WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:04.799 where we're dedicated to encouraging, 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.799 equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:10.000 Located in Ontario, Oregon, 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:11.720 Pastor Patrick Daly preaches 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:13.800 insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.760 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.559 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.559 --> 00:00:21.519 We're going to go ahead and get started. 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:24.199 The title of this sermon today is, 00:00:24.199 --> 00:00:25.960 Living in Readiness, 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:29.039 the call to prepare for Christ. 00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:31.480 For many of us at this time, 00:00:31.480 --> 00:00:33.640 we are preparing for, 00:00:33.640 --> 00:00:34.719 I mean, let's think about it, 00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:37.359 it's November 24th, 30 days. 00:00:37.359 --> 00:00:39.320 We're going to have Christmas Eve. 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:42.679 For others, we are thinking of Thanksgiving, 00:00:42.679 --> 00:00:45.759 and we're thinking of what kind of meal and preparation 00:00:45.759 --> 00:00:48.640 that we have to have for a Thanksgiving meal. 00:00:48.640 --> 00:00:51.519 We think of the Christmas season that's coming right up. 00:00:51.519 --> 00:00:54.519 And it's a time where we are preparing. 00:00:54.519 --> 00:00:57.000 It's a time where we are waiting. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:00:59.600 We're waiting for the holidays to come around, 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:01.960 for to visit our friends and our family. 00:01:01.960 --> 00:01:04.920 And it's also a time where we're getting very close 00:01:04.920 --> 00:01:07.359 to the Advent season, 00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:11.560 where we are focusing on the waiting for Christ. 00:01:11.560 --> 00:01:14.599 It's just a wonderful, it's the season, right? 00:01:14.599 --> 00:01:16.480 Tis the season. 00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:18.400 And I want us to go, 00:01:19.400 --> 00:01:24.400 let's open our Bibles to the Gospel of Matthew chapter 25. 00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:29.400 And we're going to be reading the parable of the 10 virgins. 00:01:30.600 --> 00:01:33.200 And I want to give you a disclaimer first and foremost 00:01:33.200 --> 00:01:38.200 that these verses are talking about 00:01:38.200 --> 00:01:40.439 what is to come in the future, right? 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:43.280 The second coming of Christ. 00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:48.280 And just as we as the church wait for Christ's return, 00:01:48.880 --> 00:01:52.080 we also think about how we are preparing 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:54.439 for the Advent season. 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:57.400 So it's a wonderful connection from the first 00:01:57.400 --> 00:02:00.159 and the second coming. 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:03.400 So feel free to turn to the scripture reading 00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:05.799 from the Gospel of Matthew chapter 25. 00:02:05.799 --> 00:02:08.240 We're going to go through verses one through 13, 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:11.199 the parable of the 10 virgins. 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:16.199 Keep in mind that right before is where you see Christ, 00:02:16.360 --> 00:02:18.360 where Jesus is talking about, 00:02:18.360 --> 00:02:22.400 no one knows the day or the hour. 00:02:22.400 --> 00:02:24.200 We're then going to go into the parable 00:02:24.200 --> 00:02:26.440 of the 10 virgins and then after, 00:02:26.440 --> 00:02:28.880 you have the parable of the talents 00:02:28.880 --> 00:02:31.280 and the mentioning of the final judgment. 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:34.680 So there's a lot of symbolism. 00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:38.640 There's a lot of language here that it may seem very strange 00:02:38.640 --> 00:02:42.760 for us in this post-modern or modern context, 00:02:42.760 --> 00:02:45.820 but it has very significant and very deep meaning. 00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:50.180 So let's read together. 00:02:50.180 --> 00:02:53.359 It's page 987 in your ESVP Bible 00:02:53.359 --> 00:02:57.419 or the Gospel of Matthew chapter 25 in your Bible 00:02:57.419 --> 00:03:00.799 or mobile device app version of your choice. 00:03:00.799 --> 00:03:01.959 So let's read together. 00:03:03.259 --> 00:03:06.859 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins 00:03:06.859 --> 00:03:10.780 who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:15.259 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 00:03:15.259 --> 00:03:17.459 For when the foolish took their lamps, 00:03:17.459 --> 00:03:19.579 they took no oil with them, 00:03:19.579 --> 00:03:23.939 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:25.819 As the bridegroom was delayed, 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:29.259 they all became drowsy and slept. 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:31.739 But at midnight, there was a cry. 00:03:31.739 --> 00:03:36.099 Here is the bridegroom, come out to meet him. 00:03:36.099 --> 00:03:39.780 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 00:03:39.780 --> 00:03:42.180 They prepared their lamps. 00:03:42.180 --> 00:03:45.420 And the foolish said to the wise, give us some of your oil 00:03:45.420 --> 00:03:47.900 for our lamps are going out. 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:49.580 And the wise answered saying, well, 00:03:49.580 --> 00:03:53.099 since there will not be enough for us and for you, 00:03:53.099 --> 00:03:56.700 go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves. 00:03:56.700 --> 00:03:59.980 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came. 00:03:59.980 --> 00:04:02.700 And those who were ready, let's pay attention on this. 00:04:02.700 --> 00:04:07.500 Those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast. 00:04:07.500 --> 00:04:08.719 And then what happens? 00:04:08.719 --> 00:04:10.719 The door was shut. 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:13.479 The door was shut, right? 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:16.879 Afterward, the other virgins came also saying, 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:20.040 Lord, Lord, open to us. 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:25.040 But he answered, truly I say to you, I do not know you. 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:30.560 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:34.439 This is a very interesting scene, right? 00:04:34.439 --> 00:04:36.439 We're talking about these 10 virgins. 00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:40.680 We can go to that next slide, the one after that. 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:43.480 We have this scene here, and I try. 00:04:43.480 --> 00:04:45.000 I really try to find some images 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:46.600 that represent what's going on. 00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:49.740 So you're gonna have to forgive me a little bit here. 00:04:49.740 --> 00:04:52.519 You have this scene with the 10 virgins, 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:55.420 and they are preparing for the wedding feast. 00:04:56.120 --> 00:05:00.000 And what's interesting we can observe right away is 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:04.079 some of them are prepared with oil, 00:05:04.079 --> 00:05:06.040 and others are not, right? 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:07.600 That's kind of interesting. 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:11.520 There's this distinction between those who are prepared 00:05:11.520 --> 00:05:13.160 and those who aren't. 00:05:13.160 --> 00:05:15.319 We can think of other parables right away. 00:05:15.319 --> 00:05:18.080 We can think of the wheat and tares. 00:05:18.080 --> 00:05:22.160 We can also think of the sheep and the goats. 00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:24.800 Or we can even think of the foolish builder 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:27.200 and the wise builder. 00:05:27.200 --> 00:05:31.879 You see, scripture is full of a lot of this very interesting 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:32.920 parabolic, right? 00:05:32.920 --> 00:05:35.040 Parable language. 00:05:35.040 --> 00:05:36.800 Symbolism. 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:40.800 And so we're seeing here 10 representing completedness. 00:05:41.800 --> 00:05:43.720 And we're seeing this kind of distinction. 00:05:43.720 --> 00:05:47.120 It's those who are preparing for the bridegroom 00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:52.120 to come back, and only five, half of them are entering in, 00:05:52.180 --> 00:05:54.680 and the other half are shut out. 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:56.879 What's very interesting when I was studying this, 00:05:56.879 --> 00:05:59.520 and really praying and reflecting on this, 00:05:59.520 --> 00:06:02.920 is you'll find that this is later on, 00:06:02.920 --> 00:06:05.840 but in scripture there's another time 00:06:05.840 --> 00:06:09.920 where a door was shut in Genesis. 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:12.280 It's Genesis chapter seven verse 16, 00:06:12.280 --> 00:06:17.280 where you had the Noah's Ark, where the door was shut. 00:06:18.200 --> 00:06:20.879 It's very similar to what we're finding here 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:22.520 in the Gospel of Matthew here. 00:06:23.720 --> 00:06:27.759 And so the question then comes for us, 00:06:27.759 --> 00:06:31.360 what does it mean to prepare our hearts 00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:34.680 for the coming of Christ, for his first coming 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:37.319 as we celebrate the Advent season, 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:39.800 but also his second coming in judgment, 00:06:39.800 --> 00:06:43.680 because this parable is speaking of future judgment. 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:47.360 There is this connection between the first coming 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:49.680 and the second coming of Christ. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:52.360 And it has a great deal to do with preparation 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:53.939 and anticipation. 00:06:55.080 --> 00:06:58.879 You see, the Jewish people, they were to prepare 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:03.879 their way for the Lord, just as we are to prepare ourselves 00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:06.000 for the coming of Christ. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:09.040 That's why it is so important for each and every one of us 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:12.480 to come to know the Lord, to be prepared 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:14.680 for that second coming, because here's the thing, 00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:17.120 in knowing the Lord you are safe and secure 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:19.759 in the arms of the Father, right? 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:22.360 That's the call, that's the whole point of Christianity, 00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:24.839 is to spread the good news of the Gospel, 00:07:24.839 --> 00:07:27.759 to share in the death, burial, and resurrection, 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:29.159 and when we're talking about Advent, 00:07:29.159 --> 00:07:32.680 we're talking about Christ being born, 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:35.279 and being born in a manger, and the fulfillment 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:37.959 of all of this prophecy that's happening. 00:07:37.959 --> 00:07:41.920 And it's to show that God is consistent in his word. 00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:44.000 And just as God has been consistent 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:46.199 with the first coming of Christ, so too, 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:49.539 will he be consistent with the second coming of Christ. 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:53.519 Now we see here in this image, 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:55.920 I don't have an image of a bridegroom. 00:07:55.920 --> 00:07:58.000 I only have the 10 virgins in the door, 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:01.560 but the idea is that they are waiting. 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:05.800 The bridegroom represents Christ, 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:09.280 who's coming, it's delayed. 00:08:09.280 --> 00:08:10.520 So that's very interesting. 00:08:10.520 --> 00:08:12.879 Now when we think of a wedding feast that's happening, 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:16.439 well you don't want the bride or the groom to be delayed. 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:18.560 You want them to show up for the wedding, right? 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:20.560 Or the wedding feast, it would be kind of, 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:22.300 we think of that, we think, oh, how terrible, 00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:24.840 for someone to not even show up for their wedding feast, 00:08:24.839 --> 00:08:27.839 or a time for a wedding now. 00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:30.879 But here it's talking about the delay representing 00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:35.879 the return of Christ giving time for us as Christians, 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:40.720 for us as people to come to know the Lord. 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:43.039 That is something that's so important, 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:46.559 that there is this, as it were, intentional delay. 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:49.879 Here's the thing, just because it's delayed 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:52.279 doesn't mean Christ isn't gonna show up. 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:54.079 He is going to return. 00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:58.520 It's the timing in which we do not know that will happen. 00:08:58.520 --> 00:09:01.879 In Revelation 19, 7 through 9, you don't have to turn there. 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:03.879 You find this language that's very similar 00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:05.560 to what we're finding in Matthew. 00:09:05.560 --> 00:09:10.280 It says, let us rejoice and exalt and give him the glory, 00:09:10.280 --> 00:09:12.800 for the marriage of the lamb has come, 00:09:12.800 --> 00:09:16.320 and his bride has made herself ready. 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:19.920 You find in scripture that the bride of Christ 00:09:19.920 --> 00:09:23.080 is the representation of the church, 00:09:23.080 --> 00:09:25.520 and the bride groom is the lamb, right? 00:09:25.520 --> 00:09:27.440 It is Christ. 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:29.160 We also have the virgins here. 00:09:29.160 --> 00:09:32.040 Now what's interesting, in this image, 00:09:32.040 --> 00:09:35.040 we have the virgins who are basically 00:09:35.040 --> 00:09:37.160 they're holding lamps. 00:09:37.160 --> 00:09:40.240 Now if you remember when we did our sermon series on Ezra, 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:44.560 we had a very similar scene, where the priests, 00:09:44.560 --> 00:09:47.840 where you had the people of God carrying the vessels 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:49.759 from the place that they did not belong 00:09:49.759 --> 00:09:52.200 to the place that they needed to belong. 00:09:52.200 --> 00:09:55.200 So it's a very similar image, but here you 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:57.480 have the virgins that are holding the lamps. 00:09:57.480 --> 00:10:00.400 Some translations say they're holding a torch, 00:10:00.400 --> 00:10:02.120 depends on which translation. 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:04.120 But for this, for argument's sake, 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:06.440 we're just going to call them the lamps. 00:10:06.440 --> 00:10:11.480 Now the lamps are a representation of vessels, right? 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:14.720 And we've talked about vessels before, right? 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:18.800 When we think of what is it that you are filled with? 00:10:18.800 --> 00:10:22.120 Are you filled with the Holy Spirit, or are you 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:23.840 an empty vessel? 00:10:23.840 --> 00:10:28.120 Are you a vessel that is honorable or dishonorable, 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:30.159 not full of honor? 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:34.080 And so in this image, right, so we have this picture here, 00:10:34.080 --> 00:10:36.440 the lamp, and again, I really tried 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:39.039 to make an image that would kind of represent 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:44.320 what we're going for, the oil representing the Holy Spirit, 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:48.120 the lamp representing the vessel, and then the flame. 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:49.759 And then comes the question, well, what 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:51.159 do the virgins represent? 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:53.919 And there's two ways we can look at this. 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:57.839 It can represent this image, the virgins holding the lamp, 00:10:57.839 --> 00:11:03.360 can represent us holding our hearts, everything that we are, 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:05.279 being filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:09.559 or not filled with the Holy Spirit, right, having the flame, 00:11:09.559 --> 00:11:12.120 right, being the light of the world, 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:19.399 or it can also mean the virgins representing churches. 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:24.639 And the vessels representing the congregation, so to speak. 00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:27.959 And it's very interesting, and I know it gets very controversial, 00:11:27.959 --> 00:11:31.319 of, well, then what is a church that's filled with the Holy 00:11:31.319 --> 00:11:33.679 Spirit, and what's churches that aren't? 00:11:33.679 --> 00:11:36.959 But the idea is that we have to be mindful of such things, 00:11:36.959 --> 00:11:40.199 especially when it's found in Scripture. 00:11:40.199 --> 00:11:43.960 Think of how churches are to prepare the way of the Lord. 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:47.960 They are to prepare people to know. 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:51.280 Churches are to focus on the gospel message, 00:11:51.280 --> 00:11:53.240 keeping the main thing, the main thing, 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:56.680 and letting the Holy Spirit flow through churches 00:11:56.680 --> 00:11:59.040 much as individuals. 00:11:59.040 --> 00:12:01.480 And so that's what we're seeing here. 00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:04.759 We're seeing these different things that are happening. 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:08.240 So the lamps are symbolizing vessels, right? 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:10.720 It's the, some scholars have said it 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:13.800 is the outward expression of faith, right? 00:12:13.800 --> 00:12:15.759 Is it filled with the Holy Spirit? 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:17.440 Is there a flame, right? 00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:19.880 Is it filled with the flame of Christ? 00:12:19.880 --> 00:12:22.280 And the oil representing the Holy Spirit? 00:12:22.280 --> 00:12:25.200 And so the first thing that we can observe here 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:27.920 is that the virgins are representing 00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:30.760 the waiting for Christ's return. 00:12:30.760 --> 00:12:34.960 Okay, now the big thing with this is that, 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:39.880 it says here, all wait for the return, but not all already. 00:12:39.880 --> 00:12:44.600 And this is, this can be very heavy language for some of us. 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:48.519 Whether we know it or not, judgment is going to come, right? 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:50.399 It's whether or not you believe in the Lord 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:53.000 and you're saved and you know where you're gonna go, 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:54.680 or you're not. 00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:57.440 It's very clear in this kind of language, 00:12:57.440 --> 00:13:02.440 are you prepared for the return of Christ or are you not? 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:04.639 That's what it's speaking of. 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:06.120 And whether we know it or not, 00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:09.879 whether we like it or not, not all are ready. 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:12.120 Now for us, we have to think, 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:14.799 that's why it's so important for us to share in the gospel 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:19.440 message so that we can get people to turn to Christ, 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:22.879 to receive the gift of salvation. 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:25.840 So the wise are the one that are prepared with oil, 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:28.720 representing believers that are filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:30.639 and the foolish are unprepared. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:33.399 They represent those that may not, 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:34.679 they may attend church, 00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:37.039 but they may not believe in the Lord. 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:40.080 And unfortunately that is something that happens. 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:41.639 Or it could be an unbeliever, right? 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:45.840 Or it could be a what some would call a false church. 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:46.960 That's the reality. 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:50.759 We also have the delay of the bridegroom, 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:53.600 the delay of Christ, which as I was mentioning, 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:56.480 it is allowing for time to pass 00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:59.039 so that people come to know the Lord. 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:02.240 Because the Lord is patient, He is kind and merciful, 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:05.319 and He gives us an opportunity to come to believe in Him, 00:14:05.319 --> 00:14:08.399 to come to know Him, to grow in Him 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:09.480 and to do good in His name. 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:13.759 The cry at midnight is the bridegroom's sudden arrival. 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:16.680 It's representing the unexpected return of Christ. 00:14:16.680 --> 00:14:19.519 And we see this happen. 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:23.399 The parable of the 10 virgins is very similar to, 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:25.720 remember when the disciples fell asleep 00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:27.440 and Christ went to go pray? 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:30.320 You see a very similar parallel, right? 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:33.720 Where they don't know the time when Christ will come back. 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:35.680 And I know with the disciples being asleep, 00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:38.960 it's like, hey, you couldn't be with me and pray for one hour. 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:41.879 So you see kind of this similarity that's happening here. 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:48.360 And so then we go into, well, what can we, 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:53.160 right, we've talked about the lessons here, right? 00:14:53.160 --> 00:14:56.600 All are waiting, not all are truly ready. 00:14:56.600 --> 00:14:58.120 It's a call for us that first, 00:14:58.120 --> 00:15:00.280 let's go back to that first one. 00:15:00.280 --> 00:15:02.840 That first one is very important. 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:05.440 If you don't know, you should examine 00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:08.240 whether you're a believer or not, right? 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.840 Do you believe in Jesus Christ? 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:11.240 Do you believe the death, burial, 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:14.000 and resurrection of Jesus Christ? 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:18.120 It's a call for all of us to examine our hearts, 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:20.480 to examine our psalms. 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:22.600 The second one is the lamps and the oil, right? 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:24.759 The vessels and the Holy Spirit. 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:29.360 Now, I love Galatians chapter five, 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:32.320 verses 22 through 23, which talks about 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:37.320 the fruit of the Spirit being love, joy, peace. 00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:40.500 I know there's more, right? 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:42.620 So here's the thing, those first three 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:44.340 are they're not advent themes. 00:15:45.180 --> 00:15:47.379 Isn't that really cool when we're thinking about that? 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:52.060 We're thinking of the fruit of the Spirit. 00:15:52.060 --> 00:15:53.820 And I referenced in your notes, 00:15:53.820 --> 00:15:56.060 Zechariah chapter four, verse six, 00:15:56.060 --> 00:15:58.780 when it's talking about the rebuilding of the temple, 00:15:58.780 --> 00:16:02.780 we also think of how we build our lives, right? 00:16:02.780 --> 00:16:03.900 It's a very powerful verse. 00:16:03.900 --> 00:16:05.980 I know it gets taken out of context at times, 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:08.659 but it's still very true, not by might, not by power, 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:11.259 but by my spirit says the Lord. 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:14.180 It's talking about, again, the temple being rebuilt, 00:16:14.180 --> 00:16:16.060 but also when we're building our lives, 00:16:16.060 --> 00:16:18.680 we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:21.980 The bridegroom's delay, number three, 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:24.620 is waiting upon the Lord. 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:27.480 The delay, now, many of us, 00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:31.779 in the, there's a pastor's prayer group 00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:35.019 that I like to go to every so often. 00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:37.939 And we like to joke about, there's a book out there. 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:40.059 If you know the name of it, 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:43.379 if I butcher the name, I apologize in advance. 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:45.340 But the book is pretty much along the lines 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:50.340 with 88 reasons why Christ will return in 1988. 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:51.980 And it's a real book. 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:55.860 And when we're thinking about this, 00:16:55.860 --> 00:17:00.179 the bridegroom's delay, it's waiting upon the Lord. 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:02.899 The reality is we don't know when Christ will return. 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:07.299 And then, I mean, if you wanna make a lot of money, 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:08.700 say when it's gonna happen, 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:12.180 but be prepared to be incorrect, right? 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:16.980 I'm sure the 88 reasons why Christ will return in 1988, 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:20.019 how embarrassing that must be, right? 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:23.339 When, okay, well, it's the end of the year, 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:26.339 it's December 31st, Christ isn't back. 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:28.859 What am I gonna do with myself, you know? 00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:31.339 But the thing is, there's a lot of books out there. 00:17:31.339 --> 00:17:33.980 There's a lot of people on YouTube, TikTok saying, 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:37.659 okay, Christ's return is going to be XYZ date 00:17:37.659 --> 00:17:40.939 on this hour, on this minute and whatnot. 00:17:40.939 --> 00:17:43.619 But the reality is we don't know the hour. 00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:46.139 The delay is not knowing the day or the hour, 00:17:46.139 --> 00:17:50.259 and the delay allows for more to come to Christ. 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:53.740 Could you imagine if we actually knew the date and time? 00:17:55.419 --> 00:17:56.819 Like, really think about that. 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:58.059 Like, I'm gonna throw out a number. 00:17:58.059 --> 00:18:02.019 And I'm not saying Christ is returning in 2032, 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:03.859 but think about that. 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:06.019 Like, if you had a, this is the date 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.539 Christ is going to return, 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:12.139 imagine the good and the bad things that can happen. 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:15.299 The reality is there are some things 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:17.700 that we are not meant to know. 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:19.779 And the timing of when Christ will return 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:21.819 is just not one of those things. 00:18:23.179 --> 00:18:27.899 In 2 Peter 3, 9, the Lord is not slow 00:18:27.900 --> 00:18:29.700 in keeping his promise. 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:33.740 We then go to the fourth one here, 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:37.460 which is speaking of the closed door, 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:40.420 the finality of judgment. 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:44.740 And I mentioned earlier that Genesis chapter seven verse 16 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:48.620 is another time when a door was shut. 00:18:48.620 --> 00:18:50.460 Now, could the door have been open 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.940 and water just go on in? 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:53.860 I'm sure you could have the placement 00:18:53.860 --> 00:18:54.940 of the door high enough, 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:58.380 but there's truth that's behind it. 00:18:58.380 --> 00:19:02.820 The door being shut representing, look, this is it. 00:19:02.820 --> 00:19:04.460 The end is now. 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:06.500 You're shut out of the ark. 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:09.660 You're shut out of safety. 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:13.860 And in the same way, we think that we have to realize 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:15.420 that the door will be shut, 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:18.539 much like we're finding here in scripture, right? 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:22.980 It's in verse 10 of Matthew chapter 25. 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:25.259 While they were going to buy, the bride room came 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:28.539 and those who were ready went with him to the marriage feast 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:30.420 and the door was shut. 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:35.980 One of the beautiful things about being here on earth 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:38.700 is that we have the opportunity to come to believe 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:42.259 in Jesus Christ, to receive the free gift of salvation 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.620 in him. 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:47.339 The other thing is that we can share in our testimony 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:49.579 and in the gospel message with others. 00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:53.019 When I am in heaven, I can't do that anymore. 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:55.939 When you are in heaven, you cannot do that anymore. 00:19:55.939 --> 00:19:59.139 And even when we're considering the door being shut, 00:19:59.139 --> 00:20:02.539 there will come a time where it's no more. 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:06.419 That's very heavy and very difficult language, I admit. 00:20:06.419 --> 00:20:09.819 But it goes to show how important it is for us 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:13.539 to believe in Jesus Christ, knowing that, look, 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:16.819 we are all sinners that are in need of a savior. 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:19.259 All fall short of the glory of God. 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:23.259 But think for a moment how important it is to recognize 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:28.259 it is what has been done on the cross by Christ dying, 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:32.259 being buried and on the third day being raised from the dead. 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:37.379 That all who believe, who so ever believes, 00:20:37.379 --> 00:20:40.740 shall not perish but have eternal life. 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:43.980 That's incredibly important for us. 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:48.980 That's why I always, always, always put John chapter 6, 00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:52.420 verse 47 at the bottom of your notes, 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:54.740 where Christ says, truly I say to you, 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:57.819 whoever believes has eternal life. 00:20:57.819 --> 00:21:01.059 So it's important for us to share in the gospel message, 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:03.779 but first and foremost, it's important for us 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:05.380 to become a believer. 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:09.259 For some of us, we may be on a spiritual journey. 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:11.420 I know there's a lot of seekers out there. 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:14.019 They're trying different things. 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:16.100 Seek first the kingdom of God. 00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:20.380 Seek that relationship with Jesus Christ. 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.779 Grow in the faith. 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:23.980 Become more mature. 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:27.180 Leave the elementary things like I was mentioning last week. 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:31.380 It's very difficult when I hear when the book of Hebrews 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:35.100 is saying that baptism is an elementary thing 00:21:35.100 --> 00:21:38.580 and we're to leave that aside and focus on the deeper things 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:42.659 of God is that's difficult because baptism is one 00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:45.500 of the most controversial, one of the most argued things 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.339 out there. 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:49.819 The laying on of hands is an elementary thing. 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:52.819 And on one end, I'm like, that's, that's awesome. 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:55.500 There's other things we've got to focus on seeking the things 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:57.460 that are higher of the Lord. 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:59.019 But at the same time, I'm like, guys, 00:21:59.019 --> 00:22:01.019 why are we arguing over this? 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:03.659 We've got to move forward in our faith. 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:08.380 And so again, Revelation chapter three verse seven through eight 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:11.300 says what he opens, no one can shut. 00:22:11.300 --> 00:22:13.060 And what he shuts, no one can open. 00:22:13.060 --> 00:22:14.259 I know your deeds. 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:18.540 See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. 00:22:18.540 --> 00:22:22.019 And this is showing just the power of the opening 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:24.380 and the closing of the door. 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:27.580 And in all of this, then it comes to the question then. 00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:30.740 You see, with every message, every verse that we go over, 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:33.859 we have to ask ourselves what is going on in the text? 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:34.700 What can we learn? 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:37.339 And thirdly, what can we apply? 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:38.940 How can we live out these verses? 00:22:38.940 --> 00:22:45.940 The first thing is for you to examine your spiritual readiness. 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:50.299 Ask yourself the question, is my faith spirit filled 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:53.579 or is it only the appearance? 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:57.420 Some people, they know how to look the part, right? 00:22:57.420 --> 00:23:00.940 It's difficult for me talking about this, I admit. 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:04.539 Some people look Christian, but they're not actually Christian. 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:09.580 For some of us, for my generation, you might call them posers. 00:23:09.580 --> 00:23:14.019 Or you might think of the word, a poser, or a fake or a phony. 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:17.620 You got to have legitimate faith in Christ. 00:23:17.620 --> 00:23:19.580 Examine that. 00:23:19.580 --> 00:23:23.380 I think of Psalm 139 when it says, search me, oh God, 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.779 and know my faith. 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:28.139 Psalm 139 when it says, search me, oh God, and know my heart. 00:23:28.139 --> 00:23:31.579 Just like we went over last week, the parable of the soils. 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:34.980 How is your heart towards the Lord? 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:36.980 How is it? 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:38.299 Only you can answer that. 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:41.379 And quite frankly, I don't want to know the status of all 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:44.139 of your guys' soil and all your guys' heart. 00:23:44.139 --> 00:23:47.500 But it's a call for you to examine that. 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:52.139 The second one is, join in the marriage feast while the door is 00:23:52.139 --> 00:23:53.379 still open. 00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:59.700 You have an opportunity to respond to Christ. 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:03.420 God gives us all an invitation. 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:06.180 Are you going to respond to that invitation? 00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:07.740 It's just like in the real world, right? 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:09.660 We get invitations all the time. 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:13.380 Sometimes we get literally invitations to weddings. 00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:15.060 Or we get invited to a birthday party. 00:24:15.060 --> 00:24:20.420 Well, I want to go to Jesus' birthday party, right? 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:24.180 Think about how every single moment of your life is an 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:26.660 opportunity for you to come to the Lord. 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:32.860 If you haven't already, if you know the Lord, may you grow in him. 00:24:32.860 --> 00:24:37.500 May you know what it means to follow in the footsteps of Christ, 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:42.740 knowing truth from lies, being more in the light, and forgetting the 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:47.220 former things of your former life. 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:51.900 The door is open, but it's not open forever. 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:56.019 So if you don't know the Lord, take this time to reflect and make 00:24:56.019 --> 00:25:01.380 that decision and join in the marriage feast. 00:25:01.380 --> 00:25:05.860 Isaiah chapter 55, verse 6, I love this verse where it says, 00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:08.940 Seek the Lord while he may be found. 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:11.940 Call on him while he is near. 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:14.779 Many of you may know that verse. 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:19.220 Ask yourself, are you seeking the Lord? 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:24.980 The third thing is let your lamp be filled with oil and live 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:27.700 prepared for Christ's return. 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:32.539 Be filled with the Holy Spirit and live a life that is pleasing for God. 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:35.619 I cannot emphasize enough. 00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:37.420 It's not about salvation. 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:38.980 It's not about what you do. 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:42.099 It's about what has been done for you. 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:47.579 We are saved by grace through faith so that no one can boast. 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:52.500 And because of this, we are called to do good in the name of Christ. 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:55.259 And so, be filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:59.099 In Colossians chapter 1, verse 10, live a life worthy of the Lord and 00:25:59.099 --> 00:26:04.740 please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.740 of the Lord. 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:11.779 Or Ephesians chapter 5, verse 18, be filled with the Spirit. 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:16.379 You want to know if you're a Christian, you shall know them by their fruit. 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:17.379 Right? 00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:22.259 That's so, so important. 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:27.339 The fourth thing then is to help others prepare for the feast. 00:26:27.339 --> 00:26:32.099 This is important for us when we think about it. 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:36.859 As I've mentioned before, the greatest decision that you can make in this life is to become 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:38.379 a believer. 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:41.980 And while you're still alive, while you're still kicking and breathing, right, and throwing 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:47.660 your arms around everywhere, that is important for you to share in the Gospel message, to 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:52.260 be an ambassador for Christ, to participate. 00:26:52.260 --> 00:26:53.580 Right? 00:26:53.580 --> 00:27:01.060 Think about how in Scripture, right, the Great Commission, to go and to make disciples. 00:27:01.060 --> 00:27:02.940 How important is that? 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:09.140 How important is it for us to share in our testimony and how God has worked in and through 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:11.860 our lives? 00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:16.700 Who you can speak to is unique to you. 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:21.980 Every single one of our stories and how God has worked in our life, it's important in the 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:24.259 eyes of God. 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:26.100 And here's the thing. 00:27:26.100 --> 00:27:32.900 I bet you there's someone that you know that you can talk to that is unique to you. 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:37.900 That you can share in your faith, that you can share in the Gospel message. 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:43.060 It says here, to invite others to the feast, sharing the Gospel, right? 00:27:43.060 --> 00:27:46.500 You share in your testimony. 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:51.220 And also, living as an ambassador for Christ. 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:57.620 In our everyday interactions, upon being saved in living as a Christian, we live out this 00:27:57.620 --> 00:28:00.180 faith. 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:04.060 We are to exhibit the love of Christ to others, right? 00:28:04.060 --> 00:28:11.019 Just how I was mentioning Galatians, the fruit of the Spirit, the Advent themes, right? 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:16.299 Love, joy, peace, and there's so many more. 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:19.380 So let this be a call for you. 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:25.860 Ask yourself, am I prepared for Christ's second coming? 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:30.819 And then as we are thinking of Advent, am I prepared? 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:33.539 Thinking of Christ's first coming. 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:36.299 Again, there is a connection. 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:38.379 It is the anticipation. 00:28:38.379 --> 00:28:41.619 It is waiting upon the Lord for His timing. 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:47.619 Oh, how much do we want to make things on our time in 1988, right? 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:49.819 When we think about it. 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:55.139 But the reality is, it's in God's timing and the time for you to make a decision for Christ. 00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:57.740 If you haven't made it, is now. 00:28:57.740 --> 00:29:03.540 And the time for you to share in the gospel message with others is yesterday, but also 00:29:03.540 --> 00:29:05.300 now, right? 00:29:05.300 --> 00:29:08.660 So let this be an encouragement for you. 00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:11.300 To join in the feast. 00:29:11.300 --> 00:29:15.380 Let your lamp be filled with oil. 00:29:15.380 --> 00:29:20.700 Let you, may you come to know the Lord again, to grow in Him and to do good in His name. 00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:29.420 May you remain rooted in Christ, allowing for God to transform your life every single day. 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:32.460 Because God has a greater plan. 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:37.100 God has a better way than what the world has to offer. 00:29:37.100 --> 00:29:41.860 I'm telling you, I've tried doing things my way and it seems good at first, but God's 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:44.220 got a way better way. 00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:49.819 And so in that, let us just remember. 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:56.379 Let us be like the five virgins that were prepared and not like the foolish ones that 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:58.019 were not prepared. 00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:59.259 Let's pray together. 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:05.019 Father, we thank you for this time and this opportunity for us to gather together as we've 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:11.539 gone over this very unique parable. 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:17.019 We pray, Father, that truth was spoken here in such a way that it allows for us to be 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:19.819 transformed by your word. 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:25.460 Father, I pray for transformation to happen in this church, for healing, for comfort, 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:27.859 for restoration. 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:38.420 Father, we are so grateful for every gift that you have given to us. 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:42.900 You have given us this life, this opportunity for us to choose you. 00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:47.100 We pray, Father, that our lamps will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:30:47.100 --> 00:30:55.140 We pray that decisions are made for Christ and that we will grow in you. 00:30:55.140 --> 00:31:01.300 And as we grow, may we remember to do good in your name, being that ambassador for you 00:31:01.300 --> 00:31:07.920 and sharing in our faith, sharing in the gospel message with others. 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:10.700 May we prepare. 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:15.019 Prepare for your first coming as we're celebrating this time of Advent. 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:19.700 It's just a wonderful time for us to remember your first coming, but in the same way that 00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:26.299 we prepare for your first coming, may we prepare for your second coming. 00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:33.940 May we sing this last song together, lifting up a shout of praise to your Holy Name. 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:41.180 May we be thankful for the grace and the love and the truth that comes from you. 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:46.299 And Father, I want to pray especially for every single person who's here physically 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:49.620 and those who are watching online. 00:31:49.620 --> 00:31:56.460 May you know that you are loved by Christ and the invitation is extended to you. 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:59.980 And all of these things we pray and we all say together, Amen. 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:00.980 Amen. 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:05.059 Thank you for tuning in to the Ontario Community Church sermon podcast. 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:09.420 For more about our church and how you can get involved or support our mission, please 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:13.019 visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:32.579 May God's blessings be with you.