X –FACTOR

The lesson text talks about the ten Virgins. The five wise virgin and five foolish. New America version calls the wise “prudent”.

I am asking a question this morning are the foolish virgin real foolish when compare with us.

               Let look at the text in depthly:

1.      The ten are virgin both the foolish and wise. Now to us, are you a virgin spiritually.

Let look at the word virgin. The dictionary defines it as unused or untouched.

That is people who are pure, holy, unused by the world or devil. This I will interpret as people who have never sin before. So if you call the virgin foolish then answer me have you never sin before. The answer is NO.

Why did the foolish one miss it if they are also virgin like the wise?

2.      They all have a Lamp.A lamp symbolizes the word of God (i.e., the truth of God) which lights one's pathway through life.“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path“ (Psa.119:105 Para.).They all have the word of God. Ask yourselves do you have the word of God? Does the word of guide your path?

“My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching [allegorically referring to God the Father and Jesus Christ]. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life“Prov.6:20-23

Are you still calling them FOOLISH?

The lamp represents the laws, precepts, and principles of God that are to guide a person in the righteous way of life.

3.      They have oil. The oil represents the Anointing. The Holy Spirit is in them. They have the third of God head with them. It means they prophesy, speak in tongue, pray and follow with signs and wonders. Lev. 8:12, 1 Sam.16:13. Are you anointed? Do you have the fullness of the spirit of God?

4.      They all sleep off when the bridegroom tarries. In the text all slept off both the wise and the foolish. When one reads the warning messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, it is very clear that only one of the seven churches that will exist in the end of the age does not go to sleep—the Philadelphia church. As we can see many Christian are sleeping.

5.      They all woke up when the bridegroom arrive. Even though is midnight (when one least expect) they heard the call and get ready for the bride groom again. They trim their lamp that has now gone off.

This where the different occur.The  wise have extra oil and the foolish no extra thing.

Brethren there is an extra thing I think we need in all our ways.The X factor that the wise Virgin has.the X factor that Jacob have from God and that is

GRACE.

The Yoruba call GRACE “Ore-ofe” meaning what you was given to you free of Charge. Grace is what you never work for. Some call it Favour.

So what is GRACE?

1.      We are saved by grace. Eph. 2:8-9

2.      It is a dirty word for the devil

a.       Because It’s the power behind the gospel.

b.      It’s the wonder of the gospel.

c.       It’s the distinction of the gospel.

3.      Grace is power for our lives not limited to salvation.
2 Tim. 2:1 ... be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Note this:

1.       It is grace that will find you first. Remember story of Jacob and Esau. Story of .Mephibosheth and David.

2.       God grace remembers us.

3.       God’s grace pursues us.

4.       God’s grace carries us.

                 I want you to know that making heaven won’t be by your strength and making it in life won’t be  because you know the way. You need the XFactor something that makes you to be ahead of your mate and contemporaries. Today you need the Grace of God. 

                          DEACON. OLUWAYIMIKA ANIBABA