This past weekend at Eastbrook, we continued our new series entitled “The Beginning of the End.” This series explores the resurrection of Jesus in tandem with some of Jesus’ teaching about the fall of Jerusalem and the end of all time. This weekend I preached from Matthew 25:1-13, a curious parable about being prepared for the arrival of Christ.
This message is from the tenth and final part of our longer journey through the Gospel of Matthew, which includes “Family Tree,” “Power in Preparation,” “Becoming Real,” “The Messiah’s Mission,” “Stories of the Kingdom,” “Who Do You Say I Am?“, “‘Tis the Reason,” “Jesus Said What?!“, and “Scandalous Jesus.“
You can find the message video and outline below. You can also view the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:13)
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like…” (25:1)
That time and Jesus’ coming (parousia)
The kingdom of heaven
An Overview of the Parable (25:1-12)
The setting of the wedding and anticipation of meeting the bridegroom (1-2)
The two categories of young women: foolish without oil & wise with oil (2-4)
The delay and falling sleep (5)
The announcement (6)
Awakening and preparation (7)
The contrast in readiness: foolish needing to buy oil & wise ready with sufficient oil (8-9)
The arrival of the bridegroom and welcome for the wise who are ready (10)
The sad situation of the foolish who were not ready (11-12)
An Exhortation Toward Watchful Readiness (25:13)
Let us keep watch for Jesus’ return (Matthew 25:13)
Let us build our lives on Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 7:24-27)
Let us walk in the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 25:4; Revelation 4:5; Galatians 5:22-25)
Let us speak of Jesus and the good news (Matthew 24:14; 1 Peter 3:15)
Dig Deeper
This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:
- Memorize Matthew 25:13
- Draw, ink, or paint Matthew 25:1-13 as a basis for prayer. Take time to talk with God as you depict the scene in your own way. What is God speaking to you?
- Consider watching the Bible Project video, “The Day of the Lord”
- For further insight into this parable, consider reading:
- Kenneth E. Bailey’s wonderful book Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes
Renovate 
powerful…I am surely glad you hit on, we can not give our anointing to someone else… we can not give our holy spirit away… too many think because their parents have faith, they are covered or because they grew up in church they are covered… Thanks for preaching apologetically
Thank you so much, Tony. I couldn’t get over that idea of not borrowing someone else’s Holy Spirit oil.