Weekly Sermons

Don’t Miss the Wedding Reception - Matthew 25:1-13

We have been looking at Jesus’ Olivet Discourse in Matt. 24-25 in which He answered His disciples questions about the events that will lead up to His Second Coming and His physical rule over the world from Jerusalem.

Matthew 25:1-13

Preachers and scholars are all over the place in their comments on what is happening here. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the basic message Jesus wanted to communicate comes through all the views.

Matthew is the most Jewish of the gospels, and the Olivet Discourse is best understood as Jesus’ Jewish disciples wanting to know when their Jewish Messiah will finally initiate His physical Kingdom rule

In the O.T., there are 8 prophecies about Jesus’ second coming for every 1 of His first coming. In the 260 chapters of the New Testament, there are 300 references to His Second Coming- one for every 30 verses!

The Kingdom is coming to earth - V. 1

We have seen the phrase Kingdom of Heaven occur 31 times already in Matthew’s gospel – this is the first time the word “Then” occurs before it. In the context “then” refers to after Christ’s 2nd Coming to earth.

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” - Matt.3:2

“Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” - Matthew 6:10

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven.” - Matthew 7:21

“I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven.” - Matthew 8:11

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” - Matt. 18:11

“Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging (ruling) the twelve tribes of Israel.” - Matthew 19:28

“For I tell you (Jerusalem), you will not see Me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’ - Matthew 23:39

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. - Matt. 25:31

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in Heaven, saying, “The Kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. - Rev. 11:15

Bridesmaids need to be ready for the bridegroom’s arrival - V. 1-2

Scholars argue whether the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will happen in Heaven or on earth. The answer is easy – it will start in Heaven and continue on earth, because wherever Jesus is, there is where the party is!

“The Kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a King who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.” - Matthew 22:2-3

You are wise if you get yourself ready for the ‘midnight cry’ - V. 3ff

Lamp here is probably meant to represent a life that does God’s will, a life that truly helps others (Matt. 5:14-16).

What does oil often represent in the Bible? The presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.

In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory. - Ephesians 1:13-14

You are foolish if you are not ready for the ‘midnight cry.’ - V. 3ff

I can only turn to Jesus and trust Him for my salvation alone – I can’t do that for you and you can’t do that for me. If you don’t turn to Jesus while you can, it will be too late when you die or when He returns.