those who hold the title
Title: Those who keep their seats (Matthew 25:1-13)
Novelist Shin Dal-ja said this in a radio interview
After 9 years of being sick with my parents-in-law and 24 years of being sick with my husband, my husband died just like that. He only knew that he was an unhelpful husband for the rest of his life. Then one day, it rained outside the window and said, “Oh, it’s raining.”
When I looked back, I realized that there was no one to listen to those ordinary words. It was then that she realized that her husband's existence was something to be grateful for, not because of what she had done to her, but because of her existence.
We hope that we will stay where we are and become the beloved me and you. The text of the text describes the appearance of a bride out of 10 who will meet the groom, 5 of them prepared well to meet the groom, but 5 did not prepare to welcome the groom.
Those who believe in Jesus say that the Lord is the bridegroom and we are the bride. Bridegroom: Matthew 9:15 "Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn while the bridegroom is with them? But the day will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast.
1Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 5 The bridegroom was delayed, so they all fell asleep and slept. 6 In the middle of the night a voice called out, “Look, the bridegroom, come out to meet him.” 10 While they were going to buy, the bridegroom came. Those who had prepared themselves for the wedding went into the wedding feast together, and the door was shut.
Bride: Revelation 22:17 “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.
Song of Songs 4:8 “My bride, you are with me from Lebanon. 9 My sister, my bride, you have stolen my heart. 10 My sister, my bride, how beautiful is your love. Your love is thicker than wine, and the fragrance of your oil is varied. 11 My bride, honey drops from your lips, honey and milk are under your tongue, and your garments smell like the fragrance of Lebanon. 12 My sister, my bride, is a locked garden, a covered well, a sealed spring.
In this way, Jesus is our bridegroom, and those who confess Jesus as my Savior become brides.
But this bridegroom, Jesus, went to prepare a place for our brides to live.
John 14:1 Do not let your heart be troubled, because you believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions, otherwise I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. Prepare a place for me, and I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, you may be also.
Joh 16:7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away. Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later. Jesus, our bridegroom, is now going to heaven and is preparing a new room for the bride to come.
It is said that when this new room (dwelling) is prepared, he will come back to us.
So when will the Second Coming be? Matthew 24:27 As lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew 24:36 But that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah. So will the coming of the Son of Man.
Luke 12:40 Therefore also be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves know in detail that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
It says that the Lord, the bridegroom, is suddenly coming to restore us as brides. This day is spoken figuratively in the text.
1Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Of these, five are foolish, and five are wise. 3 Fools take their lamps, but take no oil, 4 I filled it with oil and took it with my back.
5 They all fell asleep because the bridegroom was late, so they all fell asleep. 6 In the middle of the night a voice called out, “Behold, the bridegroom, come out to meet him.” 7 Then all the virgins got up and prepared their lamps. 9 The wise answered and said, 'I'm afraid we and you may not have enough. Rather, go to the sellers and buy what you need.' I went in and the door was closed.
Those who have prepared oil light their lamps and enter the wedding banquet to welcome Jesus, the bridegroom, but those who have not prepared oil will not be able to enter the wedding banquet.
So what is this oil?
It is our attitude of faith. We must be loyal wherever we are. It doesn't matter how much or how little you take on. Being loyal to one's work is the attitude of preparing for oil. One month, two talents, five talents. To be faithful as you are in charge is to prepare oil.
1 Corinthians 4:2 And of those who are entrusted with it, fidelity
Revelation 2:10 Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
So how should we be loyal?
We must be loyal to what we do. It is not a human task. It is a task that God has entrusted to you, guided by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we must be faithful in our work.
A deacon must perform the duties of a deacon well.
1 Timothy 3:8 In the same way the deacons should be courteous, non-verbal, not addicted to wine, not greedy for uncleanness, 9 having the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 12 But the deacons should be husbands of one wife and rule their children and their own household well. 13 Those who do well in the office of deacons gain great confidence in their beautiful position and faith in Christ Jesus.
Deacon 1. Thoroughly holy water on Sunday. (Exodus 20:8-11, all worship prayers, duty)
2. We must lead a full tithe life (Mal 3:10)
3. We must do evangelism. Acts 1:8, 2 Tim 4:2 (You must save your family first.)
Even though we cannot go far to preach the gospel (missionary), to be faithful in our work where we are is to prepare oil.
We hope that you and I will be able to welcome Jesus when the bridegroom Jesus comes as we are faithful in our duties and prepare well for oil.