Are you ready? The readiness is all. 

If there’s anything we should all be preparing for, it’s eternity. Forming our eternal lives begins now and lasts forever. This is your one and only life. Are you the person you want to be?

 

The parable of the Ten Bridesmaids teaches all would-be followers of Jesus the importance of vigilance, “living an attentive life” in an uncertain time and illustrates how one is able to “endure to the end. ‘

To live an attentive life, we need to pay careful attention to where our inner and outer selves disconnect and where they need to come together in a beautiful pattern that reflects Jesus, whose inner life with his Father and outer life of ministering to others were very much one.

 

 

Transforming friendship with Jesus now prepares us for being in God’s presence. 

 

My Sermon outline: 

 

 

1. THE INVITATION TO ENTER.  The attentive life is a way of daily entering into the availability of the kingdom of God.  It is seeking to be awake and alive to the Presence of God.

 

2. THE INVITATION TO REVEAL THE DEEPEST PART OF US. The attentive life is a way of revealing what is in our hearts.  Where is your treasure? That is where your heart will be. 

 

To the foolish bridesmaids who had no oil for their lamps, Jesus said: “I never knew you.” No oil. That is a revelation of the heart. They had no loving knowledge or confidence of his love and goodness. A total misunderstanding in the attitude of the heart in the absence of the Bridegroom. They did not know him.

 

3. THE INVITATION TO PRACTICE STAYING AWAKE. The attentive life is a way of practice: paying attention to presence of God. This is the readiness that Jesus calls us to living an attentive life. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matt 25:13

 

“Beyond living and dreaming there is something more important: waking up.” – Antonio Machdo.

 

May you find encouragement from the God whose steadfast love will carry you, now and evermore.  With you on the Journey,

 

Rob+