A R E   Y O U   R E A D Y ?

SERMON STARTER

          Christians have anticipated Christ’s Return in every century since His ascension when two men (angels in white apparel) said to the awestruck disciples,

"Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Acts 1:11

The biblical Books of Daniel, Matthew and the Revelation of John hold clues to events preceding and following Christ’s Return. John records Jesus statement about Himself,

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First (Protos) and the Last,(Eschatos)."

Rev. 1:8

The English word, “Eschatology” is derived from the Greek word, “Eschotos.” We are talking about studies about the end of all things. Jesus was there at the beginning of all things and He will be there at the end of all things. As the end approaches, faithful Christians need to stay close to Him.

          Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, and their “Left Behind’ series of books have once again directed the thoughts and hearts of Christians worldwide toward Christ’s Second Coming.

Hal Lindsay’s “Late Great Planet Earth” did that in the early 70’s. Lindsay was part of the Charismatic revival and he brought a renewed interest in prophesy and eschatology. God’s angels are on the move again and there is renewed interest in His Second Coming.           This sermon explores the three parables of Jesus’ Great Prophesy of the End Times.

Maranatha! Come Quickly, Lord Jesus!

(This is an ancient Aramaic term, for “the Lord comes!)

 

Pastor Phil   <><<

 

Research the Ancient Jewish Wedding Procedures:

http://www.opendoorministrieswv.org/ancientjewishwedding.html

This information is amazing and helps make sense of Jesus’ parable.

 

 

January 25, 2009

Sheepfold Ministries - Pastor Phil Roland

A R E   Y O U   R E A D Y ?

MATTHEW 25

"Jesus did His best ministry being interrupted as He pursued the Heavenly Father's goals in His life.  How interruptible are you? Are you ready?"  Pastor Phil

 

Three Questions Regarding Readiness for Christ's Second Coming:

            1. How can Christians be ready for His Coming?

            2. How can Christians be sure they will recognize Him when He comes?

            3. Will you be ready to go with Him?

 

I.  TEN VIRGINS: 5 WERE READY/ 5 WERE NOT- Matt. 25:1-13

“"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and

  went out to meet the bridegroom. "Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.”

            A. Symbols: Virgins, Lamps, Oil, Bridegroom

                   1. Virgins – Chaste Bride of Christ

                        2. Lamps – Spiritual Life and Character

                        3. Oil – Evidence of the Holy Spirit

                        4. Bridegroom – Second Coming Christ

                                    a. First Coming Betrothal

                                    b. She consents and accepts His proposal

                                    c. He agrees upon and pays the Bride’s Price

                                    d. He leaves to prepare a place for His Bride

                                    e. Virgins await His return to light His way

            A. Five Smart Virgins - They were prepared

                   1. Kept lamps ready and trimmed

                        2. Ready to greet the Bridegroom

          B. Five Stupid - They were unprepared

                   1. Needed to buy more oil

                        2. Locked out of wedding

                        3. Insulted Groom's family

 

II. THE LANDOWNER AND HIS MONEY - Matt. 25:14-30

      (A Talent {75 pounds] equals $24,000 in silver in today’s money)

          A. Five Talent Employee Doubled the Money

          B. Two Talent Employee Doubled the Money

          C. One Talent Employee Buried the Money

                   1. Fearful of Loss and Condemnation

                        2. Called by his employer "unfaithful"

          D. ACCOUNTABILITY - Finances, Time, Abilities

                   1. How much has been entrusted to you?

                        2. How well are you doing with what has been entrusted to you?

                        3. Faithfulness is Rewarded by making their Master happy.

                        4. Happiness is the reward from Serving Others

III. THE DIVISION OF SHEEP AND GOATS - Matt. 25:31-46

          A. S H E E P - Wool, Food, Sacrificial, Consume Grass

                   1. Implication is that the Sheep are Saved

                        2. The Goats are Lost

                             a. In Middle Eastern Cultures Goats are primary food source

                             b. Meat, Milk, Yogurt and Cheese

                        3. God’s Sheep will act like His Sheep

                             a. Produce Good Works

                             b. Treat Others with Kindness

                             c. Treat Others as if they were Christ

                        4. Goats will act in Opposite of the Above – Matt. 7:16-20

                            "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from

                               thornbushes or figs from thistles? "Even so, every good tree

                               bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  "A good tree

                               cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. "Every

                               tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into

                               the fire. "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

            B. G O A T S - Hair, Food Source Destroy Herbage

                   1. We shall all be Judged - Romans 14:10

                            “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show

                              contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the

                              judgment seat of Christ.”

What does all this mean for us, today?

 

1. Keep on serving Christ and Loving one another - Heb. 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9,10

    “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly

      entertained angels.”

    “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a

     gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

 

2. God's Angels are on the move again - Genesis 19:1-3; Judges 6:11-19

    a. Lot and Sodom – Genesis 19:1-3

    “Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the

      gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed

      himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, "Here now, my lords,

      please turn in to your servant's house and spend the night, and wash your

     feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." And they said, "No, but we

     will spend the night in the open square." But he insisted strongly; so they

     turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked

     unleavened bread, and they ate.”

     a. Gideon the Deliverer - Judges 6:11-19

        “Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which was

          in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon

          threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites.

          And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, "The LORD is

         with you, you mighty man of valor!" Gideon said to Him, "O my lord, if the

         LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His

         miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us

         up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the

         hands of the Midianites."  Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this

         might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites.

         Have I not sent you?" So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel?

         Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's

         house." And the LORD said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall

         defeat the Midianites as one man." Then he said to Him, "If now I have found

         favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who talk with me.

         "Do not depart from here, I pray, until I come to You and bring out my

         offering and set it before You." And He said, "I will wait until you come back."

          So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat, and unleavened bread from

         an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot;

         and he brought them out to Him under the terebinth tree and presented

         them.”

 

3. Be Ready