1. II. GOD HAS MADE EVERYTHING READY FOR THE FEAST.
1.1. Luke 14:17 NLT When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’
1.1.1. Jesus completely finished the work of our redemption on the cross
1.1.1.1. By this we are reminded that salvation is God’s work, not ours. It doesn’t rest on what we do but on what Christ has done.
1.1.1.2. 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV) 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
1.1.2. Paul adds in Romans 4 that when we become Christians we are literally “credited” with the righteousness of Christ.
1.1.3. Don’t think you have anything to wear to such a grand banquet?
1.1.4. Galatians 3:27 (NLT) 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.
1.2. Everything is ready. There is nothing more for you to do but accept God’s invitation and come to the feast.
2. III. EVERYONE IS INVITED.
2.1. Luke 14:16 NLT The banquet host “invited many guests.”
2.1.1. When some refused to come, he invited more (14:21).
2.1.1.1. He just kept inviting
2.1.2. Luke 14:23 (NLT) 23 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.
2.2. Acts 2:38–39 NLT 38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
2.2.1. Likewise, Revelation 7:9, 10 promises that the saved in Heaven will come “from every nation, tribe, people and language.”
2.3. Rev 22:17
2.3.1. Revelation 22:17 (NLT) 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.
3. ILLUSTRATION
3.1. Phillips Brooks told the story of Alexander the Great, who one day received a friend asking for money.
3.1.1. The man asked for ten talents, but Alexander had fifty delivered to him.
3.1.2. When the man returned and said that ten would be sufficient, Alexander replied: “Ten are sufficient for you to take, but not for me to give.”
3.2. So it is with God’s grace. God is generous to the utmost extreme, bestowing his grace freely on all who will receive it.
3.3. Luke 14:24 (NLT) 24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’ ”
4. Suffering, there are no good answers, but there is a good God.
5. Message Video
6. Jesus took so much pleasure in eating and drinking with his friends that the Pharisees accused him of being a glutton and a drunkard.
6.1. However, Jesus’ table fellowship was intended to symbolize for his companions the blessing of joyous fellowship in God’s presence that will characterize the new age.
6.2. He reached out religious people as well, but they rejected him.
7. The Bible frequently uses the picture of a wedding banquet or great feast to describe both the present and future blessings of the Christian life
7.1. Jesus’ parable of the great banquet in Luke 14 focuses on our responsibility to respond to God’s invitation.
7.2. Although everyone is invited to God’s great banquet, only those who accept his invitation may attend.
8. I. GOD HAS PREPARED A GREAT BANQUET.
8.1. Luke 14:16 NLT “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.”
8.1.1. The Christian life is a feast, not a funeral. Moreover, it is a “great” (Greek, mega) banquet.
8.1.2. It is full of more love, joy, peace, hope, and meaning than this world can ever imagine.
8.2. The ultimate destiny and destination of every believer is the great “wedding supper of the Lamb” that will be held in Heaven (Revelation 19:9).
8.2.1. Revelation 19:9 (NLT) 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”
9. Luke 14:15–24
9.1. Luke 14:15 NLT 15 Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet* in the Kingdom of God!”
9.1.1. Luke 14:12 (NLT) 12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward.
9.1.2. Luke 14:13 (NLT) 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.
9.1.3. Luke 14:14 (NLT) 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
9.2. Luke 14:16-17 NLT 16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’
9.3. Luke 14:18-20 NLT 18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
9.3.1. So many good things in life
9.4. Luke 14:21 NLT 21 “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.’
9.4.1. God is reaching for you, for me, outsiders that feel on the outs with the cool kids.