By Steve A. Hamilton

Matthew 25:1-13

Introduction: What would you think of me if I were the best man at your wedding and I showed up late?  I thought I had enough gasoline in my car to make it but I ran out a few miles away.  By the time I hitched a ride to a station I realized I needed to run to the bank first.  Fortunately, the bank was only a few blocks from the station or I might have missed the wedding entirely.  I apologize for coming down the aisle while you were saying your vows.      

          That would be my modern day version for the five foolish virgins in the parable. None of us would be pleased with the lack of preparation on such an important occasion. Yet, that is how Jesus describes the coming judgment day.

I. The kingdom of heaven (the Church) is likened to the 10 virgins. 

          A. The virgins represent Christians; some will be prepared and some will be unprepared.

          B. The bridegroom represents Christ who delays His second coming.

          C. The wedding day represents the judgment day; the occasion at Christ’s second coming.

II. This parable teaches us to be prepared for the end.

          A. As the wedding party did not know when the bridegroom would come, we too do not know when the Lord will return (1 Thes. 5:1-6).

          B. We must always live as though today might be the last (2 Pet. 3:10-14). 

III. What prevented the foolish virgins from being prepared?  It was the lack of oil.  All the virgins had oil but only half had extra oil.

          A. The oil represents the Christian’s works.  God will judge every Christian by his works (Rev. 20:12).  Notice the oil (works) could not be shared.

          B. All the virgins (Christians) had oil (works) but the foolish virgins were lacking in oil. 

                   1. They weren’t prepared for the occasion because they lacked works (Jas. 2:14, 24, 26).

                   2. We might say that the five foolish virgins trusted in their past accomplishments as though just being a Christian was enough (Phil. 3:12-15). 

IV. The foolish virgins sinned by omission.

          A. They sinned by not having done what they should have done.

          B. Jesus taught the previous parable (The Parable of the Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant) to illustrate the foolishness of sinning by commission (Matt. 24:45-51).

          C. The Parable of the Ten virgins illustrates in contrast that we can sin by not doing the works we are expected to have done.  

V. What kind of works do we lack because we, like the foolish virgins, fail to plan ahead?  

          A. Failing to assemble with the saints (Heb. 10:25).

                   1. When traveling

                   2. For other activities

                   3. For family

                   4. For employment

                   5. Deciding where to live

                   6. “Not feeling well”

          B. Failing to take opportunities to teach the Truth (2 Tim. 4:1-2).

          C. Failing to raise our children in the Lord (Eph. 6:4). 

Conclusion: The foolish virgins had to know they were taking a chance by not bringing extra oil!  They like us apparently didn’t see that a little extra oil was any big thing.  Even when they arrived at the wedding, they still wanted in anyway.  Perhaps they were expecting some mercy for their negligence.  But Christ didn’t give them mercy.  Rather He shut the door on them and said He didn’t know them.  Have we been like the foolish virgins?

Last modified: 05/02/08