The invitation… vs. (3 things)

• 1^st – An invitation to dinner… vs. 1-6
  • Jesus was invited to dinner at the home of one of the rulers of the Pharisees…
    • This was not just a Pharisees’ home – he was one of THE Sanhedrin…
      • A group of 70 men who ruled over the nation of Israel – like a congressman…
      • Jesus was having a meal in the home of a VERY powerful man…
    • There was a man there who suffered from the dropsy…
      • This is a general term referring to a medical condition where you retain water…
      • The symptoms are swelling of the legs and arms – due to excess water in the body…
      • It can be symptomatic of a very serious condition – congestive heart failure
    • The religious leaders said nothing – but they were watching – would Jesus heal him…
      • The man with the dropsy was not there by accident – it was an invitation only dinner…
      • They were looking for any reason to accuse Jesus – prove He ‘broke’ God’s Law…
      • If they could get Jesus to heal on the Sabbath – in front of a ruler of the Sanhedrin…
      • It would be like committing a crime – at the police station for all to see!
      • We might be willing to stand for our faith in church – or around other Christians…
      • But how about in school / how about in the campo / how about at home…
      • Standing up for Jesus – is not dependant on where we are/who we are with…
      • We need to be bold for the Lord – not matter who is watching/listening!
  • Jesus judging their motive asked – ‘is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath’…
    • This meal took place towards the end of Jesus ministry…
      • Jesus had already healed 7 times in front of the religious leaders on the Sabbath…
      • He healed on the Sabbath so often – wonder what He did the other 6 days of the week
      • There was no question what would happen – they expected the man to be healed…
      • But they were so blinded by their religion – they took the miracle for granted!
    • The Pharisees WOULD NOT answer – they had put the bait in their trap and now waited…
      • If you want to catch a mouse – you don’t try to convince him the bait is tasty…
        • You sit by silently and watch – just hoping he will rush in and take a bite…
        • Jesus took the bait – He healed the man – then let him go…
      • People will often try to test our Christian values – do we really stand by them…
        • They may put a drink in front of you – ‘what will one drink hurt’…
        • They may tell a ‘green joke’ – then watch to see if you will laugh…
        • If they can get you to compromise – then they don’t feel as bad when they do it…
      • Which one of you would not help his donkey of ox…
        • Jesus revealed their hypocrisy – they would help an animal – but not a bother…
        • Jesus showed that these leaders cared more for their animals than God’s people!
    • They were left speechless – they COULD NOT answer Jesus…
      • Turns out the mouse was more clever then the men who set the trap…
      • When people question your faith in Jesus – try to trip you up….
      • Take it as an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with them…
      • They will expect you to lash out – fight back – or cower in intimidation…
      • Simply love them instead – give them the Gospel – let them see Jesus…
      • You will leave them speechless – you will leave them at the feet of Jesus!
        
• 2^nd – An inviation to a wedding… vs. 7-14
  • Not only had the leaders been watching Jesus – He had been watching them…
    • Jesus noted how those who were invited had chosen the best seats…
      • No one wanted to sit outside – better to be closest to the most important people…
      • Like at a wedding – you want to seats closest to the Bride and Groom…
      • It means you are someone of importance – it shows you are special!
    • Jesus gave them a parable – ‘When you are invited by anyone to a wedding’…
      • Wedding – literally wedding feast – only used 16 times in NT…
      • Perhaps alluding to – the marriage of Jesus (Lamb of God) and the Church!
      • Revelation 19:7,9 – “Blessed are those called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”
      • Jesus gave them two lessons when it comes to being invited…
  • 1^st – To the guest – do not choose the best seats…
    • Otherwise someone more important will come – and you will be asked to move…
      • You’ll be embarrassed – moving to the lowest seat – since all the others are taken…
      • All eyes on you as you escorted – with shame and disgrace filling your face…
      • Better to take the very lowest seat – and when the one who invited you sees you…
      • He will honor you by escorting you up to a more important seat…
    • These leaders all thought they were someone great…
      • They assumed one day they would at the best seats in the Kingdom of Heaven…
      • But they could not have been more mistaken – they were going to be humbled…
      • Not only were they not going to take the best seats – they would receive the lowest!
      • If we are honest – we tend to put ourselves before others – we are not humble…
      • When we are at Uki-uki – we don’t prefer others when it comes to clothes…
      • We will fight and grab to get the best – we saw it first – we deserve it!
      • Yet God resists the proud – and only pours out His grace on the humble – James 4:6…
    • If you exalt yourself – you will be humbled / humble yourself – God will exalt you..
      • If we are prideful – if we think we deserve the best – God is opposed to us…
      • It puts up a wall between God and us – it breaks our fellowship with the Lord…
      • No matter what we do – or how hard we try – we will fail because God is not with us…
      • It is only when we are willing to humble ourselves – God stands on our side…
      • Then no matter what we put our hands to in life – we will find success!
  • 2^nd – To the host – do not invite your friends / family / or rich neighbors to dinner…
    • These men thought they were being Godly by inviting others into their homes…
      • But inevitably they would be invited back to dinner – that was their reward…
      • They were not looking to serve God – they were looking to be honored by men!
    • Instead invite the poor / the maimed / the lame and blind…
      • Those who can in no way every repay your kindness – bless them…
      • Then you will be happy – and God will repay you in the resurrection of the just!
      • It’s about the motive of your heart – desiring to live for and serve the Lord…
      • Not looking to receive the praises of men – the rewards of this world…
      • Instead being like our Father – looking to bless the lowest – the least of all…
      • Because God does not invite those who will give back – friends / family / rich…
      • God invites the poor / the downcast / the broken into His home…

Or we can get excited – rejoice – that we have a place at God’s table in heaven!

3^rd – An inviation to heaven… vs. 15-24

One of those who was there said – ‘blessed is he who will eat at the feast in Heaven’…

The obvious assumption is he assumed he would be one of those men…

Jesus answered – a certain man gave a great feast and invited many…

The man sent out (Apostello) his servant (doulos) to tell those who were called…

The called were God’s chosen people – the rightful guests to God’s feast in heaven…

None of them were willing to come – they began to make excuses…

From the beginning the Jews were all very reluctant to follow God…

The rejected the invitation from the prophets of the Old Testament…

The rejected the invitation from John the Baptism….

Then they finally rejected the invitation from Jesus Himself!

We are called by our Lord to hand out invitation to the feast in heaven…

To tell others about the Gospel – the wonderful hope of salvation and forgiveness…

But so often when we tells others about Jesus – invite them to church…

We hear – later – next time – I’ll follow – tomorrow…

If they do agree to come you almost feel as if you are forcing them…

They make it seem like Jesus/church is an unimportant matter…

As if salvation – forgiveness – and eternal life were really not that important! 

They had 3 different excuses…

1^st – They were more concerned about money – Matthew 22:5…

They had a store – they could not walk away and leave it un-attended…

They might miss out on some sales – they needed the money

Looking for answers to life in money – is like chasing the wind…

You will spend you whole life chasing it – but it will remain just outside your grasp

Like pants that have holes – no sooner will you get money than it is gone!

The love of money – desire for stuff – only get us into trouble – I Timothy 6:9-10

If we desire more money – we are missing the greatest riches of all – Jesus!

We cannot dedicate our lives to money and possessions – and to loving Jesus…

We waste our life on possessions that don’t last – rather than on eternal rewards

2^nd – They were caught up in the pleasures of this life….

While still others said – they just got married – they did not have time…

It seems that church is on the bottom of the list for most people…

They may be willing to go to church – so long as there is NOTHING else to do…

If there is a disco / a party / a boxing match / a sport festival…

Pretty much any event is more important than attending church…

People are more concerned about ‘having fun’ – than being invited to heaven…

3^rd – They were too caught up in the cares of this world…

There were some who gave the excuse they had a new field to attend to…

They needed to watch after their caribou, harvest rice…

Investing all their time in things that do not last – and missing out on the eternal…

Excuses from 2000 years ago – not much has changed

It seems anything is more important than going to Church – Jesus…

As if taking time to read the Bible would endanger the harvest…

The master became very angry…

None of those who were invited shall taste the supper…

They choose not to come – so they lost their place at the feast…

Our worthiness to get to Heaven is not based on who we are…

It is based on what we do with God’s invitation…

There is one way to get from here to Heaven – one road – Jesus Christ…

If we reject the road to heaven – then we choose to hell

Quickly (the dinner is ready) go out into the Highways…

Go out into the streets and lanes of the city – bring the poor / maimed / and blind…

The least likely – the downcast – the rejects – the ones no one else wants…

The servant did as he was commanded – and still there was room…

Go to the Highways – the cross roads – where everybody passed by…

The idea is to invite anyone – anyone you see – to come to the feast!

Romans 10:13 – “Whomever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Anyone – absolutely anyone – can be saved!

Anyone who accepts God’s invitation – will be welcomed to the feast in heaven!

So that my house may be filled…

The message is urgent – the ‘table is set’ – God is ready to start the feast…

Jesus is coming soon to take His church with Him back to heaven…

God does not want anyone to perish – but He gives all men the choice…

He gives out the invitation – and then lets any and all choose how to respond…

We can make light of it – make excuses – and miss out on heaven…