Be Wise | Emmanuel Duvelson

The Returning King: Being Ready, Wise and Steadfast in a 60-Second World — Part 2: Be Wise Emmanuel Duvelson | Marriage and Family Pastor Sunday August 30, 2026 Matthew 25:1–13 | Pro. 9:10; Pro. 12:15; Matt. 7:24–27; Luke 12:16–21; Eph. 5:15–17; Dan. 12:13 #jesus #God #christian #christianity #church #sermon #faith #scripture #Bible #njchurch #unionnjchurch #Crossroads Join us Sunday morning LIVE @ 9AM & 11 AM If you would like to give to our church, visit https://ccfou.churchcenter.com/giving SERMON SUMMARY Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins shows that readiness for His return is ultimately an issue of wisdom. All ten knew the bridegroom was coming, but only five ordered their lives around that truth. Biblical wisdom is more than possessing information or understanding truth—it is applying God’s truth faithfully to life. The wise build on God, remain teachable, obey His Word, and build a life that stands. INFORMATION → KNOWLEDGE → WISDOM Information: What do I know? | Knowledge: What does it mean | Wisdom: What should I do with what I know? Biblically: Information=Hearing God’s Word; Knowledge=Understanding God’s Word; Wisdom = Living God’s Word  Wisdom is seeing what God sees and then living accordingly. FOUR MARKS OF WISE/FOOLISH LIVING 1. FOUNDATION — What is my life built upon? WISE: Fears the Lord — Proverbs 9:10; The wise person asks: “What does God say?” FOOLISH: Builds life around self — Proverbs 1:7; The fool begins with: “What do I think?” Matthew 25: The wise virgins built their preparation around one certainty: the bridegroom is coming.  The wise person builds from the fear of God. The fool builds from confidence in self. 2. POSTURE — How do I receive truth? WISE: Teachable and open to correction — Proverbs 12:15; The wise person says: “Help me understand.” FOOLISH: Right in his own eyes; The fool says: “I already know.” In Luke 12:16-21, The Rich Fool presumed: “I have many years.”; God said: “This very night…”  The fool lives as though time belongs to him. The wise person lives knowing that time belongs to God. 3. PRACTICE — What do I do with what I know? WISE: Hears God’s Word and obeys — Matthew 7:24 FOOLISH: Hears God’s Word but does not obey — Matthew 7:26 Matthew 25: The wise virgins brought extra oil and prepared.  Preparation is obedience before the moment of urgency. 4. OUTCOME — Where is my life taking me? WISE: Builds a life that stands — Matthew 7:25 FOOLISH: Builds a life that ultimately collapses — Matthew 7:27 Matthew 25: The wise entered the wedding banquet. The foolish discovered that the door was shut.  What we build on determines whether what we build can stand. FINAL CALL Because the King is returning, wisdom is living today in light of what we know is coming tomorrow. BE READY. BE WISE. LIVE TODAY IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY.