Deeply Rooted Ministries

By Luke Sills
Text: Matthew 25:1–13

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’” — Matthew 25:6

There’s a story Jesus tells about ten bridesmaids waiting for a wedding to begin. Five are wise; five are foolish. They all start out the same—lamps in hand, hearts expectant, ready to celebrate with the bridegroom. But when the bridegroom is delayed, only half of them are truly ready when he finally arrives.

The story is simple but sobering: the wise bridesmaids brought extra oil; the foolish ones didn’t. When the bridegroom came at midnight, the foolish five ran off to find more oil. By the time they returned, the door was shut. Their cries—“Lord, Lord, open to us!”—were met with a chilling response: “I do not know you.”

The Point of the Parable

Jesus isn’t giving us wedding advice; He’s teaching us how to live in light of His return. The bridegroom represents Jesus Himself. Just as no one could predict the hour of His coming in the story, we cannot predict when Christ will return. The message is clear: don’t try to guess when—be ready always.

True readiness isn’t about knowing the timeline. It’s about having a living, active faith that keeps your lamp burning bright. It’s about a heart that stays close to Christ—trusting, obeying, and walking with Him daily.

The wise virgins were ready not because of their works, but because of their faith. Their faith was real, active, and alive—it worked itself out in readiness. They didn’t just say they belonged to the wedding party; they lived like it.

The Danger of Borrowed Faith

The foolish virgins’ mistake was not simply forgetfulness—it was presumption. They thought they could borrow oil from others. Spiritually speaking, they believed someone else’s faith could make up for their own lack of preparation.

Many make that same mistake today. They assume their parents’ faith, their church attendance, or their association with Christian friends will carry them through. But when Jesus returns, He won’t accept second-hand readiness. No one can believe for you.

Your lamp—your heart—must be filled with oil—faith, obedience, and devotion that are your own. Being around faithful people isn’t enough; your relationship with Jesus must be personal.

The Midnight Cry

At midnight, the cry went out: “Here’s the bridegroom!” That’s the moment that changes everything. The time for preparation is over; the door is closing.

There’s a deep urgency in this parable. Jesus is reminding us that His return will come suddenly—when most aren’t expecting it. For those who are ready, it’s a moment of joy and fulfillment. For those who have delayed, it’s too late.

Sir Francis Bacon once said, “The desire of power in excess caused angels to fall; the desire of knowledge in excess caused man to fall.” We often crave to know when Jesus is coming, but He’s far more concerned with who is ready when He does.

Living Ready Today

So what does readiness look like for us? Jesus’ story gives us five clear takeaways:

1. Don’t wait to surrender—Christ has already paid the price.

Jesus didn’t wait to go to the cross for you. He gave His life willingly, so you could be forgiven and free. Don’t delay your response to Him.

“Now is the day of salvation.” — 2 Corinthians 6:2

2. Don’t wait to grow—cultivate your faith daily.

Readiness doesn’t happen by accident. Keep your spiritual lamp full through prayer, Scripture, worship, and obedience.

“Stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” — Matthew 24:42

3. Don’t wait to serve—let your light shine now.

Waiting for Christ isn’t passive. Serve others, share the gospel, and live out your faith actively.

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works.” — Matthew 5:16

4. Don’t wait to hope—live with eternity in view.

Hope in Christ’s return gives purpose to your present. The wise virgins lived ready because they believed the bridegroom was coming.

“The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” — Matthew 24:44

5. Don’t wait to decide—Jesus could return at any moment.

There’s no time like now to make sure your faith is your own. The midnight cry could sound at any moment.

The Door Will Not Stay Open Forever

The most haunting part of the parable is that the door eventually shuts. It’s a reminder that God’s mercy is not endless in duration. There comes a day when the invitation to believe expires—when the waiting ends, and the Bridegroom arrives.

When Jesus went to the cross, He didn’t delay. At the appointed hour, He gave His life, was buried, and rose again—defeating death once and for all. Now, the risen Savior invites us to be ready for His return.

Don’t Wait Until Midnight

Picture a bride waiting for her groom late into the night. Lamps flicker, eyes grow heavy, and the air is still. Suddenly, a shout pierces the darkness: “The bridegroom is coming!” Those who are ready rise and go in to celebrate. The rest are left outside, wishing they had prepared sooner.

Jesus’ call is clear: Don’t wait until midnight. Don’t wait to repent. Don’t wait to believe. Don’t wait to live fully for Him.

When the midnight cry sounds, may your lamp be burning bright—your heart full of faith, your life ready to meet the Bridegroom face to face.

Matthew 24:29–31, 36–51
By Luke Sills

Few topics capture the imagination of Christians like the end times. Ever since Jesus ascended into heaven, believers have wondered when He will return. Throughout history, people have predicted dates, written books, and even built movements around their calculations. Yet every single prediction has shared one thing in common — Christ did not return.

From a Roman clergyman in the 3rd century predicting A.D. 500, to Harold Camping’s billboard campaign in 2011, the pattern is the same: men speculate, time passes, and the world continues. Each false prediction not only disappoints but also brings disrepute to the faith. Jesus could not have been clearer when He said:

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)

As theologian R.T. France observed, “In view of such plain statements as this, it is astonishing that some Christians can still attempt to work out the date of the parousia!” And William Barclay didn’t mince words, calling such speculation “nothing less than blasphemy, for the man who so speculates is seeking to wrestle from God secrets which belong to God alone.”

The lesson is clear: rather than speculating about when Christ will return, we are called to be ready.

The Main Idea

No man knows the time or hour when Jesus will return; therefore, we must always be ready to do the work of the Lord.

1. The Return of Jesus Will Be Obvious, but Unexpected

Jesus describes His return in vivid, unmistakable terms:

“The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven…” (Matthew 24:29)

This will not be a quiet event hidden in a corner of the earth. It will be cosmic, glorious, and undeniable. Every eye will see Him. Every heart will know that the King has come.

As J.C. Ryle said, “The second personal coming of Christ will be as different as possible from the first.” He came first in humility — born in a manger, despised and rejected. But He will come again in power and great glory. The same Jesus who once wore a crown of thorns will return wearing the crown of the universe.

2. The Return of Jesus Should Lead Us to Readiness

Jesus follows His prophecy with several examples designed to shake us awake.

He recalls the days of Noah — days full of noise, feasting, and wedding celebrations. The world went on as usual, unaware that judgment was coming. Meanwhile, Noah — alone in obedience — built the ark in faith.

Noah didn’t wait for rain clouds before he believed God. He trusted God’s Word and acted on it. That’s readiness.

“By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen… constructed an ark for the saving of his household.” (Hebrews 11:7)

When Jesus returns, it won’t be time to start building — it will be time to board the ark. Now is the time to believe, repent, and prepare.

Then Jesus gives another image — workers in the field and women at the mill. Both groups are living their normal lives, but suddenly, one is taken and one is left. The point isn’t whether they go up or stay behind — the point is readiness. Those who are ready are not idle; they are faithful in the ordinary.

Being ready for Jesus’ return means being faithful today — at work, at home, in your neighborhood. The faithful servant is found doing what his Master asked, not staring at the sky or wasting time in speculation.

3. Readiness Means Living Faithfully Until He Comes

Jesus also tells the story of two servants. One continues his work faithfully while the master is away. The other grows careless, saying, “My master is delayed.” He begins mistreating others and living for himself.

That’s where spiritual decay begins — not with open rebellion, but quiet indifference.
The moment we think, “I’ve got time… I’ll get serious later…” is the moment compromise begins.

When the master returns unexpectedly, it’s too late. The unfaithful servant is cut off and placed with the hypocrites — those who looked religious but lived for themselves. Jesus says there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” That’s not poetic language — that’s eternal regret.

But for the faithful, there’s blessing:

“Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” (Matthew 24:46)

When Jesus returns, He will not bless the one who guessed the timing but the one who was faithful in the waiting — serving, loving, giving, and obeying until He comes.

4. How Christ Fulfills This Text

Every word Jesus spoke about His return finds its foundation in His own life, death, and resurrection.

• In His Death, Jesus endured the very judgment He warned about. The darkness, the shaking earth, the divine wrath — He took it all upon Himself. The cross was the first tremor of final judgment, and there, mercy triumphed over wrath.
• In His Resurrection, He proved that readiness is not in vain. The same Jesus who obeyed in faith was vindicated by the Father. His resurrection is the guarantee that faithfulness now will be rewarded forever.
• In His Return, He will complete what He began. The One who came in humility will come again in majesty. Every eye will see Him, and He will set all things right. For those who believe, that day will not be one of fear, but of joy.

5. Are You Ready?

When Jesus returns, there will be no time to prepare — only time to reveal whether you were ready.

If you have not trusted in Christ for salvation, hear this: you are not ready. Like those in Noah’s day, you may be living life unaware of what’s coming. But there is still time to turn to Him in repentance and faith. Call on the name of the Lord and be saved.

For the believer, readiness means faithful, daily obedience. Adrian Rogers once said, “Christians should live as if Jesus died this morning, rose this afternoon, and is coming this evening.” That’s the kind of urgency that should mark our lives.

Jonathan Edwards lived with that same focus. Among his resolutions were these:

“Resolved, never to do anything which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
Resolved, to inquire every night wherein I have been negligent or sinned, and how I might have done better.
Resolved, to act as I should do if I had already seen the happiness of heaven and the torments of hell.”

Those are the words of a man who lived ready.

So let me ask you: Are you ready?
Are you living with urgency, faithfulness, and expectation?
When Christ returns — whether today or a thousand years from now — may He find you faithful, awake, and doing what He has called you to do.

“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44)

Matthew 24:15–28, 32–35
By Pastor Luke Sills

I remember hearing someone once say, “The Bible is the only book that tells the future with perfect accuracy.” That truth echoes loudly when we come to Matthew 24. Here, Jesus sits with His disciples on the Mount of Olives and begins to describe events that would shake the very foundation of their faith. He tells them that the magnificent temple—the pride of Jerusalem, the center of their worship—will one day be destroyed.

For His disciples, that was unthinkable. The temple was the visible symbol of God’s presence. Yet Jesus’ words weren’t meant to spark fear but faith. He wanted them—and us—to understand that while earthly structures and systems may crumble, His Word will never pass away.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”
— Matthew 24:35

The Warning: When You See the Abomination of Desolation

Jesus said, “When you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place…then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (v.15–16)

To understand this, we have to look back to Daniel’s prophecy. Centuries before Christ, Daniel saw a vision of a ruler who would desecrate the temple (Daniel 8, 9, 11, 12). That prophecy was partially fulfilled in 168 BC when Antiochus Epiphanes entered the temple and defiled it—setting up a pagan altar and even sacrificing pigs there. But Jesus says that wasn’t the end of it—it was only a preview.

In A.D. 70, the Roman general Titus fulfilled Jesus’ words with horrifying precision. The Roman army surrounded Jerusalem, destroyed the city, and burned the temple to the ground. As the fire melted the gold, soldiers tore the stones apart to retrieve it—literally leaving “not one stone upon another,” just as Jesus foretold.

The Jewish historian Josephus wrote that Jerusalem was so completely destroyed that a stranger would never believe it had once been inhabited. Over a million people perished; nearly a hundred thousand were taken as slaves.

Jesus’ prophecy came true—down to the last detail.

And yet, even as He described such devastation, Jesus’ purpose was not despair but preparation. His message was clear: Be ready.

The Commands of Christ and Their Application for Us

Although Jesus spoke directly to His disciples about the destruction of the temple, His words still carry timeless truth for us. We may not be fleeing Jerusalem, but we are living in a world that is just as unstable, deceptive, and distracted. The same spiritual commands still apply.

1. Flee from what God calls you to flee from.

Jesus told His followers to flee to the mountains. For us, that means running from anything that draws us away from faithfulness to Christ.
As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:22: “Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness.”
Don’t linger around temptation—run from it. Flee sin and pursue Jesus.

2. Don’t go down for what you can’t keep.

Jesus warned not to go back into the house to gather possessions.
The lesson? Don’t cling to temporary things when God is calling you forward in obedience. What’s in the house won’t save you when the storm comes. Hold this world loosely.

3. Don’t turn back.

When God calls you out, don’t look back. Lot’s wife turned back—and lost everything. When we look back to our old life or sin, we miss what God wants to do ahead of us. Faith moves forward.

4. Pray with dependence.

Jesus told them to “pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.” Prayer reminds us that timing and strength come from God alone. A praying believer is a prepared believer.

5. Don’t believe every voice.

False teachers, false prophets, and false saviors will always rise. Jesus warned that many would perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect. We live in a time of spiritual confusion—don’t chase every new message. Test everything by the Word of God.

6. Learn from what God shows you.

Jesus said, “From the fig tree learn its lesson.” Be discerning. Pay attention to the seasons. Don’t sleep through the signs. Learn from God’s Word so you can stand firm in changing times.

How Jesus Fulfills This Prophecy

The temple fell, but God’s presence did not.
When the Romans tore down stone after stone, God was pointing to a greater truth: His presence would no longer dwell in a building but in the hearts of His people.

Jesus is now our greater temple—the true meeting place between God and man. He was the One “cut off” as Daniel foresaw. He bore the desolation of our sin on the cross so that we might never be forsaken.

The destruction of Jerusalem reminds us that earthly kingdoms fall, but Christ’s kingdom will never fail. His resurrection proves that what He promises, He performs.

So when Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away,” He’s declaring that His promises are more permanent than the universe itself. The temple burned, the city fell—but His Word still stands.

Living Ready

So how do we live ready today?
By doing exactly what Jesus told His disciples—by obeying His Word, praying with faith, and discerning truth in every season.

When the world shakes, stand firm in Christ.
When deception rises, cling to His truth.
When fear grows, pray with dependence.
When everything else fades, remember: Jesus remains.

A Final Invitation

If everything Jesus said about the temple came true, what makes us think His words about His return won’t?

The same Jesus who warned of judgment also offers salvation. The same Lord who spoke of desolation promises restoration. What He said would happen, happened. What He says will happen, will.

Readiness doesn’t mean panic—it means preparation. It means placing your trust not in your own goodness, not in a system or a structure, but in Jesus Christ alone. He is our refuge when the world shakes. He is the temple that will never fall.

Maybe for you, readiness means surrendering your life to Him for the first time—confessing your sin and trusting in the One who died and rose again for you. Or maybe it means returning to Him, renewing your focus, and saying, “Lord, I want to be found faithful when You come.”

Don’t wait. Don’t turn back. Come to Him now—while there’s still time.

Because when everything else falls, Jesus still stands.
And that’s the ultimate proof of prophecy fulfilled.

By Luke Sills

I remember hearing someone once say, “The darker the days, the brighter our hope must shine.” That truth echoes throughout Matthew 24, where Jesus gives His disciples a sobering yet hopeful picture of the days to come.

Our main idea is simple but profound:

Despite the trials that may come that will test one’s faith, those who are in the faith will persevere to the end.

The Context of Hope

Matthew 24:1–14 opens with the disciples marveling at the temple in Jerusalem — a building so magnificent that it symbolized Israel’s pride, power, and identity. But Jesus shocks them with His words:

“Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” (v. 2)

That prophecy came true just decades later in A.D. 70, when the Romans destroyed the temple. Stones still lie in ruins near the Western Wall today — a visible reminder that everything built by human hands eventually falls.

But Jesus’ words didn’t stop with the temple. They pointed beyond it — to the trials, false teachers, and global turmoil that would characterize every generation until His return.

Scholars often describe this as prophetic foreshortening — when near and distant events are spoken of together because they share similar traits. Like mountain peaks that look close from a distance but are separated by miles, Jesus spoke of both the destruction of Jerusalem and His future return.

And through it all, His message was clear: Do not be led astray. Do not be alarmed. Endure with faith.

1. Tribulation Will Come — So Stay Steady

Jesus began His teaching with a warning:

“See that no one leads you astray.” (v. 4)

Before He mentioned wars or earthquakes, Jesus called His followers to discernment. In every generation, there will be false voices — new “messiahs,” new “truths,” and new distortions of the gospel.

In the years before Jerusalem fell, false prophets led crowds to their deaths. Josephus recorded how men like Theudas and an Egyptian prophet deceived thousands with empty promises of deliverance. Even within the early church, false teachers twisted the message of Christ.

Jesus’ warning still rings true today. Deception wears modern clothes — self-proclaimed saviors, political idols, false gospels of prosperity and comfort. Yet His command hasn’t changed: “See that no one leads you astray.”

Then Jesus adds, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed.” (v. 6)

The world has known almost constant conflict since those words were spoken. Yet war is not a sign that God has lost control — it’s proof that the world still groans for redemption. Every famine, earthquake, and act of violence reminds us that creation itself is in “the beginning of birth pains” (v. 8), longing for new life.

Like labor contractions, these pains intensify before the joy of birth. The world’s chaos isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of something new.

2. There Is Hope in the Last Days — Because Faith in Jesus Saves

Jesus’ warnings crescendo with darkness — persecution, betrayal, and lawlessness. “The love of many will grow cold,” He says (v. 12). But then He adds the promise that anchors our hope:

“The one who endures to the end will be saved.” (v. 13)

That’s the heart of Christian hope — not that we’ll escape trouble, but that faith in Christ will hold us through it.

The apostle John knew this firsthand. Exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the gospel, he wrote,

“I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus.” (Revelation 1:9)

John’s faith didn’t remove him from suffering; it sustained him through it. In that lonely place, Jesus met him with revelation and glory. What the empire meant for isolation, God used for inspiration.

That’s what tribulation does for believers — it refines our faith and redirects our hope. It strips away comfort and control until all that’s left is Christ — and that’s where real hope lives.

And even in the midst of chaos, Jesus promises something extraordinary:

“This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations.” (v. 14)

The gospel will not be silenced by war, famine, persecution, or unbelief. It will go forward — because Jesus is Lord, and His kingdom cannot fail.

As Tertullian once said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” The more the church is pressed, the more the gospel spreads. From Jerusalem to Rome to every corner of the earth, God’s mission moves forward.

So instead of obsessing over signs and timelines, Jesus calls us to focus on the one mission that matters: make disciples of all nations.

We’re not saved to escape the world — we’re sent into it. The time between Christ’s resurrection and His return is missions time. Every generation of believers carries the torch a little farther until He comes again.

Head, Heart, and Hands

Head: What We Must Understand

• Tribulation, deception, and persecution are not signs that God has lost control — they’re part of His redemptive plan.
• The instability of the world points us toward the stability of Christ’s eternal kingdom.
• Endurance is the evidence of genuine faith, not the cause of it.
• The gospel will go forth — no matter the darkness.

Heart: What We Must Believe and Feel

• Confidence: Jesus reigns over history.
• Courage: Suffering is not abandonment but refinement.
• Compassion: Every “birth pain” reminds us redemption is near.
• Persevering love: Even when others grow cold, Christ’s love in us stays warm.

Hands: What We Must Do

• Stay grounded in Scripture so no one leads you astray.
• Keep sharing the gospel — every hardship is a chance to witness.
• Stand firm in community and encourage endurance in others.
• Live alert but not alarmed, with active faith and patient hope.

Our Hope Is Christ

When the world trembles, our foundation remains unshaken — Jesus Christ, the true Temple and eternal King.

The world may grow darker. The love of many may grow cold. But the gospel still burns bright, and our Savior still reigns.

So church — lift your eyes, steady your heart, and hold fast to hope.
The one who endures to the end will be saved.