SERMON NOTES:
Reflect on this, “You want the Kingdom without the King!”
Jesus in the Final Week
Matthew 24 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Matthew 25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
How does “being ready” or “keeping watch” for the return of Jesus help us today?
· The return of Jesus someday means I get to take Him seriously every day!
· “Keeping watch” for Jesus keeps my focus up and forward.
Now is not all I have … the best is coming.
Study Guide
Solitude, Scripture & Prayer
Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.
Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … ”Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”
Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!
Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart.
Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God
Monday – Matthew 24:36-44
Tuesday – Matthew 25:1-13
Wednesday – Revelation 22:7-21
Thursday – 2 Peter 1:3-11
Friday – Luke 21:29-38
Saturday – Psalm 62
