Luke 14:16-24, Key verse 23....Compel them to come...

Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.”

Introduction....

i have said it many times before, i love the Greek language. One word with so many meanings...

it the same for the word compel...

in the originial greek scripture, the meaning was by permission, entreaties, 

so i next look at the word entreaties.…entreaties (plural noun)an earnest or humble request:

The term "entreaty" refers to a serious and often emotional request or an earnest plea. It is used in formal contexts to describe a request made with urgency or deep feeling. 

so Jesus was letting us know in the text sometimes we need to some urgency, there should be some deep feeling...

in other words, we need to compel people and let them know time is winding up....

i care for you so much, i want to make sure that you have a relationship with Christ...TALK, PREACH......

yes, there are times when a invitation is all that you will need but there are those times, you may need to compel them to come...

this is where your personal relationship comes into play, your testimony comes into play...TALK, PREACH......

if I was writing a paper and had to put a thesis statement to it, it would go something like this..

In doing your duty as a disciple maker, do not let the excuses of some get you down and you neglect to compel others to come to Christ so that they may be saved and the kingdom be full......(repeat)

and the bottom is that God’s will shall be done with or without you. God wants all of His children to come home and he has given us ample to time to help spread the good news but if your family member, co worker, friend, doesn’t accept the invitation and they just ignore the compelling, I pray God has mercy on their soul on that day..TALK, PREACH......

once again keep doing what God has commanded you to do. it is their decision to make. but keep inviting and compelling...

Let’s look at this beautiful parable...

Story....

as we know Jesus used Parables to help the followers understand what He was trying to teach them.

being a big fan of illustration and analogies, thru parables Jesus gave the best illustration and made it plain for the people...

and this parable before us today has so much meat in it, i understand what He meant when he said over in Matthew 4:4 “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ””

v 16-17....but here we see a man that has sent invitations to people and now he has sent his servant to let those invited it was time to come...

in my studies i found out that at times the host would set a date but not give the time until the day of. so the people knew that on this day they should be ready for a feast, a meal, a party..

“To accept the invitation beforehand and then to refuse it when the day came was a grave insult.” 

what can we take away from that for today...Jesus died for us all...the invitation was sent long time ago...

we don’t know the exact time or day that Christ is coming back but what we do know that time is winding up and He has sent us out to tell all of those that have been invited that today is the day to come to His house...TALK, PREACH.......

next we see the excuses....v 18-20

The first two excuses had to do with material things, and were foolish excuses. Only a fool first buys a piece of land, and then goes to check it. Only a fool buys ten oxen and is only interested in testing them after the purchase...TALK, PREACH......

The third excuse had to do with a man who put his family before everything. The best thing we can show to our family is that they are not first in our lives, but that Jesus Christ is..TALK, PREACH...

what can we take from this...

Luke A. Dedication without Excuse: The Kingdom of the Humble (14:1–24)

Jesus was showing how easy and absurdly finances and family matters get in the way of more important things. They can cause you to miss God’s final heavenly banquet....

but let’s be clear, that even goes for those that make excuses for not doing God’s work....TALK, PREACH.......

Bruce Larson, biblical commentor gave his testimony on excuses, and i quote his words,

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 26: Luke Excuses and Self-Justifications

For years I had a good excuse for not having a more regular quiet time, a time for Bible reading and prayer. In my prayers, I would say, “Lord, I’m so busy. Help me to simplify my schedule so I can put You first.” One day He seemed to say, “Larson, you haven’t missed a meal in years. You get enough sleep most of the time. You find time for the things that are important to you. I’m not that important to you. I can handle that. Can you handle it?” It was a moment of truth...

v21-22 shows us the angry master and his plan b...

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Chapter 14

There were two responses by the host: he shut the door on the excuse-making guests, and he got others to take their places at the feast. God wants His house filled; and if those who are invited will not come, He will call others.

the song writer said, one monkey wont stop the show...

God has plans for us all and those that do not want to accept, God have mercy on their souls but that are more out there that are willing to come to Him, we just need to hit the streets...TALK, PREACH........

i like what he says at the end of verse 22, there is still room...

Rev. James Cleveland said in his song, there is plenty good room in my father’s kingdom....TALK, PREACH.......(i like that next part, choose your seat and sit down)..

and we come to our main text for our topic today, v23

Luke 14:23 “Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

Let’s go deeper...

Points....

Compel them to come...

in case you didn’t any notes, let me repeat my introduction...

the word compel...

in the originial greek scripture, the meaning was by permission, entreaties, 

so i next look at the word entreaties.…entreaties (plural noun)an earnest or humble request:

The term "entreaty" refers to a serious and often emotional request or an earnest plea. It is used in formal contexts to describe a request made with urgency or deep feeling. 

so Jesus was letting us know in the text sometimes we need to some urgency, there should be some deep feeling...

in other words, we need to compel people and let them know time is winding up....

this text shows us 3 things....1, there are people out there that need salvation in their lives, 2, God has a serious desire for His people to come to Him and 3rd, He wants of all to be with Him in our Heavenly homes...

Let’s walk...

‘Go out into the highways and hedges,

we can say that the original invitation was for other Jewish people but the refused and now the host is saying bring whomever is willing to come...

there are people out there that need salvation in their lives,

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 14

this parable prophetically contemplates the extension of the kingdom of God to the whole world; and spiritually, directs the Gospel invitations to be carried to the lowest strata, and be brought in contact with the outermost circles, of human society.

in other words, the new invitation is for everyone...

yes look in your home and on your job but do not forget about those on the outside of your comfort zone...TALK, PREACH.....

let me say something, the days of this is a black church or this is a white church are long gone....go out into the highways and hedges and help anyone and everyone....TALK, PREACH.......

Next, God has a serious desire for His people to come to Him ,

Compel them to come in......

Jesus said compel to indicate God’s great desire to fill His house, and because these wanderers and outcasts needed to be convinced that they were welcome, compelled by love.

Exalting Jesus in Luke Applications

The gospel is compelling

not asking you to be a bible scholar, so how can you compel, with your own testimony...TALK, PREACH........

finally, He wants of all to be with Him in our Heavenly homes...

That my house may be filled........

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Chapter 14

God wants His house filled;

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” TALK, PREACH.......

Ezekiel 18:32 “For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!”” TALK, PREACH.....

1 Timothy 2:4 “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” TALK, PREACH......

Conclusion....

Compel them to come...

song writer said I want to be at the meeting,

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: The Man Who Came to Dinner (Luke 14)

the message of this parable applies to all lost sinners today. God still says, “All things are now ready. Come!” Nothing more need be done for the salvation of your soul, for Jesus Christ finished the work of redemption when He died for you on the cross and arose from the dead. The feast has been spread, the invitation is free, and you are invited to come.

all excuses are gone...

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: The Man Who Came to Dinner (Luke 14)

The Christian life is a feast, not a funeral, and all are invited to come. Each of us as believers must herald abroad the message, “Come, for all things are now ready!” God wants to see His house filled, and “yet there is room.” He wants us to go home (

the Gospel of Jesus is compelling....

Let me show....

TALK, PREACH, CLOSE......