極大的奧秘 - 基督與教會

Type

- Virgins typify believers' life aspect

- Lamps typify believers' spirit

- Oil typifies the Holy Spirit

- 2 Cor 11:2 "I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin"

- Prov 20:27 "The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD"

- Servants typify believers' service aspect

- Silver talents typify spiritual gifts

- 1 Cor 7:22-23 "You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men"

- 2 Pet 1:1 "Simon Peter, a servant of Jesus Christ"

Significance

- Shows believers' need for Holy Spirit's indwelling and filling

- Being witnesses for the Lord (as shining lamps)

- Preparing for the Lord's return

- Matt 25:4 "The wise ones took oil in jars along with their lamps"

- Rom 8:16 "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children"

- Shows the need to exercise spiritual gifts

- Working and serving the Lord

- Managing the Lord's household

- Matt 25:15 "To one he gave five talents...according to his ability"

- Eph 1:18 "The riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people"

Distinction

- Emphasizes life aspect

- Concerns personal spiritual life quality

- Stresses union with the Lord in life

- Matt 25:9-10 "Go...buy for yourselves...those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet"

- Emphasizes work aspect

- Concerns service and responsibility

- Stresses the Lord's commission

- Matt 25:20-23 "You have been faithful with a few things...I will put you in charge of many things"

Explanation

- Need to pay price for oil (Holy Spirit's filling)

- Cost includes forsaking world, dealing with self, loving Lord supremely

- If not paying price now, must pay later

- Rev 3:18 "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire"

- Dan 5:27 "You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting"

- Talents distributed according to ability

- Must use gifts to serve others

- Need faithfulness and wisdom in service

- 1 Cor 12:4 "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit"

- 2 Tim 1:6-7 "Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you"

Examples

- Life anointed by the Spirit

- Daily vigilance in buying oil

- Being the Lord's testimony

- Zech 4:12-14 "These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth"

- Preaching gospel to save people

- Shepherding believers

- Building the church

- Matt 24:45-46 "The faithful and wise servant...giving them their food at the proper time"

Application

- Daily pursuit of Spirit's filling

- Maintaining spiritual vigilance

- Keeping testimony lamp burning bright

- Judg 9:9 "Should I give up my oil...to hold sway over the trees?"

- Faithful use of gifts

- Serving to edify others

- Fulfilling the Lord's commission

- 1 Pet 4:10 "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others"

Relationship

- Life and service complement each other

- Spirit's filling is foundation for service

- Without oil, no power for service

- Matt 25:3-4 "The foolish ones...took no oil with them"

- Zech 4:6 "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit"

- Gifts must be built on life foundation

- Service needs Spirit's presence

- Mature life enables better service

- Matt 25:21,23 "Well done, good and faithful servant...Come and share your master's happiness"

Outcome

- Wise virgins: Enter wedding feast

- Foolish virgins: Shut out

- Matt 25:10-12 "Those who were ready went in...and the door was shut...I don't know you"

- Good and faithful servants: Rewarded

- Wicked and lazy servant: Punished

- Matt 25:21,30 "Share your master's happiness...throw that worthless servant outside"