Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 27 September 2020

Text: Matthew 25:1-13

Subject: Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

INTRODUCTION

1. The Kingdom of Heaven

a) Many aspects

b) Entrance into the Kingdom

c) Awaiting the Return of the Lord

2. Symbols

a) Wedding Feast of a King for his son

b) Special Dinner of a Man

c) These are symbols of joy

THE PARABLE OF THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS

1. The Context is noted after the Parable is told

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:13

2. Variations

a) Context noted before the telling of a parable

b) Context revealed after the telling of a parable

FEATURES OF THE PARABLE

1. The Bridegroom

2. Ten virgins

a) 5 Wise virgins

b) 5 Foolish virgins

3. The Wedding

THE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED

1. The Return of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Compared to a Wedding Feast

b) Invitation is given to attend the Wedding Feast

2. Understanding the Waiting Period

a) The present

b) Till the Arrival of the Groom

3. The Virgins’ Part 

a) They are given oil lamps

b) They must make sure that their lamps have sufficient oil to last through the night

4. How did some become wise?

a) By taking heed 

b) By appreciating the invitation to attend the wedding reception

c) By a sustained relationship with the Bridegroom

d) Effort

e) Determination

5. How did some become foolish?

a) Through being careless

b) By taking things for granted

c) Not appreciating the Invitation to the wedding enough

d) Not a strong relationship with the bridegroom

e) Other personal life problems

i) Carelessness

ii) Lack of commitment to see something through

iii) Laziness

iv) Not thinking

6. Consequences 

a) Shut out

b) Regrets!

THE CHALLENGE TO BE WATCHFUL

1. What may help us to be watchful?

a) Knowledge and understanding about the 2^nd Coming

b) Negative features

Matthew 25

i) Tribulation

ii) Cataclysmic problems

iii) Personal difficulties

b) Positive features

1 Thessalonians 4

1 Peter

i) The 2^nd Coming is a glorious event

ii) The Lord would usher in a glorious kingdom

iii) We would be part of the Wedding Reception

iv) There is every reason to look forward to Christ’s 2^nd Coming

2. A vibrant faith relationship with the Lord

a) Closeness

b) Joy

c) Strength

d) Ministry

e) Blessings

These would help sustain us in our effort to be watchful for the 2^nd Coming of Christ!

3. Personal Effort

a) Things we can do to sustain wisdom

i) Read

ii) Learn

iii) Grow

iv) Serve

v) Seek revival

b) Things we can do to prevent foolishness

i) Avoid bad company

ii) Don’t be influenced by the world

iii) Don’t backslide

iv) Don’t stagnate 

v) Don’t let sin dominate