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From The Pastor, August 2, 2026

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"Behold, the Bridegroom Cometh"

Text: Matthew 25:6 (KJV)

"And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him."

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The parable of the ten virgins reminds us that the return of the Lord Jesus Christ will come suddenly. At midnight—the darkest hour—the cry rang out that the bridegroom had arrived. Five virgins were wise because they were prepared, while five were foolish because they delayed their preparation until it was too late.

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Just as those virgins, every person will one day hear the final call. There will be no time then to get ready. Salvation must be settled today, and the believer must live daily in watchfulness and obedience. The Lord's return is not merely a doctrine to discuss; it is a promise that should shape the way we live.

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1. The Bridegroom Is Surely Coming

"And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh..." — Matthew 25:6 (KJV)

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The Lord Jesus Christ is coming again. His return is not a possibility—it is a certainty. Throughout the New Testament, believers are reminded to live with the expectation that Christ could return at any moment. While the world scoffs at the promise of His coming, God has never failed to keep a promise. The same Jesus who came the first time in humility will come again in glory and power.

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Many people live as though tomorrow is guaranteed, but Scripture teaches that our lives are but a vapor (James 4:14). We do not know the day or the hour of Christ's return, nor do we know when our own life may end. Therefore, wisdom demands that we live in constant readiness.

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Supporting Scriptures:

• John 14:3 (KJV) – "I will come again, and receive you unto myself..."

• Acts 1:11 (KJV) – "...this same Jesus... shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

• Revelation 22:20 (KJV) – "Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Application:
Live every day as though today could be the day you stand before the Lord. Make every decision in light of eternity.

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2. Preparation Cannot Be Borrowed

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The wise virgins had oil in their lamps because they had prepared before the bridegroom arrived. The foolish virgins waited until the last moment and discovered that readiness cannot be borrowed from someone else.

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No one can be saved by another person's faith. A godly spouse cannot save you. Faithful parents cannot save their children. Church membership, baptism, and good works cannot prepare you for eternity. Every individual must personally repent and place faith in Jesus Christ.

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Likewise, believers should not depend on yesterday's walk with God. We need fresh fellowship with the Lord through His Word, prayer, and obedience. Spiritual preparation is a daily matter.

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Supporting Scriptures:

• 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV) – "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith..."

• Romans 14:12 (KJV) – "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

• Philippians 2:12 (KJV) – "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

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Application:
Ask yourself: "Am I personally prepared to meet Christ?" Don't depend upon the faith of others. Make sure your relationship with Christ is real and growing.

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3. The Door Will Not Remain Open Forever

Matthew 25:10 says,

"...and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut."

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These are some of the most sobering words in Scripture. Today, God's grace extends an open invitation to all who will come to Christ. The gospel is still preached, mercy is still offered, and forgiveness is still available. But the day is coming when the opportunity to respond will end.

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When Noah entered the ark, God shut the door. Those outside were left to face judgment. In the same way, when Christ returns, the day of grace will give way to the day of judgment. There will be no second opportunity after the door is shut.

This truth should stir every believer to faithful witnessing and every sinner to immediate repentance.

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Supporting Scriptures:

• Isaiah 55:6 (KJV) – "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found..."

• Hebrews 9:27 (KJV) – "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"

• Luke 13:24–25 (KJV) – "...when once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door..."

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Application:
Do not put off salvation. Do not delay obedience. If God is speaking to your heart today, respond while His invitation is still extended.

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Closing Challenge

The midnight cry will one day become reality:

"Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him."

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When that cry is heard, there will be only two kinds of people—those who are ready and those who are not. The wise prepared before it was too late. May we be found watching, serving, and faithfully living for Christ, so that when our Bridegroom appears, we will enter into His joy and not be left outside the closed door.

 

As Jesus Himself said:

"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." — Matthew 25:13 (KJV)

Happy In His Service,

Pastor Scott Harvey

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From The Pastor, July 29, 2026

 

Life Has Many Choices, But Eternity Has Two

Text: Matthew 7:13–14 (KJV)
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

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Introduction

Every day of life is filled with choices. We choose where we go, what we do, what we believe, and how we live. Some choices have temporary consequences, but one choice has eternal consequences.

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Life offers many roads, many opinions, and many voices. But when it comes to eternity, there are only two destinations: Heaven or Hell. There are only two paths: the broad way or the narrow way.

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I. Life Gives Many Choices

Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve..."

God created mankind with the ability to choose. We choose our friends, our priorities, and our direction in life.

Many choices can be changed:

• A wrong job choice can be corrected.

• A wrong financial choice can be repaired.

• A wrong direction can be changed.

But the choice concerning your soul must be settled before eternity comes.

Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"

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II. Eternity Has Only Two Choices

Jesus made it clear there are two ways:

The Broad Way

• It is easy to enter.

• It follows the crowd.

• It requires no repentance.

• It allows people to live as they please.

But Jesus said it leads to destruction.

The Narrow Way

• It requires faith in Christ.

• It requires repentance.

• It requires surrender.

• It leads to everlasting life.

John 14:6 (KJV)
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

There are not many ways to Heaven. There is one Savior, one sacrifice, and one way—Jesus Christ.

 

III. The Most Important Choice Must Be Made Today

Many people put off the decision about eternity. They say, "Someday I will get right with God." But tomorrow is not promised.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

The greatest question anyone will ever answer is not:

• How successful was I?

• How much money did I make?

• How many accomplishments did I have?

The greatest question is:

"What have you done with Jesus Christ?"

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Conclusion

Life has thousands of choices, but eternity has only two. One leads to everlasting joy in the presence of God; the other leads to everlasting separation from God.

Choose wisely.

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Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV)
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life..."

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Today, choose Christ. Today, choose life.

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Closing Thought:
You can make many wrong choices in life and recover, but the wrong choice about eternity cannot be undone.

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Happy In His Service,

Pastor Scott Harvey

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