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September 20, 2026
Empty Oil
- Matt Nickoson
Matthew 25:1 NIV
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.”
Sermon Notes
Matthew 25:2 NIV
“Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
Matthew 25:3-4 NIV
“The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.”
Matthew 25:5 NIV
“The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.”
Matthew 25:6 NIV
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’”
Matthew 25:7-8 NIV
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’”
Matthew 25:9 NIV
“‘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.’”
Matthew 25:10 NIV
“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.”
Matthew 25:11 NIV
“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’”
Matthew 25:12-13 NIV
“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
John 10:14-15 NIV
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
When will this happen, and how do we get ready?
2 Peter 3:8 NIV
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:10 NIV
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”
2 Peter 3:11-12 NIV
“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.”
We speed it by prayer and by advancing God’s Kingdom.
Matthew 24:12-14 NIV
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
The gospel is good news… for all who believe in Him. The gospel is also terrifying news for all who do not believe. This is why that day is sometimes called “The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.”
2 Peter 3:13 NIV
“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”
2 Peter 3:14 NIV
“So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”
“To finish well means to be more in love with Jesus at the end than you were at the beginning.” – Alan Ahlgrim
2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
1 Corinthians 11:25-27 NIV
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.