Good morning! I’m glad to welcome you to worship today at Hillcrest Baptist Church.

The theme of our study through the book of Matthew is “JESUS OUR KING”. In Matthew 25:1 Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened…” Jesus our King is telling us, through a parable, a truth about His kingdom. In essence this parable is about ten ladies and their expectation of marriage. They, the brides, were expecting the coming of the bridegroom so that they could enter into a marriage. However, five were said to be not only expecting, but ready for the bridegroom, and five were not prepared.

Jesus is not just a king; he is a betrothed King—an engaged King. One day, no one knows the day or the hour (Matt. 24:36), Jesus, the bridegroom will come for His bride, the church, those who have believed in and called on Him for salvation from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. He came the first time 2,000 years ago to die for His bride—to pay a dowry with His own blood. The second time He comes it will be to take His bride, His Church, to the marriage supper of the Lamb, and we will dwell with Him forever and ever.

The question before us in Matthew 25:1-13 is “WILL YOU BE READY FOR THE BRIDEGROOM”?