3.  This sermon is based on Matthew 25: 1 – 12;
it is about Jesus not acknowledging those
who have superficial or shallow profession.
As an act of judgment Jesus will pronounce
the verdict ―I do not know you‖ to those who
are superficial in their Christian experience.

5.  To explain how the foolish virgins became
―foolish‖.
 The sermon is also to explain what the
―delay‖ means.
 To clarify the mean of the midnight cry.
 To emphasize that to have a superficial or
shallow Christian experience is very
dangerous.
 To clarify why did Jesus say, ―I do not know
you‖.

6.  25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be
likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps,
and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five
[were] foolish.
 25:3 They that [were] foolish took their lamps,
and took no oil with them:
 Foolish (mo-ros')
◦ dull or stupid (as if shut up), that is, heedless, blockhead,
absurd (Ridiculous, unreasonable, nonsensical).
 When did the foolish actually neglected taking the
oil? during the waiting or before coming to meet
the groom.


7.  25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels
with their lamps.

 Oil
 This represent the Holy Spirit (Zech
4:2,12,6)
 Lamp
 Psalms 119:105 – The Bible

8.  25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all
slumbered and slept.

 Tarried
 chronizō
◦ to take time, to linger: - delay, tarry.

 Slumbered
◦ nustazō
 to nod, that is, (by implication) to fall asleep; slumber
(not paying attention or inactive).
 Slept
◦ katheudō
 to lie down to rest, to fall asleep

9.  And at midnight there was a cry made,
Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out
to meet him.
 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and
trimmed their lamps.

 Trimmed
 kosmeō
◦ to put in proper order, decorate; adorn, garnish,
trim.

10.  25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise,
Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone
out.
 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, [Not
so]; lest there be not enough for us and you:
but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for
yourselves.
 25:10 And while they went to buy, the
bridegroom came; and they that were ready
went in with him to the marriage: and the
door was shut.

11.  25:11 Afterward came also the other
virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I
say unto you, I know you not.
 I do not know you is the ultimate verdict of
judgment

13.  In the summer and autumn of 1844, the
proclamation, ―Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,‖
was given. The two classes represented by the
wise and foolish virgins were then developed,—
one class who looked with joy to the Lord's
appearing, and who had been diligently
preparing to meet him; another class that,
influenced by fear, and acting from impulse, had
been satisfied with a theory of the truth, but were
destitute of the grace of God. In the parable,
when the bridegroom came, ―they that were
ready went in with him to the marriage.‖ The
coming of the bridegroom, here brought to view,
takes place before the marriage. The marriage
represents the reception by Christ of his
kingdom.…… {GC88 426.2}

14.  The class represented by the foolish virgins
 are not hypocrites (pretender, deceiver,
dissembler).
 They have a regard for the truth,
 they have advocated the truth, they are
attracted to those who believe the truth;
 but they have not yielded themselves to the
Holy Spirit's working.

15.  They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ
Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be
broken up.
 This class are represented also by the stony-
ground hearers. They receive the word with
readiness, but they fail of assimilating
(incorporate, take in, absorb; adopt) its
principles. Its influence is not abiding. The
Spirit works upon man's heart, according to
his desire and consent implanting in him a
new nature;

16.  but the class represented by the foolish
virgins have been content with a superficial
work.
 They do not know God.
 They have not studied His character;
 they have not held communion with Him;
therefore they do not know how to trust, how
to look and live.

17.  Their service to God degenerates into a form.
"They come unto thee as the people cometh, and
they sit before thee as My people, and they hear
thy words, but they will not do them; for with
their mouth they show much love, but their heart
goeth after their covetousness." Ezekiel 33:31.
 This is the class that in time of peril are found
crying, Peace and safety. They lull their hearts
into security, and dream not of danger. When
startled from their lethargy, they discern their
destitution, and entreat others to supply their
lack; but in spiritual things no man can make up
another's deficiency. {COL 411}

19.  We are living in an age when almost
everything is superficial. There is but little
stability and firmness of character, because
the training and education of children from
their cradle is superficial. Their character is
built upon sliding sand. Self-denial and self-
control have not been molded into their
characters. They have been petted and
indulged until they are spoiled for practical
life. The love of pleasure controls minds, and
children are flattered and indulged to their
ruin. {CG 184.5}

20.  Not one was qualified for the work but those who were
daily learning in the school of Christ to be meek and lowly
of heart.
 Many had fallen into a shallow, superficial way of thinking
and working.
 There were envies, jealousies, evil surmisings, and evil
speaking.
 Some were cherishing malice toward one another, and
provoking one another by criticism and censure.
 They did not have a clear understanding of their individual
relation to the work of God and their personal
responsibility.
 They did not realize their own weakness and inefficiency in
the great work for the salvation of souls.
 They did not consider that they were only inferior
instruments, and that the great efficient Agent was God.
The good accomplished was the result of divine power
combined with human effort. {20MR 379.1}

21.  Some who profess to have true religion sadly
neglect the Guidebook given by God to point
the way to heaven. They may read the Bible,
but merely reading God's Word, as one would
read words traced by a human pen, will give
only a superficial knowledge. Talking of the
truth will not sanctify the receivers. They may
profess to be working for God, when, were
Christ among them, His voice would be
heard, saying, "Ye do err, not knowing the
Scriptures, nor the power of God" (Matthew
22:29). Such cannot know what true religion
means. {YRP 116.3}

22.  ……..There are many who make but little
progress in the divine life because they are
too self-sufficient to occupy the position of
learners. They are content with a superficial
knowledge of God's word. They do not wish
to change their faith or practice and hence
make no effort to obtain greater light. {AA
283.2}

23.  True piety and earnest zeal are greatly
lacking. There is too much half-hearted
religion. Many are superficial. They confess
their sins without realizing the hatefulness of
sin in God's sight, and without repenting with
brokenness of heart. This is renouncing the
world, but not forsaking it. The truth, the
sacred, sanctifying truth, does not abide in
the heart. {BEcho, February 1, 1886 par. 6}

24.  Many who profess to believe the truth for these last days,
will be found wanting. They have neglected the weightier
matters. Their conversion is superficial; not deep, earnest,
and thorough. They do not know why they believe the truth,
only because others have done so, and they take it for
granted it must be so. They can give no intelligent reason
why they believe. Many have allowed their minds to be filled
with things of minor importance, and their eternal interest
is made secondary. Their own souls are dwarfed and
crippled in spiritual growth. Others are not enlightened or
edified by their experience and the knowledge it was their
privilege and duty to obtain. Strength and stability lie with
true-hearted professors. Christ and him crucified should
become the theme of our thoughts, and stir the deepest
emotions of our souls. The true followers of Christ will
appreciate the great salvation he has wrought for them; and
wherever he leads the way, they will follow. They will
consider it a privilege to bear whatever burdens Christ may
lay upon them. It is through the cross alone that we can
estimate the worth of the human soul. {RH, February 16,

25.  Long, prosy talks and prayers are out of place
anywhere, and especially in the social
meeting. Those who are forward and ever
ready to speak are allowed to crowd out the
testimony of the timid and retiring. Those
who are most superficial generally have the
most to say. Their prayers are long and
mechanical. They weary the angels and the
people who listen to them. Our prayers
should be short and right to the point. Let the
long, tiresome petitions be left for the closet,
if any have such to offer. Let the Spirit of God
into your hearts, and it will sweep away all
dry formality. {CCh 292.2}

29.  The coming of Christ, as announced by the
first angel's message, was understood to be
represented by the coming of the
bridegroom. The widespread reformation
under the proclamation of his soon coming,
answered to the going forth of the virgins. In
this parable, as in that of Matthew 24, two
classes are represented. All had taken their
lamps, the Bible, and by its light had gone
forth to meet the Bridegroom.

30.  But while ―they that were foolish took their
lamps, and took no oil with them,‖ ―the wise
took oil in their vessels with their lamps.‖ The
latter class had received the grace of God, the
regenerating, enlightening power of the Holy
Spirit, which renders his Word a lamp to the
feet and a light to the path. In the fear of God
they had studied the Scriptures to learn the
truth, and had earnestly sought for purity of
heart and life. These had a personal
experience, a faith in God and in his Word,
which could not be overthrown by
disappointment and delay. Others ―took their
lamps, and took no oil with them.‖

31.  They had moved from impulse. Their fears
had been excited by the solemn message, but
they had depended upon the faith of their
brethren, satisfied with the flickering light of
good emotions, without a thorough
understanding of the truth, or a genuine work
of grace in the heart. These had gone forth to
meet the Lord, full of hope in the prospect of
immediate reward; but they were not
prepared for delay and disappointment. When
trials came, their faith failed, and their lights
burned dim. {GC88 393.3}

32.  ―While the bridegroom tarried, they all
slumbered and slept.‖ By the tarrying of the
bridegroom is represented the passing of the
time when the Lord was expected, the
disappointment, and the seeming delay. In
this time of uncertainty, the interest of the
superficial and half-hearted soon began to
waver, and their efforts to relax; but those
whose faith was based on a personal
knowledge of the Bible had a rock beneath
their feet, which the waves of disappointment
could not wash away.

33.  ―They all slumbered and slept;‖ one class in
unconcern and abandonment of their faith,
the other class patiently waiting till clearer
light should be given. Yet in the night of trial
the latter seemed to lose, to some extent,
their zeal and devotion. The half-hearted
and superficial could no longer lean upon the
faith of their brethren. Each must stand or fall
for himself. {GC88 394.1}

39.  The work which the church has failed to do in a
time of peace and prosperity, she will have to do
in a terrible crisis, under most discouraging,
forbidding, circumstances. The warnings that
worldly conformity has silenced or withheld,
must be given under the fiercest opposition from
enemies of the faith. And at that time the
superficial, conservative class, whose influence
has steadily retarded the progress of the work,
will renounce the faith, and take their stand with
its avowed enemies, toward whom their
sympathies have long been tending…..
Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 463. {ChS 158.1} ….
 Continued in the next slide

40.  These apostates will then manifest the most
bitter enmity, doing all in their power to oppress
and malign their former brethren, and to excite
indignation against them. This day is just before
us. The members of the church will individually
be tested and proved. They will be placed in
circumstances where they will be forced to bear
witness for the truth. Many will be called to speak
before councils and in courts of justice, perhaps
separately and alone. The experience which
would have helped them in this emergency they
have neglected to obtain, and their souls are
burdened with remorse for wasted opportunities
and neglected privileges.--Testimonies, vol. 5, p.
463. {ChS 158.1}

42.  I heard those clothed with the armor speak
forth the truth with great power. It had effect.
. . . I asked what had made this great change.
An angel answered, "It is the latter rain, the
refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the
loud cry of the third angel."--EW 271 (1858).
{LDE 186.5}

43. ―But when the decree shall go forth
enforcing the counterfeit Sabbath,
and the loud cry of the third angel
shall warn men against the worship
of the beast and his image, the line
will be clearly drawn between the
false and the true. Then those who
still continue in transgression will
receive the mark of the beast.‖

44.  Revelation14:9 And the
third angel followed them,
saying with a loud voice, If
any man worship the beast
and his image, and receive
[his] mark in his forehead
(Sunday Law), or in his
hand,

45. When the storm of persecution
really breaks upon us, . . . then
will the message of the third
angel swell to a loud cry, and
the whole earth will be lightened
with the glory of the Lord.--6T
401 (1900). {LDE 208.2}

47.  What was the strength of those
who in the past have suffered
persecution for Christ's sake? It
was union with God, union with the
Holy Spirit, union with Christ.
Reproach and persecution have
separated many from earthly
friends, but never from the love of
Christ. …. {AA 85.1}

49.  Contributes to Economic Security.--Again
and again the Lord has instructed that our
people are to take their families away from
the cities, into the country, where they can
raise their own provisions; for in the future
the problem of buying and selling will be a
very serious one. We should now begin to
heed the instruction given us over and over
again: Get out of the cities into rural districts,
where the houses are not crowded closely
together, and where you will be free from the
interference of enemies. {AH 141.4}

50. Two other references

51.  7:21 Not every one that saith unto me,
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven.
 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord,
Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?
and in thy name have cast out devils? and in
thy name done many wonderful works?
 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that
work iniquity.

52.  13:25 When once the master of the house is
risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin
to stand without, and to knock at the door,
saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall
answer and say unto you, I know you not whence
ye are:
 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have
eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast
taught in our streets.
 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you
not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye
workers of iniquity.
 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and
Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of
God, and you [yourselves] thrust out.

53. This judgment will be pronounced upon
those superficial people who will receive the
Sunday law.