Ready or Not – Same Time, Different Choices
Matthew 25:5–7 (KJV)
“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet
him.”
Matthew 25:5–7 (KJV)
“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet
him.”
INTRODUCTION
The Bible says, “While the bridegroom tarried, they ALL slumbered and slept.”
The wise slept.
The foolish slept.
The prepared slept.
The unprepared slept.
Wisdom does not mean you don’t get tired.
Wisdom means you prepare before you rest.
They all slept — but they didn’t all wake up the same.
EXPOSITION
Jesus tells this parable to teach us about readiness.
Ten virgins.
All invited.
All expecting the bridegroom.
All dressed the part.
All holding lamps.
From the outside, you couldn’t tell them apart.
But when the cry rang out — “Behold, the bridegroom cometh!” — only five were ready.
Time didn’t separate them.
Pressure didn’t separate them.
The wait didn’t separate them.
Choices did.
DELAYS REVEAL PREPARATION
The delay did not create the problem — the delay exposed it.
Oil wasn’t lost in the wait.
Oil wasn’t stolen in the night.
Some people don’t run out — they never stored up.
SAME TIME, DIFFERENT CHOICES
Everybody gets delays.
Everybody gets setbacks.
Everybody gets waiting seasons.
Time is neutral.
Choices are not.
MODERN APPLICATION
In America, we wrestle with timelines:
“By 30 I should be married.”
“By 40 I should own a home.”
“By 50 I should be secure.”
Wisdom says:
Don’t rush into a season you’re not prepared to sustain.
Marriage doesn’t fix immaturity.
Money doesn’t fix poor stewardship.
Position doesn’t fix lack of character.
READINESS IS BUILT IN PRIVATE
Preparation is quiet.
Preparation is unseen.
Oil is gathered when nobody’s watching.
Oil is stored when nobody’s clapping.
ILLUSTRATION
Just because fruit grows fast doesn’t mean it’s sweet.
Microwaves cook fast — ovens cook right.
MIDNIGHT EXPOSES EVERYTHING
Midnight is when pretending stops.
Midnight separates:
Appearance from preparation.
Religion from relationship.
Stop blaming time.
Stop blaming the season.
Start examining decisions.
Lord, teach us not just to wait —
but to prepare while we wait.
Teach us to store oil in the delay.
Teach us to grow in the dark.
Same time.
Different choices.
Different outcomes.
Be ready.
The Bible says, “While the bridegroom tarried, they ALL slumbered and slept.”
The wise slept.
The foolish slept.
The prepared slept.
The unprepared slept.
Wisdom does not mean you don’t get tired.
Wisdom means you prepare before you rest.
They all slept — but they didn’t all wake up the same.
EXPOSITION
Jesus tells this parable to teach us about readiness.
Ten virgins.
All invited.
All expecting the bridegroom.
All dressed the part.
All holding lamps.
From the outside, you couldn’t tell them apart.
But when the cry rang out — “Behold, the bridegroom cometh!” — only five were ready.
Time didn’t separate them.
Pressure didn’t separate them.
The wait didn’t separate them.
Choices did.
DELAYS REVEAL PREPARATION
The delay did not create the problem — the delay exposed it.
Oil wasn’t lost in the wait.
Oil wasn’t stolen in the night.
Some people don’t run out — they never stored up.
SAME TIME, DIFFERENT CHOICES
Everybody gets delays.
Everybody gets setbacks.
Everybody gets waiting seasons.
Time is neutral.
Choices are not.
MODERN APPLICATION
In America, we wrestle with timelines:
“By 30 I should be married.”
“By 40 I should own a home.”
“By 50 I should be secure.”
Wisdom says:
Don’t rush into a season you’re not prepared to sustain.
Marriage doesn’t fix immaturity.
Money doesn’t fix poor stewardship.
Position doesn’t fix lack of character.
READINESS IS BUILT IN PRIVATE
Preparation is quiet.
Preparation is unseen.
Oil is gathered when nobody’s watching.
Oil is stored when nobody’s clapping.
ILLUSTRATION
Just because fruit grows fast doesn’t mean it’s sweet.
Microwaves cook fast — ovens cook right.
MIDNIGHT EXPOSES EVERYTHING
Midnight is when pretending stops.
Midnight separates:
Appearance from preparation.
Religion from relationship.
Stop blaming time.
Stop blaming the season.
Start examining decisions.
Lord, teach us not just to wait —
but to prepare while we wait.
Teach us to store oil in the delay.
Teach us to grow in the dark.
Same time.
Different choices.
Different outcomes.
Be ready.