Famous Last Words: Parables of Jesus
Pastor Rollan Fisher
As we live a life of faith in preparation for Christ’s coming, there is:
What We Don’t Know
What We Do Know
Our Response in Faith
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
-Matthew 25:1-13
What We Don’t Know
We don’t know how long trials will last or what form they will take. We encourage you during this time to develop your prayer life like never before. (We’ve posted a community guide on the web).
"Worry is a conversation that you have with yourself about things that you can not change. Prayer is a conversation you have with God about things that He can change."
-Unknown author
It is moments like these that God uses to mercifully grab our attention that our oil lamps might be filled.
What We Do Know
We do know that God commands us to be prepared. Like the ten wise virgins, we must be prepared with supplies - naturally, medically and spiritually. Torches required regular refilling. So do we in Christ. Do not get isolated during this time.
“Socially distant doesn’t mean spiritually secluded.” -TDJ
If there continues to be physical separation, engage with podcasts and points of connection online. Use Facebook groups, Zoom, etc. to pray and continue life together in community groups.
Our Response in Faith
God commands us to respond in faith living in the expectation of meeting Him and being used by Him in the world in which we live.
We are not to live in fear, but in faith. The understanding of our future destination must shape how we live today.
“If there ever be a time when the mind is sensitive, it is when death is abroad. I recollect, when first I came to London, how anxiously people listened to the gospel, for the cholera was raging terribly. There was little scoffing then.”
-Charles Spurgeon referring to his time of ministry during the Cholera outbreak of 1854
Jesus pointed out that those without oil (Ephesians 2:12) are to go to the dealers - the preachers and teachers of the gospel who can establish you in the Word of God and Kingdom truth.
When people are gripped by fear, they need those who will point them to wisdom, faith and selfless service, not self-preservation and fear.
We are the dealers of oil - the gospel and Kingdom truth.
Jesus remains the hope for both present and eternal life. If you don’t know Jesus, now is your time to come to repentance and faith. His sinless life was lived for us. His sacrificial death on the cross was made so that death could not hold us. His resurrection from the dead means that we have the promise of everlasting life no matter what circumstances we may temporarily face. Pray for people and share the good news in light of this truth.
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge — no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
-Psalm 91:1-16
Second City Church - Famous Last Words - Parables of Jesus - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2020