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Staying Ready

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. MATTHEW 24:44 NLT

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. MATTHEW 25:1-4 NLT

IN ORDER TO STAY READY I MUST:

MAKE SURE MY RELIGION IS ROOTED IN A RELATIONSHIP

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. PHILIPPIANS 3:8 NLT

I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings. HOSEA 6:6 NLT

Ask Yourself: If all the “religious” activities were stripped away from your life; no church building, no worship service, no small group, what would be left of your connection to God?

5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ 7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. MATTHEW 25:5-7 NLT

LET GOD USE THE DELAY AND THE DARKNESS TO REVEAL WHAT’S INSIDE

Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. DEUTERONOMY 8:2 NLT

Ask Yourself: When God seems silent or “delayed” in your life or when you face a difficult situation, does it drive you toward distraction or toward a deeper dependence?

8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ MATTHEW 25:8-9 NLT

RECOGNIZE THAT I CAN’T BORROW A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves… 16 …they wouldn’t be able to save their own sons or daughters. EZEKIEL 14:14, 16 NLT

I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. JOB 42:5 NLT

Ask Yourself: Have I personally encountered God in my life or just heard stories about how other people have encountered him?

10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ 13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return. MATTHEW 25:10-13 NLT

REMEMBER THAT THE DOOR IS GOING TO CLOSE

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity… EPHESIANS 5:15-17 NLT

Ask Yourself: How are you making the most of the opportunities God has given you today? Are you responding with awareness, intentionality and urgency or making excuses and procrastinating?

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon. Choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: Are you more of a “plan ahead” person or a “figure it out when it happens” person? Where does that show up most in your life?
  2. START HERE: When life gets busy, what’s usually the first thing to slip for you?
  3. START HERE: If you knew your life was ending this year, would you change the way you lived? If so, what would you change first—your schedule, your priorities, or your relationships?
  4. KEEP GOING: Do you tend to think of your faith more as something you do or someone you know? What’s the difference?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 25:1-13 NLT. If you had to say it simply, what’s the difference between the wise and the foolish bridesmaids?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Deuteronomy 8:2 NLT. Think about seasons when God feels distant, delayed, or silent. What do you tend to run to in those times—distraction or deeper dependence? What does that reveal about what you’re really putting your faith in?
  7. KEEP GOING: The bridesmaids couldn’t borrow oil, just like you can’t borrow someone else’s relationship with God. Where are you tempted to rely on someone else’s faith (family, church, leaders) instead of owning your own?
  8. KEEP GOING: How have you personally encountered God in your life, and how has that impacted your faith?
  9. KEEP GOING: Read Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT. If readiness is about being known by Jesus, what does it look like to actually have that kind of relationship with Him in real life?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: What’s one simple way you can spend intentional time with Jesus this week, not out of routine, but to actually connect with Him?
  11. LIVE IT OUT: Read Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT. Is there anything in your life right now you’ve been putting off that you know God is prompting you to step into?