Introduction: Jim Marshall running the wrong way
Read Scripture/Pray
Explanation of Jewish wedding – 3 stages:
Background: 2nd part of Olivet discourse, disciple’s question, sandwich of 5
Purpose Statement: To avoid losing site of the goal
I. Be Committed
A. Recognize Who it is that called you
1. These virgins – significance, great honor
2. King’s invitation goes out to all – Is. 55, Matthew 22
B. Recognize why you’ve been called
1. Ephesians 2:8-10
2. Virgins light the path – we invite others
C. 5 were/5 weren’t
1. 10 received an invitation, 10 said yes, all appeared the same outside
2. Matthew 7:21
D. It’s not their work but their commitment level
1. Samuel, Saul and David, David was a man after God’s own heart
2. By their preparation they demonstrate their love for Jesus
II. Avoid complacency
A. What did the 5 do wrong?
1. Sins of commission vs. sins of omission
2. Moros = dull-witted, heedless
3. For Want Illustration
B. The significance of the oil
1. Holy Spirit
2. Oil in the Bible
C. You can’t get oil from anyone else
1. The oil was available to all ten, but only from God and by the time they sought it, it was too late
2. Are you operating in the Holy Spirit
D. Complacency left them shut out – Kingdom
1. They probably figured they’d take care of it tomorrow
2. Moody Quote
III. Be Prepared
A. The lamps
1. All trimmed them at the appropriate time…
2. Ameritrade Commercial illustration
B. Live life but always be ready
1. Be staying continually on watch = gregoreuo
2. Minute men
C. The delay
1. Possible hint to Jesus’ timeline
2. Gloria Estefan – Always tomorrow (NO - there is not!)
D. Be found faithful… at all times
1. Sales Job Illustration
2. Sheep and the goats
Conclusion: It is not my goal to make you doubt your salvation, but make sure you’re running the right way…
Jim Marshall Illustration
Despite his positive achievements(Football’s Cal Ripken – 2nd in longevity with 19/20 years, 1st with 282 consecutive games), defensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings 1970’s “Purple People Eaters,” Marshall is probably best remembered around the NFL as Wrong Way Marshall. In 1964 he scooped up a fumble, carried it 66 yards into the end zone and then jubilantly tossed the ball toward the stands. Trouble was, it was the wrong end zone. "I was so intent on picking the ball up and doing something with it that I wasn’t even aware of what I had done until the ball had been whistled dead," Marshall recalls. "It was the perfect example of a young player using energy without thinking.
Jewish Wedding
1st stage – engagement
2nd stage – betrothal, exchange vows last from weeks to a year or more
3rd stage – wedding feast, started early evening and could go on for days
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (NAS)
Matthew 7:21
21 "Not everyone who says to Me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. (NAS)
For Want …
For want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the enemy; and for want of care about a horseshoe nail. - B. Franklin
Oil in the Bible
Oil, throughout the Scriptures, is commonly used as a type or picture of the Holy Spirit. Some of you remember that in the book of Zechariah the prophet was given a vision of two olive trees standing, one on either side of a lampstand, and the oil from the olive trees dripped into a bowl on top of the lampstand. It was the oil, constantly flowing down, which caused the lamps in the lampstand to burn. Zechariah was told that the oil symbolized the Spirit of God. It is here we have that great quotation which is frequently heard, although very few people realize where it is from. Zechariah is told, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts," {Zech 4:6b KJV}. The oil is a picture of the power of the Holy Spirit which keeps the light of knowledge and truth burning brightly.
Moody Quote
"Excuses are the cradle that Satan rocks men off to sleep in." D. L. Moody
Ameritrade Commercial
Recent commercial for Ameritrade - advertising the ease and speed with which you can establish an online investment account. Lazy husband on Saturday told by wife to do just one thing. Last second . . . he does it and acts indignant - "Yeah." We can’t do it that way with God. That’s the point of this parable. Last second preparation isn’t effective.
Minute Men
On the evening of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere was sent for by Dr. Joseph Warren and instructed to ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that British troops were marching to arrest them.
Sales Job
Years ago, when 20th Century Fox advertised in the New York papers to fill a vacancy in its sales force, one applicant replied: "I am at present selling furniture at the address below. You may judge my ability as a salesman if you will stop in to see me at anytime, pretending that you are interested in buying furniture. When you come in, you can identify me by my red hair. And I will have no way of identifying you. Such salesmanship as I exhibit during your visit, therefore, will be no more than my usual workday approach and not a special effort to impress a prospective employer." From among more than 1500 applicants, this guy got the job.
Gloria Estefan Lyrics
I’ve been alone inside myself, far too long
Never really wanted it that way, but I let it happen
If I could do it all again, my life would be infinitely better than before
I wouldn’t waste a moment
Make time for laughing with my friends
Make love, make music, make amends
Try to make a difference, try to love, try to understand
Instead of just giving up, I’d use the power at my command
(chorus)
That’s why there’s always tomorrow, to start over again
Things will never stay the same, the only one sure thing is change.
That’s why there’s always tomorrow
