"Be On The Lookout"

SERMON DATE: July 06, 2025

SERMON SERIES: LESSONS | 10 Real Life Lessons From The Master

LESSON #5: BE ON THE LOOKOUT

MAIN TEXT: Matthew 25:1-13

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. - Matthew 25:1-13

There are Three Lessons Jesus had taught us from the parable of the Ten Virgins:

1. The Reliability of His (Christ) Return.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” - John 14:3

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” - Acts 1:11

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:16

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” - Revelation 22:12

2. The Reality of True and False Followers.

“Many people believe they are true followers of Christ, but not everyone who says they are a Christian really follows His teachings. The Bible warns us about false Christians—those who claim to know God but do not truly live according to His Word. These individuals may look and act like believers on the outside, but their hearts and actions tell a different story. Understanding what the Bible says about them can help us recognize the difference between genuine faith and mere appearances.” - Christianity Path Bible Study

15 “If you love me, you will obey my  commandments.” - John 14:15

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ - Matthew 7:21-23

3. The Relevance of Being Prepared.

Rev. Tim McConnell writes; 

“The idea of ‘being prepared’ seems to surface from time to time in our daily lives. When a health or financial crisis comes our way, we wonder if we have enough insurance and resources to carry us. We stop and ask ourselves, “Am I prepared?” We prepare for a vacation, a trip or a new job. We discover the need to be prepared in so many places in our lives as we make plans for careers, marriage and retirement. Some of us take the idea of preparedness very seriously, while others seem to get along fine with less preparation.”

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” - Matthew 24:42-44

“Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” - Luke 21:36

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:6