Wedding Banquet

Parables of the Kingdom - The Coming Kingdom. The Wedding Banquet - Matthew 22:1-14 Context: Matthew 21 Triumphal entry into Jerusalem & the final week before Cross. * If you were a disciple following JESUS - look at each of the verses below - how would you feel? 21:12-13 15 23 31b-32 43-46 In the Text: * What is there in the Parable that reminds us that the Gospel message is an invitation to something so very good? v1-4 * What is there that speaks of difficulties to expect in our evangelism? v5-6 * What is there to remind us that our mission [GOD's mission] will not end in failure? v10 * In broad terms - without going down eschatological rabbit holes! - how do these verses below, relate to the parable? Revelation 7:9-17 Revelation 19:5-9 What is so good about being a CHRISTian: Note: We need to be honest about the 'cost of following JESUS', but we need to consider the cost of not accepting the invitation. There is a cost to not following JESUS. We must also not forget the blessings we have now and will have more of in the future! Spend a while talking through a balance sheet of costs and blessings to following JESUS - and the cost of not: * What has GOD done in each of these passages - and why? Genesis 3:21 Isaiah 61:10 Zechariah 3:3-5 * What are we to do and why? Romans 13:13-14 Ephesians 4:22-24 Colossians 3:12 Note: What GOD does saves us - what we do is a response to and the effect of being saved. Back to the Parable: * What will happen to those who either reject Christ or try to enter HIS kingdom on their own terms? Consider: Matthew 22:14 "For many are invited, but few are chosen." Note: This is not just a statement of fact by JESUS. It is meant to evoke a response in HIS hearers - in us! * What is a wise and healthy response? See 1 Corinthians 10:12 & 2 Peter 1:10-11 How would you advise in each case: A: Someone who professes to believe, and they are convinced that they will go to heaven - but apart from being a churchgoer, their attitudes and love for JESUS haven't developed for a long time. B: Someone who professes to believe, who is clearly desiring to be more like JESUS - but they confess a battle with sin. They are growing in humility but do have doubts about themselves from time to time. Prayer time: Remember the blessings in following JESUS and what you have been saved from - give thanks!