Rev. Kevin Murphy
NOVEMBER 6, 2011
Preparation Scripture:
Psalm 70
1 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me.
2 Let those be put to shame and confusion
who seek my life.
Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who desire to hurt me.
3 Let those who say, “Aha, Aha!”
turn back because of their shame.
4 Let all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you.
Let those who love your salvation
say evermore, “God is great!”
5 But I am poor and needy;
hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay!
Matthew 25:1-13
1“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
In this sermon, Kevin explains the symbolism of this parable. We are the bridesmaids, Jesus is the bridegroom whom we are awaiting to return and claim the righteous. We know not the day or hour, but should continue to be prepared by doing God’s will. (Essential Oil). Otherwise, it may be too late to make preparation and we will be denied.
He then explores the meaning of this parable, explaining that this waiting time, waiting for Christ to return is preparation time. Preparation by the way we live our lives serving God. Not out of fear that we will fail to qualify for a blessed eternity, but out of love for God and the blessings we experience by becoming a part of his positive influence on all mankind. These preparation oils of faith will help us as we live our lives experiencing occasional difficult times of despair, grief, or fear. Kevin then reminds us that our lives can become a light to the world... a beacon of hope.
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