A Divine Invitation

Luke 14:15–24 (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!”

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.’

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.’

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.’

22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’

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.

24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’ ”

Introduction:

I- THE GREAT INVITATION (Luke 14:16 – 17).

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.’

A- Who extended the invitation?

1- The master of the house extended the invitation.

2- It is the Lord who extends the invitation.

B- What is the invitation?

1- ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’

2- Jesus has extended the invitation to us.

(Isaiah 1:18)

Isaiah 1:18 HCSB

18 “Come, let us discuss this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool.

(Matthew 11:28)

Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

(Revelation 22:17)

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.

C- How did he extend the invitation?

1- The master extended the invitation for his servant.

2- Jesus extends his invitation through believers.

(Acts 1:8)

Acts 1:8 (NLT)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

(2 Corinthians 5:20)

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)

20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

II- THE GIVING OF EXCUSES (Luke 14:18 – 20).

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.’

A- What is an excuse?

1- An excuse is the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie.

2- It is something used to get out of doing what you do not want to do.

* Moses made excuses in an attempt to escape doing what God asked him to do (Exodus 3 – 4).

B- What kinds of excuses are there?

1- Financial excuses

2- Recreational excuses

3- Family excuses

*excuses that I have heard:

C- What was the reaction of the host?

1- Anger – why?

a. Those who were invited did not see the importance of a relationship with the master.

1) Convenience, comfort, and cash were more valuable to them.

b. They disregarded his investment for them.

(John 3:16)

John 3:16 (NLT)

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

(Romans 5:8)

Romans 5:8 (NLT)

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

1) Jesus was God’s investment for us.

2) The Holy Spirit is his investment in those of us who believe.

(Ephesians 1:13)

Ephesians 1:13 (NLT)

13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.

III- THE GAMEPLAN FOR EVANGELISM (Luke 14:21 – 23a).

Luke 14:21–23a (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.’

22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’

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.

A- Where are the servants to go?

1- Streets: major traffic areas

2- Alleys: back alleys

3- Country Lanes: out in the country

4- Hedges: hidden places

B- To whom are they to go?

1- To the hurting

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.’

2- To anyone who will listen.

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.

(Revelation 22:17)

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.

IV- THE GOAL OF IT ALL (Luke 14:23b – 24).

Luke 14:23b–24 (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.

24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’ ”

A- To fill the master’s house.

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.

1- The master’s house was to be filled with all who would receive his invitation and act upon it.

2- Our goal is to bring all the people that we can into God’s house here.

3- Our goal is to bring as many people into God’s kingdom as possible.

B- Those who have chosen to reject his invitation would not be allowed in the house.

24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’ ”

(John 3:18)

John 3:18 (NLT)

18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

1- The sobering truth is that God has extended an invitation to be part of his household and a citizen of his kingdom to all people.

2- Many people have rejected his invitation, others have received it and acted upon it.

3- Have you accepted the father’s invitation?

4- The opportunity is limited!

(John 6:44)

John 6:44 (NLT)

44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.

Conclusion: