Many Invited but Few Come
Notes
Transcript
One thing never changes people like food and the social gatherings around food
Jesus likes to go and eat with people.
Many of the customs involve getting together and eating. As we meet Jesus today He is at a party, a dinner thrown by a Pharisee. Not all of them are out to kill him yet. Though he keeps making them mad.
Often these meals were used to discuss and to learn from a rabbi
Table talk: Sit and talk about things that matter, Among other things
Now when one of those reclining at the table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” But he said to him, “A certain man was giving a large banquet and invited many. And he sent his slave at the hour of the banquet to say to those who have been invited, ‘Come, because now it is ready!’ And they all alike began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field, and I must go out to look at it. I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen, and I am going to examine them. I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and for this reason I am not able to come.’ And the slave came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame!’ And the slave said, ‘Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges and press them to come in, so that my house will be filled! For I say to you that none of those persons who were invited will taste my banquet!’ ”
Pray
Table Talk
Table Talk
Jesus is at this meal and he is teaching (read all of the first part of chapter 14 for more). As they sit back recline at the table. This is how they eat. It isn’t built for speed like our tables. Its built for long meals that are relaxed with each other
One of the men turn to Jesus and said “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God”.
What a true statement that is. Blessed is the person that will eat in the kingdom of God. I am excited! I bet the food is way better in God’s kingdom with lower calories, and no artificial processing.
It is exciting to think that one sitting with God in his house sitting and eating and the communion and what a blessing that will be
But Jesus begins to tell a story
A story about a banquet that was thrown and when it came time for people to come. They were all too busy.
They had many an excuse. Now these given excuses are all valid reasons not to come. But it angered the head of the household, No one is coming
So he does what is expected. Up to this point no one is really surprised by the story. What is surprising is that instead of inviting a new set of people from the same social, religious, economic group He invites the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame People from the streets and the lanes of the city. And then to the Highways
Jesus is speaking to the religiously devout. They are people who are positive about who they are and where they are heading. They are God’s chosen people
The problem is that they have become to holier than though. Making all these rules that normal people can’t follow not in the scriptures. They have become to self-assured
And Jesus here speaks that you can’t be so self-confident about things
Those who answer the invitation and come to the party are the ones who will eat. Not those who just assume because of their position and the position of Others
I believe in blessed assurance. That once you are saved you are always saved and cannot lose your salvation. No matter how bad you screw up. You can’t un-adopt yourself from the family of God. But what I don’t believe in is the smugness of many Christians that this person can’t be saved or that type of person won’t go to heaven. Or that those who are “good” will necessarily get to heaven
The reality is that only those who answer the call will eat in the kingdom.
God invites all. But only those who answer that call will dine
How to answer Jesus Christ.
You can be baptized as many times as you like
You can memorize scripture
You can go to church
You and pray
You can sin
You cannot sin
The only way you get to come is if you accept that Jesus is the lord and Savior that he died for you sins
And that he loves you and wants the best for you
Believing that he wants the best for you your confess and commit to his ways
Baptism is first act of confession. Have to tell. Have to praise. Commit to His ways
You can be baptized and say I believe but if you don’t commit to his ways You haven’t really entered into communion with Jim
Next Steps
Next Steps
Do not become complacent and assured all around you are “saved” saved from eternal separation from God as punishment for their sins
Complacency is the problem Everyone has heard
Tell people Go up in the holler and tell them
Invite to church if you can’t tell them any other way I will do it for you
I’m save and there for good
Doesn’t work