Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish virgins calls us to be ready for His return. All ten knew the bridegroom was coming, but only five had the oil they needed when he arrived.
During our service, Sister Donna Harris used an oil lamp and its wick to teach about spiritual readiness. Before that message, we shared in testimony, prayer, and worship that pointed us to the faithfulness of Jesus.
Testimony and Prayer Before the Message
Brother Jason Needham introduced the NTS AI Bible app, a tool he's developing to help people study Scripture. It includes personalized reading plans, AI-generated study materials, Strong's Concordance, interlinear reading, and a community feature. The app has free and paid access options.
Tools can help us study, but they should lead us back to God's Word. Our teaching on Biblical word studies gives more help with reading Scripture in context.
We also celebrated Mike and Amy's marriage. Mike had been saved and had asked the Lord for deliverance from alcohol. After he entered the hospital with blood clots in his lungs, they were married in the hospital chapel instead of at the tavern where they had planned their wedding.
Amy shared her belief that God redirected their plans and helped them begin their marriage in a way that honored Him. We prayed for their marriage, for Mike's health, and for freedom from temptation. Their testimony reminds us that Jesus rescues and restores lives.
During worship, we sang about dead things coming alive in the name of Jesus. We were reminded to keep believing God for lost family members and circumstances that seem beyond hope.
The Ten Virgins and the Bridegroom
In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells us about ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise and carried extra oil. Five were foolish and brought no reserve.
The bridegroom was delayed, and all ten fell asleep. At midnight, the cry came that he was arriving. The foolish virgins found their lamps going out and went to buy oil, but while they were gone, the bridegroom came and the door was shut.
The wise were ready when he came. Jesus ended the parable with a call to watch, because we don't know the day or the hour of His coming.
Scripture also describes Christ's love for the church in Ephesians 5:25-27. Jesus gave Himself for His church, and we must be ready for Him.
A Lamp Needs Oil and Care
A lamp may look beautiful on the outside, but it needs fuel to keep burning. That picture calls us to examine our spiritual condition. Is your lamp full, or is it running low?
A wick also needs attention. Trimming away the charred material helps the lamp burn more steadily. As a picture of spiritual life, this reminds us to examine ourselves and turn away from sin and distractions that hinder our walk with the Lord.
We must be willing to receive God's correction. A life that pleases Him requires more than a religious appearance. We need a relationship with Jesus and a heart that responds to His Word.
The Holy Spirit Gives Us Power
Oil reminds us of the Holy Spirit, who fills and empowers believers. We cannot live the life God calls us to live by our own strength. We need His Spirit working in us and helping us shine as witnesses for Jesus.
In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul speaks of treasure in earthen vessels so that the power is recognized as God's and not our own. We need to remember the treasure God has placed within us and seek a fresh filling when we have become spiritually weary.
The Bridegroom Is Coming
The delay in Jesus' parable is no reason to become careless. We have heard that He is coming, and His return calls us to remain faithful.
In Matthew 24, Jesus spoke about deception, wars, famines, earthquakes, and lawlessness. These warnings call us to watch and pray, not to claim we know the date of His return.
Christians may differ on the timing of end-time events, but the call remains: be ready. We can also find comfort in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, where Paul writes about the Lord's coming and tells believers to encourage one another. Our teaching on Jesus' ascension and His return considers that promise as well.
Wisdom Is a Surrendered Life
The wise virgins brought oil and were prepared. Godly wisdom is more than intelligence. It is a life surrendered to God, a life that fears the Lord, receives correction, shows mercy, and turns away from evil.
Proverbs 1:7 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. We must not despise His instruction or insist on our own way when His Word calls us to change.
The foolish virgins had lamps, but they weren't prepared for the bridegroom's arrival. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus warns that calling Him Lord is not enough while continuing in lawlessness. Outward religion cannot replace knowing Jesus and doing the Father's will.
Keep the Lamp Filled
We can bring our lives before the Lord and ask Him to show us what needs to change. If we have neglected prayer or allowed distractions to take hold, we can repent and seek Him.
Pastor Lane reminded us that small things can weaken our spiritual life when we leave them unchecked. We prayed for renewed desire, self-control, and help with the things that should not rule over us.
Keep praying, reading God's Word, and gathering with His people. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and help you remain faithful.
Let Your Light Shine
Jesus said in John 8:12 that He is the light of the world. He also calls His people to let their light shine before others in Matthew 5:14-16.
The bridegroom is coming. Let us stay close to Jesus, be filled with His Spirit, and live as people who are ready to meet Him.
