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The Bridegroom's Word to the Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
by Pastor David Pledger
I’ve entitled my message this morning: The Bridegroom’s Word . I think that we all recognize who the Bridegroom is, the Lord Jesus Christ, and His Special Word is: "Watch." (Verse 13).
One rule in reading the Bible is to observe to whom the words were originally given. In this case we must look back into chapter 24:3 and here we find that it was to his disciples that He at first spoke the words of both chapter 24 and 25.
Someone might ask this question: "But if our Lord is speaking to his 12 disciples, why would he mention foolish as well as wise virgins?" The answer of course is that Judas was one of the twelve.
In Matthew’s gospel our Lord gave 3 parables which all speak of a very solemn fact. The fact is that among those who profess faith in Christ there will be some that are not truly saved. There shall be professors who are not possessors. First, He gave the parable of the wheat and the tares, which were allowed to continue together until the harvest. Second, he gave the parable of the gospel net that was cast into the sea but when it was drawn to the shore it contained both good and bad. Third, we have this parable of the wise and foolish virgins. In this parable all ten of the virgins had their lamps, they all had their profession but they did not all have possession in their hearts of the true grace of God.
I know that some may think, but how do you explain the word to go and buy for yourselves? The truth is that sometimes we find this term in the Word of God but it is a buying like no other. It is a buying of which only those who have nothing to pay may participate. Isaiah 55:1-3, 8. Verse 8 is a very important statement. "Ho, every one that thirsteth." Thirsty for what? To have your sins forgiven, to know God, to be delivered from the power of sin. "Come to the waters," come to the Word of God, to the preaching of the gospel. Get in earnest. "Hearken diligently." "Buy the truth, and sell it not;" (Pro.23:23) "Come unto me." To the Lord Jesus Christ.
Look back now with me to Matthew’s gospel. I want you to notice with me some of the terms, which are used by our Lord to describe believers. Matthew 5:13 "Ye are the salt of the earth:" Salt was used to preserve, and we have this example (Lot in Sodom). Verse 14 "Ye are the light of the world." Matthew 18:11-14 Those who are lost by nature but found by Him and believe in Him are sheep (they were sheep when lost and saved sheep when found). Now, in this parable our Lord used the term: "Virgins" to describe His people. You see, when the church is viewed as complete it is called: "the bride, the Lamb's wife." (Rev. 21:9). The thought that is conveyed to us by this term of virgin is purity. Purity in these three ways.
1st.Purity speaks of their faith. By faith, I mean the object of the believer’s faith. Purity means that it does not contain impurities. The faith by which I trust in the Lord Jesus Christ has some impurities. I’m like the father who brought his son to our Lord in the gospel and said: "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Yet my faith is pure, that is the object of my faith. Jude verse 3. What is this faith? It is the message of this "common salvation." There is only one way of salvation common to all that are saved. There is not one of salvation for those who lived before the coming of Christ and another for those who live after His coming. There is not one salvation for those of this race and another for that race. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Him, the Son of God that came into this world and offered Himself as a substitute in the room of those who bow to Him as their Lord and believe in Him as their Saviour.
2nd. Purity speaks of their worship. John 4:19-24. Idolatry in the Bible is over and over again called harlotry, spiritual adultery. It is neither in this mountain nor at Jerusalem that makes worship acceptable unto God. It is not in the Sistine chapel or a tarpaper lean to that makes worship acceptable. Turn back to Genesis 4:1-5. There has been and still is only two religions. One is an attempt to approach unto God through the works of our hands and the other is to come unto God, to worship God trusting in the sacrifice, the Lamb of God. Under the law there were three things necessary to worship: a priest, an altar and a sacrifice, the Lord Jesus is our Priest, our Altar and Sacrifice by which we worship God. I Peter 2:5 and Hebrews 13:20-21.
3rd. Purity speaks of their walk. Rev. 14:1-5 This group here must intend all the people of God, all of those who are the redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, all of those who shall be presented without fault before the throne of God. I just point out that they "follow the Lamb." We know that our walk in this world is not sinless and as long as we remain in this world we need to have our feet washed. Yet it is our goal and desire to keep us unspotted by this world. James 1:27.
Now, The Bridegroom’s Word. What is it? WATCH. Watch, that you do not sleep and thus not be ready for His coming.
Lincoln Wood Baptist Church
11803 Adel - Houston, Texas 77067
Pastor David F. Pledger - Telephone:281-440-0623
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