Are You Ready?
Matt 24:36 NLT
36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.[a] Only the Father knows.
Matt 25:1 NLT
25 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids[a] who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
Matt 25:2 NLT
2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
Matt 25:5-7 NLT
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.
All ten of these women wanted to go into the wedding. But only five were ready.
I am coming. And because you don't know when, make sure you're ready.
When Jesus returns will I be ready?
1. You Can Be Around The Right Things and Still NOT Be Ready
Matt 25:2-4 NLT
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.
There is a massive difference between being around Jesus and actually knowing Jesus.
Matt 25:12 NLT
12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
Matt 7:21 NLT
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
You can spend your whole life around the things of God and still never truly know God. (because) Salvation isn't about being around Jesus. It's about surrendering your life to Jesus.
2. You Can’t Borrow Someone Else’s Faith
Matt 25:6 NLT
6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
Matt 25:8 NLT
8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’
There are some things another person simply cannot give you.
There comes a moment when YOU have to respond to Jesus. (for yourself)
Romans 10:9 NIV
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
3. The Most Dangerous Assumption is “I Have Time”
Matt 25:5 NIV
5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
Scripture never promises you later.
2 Cor 6:2 NLT
2 For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.”[a] Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
Matt 25:6 NLT
6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
Later…became now!
One of the great dangers of life is assuming we're going to have another opportunity to do tomorrow what God is asking us to do today.
Matt 25:10 NLT
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.
Matt 25:11 NLT
11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’
Matt 25:12 NLT
12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
Destiny Church, there is coming a day when looking ready won't matter.
Being around the right things won't matter.
Your family's faith won't matter.
How long you've attended church won't matter.
There is only one thing that will matter:
DO YOU KNOW JESUS?
Talk It Over Questions
1. How did you engage with God beyond Sunday this week? Did you use the 5-Day Devo, Daily Bible Reading Plan, your 11:1 Group, or other resources? Take some time this week to open Ask Ezra, read Matthew 25:1–13, and ask questions that help you go deeper in understanding what Jesus is teaching.
2. Jesus’ story shows us that it’s possible to look ready without actually being ready. What are some ways we can confuse being around the things of God with actually knowing God?
3. “You can’t borrow someone else’s faith.” Who has played an important role in shaping your faith, and when did following Jesus begin to become personal for you?
4. One of the most dangerous assumptions we can make spiritually is, “I have time.” Is there something you know God has been asking you to do that you’ve been putting off until “later”?
5. Being ready for Jesus isn’t just about a future moment—it should affect how we live right now. If you lived with a greater awareness of eternity, what might change about your priorities, relationships, time, or decisions?
6. Finish with this question: Are you ready? Not “Do you go to church?” or “Do you believe in God?” but do you know Jesus, and are you fully surrendered to Him? What would taking one step closer to Jesus look like for you this week?
Ask Your Kids
God Seeks Me
1. What does it mean that God seeks us?
2. Our object lesson this week was a trophy. When somebody wins a trophy, it does not just happen in that moment—someone gave the trophy because of the value in the winner. How can this remind us that God values and seeks us?
3. There may be times where you feel the need to prove your value—through sports, good grades, or being popular with a lot of friends. How is God’s view of value different from the world’s view?
4. How can remembering that you are valued by God and He seeks you help you this week?
