that decision, and so should you. Friends, we need to make the proper decisions concerning obedience. Let us at International Gospel Hour help you with that. And here is our J-Web with our special God and Man study.
SPEAKER 01 :
An additional Bible study by mail is now available from International Gospel Hour. It’s titled, God and Man, How to Be Saved from Sin. This study booklet addresses a number of questions about the salvation from God to man. And friends, like all materials, it’s free. Call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, God and Man. Or you can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type God and man in the message box. Another Bible study that is free from IGH. And our friends at godandman.com. That’s god-and-man.com. And, you know, since you can’t see it, let me just spell that out for you. We’d love to hear from you.
SPEAKER 02 :
Friends, when one fails to prepare, we’ll miss the greatest invitation of all, just like they did in verse 5. Friends, let’s respond wisely and prepare our lives. Thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. Let us send the free study material to you and we’ll join our studies together at another time. I’m Jeff Archie and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 01 :
Thank you for listening today to God Be the Glory, and we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. Feel free to listen to our other programs at our website at internationalgospelhour.com and join us next time.
