The Homecoming Feast

What have we learned?

“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

The simplicity of the parable is that a feast was prepared, invitations were sent out, and that the people rejected the invitation. My limited understanding of men of rank and influence during Jesus era was that they would send out a pre-invite (if you will) letting people know there would be a feast to which they would be invited; they should make preparations to attend. The second invite came later intimating that the feast was ready, come at once. [Parables, pg275]

So, what have we proven, following this exceptional homecoming we had last week except that when we put our heart into something great things can be accomplished. How much the more when we put our heart into serving God?

Though the question remains, was it for us or was it to honor God?

Pray & water walk – God was honored . There was not great (visible) fruit from that, yet God was honored.

Pray & water walk – God was honored . There was not great (visible) fruit from that, yet God was honored.

People got involved – though not all, for whatever reasons

· God was glorified – car wash. Again, there was no great (visible) fruit from that, yet it was done to the glory of God.

Car wash – God was glorified. Again, there was no great (visible) fruit from that, yet it was done to the glory of God.

o People, young and old alike, got involved – though again, not all.

People, young and old alike, got involved – though again, not all.

Homecoming – We prepared and made ready a feast.

· Still others prepared and made ready the feast.

I trust our reasons were to honor and glorify God; while it is good to see old friends and family it is far better to encounter and commune with God.

o I trust their reasons were to honor and glorify God; while it is good to see old friends and family it is far better to encounter and commune with God.

In fact, if we are not living in perfect communion with God we will not hear His still small voice (Chambers 8/13).

The Bible say there was “a certain man made a great supper, and bade many…”

Much is offered in the way of interpretation of this passage. Questions are raised as to how it compares to the similar parable in Matthew. It is often presented as an allegory. The problem with allegories is that everyone has a different interpretation or allegory to offer. But the messages of Jesus, (His teachings) were meant to be simple enough to get His point across. I endeavor to do the same.

16. A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

a. Did HE not die for the sin of the world?

b. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

17. And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

a. “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”

b. “Go ye…”

18. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

19. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

20. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

a. I wonder what excuses you have heard;

b. I wonder what excuses you have used.

What do we know and what can we understand?

There is a feast, or supper.

There is an invitation to a select group of people

There is a rejection of said invitation

A new invitation is extended.

Let’s look at these points and what we can draw from them. I prefix that by conceding that Jesus used the same parable offered in different ways to fit the teaching that needed to be given in that moment and in that time. Nonetheless,

The supper represents salvation – this is neither denied or disputed by followers and theologians of Christ.

The original invitation was extended to a specific group of people.

Jesus said in “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

This group of people rejected His invitation. The story of rejection is best seen in the cry of Hosanna to the cry of crucify Him.

In the new invitation, we are reminded of the words of Christ in “This is my blood of the new testament…”

It was Paul that declared unto us the “mystery” of the gospel: “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery... 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”

I’m not here this morning to preach on the invitation of salvation. I’m not here this morning to preach on those who reject the invitation of Christ. I am here this morning to preach unto those of you that sit before me and those that sat before me last Sunday.

This morning I want to draw your attention to 3 verses for these represent the key point of Christ parable:

21 Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

Rather than allegorize can we not just concede that the whole world is poor, maimed, halted and blind without Christ?

22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

When we think we’re done God say, do more.

When we think it’s enough God says, good enough is not good enough.

23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

He said, Go… that my house may be filled!

Answer me this – why is it this church does not have 140+ people in it every Sunday morning?

Why is it that we will compel people to come to a Homecoming meal but not the feast of salvation offered by God Himself?

Why is it that we will compel people to come to a Homecoming meal but not the feast of salvation offered by God Himself?

Is it because we are lovers of self rather than lovers of God?

May God forgive us.

Why is it we will go the extra mile for something we want but no go across the street for the sake of a lost soul?

Is it because we are lovers of self rather than lovers of God?

May God forgive us.

“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

Who is you are seeking to please?

Is it yourself that seeks to be glorified?

Is it men that you seek the praise of?

Is it God you seek to glorify?

Shame be upon us for placing a Homecoming meal over and about a Homegoing Feast with our Saviour.