The Wedding Feast

Announcements/Quiet time

Sabbatical: A time to bring new inspiration. Ministry starts as an exciting adventure but over time it becomes routine. Sabbatical gives a pastor breathing room and an opportunity for new inspiration. Time is given to prayer and study as well as an opportunity for a pastor to sit under another pastor’s preaching for a time. Slow return, Dick preaching through May 14.

At the end of the service, I will provide time for some discussion about the possible sale of our land. We have marked the lot for you to see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv8ojKvo1pI

The Wedding Banquet by Rain for Boots 3:38

Psalm 45:1–6 NIV

1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. 2 You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. 3 Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. 4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. 5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. 6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

Opening Hymn

Isaiah 61:10–11 NIV

10 I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

Worship Set

Revelation 19:5–9 NIV

5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both great and small!” 6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Prayer Chorus

Prayer

Worship Through the Word:

The Wedding Feast

Weddings are a great celebration. Everyone is usually in a great mood. One of the things I enjoy as a pastor are the stories of funny things that have happened at weddings. One I heard about that always makes me laugh, is about a bride who was very nervous being in front of everyone. She was shaking so bad that as she took the unity candle in her hand, she accidently hit her veil which began to melt and simmer. In her excitement, she kept trying to blow the flames out. Of course, as we all know, when you add oxygen, fire grows. So, each time she blew on it, it flamed up, but then would just sizzle and eat away at the fabric until someone extinguished it with their hands.

Another one I witnessed that was funny, was there was something not quite right at the front of the church. Someone decided they could fix it without disrupting the service, so they got on their hands and knees and were crawling behind the altar to go fix it. What they didn’t realize was that the candle was blowing up a big shadow of them on the back wall that caught everyone’s attention. No one was listening to the pastor, as they were all focused on the shadow crawling across the back platform. It was hilarious.

Well today, we will read a parable that Jesus shared with the chief priests and Pharisees. Unlike these humorous stories, there was no humor in Jesus’ story. Only a very strong warning.

If you are able, please stand as I read Matthew 22:1-14.

Matthew 22:1–14 NIV

1 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. 4 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ 5 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. 13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!

I. The Final Wedding Feast

We are jumping ahead a bit. This parable is a continuation of the discussion in chapter 21 which takes place due to events during the time of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We will come back to these specific events, three weeks from now.

However, these next three weeks we will look at Parables that Jesus shares regarding prophecies of what will yet come.

You see, now He is finally in Jerusalem. He has spent three years teaching about faith and righteous living, as well as about the Father. Now Jesus turns His thoughts to His impending departure and what lays ahead of the faithful as well as the unfaithful. Jesus thoughts turn from the blessings of God to the judgement that will eventually come.

People love to hear about God’s love and about heaven, but they do not like to dwell on the concept of hell. It is to terrifying. Many say they are glad that pastor’s do not preach fire and brimstone anymore. However, I feel it is better for someone to be saved out of fear than it is for them not to be saved at all. I have known many who told me they started their Christian walk out of fear, but came to appreciate all the blessings. The truth is, there is a heaven and a hell. People need to understand that both exist. We will each end up in one or the other. There are no other choices.

Jesus spoke of both. Jesus at times gave strong warnings and shared Parables to help people understand the choice they were making.

As we come to Jesus’ parable in Matthew 22, Jesus is having a discussion with the chief priests and Pharisees. Discussion is probably too mild of a word to use. Actually, these elite Jews are challenging Jesus’ authority. What right did He have to clear the temple of those selling offerings to the Jews in the temple courtyard?

Jesus shares about a landowner with a vineyard who rents his beautiful vineyard to farmers while the landowner goes on a journey. Come time for the harvest, the landowner sends his servants to collect but the are beaten and killed. He eventually sends his son who is also killed. Jesus looks at these Jewish elites and asks, “when the landowner comes, what will he do to these tenants?”

The Jews responded the obvious. “Well, of course, the landowner will bring those tenants down in a most terrifying way and replace them with others.” Then Jesus clarifies that they are the wretched tenants. When they realize that Jesus is talking about them, they are ready to kill Him then and there, but they are afraid the crowd around them will not look kindly on their actions and Jesus then shares this Parable of the Wedding Banquet as a strong warning to them that they are in jeopardy of God’s rejection.

This parable is not some story with a lesson in it. This parable is prophecy of what will happen after Jesus returns to the Father.

A. The Ministry of the Apostles, vv 1-3

Matthew 22:1–3 NIV

1 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

Jesus came as a Jew to minister to the Jews. He spoke to them opening up the scriptures, what we call the Old Testament to reveal the truth of God and God’s plan for humankind that is found there. He also demonstrated how it revealed His coming. During this time, the Jews were the intended targets of the ministry. That does not mean that Jesus didn’t talk to others or assist them in their need. Jesus was willing to share with anyone who had a desire to listen. Look at Matthew 15.

Matthew 15:21–28 NIV

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” 23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” 25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. 26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” 28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

However, Jesus main focus at this time is the Jews. Look at His instructions to those He sends out to minister in Matthew 10.

Matthew 10:5–6 NIV

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

Yet, even as He did so, Jesus knew He and His message would be rejected by many of the Jews, particularly the Jewish elite (chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees).

Psalm 118:22–23 NIV

22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 23 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

During this time, Jesus prepared Twelve men to take over and lead the ministry once He was gone, but He also knew they would also be rejected by many.

However, the Apostles were not the only ones. The parable continues to describe others.

B. The Ministry of Faithful Disciples, vv 4-5

Matthew 22:4–5 NIV

4 “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ 5 “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business.

Jesus had a descent following of others who looked to these Apostles as leaders. In Luke 10, Jesus sent out 72 to minister. Surely, many of them were still around and worked under the leadership of the apostles. People like Luke, Mark, James, Barnabas, Stephen and the six chosen with Stephen to help minister to widows.

However, there were still many Jews unwilling to accept. Many were too busy with making a living and just wanted to be left in peace to do so. They were more concerned with today than they were with the idea of a future eternity.

In fact, in Luke’s account of a similar parable, excuses were given. Luke 14:18-20.

Luke 14:18–20 NIV

18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

But if that were not enough, they would begin to kill God’s faithful elect. Saul of Tarsus, stands and watches Stephen stoned. Then he gets official orders and heads out to kill others. He, of course, eventually ends up a believer as well and becomes another Apostle. But the slaughter of Christians continues, and even threatens Saul, now called Paul.

Jesus’ parable foresees all of this as well as…

C. The Destruction of Jerusalem, vv 6-7

Matthew 22:6–7 NIV

6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

This is not the only time Jesus talks of this event. He shares it again with His disciples a couple more chapters in. Matthew 24:1-2

Matthew 24:1–2 NIV

1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

The Jews were very proud of their beautiful temple. Can’t you just hear them walking along and talking about how beautiful it looks? Maybe someone says, “Look Jesus, how the sun is catching and reflecting on our beautiful temple.” Jesus turns and looks at it, a sad look comes into His eyes as He responds. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another.”

I am sure it was a beautiful sight and that it saddened Jesus greatly that it would be destroyed, but His heartache is not what is destroyed but why it will be destroyed, which brings us to the next point in our parable.

D. The Rejection of Israel, vv 8-10

Matthew 22:8–10 NIV

8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

The vast majority of Israel, especially the leaders of Israel, rejected the Son of God. So, the message moved out to the highways and byways. The Gentiles heard and began putting their faith in God. They were now invited to be God’s people.

Now, some will tell you that Israel was then completely rejected by God. No where do I get that impression. In fact, Paul taught against this.

Romans 11:11 NIV

11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.

God’s intent has always been to work through His people in order that others can see what He is capable of doing. If Israel will not be those servants, God will use those who are willing.

I could share so many stories but the one that I like the best is the time I went through the tornado. My house, camping trailer, and SUV, all sustained damage. My insurance took care of everything with no problem and my premiums never even went up. My neighbors were having all kinds of problems getting things resolved. (Problems with insurance, neighbors, etc…). They commented that I seemed to have no problem getting things resolved and I was able to share that I trusted God with all I owned and He takes care of me. It does not mean I do not go through troubles (such as tornadoes, though sometimes God does completely pass us by in such times). Either through is complete protection or His deliverance afterwards, we demonstrate how God is for us, not against us. We can trust and rely on Him.

If Israel refuses to be that party to demonstrate to the Gentile, then God will use the Gentile to demonstrate to Israel.

Jew or Gentile, we were all created by God and it was always His intent to provide salvation for all of us. We know through Revelations that God still has a significant part for the Jews to play as Revelation 7 describes 12,000 from each tribe of Israel that will be sealed. We do not know exactly what all this means, but it is apparent that they still play an important part, not to mention the Twelve Disciples who will sit on thrones with Christ.

Now, you would think it would end there, but Jesus adds one final tidbit that is important for all to understand about this wedding feast.

E. The Invitation is Never Earned, vv 11-14

Just when you think the parable is complete, Jesus adds this last little bit that seems totally unrelated to the rest of the story.

Matthew 22:11–14 NIV

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. 13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

To understand what this is talking about, we need to understand the symbolism of the garments. Look again at Isaiah 61:10 that we read earlier in the service.

Isaiah 61:10 NIV

10 I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Many thought they could achieve an invite to heaven through their self-righteous actions. Jesus is once again making it clear that there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. It is only recieved as a gift from God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we put our faith in Christ, we receive our wedding garments for the feast.

This person demonstrates someone who felt they didn’t need the garments the king provided as they assumed what they wore was good enough. However, Isaiah has something to say about that as well in chapter 64.

Isaiah 64:6 NIV

6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

There are many that hang out with the church crowd that are not wearing the garments of the king. They wear there own righteousness thinking it is good enough. However, when that day comes, they will be shocked to discover that it is not enough.

Conclusion:

Now most of this parable was directed at the Jewish elite that were rejecting Jesus. However, this last point was given to those who intend to attend the wedding. I believe it is a very important lesson to the church.

In Revelation, Jesus addresses seven churches. I guarantee you, it is not the buildings Jesus is addressing. It is people of the church, that Jesus is addressing. I do not believe as some do, that these are different denominations. I believe that various denominations have various people that in truth represent these seven churches. However, only two of the churches have any kind of really positive report. That is a really sad commentary on the state of the church. I think it is indicative of the number of those who believe they are the church but are not as much as they would believe.

I believe the church has many people that are working their tails off to promote their own righteousness upon which they expect to enter heaven. However, they have never truly humbled themselves before God and sought His wisdom or director for their life. They are like the man at the wedding wearing their own garments and they assume it is good enough.

There are even more, who other than attending church, have never been about the mission of the church. They are like a spectator at a game who has never played the game for themselves. They may not even know all the rules of the game, but they come and cheer for their team on game night. They may even go home and say, “wow, that was a good game.” But it has done nothing to change their life. They are in no other way involved in making that game happen.

Too many think that being a Christian is taking a moment in time to say, “Yes, I believe You are the Christ and I put my trust in You.” Then they never do anything else except go to church (sometimes regularly and other times irregularly). They are not really in the game.

Now, I am not talking about being involved in church clean up days or giving your time to help with church business. Those things are important. We have buildings that need repaired and cleaned and such. That is part of our responsibility. But the work of the church is to be faithful to seek God’s will for your life. To be involved in ministry and the call of the church. Jesus gave us all instructions as He left. Matthew 28:18-20

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Our salvation is a gift, but it is our responsibility to take care of that gift. We take care of it and preserve it by being obedient to God and the things He calls us to do. I fear too many have received that gift and then put it in a top closet without ever even opening it. It has really never served its purpose in their lives for this reason.

The days are going to get tougher. Christian persecution will increase in our nation and in our world. If our gift is opened and being used, we will lose it. If it isn’t serving its purpose now, it most likely won’t be used when things get tough.

Have you opened your gift? Is it making a difference in your life and are you making a difference in the lives of others? Are you fulfilling God’s purpose for you? If you cannot answer affirmatively to all these questions, I would encourage you to pray and ask God to show you what you need to do. Ask for His guidance and direction. He wants you to know and if you are truly seeking, you will find the answer. You can also always ask me or some other Christian you respect for help. In serving you, we are doing what God would have us to do.

Sing: Seek Ye First

Pray

Meeting/Discussion: