Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
May 20, 1990
Luke 14:15-24
INVITATIONS TO THE BANQUET
I. Specialness of feasts.
A. Sparse Baptist wedding feasts. (Pepperell wedding)
B. Extravagant Catholic wedding.
II. Key elements of parable.
A. Banquet = salvation in kingdom. Messiah's feast. 14:15-17
1) Shows joy of salvation.
a) Christians are party-poops.
b) Because of God's promises, we should be living it up!
2) Jewish view of reserved seats in the Kingdom.
a) Similar to church membership.
B. Invitations. 14:16-17
1) Given, then confirmed once food was ready.
2) Applies to God's universal invitation to salvation.
C. Excuses. 14:18-20
The day after Mrs. Zelkin's funeral, the rabbi dropped in to
console the widower.
To his astonishment he saw the bereaved on the sofa kissing a
dazzling redhead.
"Zelkin!" roared the rabbi.
"Your beloved wife is not even cold in her grave,
and already you're...."
Mr. Zelkin cried, "In my grief, should I know what I'm doing?"
#1002
1) Not valid. Different arguments, same intention.
a) Field and ox would be examined before buying.
b) Wife was better excuse (Deut 24:5), but would not have
suddenly appeared between first and second invitation.
2) Stands for worldly priorities.
a) Kingdom must come first.
b) Where does Kingdom rate with you?
D. Compel to come in. 14:23
1) Used to justify torture.
a) Chinese general baptizing troops at attention with water
cannons.
b) Better - insistent hospitality.
2) Outreach must be deliberate and intentional.
a) Jewish leaders -> Jewish outcasts -> Gentiles.
b) Outcasts are sign kingdom is really present.
1> Kingdom not limited to "chosen frozen."
Poem from newsletter:
I dreamed death came the other night
And heaven's gates swung wide.
With kindly grace an angel gently
Ushered me inside.
And there to my astonishment
Stood folks I'd known on earth.
Some I'd judged and labeled to be
Unfit or of little worth.
Indignant words rose to my lips
But never were set free,
For every face showed stunned surprise -
NO ONE EXPECTED ME !
(Unknown) #1172
c) If you don't accept invitation,
God will find someone who will.
3) Outreach is the chief purpose of the church.
a) What are we doing?
b) (Missions figure as % for 1989)
c) (Any evangelistic efforts?)
1> Who are we trying to reach?
E. Full house and exclusion from Kingdom. 14:23-24
1) Full house - God's gracious invitation.
a) This church needs to be full.
1> Would be good to get the point where you don't know
everyone. (not from laziness, but inability)
2> We have empty seats.
A> There are spiritually needy people out there to
fill them.
b) God's love is broad.
1> How about ours?
2) Exclusion - Response is required.
a) Grace cannot be divorced from repentance and obedience.
1> What excuses do we make before God?
2> How great a priority is he?
b) Those locked out have only themselves to blame.
1> Their acceptance of the invitation was phony.
2> Fake Christians?
III. God's personal invitation to you.
A. Joy of salvation.
B. Banquet of salvation is ready and you are invited.
1) Accept or reject it.
a) Reject by treating it lightly.
b) Those who were excluded had apparently accepted the
first invitation. Wayward believers?
2) Do not become absorbed in the things of this world.
a) Accept his invitation now.
C. Fill God's house, because that is what he wants.
