Snow Day Sermon - Parable of The Ten Virgins - January 25, 2026

❄️ This is a summary of Reverend Romeo Velasco's message for us on our January 25, 2026 snow day! Stay warm!

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Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

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.

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Sermon Summary

One of the ways Jesus communicated the Kingdom was to use word of imagery through

parables. His main emphasis of these parables is the importance of preparation for His

return. Lets talk about that today. The Parable of the Ten Virgins. Jesus told this parable to teach us what to do and what to know when he comes.This parable teaches us the

importance of preparation?

Why did Jesus use numbers in this parable? 10 Virgins? 5 wise, 5 foolish? The number "10" signifies a complete group, representing believers of Jesus Christ . The

word "virgin" is used here but don't be misled by the word "virgin" . The dictionary defines "virgin" is a person who has never been touched, a naive, innocent or inexperienced. That's not what we are talking about here. The Bible tells us that the "Ten Virgins" is a metaphor for believers of Jesus Christ who are waiting for His return. If you are a believer you are a "virgin" in a biblical sense of the word. The ten virgins is a group of believers of Christ waiting for His return.

Why Jesus uses 5 foolish virgins and 5 wise virgins? The Bible says "the Five Wise Virgins" are those who have an exciting promise for Jesus return. They took oil with their lamps. While the "Five Foolish Virgins" are not so excited with Jesus return They took their lamps without oil.

What do the Ten Virgins signifies today? As believers of Jesus Christ, we all fall under the Ten Virgins category, we are men and women who are waiting for Jesus return, belonging to the two groups: one group is Five Foolish virgins, the other group is the Five Wise virgins.

Matthew 25: 1-13 says, Ten virgins were waiting for the groom to come. They were to join him in the procession to the place where the wedding and banquet would be done. Usually, weddings at the time of Jesus were done at night time. This is obvious here as we can see that each of the virgin brought a lamp with them? to see the groom coming because it is dark. So they were required to bring their own lamp. Both knew the groom was coming but here's the problem, , 5 were found unprepared when the groom finally came. They tried to fix their problem but its too late. Their efforts were useless and their pleadings were never heard.

The parable teaches us 4 points to prepare :

1. Preparation is a MUST

The coming of Jesus will be at any moment. Spiritual preparation is not optional. It's a must! The Bible says, "The Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect him" Today, tonight or tomorrow. So first don't let the normalness of things deceive you. I supposed. These women saw and attended so many marriages already. The five foolish women thought this marriage was no different from the previous ones they attended. They thought there's nothing special and everything seems normal. So there's nothing to care about it and there is no need to do some special preparations . Just go bring a lamp never mind whether the lamp has oil or not. Just go and meet the groom. Today many people live their lives just like that like these five foolish women. They think

everything will continue as they are , that there is nothing to care about. If he comes

he comes, if not its fine. John 3: 16 says, For God so loved the world, he gave his only Son - that's the first coming message...whoever believes in him shall live eternally.- that's the second coming message.

2. Don't let appearances fool you.

In this parable, the ten women all appeared to be alike. They all thought of themselves as bridesmaids. They were all dressed alike. White gown, white shoes, white ribbon etc. They were all expecting the bridegroom. When the bridegroom was delayed they all fell asleep. They all had lamps. All of them trimmed their lamps. They all wanted to be a part of the wedding banquet. But not all of them were prepared. When the Lord warns us to be ready, we have to do the right thing.

3. Preparation is INDIVIDUAL

In spiritual preparation you are on your own. No one can do it for you. The foolish virgins saw that they they did not have enough oil, and they asked their wise friends to loan them some of theirs, but that was not possible. You cannot borrow faith from the members, you cannot get it from someone else. Every spiritual birth comes only from an individual. Your faith must be your own. Character or faith cannot be borrowed, neither salvation. Salvation is personal.

4. Preparation is NOW

Verses 10-12 tells us that "while they were on their way to buy oil, the bridegroom arrived". Ohh what a timing that was. The wise virgins who were ready went in with the groom and the door was shut. Later the foolish fives came running and with a loud voice Hey "Sir Sir , open the door for us we are coming, we are only late for 3 minutes, please let us come in." But the groom replied "I tell you the truth I don't know you.

Someone asked about this parable: Why was the ending so harsh? Shouldnt' the wise virgins distributed a little oil to others, and why didn't Jesus just show a little mercy and pity to the foolish ones who were shouting to let them in?

Well Church! Remember, this is the second coming not first coming anymore. In the first

coming coming you were given a choice , but in the second coming, when the door is shut, no one can enter anymore. The foolish five women did not make the right and sincere preparation, they cried for the door to be opened but their cries fell on deaf ears.Because there is coming a day when Jesus will come back , we are therefore to live in constant preparation, no matter how hard it takes, How? God has given us the rest of our lives to get things right spiritually and turn things around. There is no bigger day than our appointment with the Lord.

Time flies when you are having fun and having a good time, before you know it, your time is up. Let me quote Hebrews 13:12-14: "See to it brothers, that none of you has a sinful unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God, but encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. Amen.

1. Preparation is a must

2. Don't let appearances fool you

3. Preparation is individual

4. Preparation is now

If Jesus Christ comes right now, or tonight - Are you prepared and ready? Think about that!

Amen.

Rev. Romy Velasco