~ January 18, 2015 ~
Check Your Oil
Matthew 25:1-13
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
INTRO:
**No matter how save you are or how long you have been saved, it is important that you CHECK YOUR OIL – Your Spiritual Oil for you lamp!
**If you don’t check your oil you will run out, and you will end up quitting and shutting down. You will end up burning out! You cannot find your way in the dark and end up getting hurt! You will end up cold without any warmth! You will miss the marriage supper!
**YOU MUST KEEP A CHECK ON YOUR OIL!
1. It’s a Personal Oil – You cannot borrow from others! You must have your own personal relationship with God!
2. It’s a Provided Oil – The virgins had oil provided for them all; however, only five took the provided oil! Christ has provided the oil for you if you will take it!
3. It’s a Powerful Oil – It has the power to light our way all the way to the marriage supper of the Lamb! We must keep our lamps trimmed and burning, and check the oil!
4. It’s a Pure Oil - If you have the pure oil of the Holy Ghost of God in you, it will cause you to burn a bright clean light for Jesus! Clean your lamp and burn clean oil!
5. It’s a Plentiful Oil - There was plenty of oil where the virgins came from, but they left it back home! A lot of people have left their roots and their godly church upbringing and find themselves empty! But there’s plenty of oil back at God’s house! You better fill up now!
6. It’s a Precious Oil - This oil is precious because it is valuable! The lamp is no good without this oil!
7. It’s a Particular Oil: Just any old oil won’t do. It’s a particular oil made for the lamp. Just like any old religion, any old doctrine, any of way of living, any old Bible, any old kind of singing, any old spirit, and any old profession won’t do!
** Let’s look at this story closer and check your oil!
BODY – CHECK YOUR OIL
I. NOTICE THE SIMILARITIES
A. Look At What They Had In Common
1. The Same Desire
Matthew 25:1c said they all went forth to meet the bridegroom.
a. Everybody Desired to see the Messiah
b. Everybody Desired to see the Marriage
**No matter how great the desire may be, not everybody is prepared with oil in their lamps to get in to see the Messiah or the Marriage!
**Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to live right!
2. The Same Destination
**To Reach This Destination . . .
a. There had to be a Decision
**All of them had decided they were going to see the bridegroom and make that their destination.
**Talk to anybody you want today and they will tell you they have made the decision to go see Jesus, but not everybody has the oil!
b. There had to be a Determination
-They were all determined to take the navigation.
-They were all determined to take the nap.
-They weren’t all determined to take the necessities!
**A lot of people all attend and are determined to participate in the church, but not all have the oil!
B. Look At What They Had To Carry
Matthew 25:3-4 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
1. They All Had A Beacon
**Everybody has a lamp! However, your lamp is useless without the oil – the Holy Spirit!
2. They All Had A Bottle
**Everybody has a vessel made to hold and contain the oil, but some have filled their vessel with other things or simply have left their vessel empty without oil.
**Others need to go back home before it is too late and get their vessel of oil!
C. Look At What They Had To Consider
1. Their Fuel Supply
a. Five Took Nothing
**So many people think they have had enough of church and of the Lord to make it to the marriage supper, but their oil is low and running out! You Better Check Your Oil!
b. Five Took Notice
**They had watch their lamps close. They knew they needed more oil. I need more of the oil everyday if my lamp is going to burn for Jesus!
2. Their Functional Sleep
a. Five Slept In Contentment
**They were content that their oil supply would last.
b. Five Slept In Carelessness
**A lot of people are so careless concerning their fate and are sleeping through their carelessness!
II. NOTICE THE SUDDENNESS
A. A Sudden Cry
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
1. Contained An Announcement
“Behold, the bridegroom cometh”
** The Announcement is still being announced in . . .
a. The Sermon
b. The Songs
2. Contained An Appointment
“go ye out to meet him.”
a. A Midnight Cry
“And at midnight there was a cry made,”
**We are in that midnight hour now, and the cry is being made that the bridegroom is coming!
**Have you check your oil?
b. Any Minute Cry
**The 5 wise virgins had time to trim their lamps and apparently fill their lamps with oil. It was the last chance they would have to check the oil. Today maybe your last chance to check the oil before the bridegroom comes!
**The 5 foolish virgins only had time to ask for oil, but not enough time to receive the oil.
**The exact minute of the bridegroom’s arrival was unknown. The appointed time only the bridegroom knew but the virgins were to be ready in a moments notice.
B. A Sudden Confusion
**A lot of people are going to be confused when the bridegroom comes.
**When confusion comes people scramble for time like these five foolish virgins did, but there was . . .
1. No Time To Borrow
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you:
2. No Time To Buy
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came;
3. No Time To Beg
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
**When the Bridegroom comes there will be no time to borrow, buy, or beg for oil!
**Have you checked your oil lately?
III. NOTICE THE SEPARATION
A. A Stirring Demonstration
1. Those That Were Ready
and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage:
**Those who have kept a check on their oil and their lamps trimmed and burning will make it to the marriage!
2. Those That Were Rejected
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
**These five foolish virgins did not get separated from their five friends at the marriage door.
**They were already separated from the five wise virgins when they failed to take their vessel of oil with them!
**When you refuse to take the oil for your lamp, YOU have already separated yourself from those who are ready.
B. A Slamming Door
and the door was shut.
**The door kept out the rejected, but it also kept in the ready!
C. A Sad Demanding
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
**If they had only kept a check on the oil they wouldn’t have missed the marriage!
CLOSE
Have You Check Your Oil Lately?
It’s time to check the oil!
It’s time to make sure you got the oil for your lamp!
It’s time to fill up again!
It’s time to get your lamp wick trimmed!
It’s time to get your lamp burning again!
It’s time to fill up the vessel so you have plenty on this journey!
How about it? Will you come and get some oil from the Lord.
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
INTRO:
**No matter how save you are or how long you have been saved, it is important that you CHECK YOUR OIL – Your Spiritual Oil for you lamp!
**If you don’t check your oil you will run out, and you will end up quitting and shutting down. You will end up burning out! You cannot find your way in the dark and end up getting hurt! You will end up cold without any warmth! You will miss the marriage supper!
**YOU MUST KEEP A CHECK ON YOUR OIL!
1. It’s a Personal Oil – You cannot borrow from others! You must have your own personal relationship with God!
2. It’s a Provided Oil – The virgins had oil provided for them all; however, only five took the provided oil! Christ has provided the oil for you if you will take it!
3. It’s a Powerful Oil – It has the power to light our way all the way to the marriage supper of the Lamb! We must keep our lamps trimmed and burning, and check the oil!
4. It’s a Pure Oil - If you have the pure oil of the Holy Ghost of God in you, it will cause you to burn a bright clean light for Jesus! Clean your lamp and burn clean oil!
5. It’s a Plentiful Oil - There was plenty of oil where the virgins came from, but they left it back home! A lot of people have left their roots and their godly church upbringing and find themselves empty! But there’s plenty of oil back at God’s house! You better fill up now!
6. It’s a Precious Oil - This oil is precious because it is valuable! The lamp is no good without this oil!
7. It’s a Particular Oil: Just any old oil won’t do. It’s a particular oil made for the lamp. Just like any old religion, any old doctrine, any of way of living, any old Bible, any old kind of singing, any old spirit, and any old profession won’t do!
** Let’s look at this story closer and check your oil!
BODY – CHECK YOUR OIL
I. NOTICE THE SIMILARITIES
A. Look At What They Had In Common
1. The Same Desire
Matthew 25:1c said they all went forth to meet the bridegroom.
a. Everybody Desired to see the Messiah
b. Everybody Desired to see the Marriage
**No matter how great the desire may be, not everybody is prepared with oil in their lamps to get in to see the Messiah or the Marriage!
**Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to live right!
2. The Same Destination
**To Reach This Destination . . .
a. There had to be a Decision
**All of them had decided they were going to see the bridegroom and make that their destination.
**Talk to anybody you want today and they will tell you they have made the decision to go see Jesus, but not everybody has the oil!
b. There had to be a Determination
-They were all determined to take the navigation.
-They were all determined to take the nap.
-They weren’t all determined to take the necessities!
**A lot of people all attend and are determined to participate in the church, but not all have the oil!
B. Look At What They Had To Carry
Matthew 25:3-4 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
1. They All Had A Beacon
**Everybody has a lamp! However, your lamp is useless without the oil – the Holy Spirit!
2. They All Had A Bottle
**Everybody has a vessel made to hold and contain the oil, but some have filled their vessel with other things or simply have left their vessel empty without oil.
**Others need to go back home before it is too late and get their vessel of oil!
C. Look At What They Had To Consider
1. Their Fuel Supply
a. Five Took Nothing
**So many people think they have had enough of church and of the Lord to make it to the marriage supper, but their oil is low and running out! You Better Check Your Oil!
b. Five Took Notice
**They had watch their lamps close. They knew they needed more oil. I need more of the oil everyday if my lamp is going to burn for Jesus!
2. Their Functional Sleep
a. Five Slept In Contentment
**They were content that their oil supply would last.
b. Five Slept In Carelessness
**A lot of people are so careless concerning their fate and are sleeping through their carelessness!
II. NOTICE THE SUDDENNESS
A. A Sudden Cry
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
1. Contained An Announcement
“Behold, the bridegroom cometh”
** The Announcement is still being announced in . . .
a. The Sermon
b. The Songs
2. Contained An Appointment
“go ye out to meet him.”
a. A Midnight Cry
“And at midnight there was a cry made,”
**We are in that midnight hour now, and the cry is being made that the bridegroom is coming!
**Have you check your oil?
b. Any Minute Cry
**The 5 wise virgins had time to trim their lamps and apparently fill their lamps with oil. It was the last chance they would have to check the oil. Today maybe your last chance to check the oil before the bridegroom comes!
**The 5 foolish virgins only had time to ask for oil, but not enough time to receive the oil.
**The exact minute of the bridegroom’s arrival was unknown. The appointed time only the bridegroom knew but the virgins were to be ready in a moments notice.
B. A Sudden Confusion
**A lot of people are going to be confused when the bridegroom comes.
**When confusion comes people scramble for time like these five foolish virgins did, but there was . . .
1. No Time To Borrow
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you:
2. No Time To Buy
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came;
3. No Time To Beg
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
**When the Bridegroom comes there will be no time to borrow, buy, or beg for oil!
**Have you checked your oil lately?
III. NOTICE THE SEPARATION
A. A Stirring Demonstration
1. Those That Were Ready
and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage:
**Those who have kept a check on their oil and their lamps trimmed and burning will make it to the marriage!
2. Those That Were Rejected
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
**These five foolish virgins did not get separated from their five friends at the marriage door.
**They were already separated from the five wise virgins when they failed to take their vessel of oil with them!
**When you refuse to take the oil for your lamp, YOU have already separated yourself from those who are ready.
B. A Slamming Door
and the door was shut.
**The door kept out the rejected, but it also kept in the ready!
C. A Sad Demanding
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
**If they had only kept a check on the oil they wouldn’t have missed the marriage!
CLOSE
Have You Check Your Oil Lately?
It’s time to check the oil!
It’s time to make sure you got the oil for your lamp!
It’s time to fill up again!
It’s time to get your lamp wick trimmed!
It’s time to get your lamp burning again!
It’s time to fill up the vessel so you have plenty on this journey!
How about it? Will you come and get some oil from the Lord.
