THE GREAT INVITATION

THE GREAT INVITATION

Parables of Christ – Part 9
Vernon Zook

Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’ ” -Luke 14:16-24 (NLT)

For many are invited, but few are chosen. -Matthew 22:14 (NLT)

WHAT THIS PARABLE REVEALS TO US:

1. God’s Invitation for is for .

The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. -2 Peter 3:9b (NIV)

2 . Not everyone will to that Invitation.

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. -Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)

Some Excuses:

• Bought a field –

• Bought ten cows –

• Just got married –

3. A seat at the Banquet Table requires a .

…you must choose for yourselves today whom you will serve…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. -Joshua 24:15 (NCV)

4. God desires that everyone  to the invitation.

The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was angry and said, `Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind… Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. -Luke 14:21, 23 (NLT)

5. God’s Invitation to the world comes through .

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? -Romans 10:14 (NLT)