Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

Five Wise and Five Foolish Maidens No doubt about it—Jesus was and is the Master Teacher. His use of parables was a major factor in His success as a teacher. A parable, however, can make a very sharp point, teaching so effectively that the hearer cannot avoid the object of the lesson. One example is the parable of the five wise and foolish maidens, Matthew 25:1-13. With the parables of the talents and the sheep and the goats, Jesus emphasizes the need to be ready when He returns. Read this parable, then study with me the following major points: The Bridegroom Cometh! Just a short time before Jesus told these parables He listed some signs of the impending destruction of Jerusalem. However, there were to be no—repeat no—signs of His return, but the need of constant vigilance and preparedness for His return, Matthew 24:36f. The wedding feast upon which the parable focused was quite unlike weddings in our culture. The bridegroom might bring the bride to the feast without giving any warning as to the time, so it was not unusual for some to be unprepared for his coming. While we know that Jesus is coming, we know neither “the day or the hour of His coming.” When the trumpet sounds, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, it will be too late to make preparation. Five young maidens were ready; five were not. Some Things Cannot Be Borrowed While some were prepared, some were not. Five of the young maidens had not brought enough oil for their lamps and sought to borrow from the others. But the principle of Galatians 6:5, “Every man shall bear his own burden” demands that each person make his or her own preparation. You cannot borrow another person’s integrity, Bible knowledge, wisdom, respect OR their preparedness to meet their God in judgment. The old adage, “Every tub must sit on its own bottom,” fits here as well. Romans 14:12 instructs us, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” I cannot stand in judgment in my children’s stead, nor can they take the place of their children. Each of us must be ready. Unfortunately, many are playing a form of eternal “Russian roulette” with their own soul. I have heard some say, “I’m just going to live the best way I know how, and then take my chances that God is merciful.” The lesson in this parable is that God’s mercy and grace will not overlook one’s failure to prepare for His coming. What about you; are you ready? “The Door Was Shut” Another perspective of the ancient wedding feast was the fact that often those who were not present and on time for the feast were not invited to participate in the feast. He accurately reflected the custom of that day. It was not an accident or a coincidence that Jesus climaxed the parable with the words, “and the door was shut.,” for He also made a poignant point concerning God’s viewpoint of our life. This earth is not our ultimate home, but a pilgrimage, merely a temporary place of abode. The Bible speaks often of our “hope of eternal life,” Titus 1:2, John 6:68, 1 Peter 1:4, but even this hope must be understood in light of this principle of Jesus, “the door was shut.” Some day that door will be shut. Some day it will be too late to get ready for Jesus’ return. There will be no warning, for “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night,” 2 Peter 3:10. Read Revelation 3:20-22. Some may have their hope in the belief that God will ultimately relent, saving everyone, even those who have for years have ignored their responsibility to God and others. But “the Lord seeth not as man seeth,” 1 Samuel 16:7, and God “cannot lie,” Titus 1:2. For God to ignore the mandates written by His inspired writers would be the ultimate injustice, yet God is the essence of justice, Deuteronomy 32:4. No, God is not going to relent and just “save everybody” out of His grace, but all will be “judged according to their works,” Revelation 20:13. Others are waiting for a “more convenient season,” Acts 24:25. “My life is just not ready for that,” or “I’m not good enough to become a Christian,” or any number of excuses. When we wait for a more convenient time or occasion we are wasting valuable hours that cannot be recalled. Felix, a Roman governor, heard Paul reason “about righteousness, temperance and judgment to come,” and when he heard these things he “trembled.” But his heart was not willing to allow the seed of the gospel to take root, so he said, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee,” Acts 24:25. Please Note: Evidently, Felix never had that “convenient” season! “The door was shut!” His time ran out! That’s often the price of waiting. Right now, the door between you and God stands open to your honest obedience to Him. However, you should remember that this life is “but a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away,” James 4:14. Don’t wait too long. Obey the Lord today. Carl B. Garner

"Born Again" - What Does It Mean? (Part 1 of 3 parts) One of our 1976 Presidential candidates made considerable mileage by claiming to be a “born again Christian.” Many Americans are asking, “What does that mean?” Did the mentioned Presidential candidate give proper meaning to the phrase? A biblical discussion of the subject carries us quickly to the third chapter of John. Here Jesus received a distinguished visitor named Nicodemus – a powerful Jewish ruler. Nicodemus said to Jesus, “We know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” These were flattering words coming from an important man. But Jesus ignored the compliment and changed the subject. The miracles had served their intended purpose – had caused Nicodemus to believe in Jesus as a teacher from God. Now Jesus wanted to lead this religious scholar and political leader into the kingdom of God so that he would be saved. So, He said plainly, “Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” That stunned Nicodemus. He was a Jew. The Jews were God’s chosen people. So, Nicodemus already considered himself a citizen of God’s kingdom. And now he was being told that he couldn’t enter God’s kingdom unless he was born again. That’s not what Nicodemus expected – or wanted – to hear. But it’s what all people – even good people – need to hear. Perhaps you identify in some way with Nicodemus. You may believe in God and be deeply sincere in your religious convictions. You may believe that Jesus worked miracles and was an inspired teacher. You may even be a step ahead of that and believe with all your heart that He is the Son of God. But, like Nicodemus, you may need to hear these words: “Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” George Whitefield, a noted preacher of the 18th century, once wrote these words to Benjamin Franklin: “My dear sir, I find you grow more and more famous in this learned world. As you have made a pretty considerable progress in the mysteries of electricity, I would now honestly recommend to your diligent, unprejudiced pursuit and study, the mysteries of the new birth.” That advice was good for Benjamin Franklin. And for Nicodemus. And for Presidential candidates. And for us. How Can One Be Born Again? How is it possible for one to be born again? That’s what puzzled Nicodemus. “How can a man be born when he is old?” he asked. “Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” A reasonable question. Here’s the way Jesus answered: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Since citizenship in the kingdom is involved, I want to know exactly what that means. “Born of water!” What does that mean? Well, there is only one thing in the New Testament which connects water with spiritual birth. That one thing is baptism. According to the Bible, when a believer is buried with Christ in baptism his sins are abolished, forgiven, destroyed, buried, forgotten. He is, at that moment, freed from his slavery to sin which otherwise would have led to his eternal punishment. The Bible calls it the “second death.” By this new birth, the second birth,” he is delivered from the “second death.” He is raised from that baptismal burial to walk in newness of life. Before baptism he was dead in trespasses and sin. After baptism, he is alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:3-11; Ephesians 2:1). How can you know that baptism will free you from the power and consequences of sin, give you new life, and gain your entrance into God’s kingdom? You can know it through your faith in God’s Word. That Word says: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” Acts 2:38. That Word says: “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ,” Galatians 3:26-27. That Word says: “Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation,” 2 Corinthians 5:17. That Word says: God “has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins,” Col. 1:13-14. The door of God’s kingdom is entered by our faith and obedience. By our obedience in baptism we are “born of water.” Joe R. Barnett