Are You Ready? – Awaken Your Faith in the Last Days
Pastor Phil Derstine 11-1-26
Matthew 25:1-13 Parable of the Ten Virgins
- Five of them were wise and five were foolish – All waiting to meet the bridegroom (Christ)
- While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept – a sad picture of the Church today.
- The wise and ready virgins where prepared with extra oil for their lamps.
- Oil represents the anointing, presence, and power of the Holy Spirit.
- Matthew 25:13 “Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or hour the Son of man comes.”
- God is preparing a Church that is Spiritually awake, filled with the Holy Spirit, growing in faith, and ready for the return of Jesus Christ.
Mark 6:35 - Feeding of the 5,000
- How many loaves do you have?
- Jesus instructed them
- He gave thanks
- 12 basketfuls left over
- v. 52 “For they had not understood about the miracle of the loaves; their hearts were hardened.”
- Mark 4:40 “He said to his disciples, why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Mark 8:1 – Feeding of the 4,000
- How many loaves do you have?
- Jesus instructed them
- He gave thanks
- 7 basketfuls left over
- v. 17 “Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?”
What must we Understand?
- God wants us to SEE with our FAITH
- God expects our faith to grow
- God tests us after every Miracle
- God gives us Instructions to obey
- God Multiplies what we already Have
- Jesus prayed by Giving Thanks
- Somebody had to Give something
- God gives back more than enough
- Don’t let your heart be hardened
- Remember your past miracles
Faith that Stands in the Storm
- Hebrews 11:1 “NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
- FAITH = HOPE + GOD’S WORD
- II Corinthians 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
- Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”
Pentecost Power is for Today
- Acts 1:8 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses…”
- Is Your Lamp Still Burning?
- I Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”
