LEARNING DAILY

2 Timothy 3:5, “Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”

Pastor Ed Newton talked about the difference between being around Jesus and belonging to Him by using the illustration told by Jesus in Matthew 25:1-13. In this illustration there were ten virgins, five were foolish because they did not have oil in their lamps and five were wise because they had oil in their lamps. He pointed out that all ten had the same lamps, but not the same light. What did He mean by this statement?

Pastor said, “All ten had the lamps; they were saying they knew God. But this was not about the peripheral; it was about a heart knowledge of Jesus Christ [being their Savior and Lord]. They all knew Scripture, but they did not know Jesus.” They did all the right things, they spoke ‘Christianese’. They had head knowledge that needed to be moved eighteen inches into their hearts.”

Five were ready; they had oil in their lamps. Five were not ready, they had no oil. The five who had oil were watching and ready for the return of Jesus; the other five failed to realize that the Bridegroom, Jesus, could come for His bride, the Church, at any time. Matthew 25:6, “But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom, come out to meet him’.” Believers, Jesus could return for His Church at any time. In this parable, Jesus saying a large portion of those who say they know Him are unprepared for that time. He will not wait until all of them are prepared. “Too many are consumed with what they are doing and not aware of how close the time for His return is. There are those who spend too much time trying to determine dates and hours of His coming and are not prepared for when He does. Our responsibility is not to determine when Jesus is coming, but to be ready when He does” (EN).

When the call was heard about the bridegroom, those who had no oil wanted to borrow from those who did. Those who had oil did not give any to those who did not have any. “They could not help because they had run out of time” (EN). “Our hope is not only that Jesus has saved us, but that He is coming for us” (Quote on the sermon note page). Because He has promised to return, Believers must be watching, staying in God’s Word, and praying – being and staying ready. Those who had no oil were “comfortable with life, doing the right things, good people, but had no relationship with Jesus Christ” (EN).

Quote on the Sermon Notes: “The difference between being around Jesus and belonging to Jesus is the oil – the Holy Spirit. Those without the oil “Had the appearance of godliness but denied its power.”  In other words, they were seen as good people, or as spiritual people, or as teachers, but they were not truly following God. They had religion but not a real relationship with Jesus Christ that was based on true faith and righteousness. This would also include those who choose when they want to obey God and when not to.

Those not having the oil went out to buy some. But when they were gone “those who were ready went in with him [the bridegroom] to the marriage feast, and the door was shut” (Matthew 25:10). “This is about getting into heaven!” (EN).  “There is coming a day when opportunity ends and eternity will begin.” (Quote on Sermon Notes)

Luke 12:40, “You too, be ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think He will.” (New American Standard Bible)

Luke 12:35, “Be prepared, and keep your lamps lit.” (NASB)