Spiritual Maintenance

testimony so much.

Our Pastor, Brother Mark Hall brought us God’s message “Being Ready,” with scripture from Matthew 25:1-13 which tells of the parable of the 10 virgins. A parable is an earthly story with a spiritual meaning.

Brother Mark read the words of Jesus from the Bible which tells us of the importance of being ready and on time. “The name on our church is not important. What’s important is that we know the name of Jesus,” Bro. Mark told us.

In Matthew, Jesus tells of 10 women going to a wedding. Five were ready and five weren’t. Brother Mark talked about what made them ready and what didn’t make them ready and the six similarities in the women.

First, they were all members of the same bridal party, but just being a member didn’t get them in. They were all invited, but not all got in the door. Second, they were all good moral girls, but that didn’t get them in either. “Just being good doesn’t get you in Heaven. When you talk about who deserves heaven and who doesn’t, none of us do.”

The third thing they all had in common was that they all had the same material, a lamp. “The lamp was a symbol of faith and their profession of faith. Did they repent and their lives reflect having the Holy Spirit in them? Without profession of faith, the oil, their lamp won’t glow.” Fourth, “they all had the same motive, to meet the bridegroom, just like we all want to meet Jesus.”

Brother Mark told us fifth, they all had the same mannerisms. “They all looked alike on the outside and if the five who were ready had known the other five weren’t, I am sure they would have talked to them about being ready. Are we doing the same thing with our friends and loved ones and asking them if they are ready?”

And lastly, they all had the same mindset and expectations of getting in. “All assumed they were ready and would get in even though they were late, but the door shut.” After talking about the similarities in the women, Brother Mark read the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23 and said there was only one difference in them. “Five of them all made the same mistake. They never repented and made sure their lamp was full of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, repentance is impossible and doesn’t work.” In Matthew 25:13, Jesus says, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son Of Man is Coming.”

In closing, Brother Mark asked, “Are you ready? Are you ready if He comes today? You must be ready when He comes. The door will open, but it won’t stay open.”

Spring Street sang the hymn of invitation and J. T. Blankenship gave the benediction. We all then enjoyed lunch and listening to the wonderful music of Spring Street afterwards. It was a great day of fellowship, music, food and praise as we celebrated 113 years of worship at Mill Creek Baptist Church. We invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. Everyone is always welcome at the little white church on the creek.