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Another Look at Ten Virgins, Lamps and Talents

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Another Look at Ten Virgins, Lamps and Talents

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Another Look at Ten Virgins, Lamps and Talents

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As we go thru the conversion process we often forget some of the basics including the parables. Let’s re-look at the parable of the ten virgins and their lamps and the parable of the talents.

Sermon Notes

Introduction: Many people who read the Bible often early on were introduced to some of the parables or possibly, the Psalms and Proverbs. My first reading of the Bible probably happened when I was 14 or 15 and I looked into the big book my grandmother had on the small table by her easy chair. I read from Genesis 1:1 to about Genesis 1:14 in the Catholic Douay Version. However, I did not reopen a Bible until about Jan 1967 after purchasing a Catholic Douay version Old and New Testament. I started carefully reading the Book of Matthew, the parables and much, much more. I also read a large number of footnotes. The footnotes did not always square with what I was reading in that Bible. By the end of Nov ‘68 I picked up my first KJV, and that was approx 4½ months before my baptism. Insert: Strife in the land then and now. The early ‘60s came back to a changed country. Strife swiftly came upon our Nation and I feverishly searched for answers. As life goes on with its ups and down, strife and struggle and learning more in-depth about the word of God, we might somehow forget the earlier lessons we learned. Obviously, most of us traveled slightly different paths as God directed us into HIS light, But as an early president in the ‘80s once said we should let our light shine - be as a City on a Hill: Matthew 5:14-15 (NKJV) “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Important: A new Baptism commitment performed - 6/22/13: At baptism by immersion a person repents and commits his or her life to follow the ways of the Lord, their Savior. Then with the laying on of hands receives the Holy Spirit (a token). But then what? Is that all there is to it? A quote, “Well let's talk about baptism. Acts 2:38 says, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." And for what purpose: “…that we're buried in baptism. Our sins are washed away and then we stand up so that we can be a new creation in Christ. And V47 declares “…praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Then we truly should let our light shine: We read of obedience to God throughout entirely of Bible. Today’s BRP. Psalm 84:4-5 (NKJV) Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah 5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,… SPS: As we go thru the conversion process we often forget some of the basics including the parables. Let’s relook at the parable of the ten virgins and their lamps and the parable of the talents. The title of my split sermon is “Another Look at Lamps and Talents” Body: 1. The First Parable, the Ten Virgins and their lamps: A. Lamps Going Out or Gone OUT? Matt 25:1-13 1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no (extra) oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. (How many of us were thrilled and excited by the things we learned, 5, 10, 20, or so many more years ago now have a tendency to slumber?) 6“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed (Kosmeo = put in order, adorned, garnished, arrange, make ready, prepare) their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, (Note this carefully!) for our lamps are (sbennumi) going out.’ (The KJV is the only one of a very few of versions say have “gone out”.) They still had a bit of oil in their lamps but not enough to see them through the night or at the crisis at the close-or end of the age. 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, (We can’t give what is not ours to give.) and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready (Are we now ready?) went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Have we bought into the mantra of peace, prosperity and we have the need for nothing? Be prepared for when you least expect it , you may be stuck on the cares of the world we have all seen way too many friends stray and not stay the course. Example of the cronut-cross between a donut and croissant-10 “cronuts” $3000. It brings deep sadness to me as I have seen some of my best friends find other pastures Let us continue reading in v13 13“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. B. What Ought We to be Doing: But what ought we to be doing: Ephesians 5:14-16 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, (Are we now ready?) 16 redeeming (buy up, ransom, rescue) the time, because the days are evil. Colossians 4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. If need be let us suffer an offense. Seek peace and pursue it. Wherever possible seek reconciliation with those we have problems. How well do we hold up against false accusations or even truth that often should not be spoken of publicly. We have heard it said that people leave a fellowship for all the wrong reasons: personalities, hurt feelings, tiredness, etc. Do we then misunderstand doctrine and then take on the image of the world? Were we ever promised a life without struggle and trials? I have seen people read everything and listen to all the sermons on tape and CD. This may be helpful, but we need to apply what we read and hear as long as it is based on God’s Word. For it says in Hebrews 6:1 (ASV) Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Did we not get baptized to be in it for the long haul? The Holy Spirit makes possible the development of righteous character. But too often we have times of slumber and ups and downs in what we do. Graeme Marshall in an article basically had this to say concerning some who have gone before us: “This was their main focus. It had a personal cost. It involved a risk. They were prepared to pay it. (Insert: One man explained he was willing to crawl into a corner and die if need be to obey God.) They developed themselves spiritually. From novices at baptism, through the Holy Spirit, they went on to grow and develop. 2. The Second Parable, the Parable of the Talents. Following close at hand is the parable of the talents. How much is a talent? What is a talent? The talents are expressed in monetary terms, but refer to spiritual values. For our purpose, let's accept a talent as a thousand dollars. Of course in today’s language a talent also is “a special natural ability or aptitude: a talent for drawing. a capacity for achievement or success capability, gift, genius. Important to step out: But are we too busy or timid or scared to use what we have received? Matthew 25:14-19 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise, he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. (Insert: But are we too busy or timid or scared to use what we have received?) 19 After a long time, the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. Important turn to: As Christians we each have a variety of talents-some helps, teaching, preaching concern and love. 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. The parable of the talents have much more to offer than a simple message of "be faithful with what you're given." They reveal aspects of the coming Kingdom of God, and the fact that our Master is returning to establish that Kingdom is our motivation for being diligent and profitable servants! Insert Comment: Prayer of Jabez ((1 Chron 4:9-10): don’t want to hurt and recognized error of ways, yet we need not beat and pummel our selves to the point of not thinking God forgives us despite us. Don’t forget his commandments, heart lifted up “my power and my hand” Do we choose to make proper responses in heat of battle choose sides? We don’t have to have an answer or response for every matter. Turn to 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Sure there may be differences of opinion, but the differences should never be so severe as to cause divisions and contentions. We should follow this injunction in 1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order. Just how do we deal with people and situations? Conclusion: As we draw this to a close, what about us do we have enough oil in our lamps for perhaps our daily struggles? What are we doing with our talents? Matthew 5:16-17 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 17“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. Let me read with this from Philippians 2:5-9 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, Finally, in the autumn of my years will I, will we hear the word from our redeemer, well done good and faithful servant? Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:. God be with each and every one of you as we serve the LORD.