The meeting place (part 2) Matthew 25:[5] But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. [11] “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ NKJV My most high God, the creator of the universe, hallowed be than name. May your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Forgive us our sins, both of commission and omission. Lord give me a pure heart. Because in Matthew 5:8, you taught us that only those who are pure at heart, shall see God. It is not the certificates we carry that will make us see God. It is not our contributions made from clean or ill gotten riches that will make us see God. It is the condition of our hearts. Lord, teach me not to major in big or small things in life. My decisions must rest on one outcome, that is, will the result please you? Taking your position might be painful to me, may the Holy Spirit help me to take pain in order to be in a relationship with you. I pray this morning in Jesus's name, amen. It is dangerous to sit and plan on how to enrich ourselves at the expense of the gospel of salvation. The bridegroom is coming. Whether we have the best church uniform or not, whether we have the best church suits or not, the bridegroom is coming. Yesterday we spoke at length on the issue of having oil (the Holy Spirit) for you to remain in the meeting room. Believe me, you, it is only those that have the Holy Spirit who will last the distance. As I was praying earlier, I was seeking for the bread of today. Instead of jumping to another scripture, I was brought back to Matthew 25:5 & 11. Read these in your language versions if possible. My shona version, woke me up. Verse 5 has two important things to take note of, [1] the groom delayed and [2] they all slumbered and fell asleep. Let us deal with these two issues first. Church, we do not control God's time. If you go back to 1 Kings 18, you will read that Elijah prayed to God and fire immediately came and consumed the sacrifice. This was a short prayer. And yet, when he prayed for the rain to come, it was a long haul. Seven times Obadiah was going to check if there was any sign of the rains. It teaches us that no one controls God's time. The groom delayed and all slumbered and fell asleep. What started was to slumber. To slumber is to doze off. What woke me up is the fact that they all slumbered and slept. OMG, midnight is coming. Midnight does not go to sleep. When we talk of the church, we are not talking about your thick register. Infact, when you are still running registers, you haven't started. Jesus travelled the whole night just to preach to one mad man by the graveyard. Do you think Peter wrote the name and address of the man down? Why are we majoring on minor issues? OMG, we want to be organised, we forget that David took a census and it ended up in misery (2 Samuel 24). The church (meaning you) went to sleep. Look at your daily activities, are you spiritually awake? The moment you get revenge, know that you are asleep. You have slumbered. Listen, a receipt from your treasurer titled “tithe” does not mean you are honest. Remember Ananias and Sapphira. We slumbered and went to sleep. To join a group of singers in church, omg, let me stop here. The groom's delayed coming is a trying time. Midnight is coming. We now have king makers in church, they throne and dethrone others. They are men and women of influence. They forget that midnight is coming. Josphat, wake up, do you have oil, because the bridegroom is coming. Do you know that when you get possessed with a prayer request that is not escaping your lips each time you kneel down, it becomes an idol. Give faith room to work. Verse 11 tells us that the other virgins came also. And started to knock on the door asking the groom to open for them. 35 years since you received Christ in your life, only to be called “the other virgin”? Lord, my prayer this morning is, help me to remain in the room where you will be in control. The other five now had their lamps on, but it was too late. We all know what keeps our lamps burning. If love keeps your lamp burning, then give it away without reservations. Stop marking registers. The Good Samaritan was not related to the man he helped to his feet. What kind of love is that which is selective? They knocked at the correct door, but at the wrong time. The time to get things right with the groom is now and not on the wedding day. Elder Josphat Murape +260976749389 26/1/2025