Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• It is a famous parable
• Slightly different to Luke 14:
• About a great feast, many are called but make excuses
• The host instructs that others be invited
• The host further instructs that others be invited
• Matt 22:
• A King giving a feast for his son
• Similarities with previous chapter (of the parable of the wicked vinedressers)
• The vinedressers kill the servants and the Son
• A picture of the Prophets
• The invitation has gone out but people spitefully treat those who bring the invitation
• The King is furious
• A twist in the story - someone without their wedding garment
• The man is speechless (v12) and is thrown out (v13)
• It is a metaphor of those who will be in the Kingdom, a picture of the message of Salvation
• It speaks about the rejection of this wonderful invitation
• The burning question: will you be there, have you accepted the invitation?
• The Jews understood what Jesus was saying
• This is Jesus' last week:
• "All things are ready" (v4) - He is going to the cross
• Have you come?
• For the Jews it was too simple and they rejected the Messiah
• Overview:
• Glorious Invitation (v1-4)
• Terrible Refusal (v5-8)
• Others are Invited (v9-10)
• Will you be there? (v11-14)

Glorious Invitation (v1-4)

• What is your view of Christianity?
• Do you liken it to something deeply satisfying like a feast?
• Do you think it is about coming to church?
• Are you living for Christ?
• Are you living the abundant life Christ brings?
• Isa 55:1
• Are you longing to know purpose in your life?
• Come and delight your soul in abundance
• Isa 25:6
• In Christ you will be utterly and totally satisfied
• Think of the world in which we live?
• Do you feel the weight of sin?
• Christ has come as a doctor to our soul
• Christ has come to set you free
• Christ has come to bring the comfort of sins forgiven
• Christ came to bring the oil of joy
• v1-4 (feasting)
• A fatted calf and a great feast: the prodigal son
• Do you see the pleasure of God rescuing sinners?
• Do you see the gloriousness of God's invitation?
• The Jews enjoyed feasting
• This is a Royal Wedding banquet, for the prince
• What a terrible thing to reject this royal invitation
• The broken cisterns - if we have lost our joy, let us find it in Christ

Terrible Refusal (v5-8)

• It is a terrible spite to refuse a Royal invitation
• "They were not willing to come" (v3)
• The Jews rejected Jesus
• Matt 23:37 - does this describe you?
• See how gracious the King is
• He sends another invitation (v4)
• In some ways speaking of the ministry of John the Baptist
• They made light of the invitation (v5)
• Is this not typical of many of the world?
• Is this not a picture of those that are utterly indifferent?
• People are more interested in their own lives
• The parable of the two sons: the Jews say 'yes we'll follow God', but they don't
• They spitefully treated the servants (v6)
• Matt 23:34 - the Jews killed the prophets
• Religion can be a terrible thing
• People are religious but do not have God or Christ in their lives
• In your heart of hearts, how do you view God?
• Do you despise the message?

Others are Invited (v9-10)

• Some reject, but God has a people
• They will come
• We are called to go out into the world
• A picture of the gospel going out to the Jews
• The King destroys the murderers and burns up the city (v7)
• Is this not a picture of Titus burning the city and massacring the Jews
• The servants invited those both good and bad (v10)
• Speaking of humans - 'good' and 'bad', e.g. Nicodemus and Zacchaeus
• The gospel goes out to everyone
• There will be many in the House of God
• God is still inviting and His house will be full
• Example
• Heaven will be full of those that love God

Will you be there? (v11-14)

• The unexpected twist in the story
• Not just that the gospel goes out to all
• Someone without their wedding garment
• The friend was bound and carried away
• Invited to a Royal wedding and this man showed great disrespect by not turning up in wedding clothes
• The robe is a picture:
• Isa 61:10
• In order to come to God we must have the robe of Christ's righteousness
• Rev 19:7-8
• In one sense, this robe will be visible (God will certainly see it)
• In this life this robe will shine through the acts we do
• Example of door to door visiting - 'as long as I am good'
• This is not the robe we need
• We have no goodness or righteousness
• We do not realise that we are sinners
• "Many are called, but few are chosen" (v14)
• The Gospel call goes out
• If you reject you will find yourself in hell
• God cannot be blamed - look at His wonderful invitation

Closing Remarks