If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NIV)

Christians who refused to proclaim “Caesar is Lord” were subjected to cruel punishment (Tacitus, Annals, 15.44). 

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23 (NIV)

The Second Coming

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3 (NIV)

The Timing Unknown

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Matthew 24:36 (NIV)

Indifference Toward God

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:37 (NIV)

Are You Living Ready?

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matthew 24:42 (NIV)

A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility… If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. Matthew 24:45–46 (NLT)

The faithful servant is faithful because he expected his Lord’s return.

 Plan as though Jesus is not returning for a hundred years and live as though Jesus is returning today.

The Great Criterion

wisdom/preparedness—the ten virgins

productivity/stewardship—the talents

compassion/others—the sheep and goats.

The Ten Virgins (Matt 25:1-13)

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Matthew 25:1 (NIV)

 The Similarities

The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. Matthew 25:3–5 (NIV)

The Distinctives

The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them… At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ Matthew 25:3, 6–8 (NIV)

The Holy Spirit

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. John 3:5–6 (NIV)

Conviction

Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.  When He comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment. John 16:7–9 (NIV) 

Infilling

Be constantly filled and stimulated (controlled) with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

Lordship

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) 

Therefore Keep Watch

Being prepared is not transferable. J.M. Boice

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Matthew 25:13 (NIV)