WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.859 But we're going to be in Matthew chapter 22. Before we read, I just want to speak to the boys and girls for a couple of minutes just so we're all set for reading and knowing what this story is about. 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:21.300 Jesus is going to tell one of his many stories called parables and it's about an amazing invitation. 00:00:21.300 --> 00:00:31.039 So quick show of hands, boys and girls, if you've ever been invited to a friend's house for a play date, put up your hands. 00:00:32.200 --> 00:00:40.640 Okay, so that's lots of boys and girls. Excellent. Okay, who's ever been invited to a birthday party? Put up your hands. 00:00:41.840 --> 00:00:46.679 Okay, lots of you. Okay, this one might mean less hands. 00:00:46.679 --> 00:00:52.320 Who's ever been invited to a special kind of party, a fancy dress party? Anyone been invited to one of those? 00:00:52.740 --> 00:00:57.179 Oh, a bit less. Oh, sun's been. So less people to a fancy dress party. 00:00:57.560 --> 00:01:03.280 Who's ever been invited to a very special occasion like a wedding? Hands up if you've been to a wedding before. 00:01:04.120 --> 00:01:09.460 Ah, so more weddings than fancy dress parties and weddings. Well, kind of different fancy dress, isn't it? 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:14.019 Now, okay, so you know what invitations are. You've enjoyed lots of them. 00:01:14.019 --> 00:01:21.879 Let me ask, boys and girls, have any of you ever been invited to the Queen's house for tea? 00:01:23.699 --> 00:01:24.340 No. 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:30.459 Were any of you at either of the fairly recent royal weddings? 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:35.799 No, any of the adults managed to hook themselves one of those invitations? No. 00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:35.859 No. 00:01:37.399 --> 00:01:39.000 This is what our story is about. 00:01:39.179 --> 00:01:48.140 Jesus is going to say, you and I are given an invitation by God to something amazing. 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:52.939 Actually, to something even more amazing than a king's or a queen's wedding feast. 00:01:53.140 --> 00:02:00.280 God gives us an invitation to know him and to enjoy him by trusting in Jesus. 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:08.860 And Jesus says, the kingdom of heaven, life with God is like the most amazing feast, the most amazing party ever. 00:02:09.759 --> 00:02:11.240 Really, because God is there. 00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:12.819 That's the best thing. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:16.460 Heaven is going to be wonderful because Jesus will be there. 00:02:16.819 --> 00:02:23.000 But like every invitation we get, we have two answers that we can possibly get. 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:29.120 So for all of you who've been to parties, you obviously at some point said, yes, I'd like to go. 00:02:29.979 --> 00:02:34.979 Sometimes we have to say no because we're not able to go. 00:02:35.099 --> 00:02:39.199 Maybe you're so popular you get two party invitations for the same day and you have to choose. 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:42.460 Sometimes we say no because we don't want to go. 00:02:42.460 --> 00:02:52.180 So the Bible invites us, God invites us, Jesus invites us to the most important thing that you could ever imagine. 00:02:52.659 --> 00:03:00.420 And all of us, however young or however old we are, we need to decide how we are going to respond to his invitation. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:05.659 So in our story, we're going to find some people who say no to Jesus. 00:03:06.620 --> 00:03:09.719 And we're going to find some people who say yes to Jesus. 00:03:09.719 --> 00:03:14.240 And those people who say yes, they end up receiving all the joy. 00:03:14.460 --> 00:03:15.639 They're part of the feast. 00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:21.840 So boys and girls, our prayer for you is that you'd be those who would say yes to Jesus. 00:03:22.340 --> 00:03:24.800 That you would understand the joy that he offers. 00:03:25.659 --> 00:03:29.599 And so we'll read this story and you can think about the invitations you've had. 00:03:30.020 --> 00:03:32.979 Think about the invitation that this king offers. 00:03:33.439 --> 00:03:36.919 And most of all, think about how you want to respond to Jesus. 00:03:36.919 --> 00:03:40.859 So let's read together from Matthew chapter 22. 00:03:40.860 --> 00:03:47.000 Jesus spoke to them again in parables saying, 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:53.120 The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 00:03:53.860 --> 00:04:01.639 He sent his servants to those who'd been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. 00:04:02.419 --> 00:04:04.740 Then he sent some more servants and said, 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:08.659 Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. 00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:13.379 My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered and everything is ready. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:15.379 Come to the wedding banquet. 00:04:15.379 --> 00:04:18.060 But they paid no attention and went off. 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:21.379 One to his field, another to his business. 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:26.339 The rest seized his servants, ill-treated them and killed them. 00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:28.379 The king was enraged. 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:32.920 He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 00:04:33.779 --> 00:04:35.279 Then he said to his servants, 00:04:35.819 --> 00:04:40.639 The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:45.759 Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find. 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:52.219 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad. 00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:55.259 And the wedding hall was filled with guests. 00:04:55.979 --> 00:04:58.860 But when the king came in to see the guests, 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:02.300 he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 00:05:02.979 --> 00:05:04.240 Friend, he asked, 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:07.860 How did you get in here without wedding clothes? 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:09.939 The man was speechless. 00:05:10.660 --> 00:05:12.480 Then the king told the attendants, 00:05:12.980 --> 00:05:17.560 Tie him hand and foot and throw him outside into the darkness, 00:05:17.560 --> 00:05:21.980 where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:27.460 For many are invited, but few are chosen. 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:35.080 We're going to continue to discover more amazing grace in Matthew's gospel. 00:05:35.280 --> 00:05:42.960 Grace, God's free and undeserved kindness to broken, sinful people such as ourselves. 00:05:43.280 --> 00:05:47.680 Last week, the God of grace was inviting us to rest. 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:53.780 This week, the God of grace invites us to the feast. 00:05:54.860 --> 00:05:57.579 So today's story, as we talked with the children, 00:05:57.800 --> 00:06:01.620 in some ways has sort of normal elements that we recognize, 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:07.360 but also has an out of this world kind of aside to it as well, 00:06:07.780 --> 00:06:10.600 because we've all received invitations. 00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:12.399 Some of those have been expected. 00:06:13.160 --> 00:06:15.819 Some have perhaps taken us by surprise. 00:06:15.819 --> 00:06:23.560 We are familiar with the idea now of sending a save the date for a big event. 00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:28.620 We know what it is when we receive an RSVP and we need to respond by a certain time. 00:06:29.139 --> 00:06:35.560 We also know too that sometimes we receive invitations where there is an expected dress code, 00:06:35.719 --> 00:06:39.159 perhaps a black tie event or something similar. 00:06:39.800 --> 00:06:44.519 So we know what it is to find ourselves invited and to be part of a guest list. 00:06:44.519 --> 00:06:50.859 But here, Jesus is reminding us of the wonderful thing about God's invitation 00:06:50.859 --> 00:06:57.979 when He pictures an invitation from a king to the feast, 00:06:58.099 --> 00:07:01.180 to the wedding feast that He is throwing for His Son. 00:07:01.659 --> 00:07:04.039 As Jesus is telling the story and the people are thinking, 00:07:04.040 --> 00:07:09.580 well, to be on that guest list would truly to be have made it. 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:11.140 We have arrived. 00:07:11.760 --> 00:07:19.640 We have access to the highest honor and privilege if our king invites us to a feast. 00:07:20.820 --> 00:07:23.920 So that's our setting for today, 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:29.340 the invitation to the wedding feast of a king for His Son. 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:34.519 And we want to think in this story, how do we see the grace of God through the story? 00:07:34.719 --> 00:07:41.639 And how do we respond to the grace of God as we see different responses in the story? 00:07:42.659 --> 00:07:47.219 Before we get into it, some important background questions to cover really quickly. 00:07:47.739 --> 00:07:50.599 When does Jesus tell this story? 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:54.679 It's important to remember parables are not just free-floating stories. 00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:57.439 They have a setting and a context. 00:07:58.220 --> 00:08:05.079 In chapter 21, at the beginning, we're told of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, 00:08:05.220 --> 00:08:09.220 riding on the donkey as God's promised servant king. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:13.120 And this ushers in the week before the cross. 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:15.939 So triumphal entry into Jerusalem. 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:20.120 Seven days later, He will have been killed. 00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:25.240 And so this week in between where this parable takes place is when the conflict 00:08:25.240 --> 00:08:31.360 between Jesus and the religious leaders who oppose Him reaches its climax. 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:33.919 And that's important background. 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:38.720 Because who does Jesus tell this story to? 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:42.159 Verse 1 of chapter 22, it says, 00:08:42.279 --> 00:08:43.580 Jesus spoke to them. 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:47.100 He's already been speaking to a particular group of people. 00:08:47.100 --> 00:08:51.279 If you turn back to chapter 21 and verse 45, 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:55.680 when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, 00:08:56.279 --> 00:08:58.019 they knew He was talking about them. 00:08:58.320 --> 00:09:00.500 So there is a particular audience in mind, 00:09:00.680 --> 00:09:03.759 this group who presumed that they were insiders. 00:09:03.940 --> 00:09:07.200 Well, if anyone's in the kingdom of God, it's bound to be us. 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:14.960 And so Jesus tells stories that explode their spiritual religious pride. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:20.780 They are the group who are resisting and rejecting Jesus. 00:09:21.440 --> 00:09:24.040 And because of that, and we'll see this in the story, 00:09:24.160 --> 00:09:27.879 they are not those who are part of God's kingdom. 00:09:29.620 --> 00:09:34.440 Again, tied up with that, how does Jesus tell this story? 00:09:35.460 --> 00:09:38.680 There are some extreme elements in the story. 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:41.679 Did you notice some of the more surprising language? 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:46.139 The king that sends an army to destroy murderers. 00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:48.899 The attendants who bind someone hand and foot 00:09:48.899 --> 00:09:50.959 and throw them out into the darkness. 00:09:51.319 --> 00:09:53.279 How does Jesus tell this story? 00:09:53.539 --> 00:09:57.259 He tells this story as God's true prophet. 00:09:58.000 --> 00:09:59.799 Just like in the Old Testament, 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:03.399 here is Jesus the prophet announcing judgment 00:10:03.399 --> 00:10:07.620 on those who are robbing God of His glory, 00:10:08.039 --> 00:10:13.860 those who are dishonoring God as they dishonor His son Jesus. 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:17.519 And so this parable, like the Old Testament prophets, 00:10:18.059 --> 00:10:20.860 is inviting the people to see the consequences 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:23.639 of rejecting God and His rule. 00:10:24.939 --> 00:10:28.679 So why does Jesus tell this story? 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:30.199 Two reasons. 00:10:30.200 --> 00:10:35.900 One, to show how wide God's invitation of grace goes out. 00:10:36.720 --> 00:10:39.520 And we've seen this in the mission of Jesus, 00:10:40.540 --> 00:10:44.100 how quick He is to welcome outsiders, 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:47.400 to welcome those who are rejected by others, 00:10:47.440 --> 00:10:49.960 who are on the margins of society. 00:10:50.420 --> 00:10:52.860 But in Jesus' mission, those outsiders 00:10:52.860 --> 00:10:55.360 who recognize their spiritual need, 00:10:55.440 --> 00:10:56.700 they are brought in. 00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:59.520 Here, they're brought into the feast. 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:01.379 And so it's a reminder to us, again, 00:11:01.460 --> 00:11:04.139 of just how wide God's invitation of grace is. 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:07.799 But He's also telling the stories we've already said 00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:11.340 to make clear the consequences that come 00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:14.779 from our response to God's King 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:16.960 and the invitation that He offers. 00:11:18.199 --> 00:11:19.939 There's two consequences. 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:25.720 Either deadly destruction or joyful life. 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:32.899 There is no middle ground as the invitation to life with God goes out. 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:36.120 Now, let's think about this. 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:38.519 What is this story? 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:43.160 Let's look at the details together to see what we can learn. 00:11:44.100 --> 00:11:45.820 Verse 2, Jesus said, 00:11:45.820 --> 00:11:52.280 The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:54.020 So this is the king's feast. 00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:57.440 And this feast represents the kingdom of heaven, 00:11:57.540 --> 00:11:59.900 this kingdom that is dawned at the coming of Jesus. 00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:02.220 And as we've seen in the life of Jesus, 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:04.640 invitations to be part of the kingdom, 00:12:04.760 --> 00:12:06.980 to repent and believe, are going out. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:08.620 And they're still going out. 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:12.440 We're still being invited to this feast today. 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:14.560 And as we see in the story, 00:12:14.820 --> 00:12:16.419 as we see in the life of Jesus, 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:18.580 there are still two types of response. 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:19.539 One that says yes, 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:21.639 one that says no. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:24.639 Now, in the time of Jesus, 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:28.799 it was typical when somebody was arranging a special event like a feast, 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:30.120 there would be a double invitation. 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:34.220 So this king would have to send out servants to say, 00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:42.060 this wedding is going to take place so that he would get initial acceptance from those who were to be invited. 00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:44.540 Kind of like the equivalent of our save the day. 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:46.460 It's coming in the future. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:48.620 Are you going to come? 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:52.980 And then as the time for the wedding drew near, 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:54.840 as the food was ready, 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:57.160 another message would go out through, 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:58.879 I guess, through the kingdom perhaps, 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:01.399 saying, okay, now is the time. 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:04.240 That feast that you said you were going to come to, 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:06.539 now is the time to arrive. 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:07.139 And remember, 00:13:08.079 --> 00:13:09.500 this is the king's feast 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:11.980 that we are being invited to, 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:14.819 or these folks in the story are being invited to. 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:18.439 So let's look at the king's invitations, 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.399 because there's two. 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:22.059 First of all, in verse 3, 00:13:22.459 --> 00:13:25.579 he sent his servants to those who'd been invited to the banquet 00:13:25.579 --> 00:13:26.539 to tell them to come. 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:28.279 So that's standard practice. 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:29.639 Everything's ready. 00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:31.259 Now's the time to come. 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:34.559 And that makes what happens next so outrageous. 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:38.879 They refused to come. 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:42.139 That's a shocking refusal. 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:45.259 They've been invited into joy, honor, privilege, 00:13:45.559 --> 00:13:48.740 and they simply turn their back. 00:13:50.439 --> 00:13:52.019 But the king is not done. 00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:56.720 There's a second invitation that goes out to this group. 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:59.740 He sent more servants, 00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:00.379 and he said, 00:14:00.540 --> 00:14:02.840 tell those who've been invited that I've prepared my dinner. 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:05.759 My oxen and fattened calf have been slaughtered, 00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:06.660 and everything is ready. 00:14:06.800 --> 00:14:08.180 Come to the wedding banquet. 00:14:08.920 --> 00:14:11.879 Here is insight into the incredible patience 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:15.039 and mercy and grace of God. 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:17.720 And grace of God is pictured in this king. 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:23.460 He doesn't simply do away with these people who have treated him so badly. 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:26.820 Rather, he highlights the greatness of what's in store. 00:14:26.820 --> 00:14:27.640 He's saying, 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.400 there's nothing but the best. 00:14:29.520 --> 00:14:33.300 I have done everything to get this wonderful feast ready. 00:14:33.700 --> 00:14:34.920 Please come. 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:36.600 He's giving them every opportunity, 00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:38.660 every invitation. 00:14:39.680 --> 00:14:40.940 But despite that, 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:44.300 the king is rejected. 00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:46.000 Verse 5, 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:48.559 they paid no attention 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:50.819 and went off one to his field, 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:52.399 another to his business. 00:14:52.819 --> 00:14:54.359 The rest seized his servants, 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:55.379 ill-treated them, 00:14:55.439 --> 00:14:56.519 and killed them. 00:14:58.179 --> 00:14:58.659 Again, 00:14:58.759 --> 00:15:00.599 if we put ourselves in the crowd, 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:03.099 as Jesus tells this story, 00:15:03.839 --> 00:15:07.719 this would have created a sense of high scandal. 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:10.339 In an honor and shame culture, 00:15:10.339 --> 00:15:13.059 you just do not do this to anybody, 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:15.500 never mind the king. 00:15:15.859 --> 00:15:17.839 Here is the glory of the king 00:15:17.839 --> 00:15:20.839 and his feast being trampled upon 00:15:20.839 --> 00:15:23.299 and being regarded as nothing. 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:24.739 As one group says, 00:15:24.839 --> 00:15:25.179 do you know what? 00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:26.879 We've got more important things to do. 00:15:27.459 --> 00:15:28.979 So they ignore the invitation. 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:30.939 And then you have the other group 00:15:30.939 --> 00:15:34.399 who begin violent attacks on the king's servants 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.699 and in doing so, 00:15:36.979 --> 00:15:39.119 are engaged in a violent attack on the king 00:15:39.119 --> 00:15:40.339 and his honor. 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:42.259 Here is open rebellion. 00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:44.979 Here is down with the king. 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:47.859 Here is let's find ways to dishonor 00:15:47.859 --> 00:15:50.579 this king who has invited us 00:15:50.579 --> 00:15:52.299 to receive his grace and kindness. 00:15:54.219 --> 00:15:55.759 And then in verses 7 and 10, 00:15:55.839 --> 00:15:57.479 we see the king's responses, 00:15:57.839 --> 00:15:58.879 and there are two. 00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:00.919 Verse 7, 00:16:00.979 --> 00:16:02.199 the king was enraged. 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:03.699 He sent his army 00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:05.199 and destroyed those murderers 00:16:05.199 --> 00:16:06.319 and burned their city. 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:10.300 destruction is one response. 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.240 The king has been rejected, 00:16:12.420 --> 00:16:12.840 abused, 00:16:13.420 --> 00:16:13.860 attacked. 00:16:16.540 --> 00:16:18.180 And remember the context. 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:20.340 This is during the time 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:21.240 when the religious leaders 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:23.280 are plotting to kill Jesus. 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:26.699 But that very graphic language 00:16:26.699 --> 00:16:27.980 stands out to us 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:29.339 and is a clue for us 00:16:29.339 --> 00:16:31.879 that Jesus is speaking as a prophet, 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:34.159 that this is about the kingdom of heaven. 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:35.779 This isn't simply a nice story 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:37.059 about a wedding feast. 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.539 And this is all about 00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:39.980 how the people are responding 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:41.399 to Jesus. 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:44.159 So there's that first response 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:44.860 of destruction, 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:47.459 but then there's the second response 00:16:47.459 --> 00:16:50.240 from verse 8 to verse 10. 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.240 He said to his servants, 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:53.959 the wedding banquet is ready, 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.620 but those I invited 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:57.079 did not deserve to come. 00:16:57.699 --> 00:16:59.039 Go to the street corners 00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:00.299 and invite to the banquet 00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:02.319 anyone you find. 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:04.000 So the servants went out 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:04.720 into the streets 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.779 and gathered all the people 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.339 they could find, 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.379 both good and bad, 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.240 and the wedding hall 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:10.900 was filled with guests. 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:13.280 So here is incredible grace 00:17:13.280 --> 00:17:13.860 and kindness. 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:15.180 He throws wide open 00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:16.960 the invitation to the feast, 00:17:17.060 --> 00:17:18.620 to honor, to joy, and to glory. 00:17:18.820 --> 00:17:19.780 It's open to anyone 00:17:19.780 --> 00:17:21.100 who will come. 00:17:21.580 --> 00:17:23.240 Both good and bad are here. 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.060 That would have been 00:17:26.060 --> 00:17:27.080 a great ending 00:17:27.080 --> 00:17:29.160 if we were looking 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:30.780 for a happily ever after, 00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:31.380 wouldn't it? 00:17:31.820 --> 00:17:34.160 Here is the feast beginning 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:35.660 and the crowds 00:17:35.660 --> 00:17:37.960 have filled up the space. 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:42.120 But as Jesus sometimes does 00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:42.920 with his parables, 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:45.259 he has a sting in the tail. 00:17:45.380 --> 00:17:48.079 There is this end-of-story stress, 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:51.519 and we see it in verse 11 onwards 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:53.720 with the king's demand. 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:56.279 When the king came in 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.160 to see the guests, 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:58.340 he noticed a man there 00:17:58.340 --> 00:17:59.100 who was not wearing 00:17:59.100 --> 00:17:59.920 wedding clothes. 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:02.019 Friend, he asked, 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:03.819 how did you get in here 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:05.140 without wedding clothes? 00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:07.380 The man was speechless. 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:10.500 Whether good or bad, 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.180 everyone knows 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:14.100 there is a dress code. 00:18:15.320 --> 00:18:16.640 The people at the feast 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:18.220 must do two things. 00:18:18.300 --> 00:18:19.200 They must receive 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.960 the invitation, 00:18:20.320 --> 00:18:21.340 and they must follow 00:18:21.340 --> 00:18:22.900 the demands of the invitation, 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:25.880 so they must dress appropriately. 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:28.000 So this man here, 00:18:28.100 --> 00:18:29.100 he is confronted. 00:18:29.780 --> 00:18:30.780 He has chosen 00:18:30.780 --> 00:18:31.640 not to wear 00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:32.600 the appropriate clothing, 00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:33.719 and he knows 00:18:33.719 --> 00:18:34.480 he is guilty. 00:18:35.139 --> 00:18:35.859 He knows 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:37.619 he has done wrong. 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.799 I have a recurring dream, 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.599 which is something 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:42.359 of a nightmare, 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.879 in which I'm invited 00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:44.599 to speak 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:45.879 in a church, 00:18:46.419 --> 00:18:47.279 and I turn up 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:47.980 in my pajamas. 00:18:50.439 --> 00:18:50.719 Do you know, 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:52.359 I'm very grateful 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:53.039 I can wake up 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.539 at that point 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:53.980 and realize 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.980 this is just a horrible dream. 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.579 The outcome 00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:57.539 of wearing 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:58.419 the wrong clothes 00:18:58.419 --> 00:18:59.439 in this story 00:18:59.439 --> 00:19:01.399 is no laughing matter, 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:01.939 though, is it? 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:03.640 The outcome 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:05.400 is to be thrown out 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:06.920 to experience 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:09.660 the king's judgment 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:11.960 for failing 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.500 to meet 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.480 the king's demands, 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:16.160 and Jesus concludes 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:17.000 in verse 14, 00:19:17.100 --> 00:19:18.039 for many are invited, 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:20.580 but few are chosen. 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.259 The invitation 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.299 to the kingdom of heaven 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.740 goes far and wide, 00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:25.019 but many refuse 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:25.700 to accept, 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.620 and many refuse 00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:28.820 to follow its demands. 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:31.600 So that's the story. 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.980 And what I want to do now 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.900 is to think briefly 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:34.820 about what lessons 00:19:34.820 --> 00:19:35.640 can we learn 00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:37.720 from the main characters. 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.660 I want us to think 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.640 about this king 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:42.660 and to see that God 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.580 invites us 00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:45.080 to enjoy his grace 00:19:45.080 --> 00:19:47.080 through Jesus. 00:19:47.820 --> 00:19:49.279 Even the setting 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:51.000 of this story, 00:19:51.080 --> 00:19:51.660 the fact that it's 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.620 a wedding feast 00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:53.600 and it's the king's 00:19:53.600 --> 00:19:54.299 wedding feast, 00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:55.559 reminds us 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.539 of the privilege 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:58.220 and the honor 00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:00.720 to which we are called. 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:04.519 Invited to know God 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:06.700 is the greatest privilege 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:08.000 imaginable. 00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:09.460 And then we think about 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.339 who's telling the story. 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.079 Here's Jesus, 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.940 and Jesus in his life 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:14.779 was constantly 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.899 eating with people, 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:17.000 and those were meals 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:18.119 with a mission. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:20.420 As he invited the poor, 00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:22.740 as he invited the despised, 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:24.559 as he invited the physically 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:26.160 and spiritually needy 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:27.759 to feast with him, 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.160 they were feasting 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:31.140 with God's king. 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.779 It's a great picture 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:35.839 of that invitation of grace 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:37.279 that's open to us all. 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.839 Jesus is still inviting us 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:41.799 to enjoy a full life, 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:43.019 a joyful life, 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:44.120 with God 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:45.439 by faith 00:20:45.439 --> 00:20:46.699 in him. 00:20:49.139 --> 00:20:50.659 In this parable, 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:52.239 the king speaks 00:20:52.239 --> 00:20:53.659 about the great cost 00:20:53.659 --> 00:20:55.579 that he has gone to 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.939 to prepare the feast. 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.199 Now, 00:20:57.439 --> 00:20:58.739 we know for us 00:20:58.739 --> 00:21:00.139 God's grace, 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:00.979 God's kindness 00:21:00.979 --> 00:21:01.939 comes to us 00:21:01.939 --> 00:21:03.099 as a free gift. 00:21:03.219 --> 00:21:04.379 It's free for us 00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:05.319 to receive. 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:08.459 But there was a cost 00:21:08.459 --> 00:21:09.479 to Jesus, 00:21:10.439 --> 00:21:11.059 which Jesus 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.179 was well aware of. 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.419 Here he is 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:15.380 in this last week 00:21:15.380 --> 00:21:17.519 before the cross. 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:20.180 And God had chosen 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:21.100 for his son 00:21:21.100 --> 00:21:22.560 to walk that path 00:21:22.560 --> 00:21:23.300 of suffering 00:21:23.300 --> 00:21:24.580 and death 00:21:24.580 --> 00:21:25.680 so that we might 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:26.880 be forgiven, 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:28.100 so that we might 00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:28.900 be clothed 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:30.120 in the perfect righteousness 00:21:30.120 --> 00:21:31.160 of Jesus Christ, 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.080 so that we might, 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.000 by faith, 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.600 receive the hospitality 00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:35.519 of the king, 00:21:35.820 --> 00:21:36.900 so that we might feast 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:39.500 and have real joy. 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:42.420 We have a remarkable 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:43.680 God 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.680 pictured here 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.619 as this king, 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:47.039 a king who is willing 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.960 to overlook 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:49.619 the shame 00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:51.140 that we bring on him, 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:53.319 a king who is willing 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:54.380 to overlook 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:55.400 the rejection 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:57.440 and the disobedience 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.759 shown to him. 00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:00.460 Day by day, 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.339 he is willing 00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:03.559 and patient 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.680 to forgive us 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:05.779 and to show us grace. 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:07.779 So there is hope 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.960 for any of us 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.539 here today, 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:11.200 whatever our past sin 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:13.139 and our past shame. 00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:14.079 However, 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:14.980 in the past, 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:16.139 we may have ignored 00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:17.240 the call of Jesus. 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.819 He is willing 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.559 to forgive 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.339 and to save 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:21.279 and to bring you 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.660 to the feast. 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:24.879 There's a great picture 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:25.639 in verse 9 00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:26.319 of the servants 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:26.899 being sent 00:22:26.899 --> 00:22:28.000 to the street corners. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.559 This king 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.180 who is willing 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:31.460 to invite any, 00:22:31.619 --> 00:22:32.839 to show honor 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:34.480 and to extend joy 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.240 to any, 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:35.959 whoever 00:22:35.959 --> 00:22:37.659 we might be. 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.299 We might be used 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:41.759 to missing out 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.500 when invitations 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.379 are handed out. 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:45.079 We might be used 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:46.159 to not earning 00:22:46.159 --> 00:22:47.279 the approval 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.079 of others, 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:49.459 of having people 00:22:49.459 --> 00:22:50.919 think not much 00:22:50.919 --> 00:22:51.240 of us 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.959 and perhaps we don't 00:22:51.959 --> 00:22:52.519 think much 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.139 of ourselves. 00:22:53.639 --> 00:22:54.519 But the good news 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.480 of God's grace 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.819 is that in Christ 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:58.299 we don't have to fight 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:59.759 to earn God's approval. 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.139 God approves 00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:01.619 of us 00:23:01.619 --> 00:23:02.759 when we are in Christ 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.960 and He gives us 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.799 honor 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:07.680 and He welcomes us. 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:10.160 And so we find 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.019 in this king 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:13.799 a picture of God 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.660 and a God 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.500 who invites us 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.839 to enjoy His grace 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:18.759 through Jesus. 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:21.799 But we also have 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.879 attention drawn 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:24.759 to those first guests 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.599 who are invited 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:27.019 who refuse 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:28.759 to come to the feast. 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:31.619 And that reminds us 00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.399 that rejecting 00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:33.979 the invitation 00:23:33.979 --> 00:23:35.219 of God's grace 00:23:35.219 --> 00:23:36.539 leads to 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:38.639 deadly destruction. 00:23:39.679 --> 00:23:40.899 We've already said it. 00:23:40.959 --> 00:23:42.439 Jesus as God's prophet 00:23:42.439 --> 00:23:43.759 is announcing judgment. 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:46.139 Jesus as God's king 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:47.519 has the authority 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.819 to judge. 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:50.419 And here He is speaking 00:23:50.419 --> 00:23:51.779 a solemn word 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:53.619 to those who 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:55.219 persistently 00:23:55.219 --> 00:23:56.439 and deliberately, 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.539 violently 00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:59.079 were opposing 00:23:59.079 --> 00:24:00.279 and rejecting Him 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:02.480 and we'd conspire 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.399 together to have 00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:04.000 Him murdered. 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.559 So Jesus is speaking 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:07.759 to the Pharisees 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:09.179 but there are lessons 00:24:09.179 --> 00:24:11.199 for each one of us. 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.419 So as we think 00:24:12.419 --> 00:24:13.439 about the response 00:24:13.439 --> 00:24:14.759 of these guests, 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.299 examine yourself, 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:18.240 examine your heart. 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:19.199 Do I recognize 00:24:19.199 --> 00:24:20.539 any of these attitudes 00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:21.399 in my own heart 00:24:21.399 --> 00:24:21.759 and life? 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:24.200 If you're here today 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:25.019 and you're not a Christian, 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:25.660 do you see 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.660 the danger 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.440 through the story 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.680 of that position? 00:24:31.619 --> 00:24:32.440 Let's look at 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.119 the different ways 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:34.079 people reject 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:36.099 the king's invitation 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:37.500 which is a picture 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.000 ultimately 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:39.079 of rejecting Jesus. 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:39.900 First, 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:40.660 there is the group 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:42.519 that ignore Him. 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.879 Verse 5, 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.039 they pay no attention. 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.200 One goes off 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:46.759 to his field, 00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:49.140 another to his business. 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:50.079 Too busy 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:51.980 for their king. 00:24:53.179 --> 00:24:54.339 I wonder today 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:55.679 if any of us 00:24:55.679 --> 00:24:56.539 find ourselves 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.839 so busy 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:59.399 with life, 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.419 so busy 00:25:00.419 --> 00:25:01.559 with work 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:02.799 and responsibilities 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:04.299 that we've never 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.679 really taken the time 00:25:05.679 --> 00:25:07.000 to think carefully 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.379 for ourselves 00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:08.679 about 00:25:08.679 --> 00:25:10.179 who is Jesus 00:25:10.179 --> 00:25:13.179 and what has Jesus done? 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:16.500 Because the claims 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.559 that He makes 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.960 and the actions 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.539 that He takes 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:21.639 are so profound 00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:23.200 that they demand 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.039 our response. 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.420 Neil Postman 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.740 a number of years ago 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.220 wrote a book 00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:29.539 called 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.899 Amusing Ourselves 00:25:30.899 --> 00:25:31.240 Today. 00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:33.839 It's entirely possible 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:34.720 spiritually 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:36.180 to be so busy 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:37.200 with pleasure 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:37.920 or so busy 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:39.180 working ourselves 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:39.599 to death 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.339 that we never 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:41.720 take time 00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:42.700 to think about 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.359 the realities 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.220 of eternity. 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:48.100 There are 00:25:48.100 --> 00:25:50.440 serious implications 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:51.799 for putting 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.620 other things 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:53.140 ahead 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.980 of this 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.799 invitation. 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.660 As Jesus 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:57.579 said another time, 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.319 what good is it 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.660 to gain the whole world 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:00.960 but lose 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.960 your eternal soul? 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:03.380 What good is it 00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:04.039 for these men 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.559 to go off 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.240 to their fields 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.700 to work 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.180 but then 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:07.480 to find the king 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:07.980 who comes 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.900 to destroy them 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:09.680 for their 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.839 resistance 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.799 of him? 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:14.480 So we can 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.159 reject Jesus 00:26:15.159 --> 00:26:16.220 simply by ignoring 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:17.159 him and his claims. 00:26:18.159 --> 00:26:18.899 There's another 00:26:18.899 --> 00:26:19.959 way to reject 00:26:19.959 --> 00:26:20.500 Jesus 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:22.000 and that's to 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.939 deliberately 00:26:22.939 --> 00:26:24.119 rebel 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:25.980 against the king 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.319 and that's what 00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.399 we see in verse 6 00:26:27.399 --> 00:26:29.099 when they seize 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:30.119 the king's servants 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:31.119 ill-treat them 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:32.919 and kill 00:26:32.919 --> 00:26:33.539 them. 00:26:34.699 --> 00:26:35.099 R.C. 00:26:35.199 --> 00:26:35.699 Sproul 00:26:35.699 --> 00:26:37.039 talks about 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.579 the sin 00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:38.739 of cosmic 00:26:38.739 --> 00:26:39.819 treason. 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.819 God is the king 00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:42.399 we owe 00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:43.359 our allegiance 00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:44.619 and honour 00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:45.139 to 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:47.679 but in our 00:26:47.679 --> 00:26:48.259 own hearts 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:49.059 we can be so 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.899 quick to try 00:26:49.899 --> 00:26:50.519 and remove 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.419 God from the 00:26:51.419 --> 00:26:52.039 throne of our 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:52.659 lives so that 00:26:52.659 --> 00:26:54.239 we can occupy 00:26:54.239 --> 00:26:55.759 that place. 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.239 God has 00:26:57.239 --> 00:26:58.000 made us 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.339 so that we 00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:58.899 would know 00:26:58.899 --> 00:26:59.739 and enjoy 00:26:59.739 --> 00:27:00.799 and give 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.559 him glory 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.119 in our 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:02.519 lives 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.319 but we 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:03.740 can 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.859 deliberately 00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:05.960 rob God 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.500 of glory 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.559 because we 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.200 want life 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.500 to be 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:09.180 about us. 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:12.200 We like 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:12.720 Adam 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.339 and like 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:13.960 Eve in the 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:14.259 garden 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.359 can believe 00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:16.119 the lie 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:17.279 that true 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:17.759 freedom, 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.559 true happiness 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.059 is found 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.960 in leaving 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:20.579 God and 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.079 his word 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:21.659 behind 00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:23.059 in living 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:23.519 and setting 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:23.940 our own 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.220 rules 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:24.680 and setting 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.419 our own 00:27:25.419 --> 00:27:26.879 direction 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.080 salvation. 00:27:28.280 --> 00:27:29.060 So that 00:27:29.060 --> 00:27:29.600 we can 00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:30.280 in our 00:27:30.280 --> 00:27:30.640 own 00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:30.940 mind 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:31.680 just like 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.080 the people 00:27:32.080 --> 00:27:32.600 in this 00:27:32.600 --> 00:27:33.060 story 00:27:33.060 --> 00:27:33.820 we can 00:27:33.820 --> 00:27:34.120 find 00:27:34.120 --> 00:27:34.540 ourselves 00:27:34.540 --> 00:27:35.500 at war 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.040 with 00:27:36.040 --> 00:27:36.480 God 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:38.260 hostile 00:27:38.260 --> 00:27:38.900 to him 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.840 not wanting 00:27:39.840 --> 00:27:40.420 to hear 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.180 his claims 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:42.060 or demands 00:27:42.060 --> 00:27:42.760 because we 00:27:42.760 --> 00:27:43.940 are a rival 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.420 king 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:46.420 to God. 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:50.759 But that's 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:51.039 not the 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.660 only way 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:52.980 to reject 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:54.060 God's 00:27:54.060 --> 00:27:54.519 grace 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.060 in the 00:27:55.060 --> 00:27:55.320 sending 00:27:55.320 --> 00:27:55.880 of Jesus. 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.120 There's 00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:57.740 one last 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.180 way and 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.539 that's 00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.140 represented 00:27:59.140 --> 00:28:00.140 by the 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:00.560 man who 00:28:00.560 --> 00:28:00.880 wasn't 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:01.160 wearing 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:01.360 the 00:28:01.360 --> 00:28:01.600 wedding 00:28:01.600 --> 00:28:02.000 clothes. 00:28:02.100 --> 00:28:02.220 We 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.480 can 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.180 resist 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:03.900 the 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:04.539 king's 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.539 demands. 00:28:07.320 --> 00:28:07.980 Clearly 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.980 there was 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:10.000 the expectation 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.060 that the 00:28:11.060 --> 00:28:11.680 guests would 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.000 wear 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.720 appropriate 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.200 clothing. 00:28:13.800 --> 00:28:14.200 Everybody 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:14.740 else in 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.080 the feast 00:28:15.080 --> 00:28:15.600 good and 00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:15.920 bad 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.580 they were 00:28:16.580 --> 00:28:17.100 doing that 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:17.660 except for 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:18.420 this one 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:19.500 representative 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.200 man who 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:20.840 in his 00:28:20.840 --> 00:28:21.539 pride has 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.880 said I 00:28:22.880 --> 00:28:23.360 will make 00:28:23.360 --> 00:28:23.840 my own 00:28:23.840 --> 00:28:24.240 path. 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:25.440 I will 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:26.019 set my 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.340 own 00:28:26.340 --> 00:28:27.120 standard 00:28:27.120 --> 00:28:27.800 of 00:28:27.800 --> 00:28:28.360 goodness. 00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:29.680 And we 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.140 can do 00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:30.720 that in 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.660 our own 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.200 lives when 00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:32.940 we get it 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.340 into our 00:28:33.340 --> 00:28:33.860 heads that 00:28:33.860 --> 00:28:34.900 our goodness 00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:35.640 or our 00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:36.980 religion are 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.640 our way to 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.360 pay our 00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:39.080 way into 00:28:39.080 --> 00:28:39.580 the kingdom 00:28:39.580 --> 00:28:40.240 of God. 00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:42.180 Where we 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:43.039 fail to believe 00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:43.539 that it's by 00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:44.480 grace we're 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.100 saved through 00:28:45.100 --> 00:28:45.600 faith and 00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:46.519 instead we 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.219 are persuaded 00:28:47.219 --> 00:28:47.619 that we 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:48.179 have to 00:28:48.179 --> 00:28:48.559 earn it 00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:48.939 and that 00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:49.439 we can 00:28:49.439 --> 00:28:50.519 by ourselves 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.699 earn it. 00:28:52.659 --> 00:28:53.459 In which 00:28:53.459 --> 00:28:53.959 case we 00:28:53.959 --> 00:28:55.240 of necessity 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.039 find ourselves 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.899 saying I 00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:57.679 don't need 00:28:57.679 --> 00:28:59.240 Jesus or I 00:28:59.240 --> 00:28:59.959 need Jesus but 00:28:59.959 --> 00:29:01.279 I also need to 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.199 contribute to 00:29:02.199 --> 00:29:03.559 my salvation 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.379 and it's 00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:05.099 pride. 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.039 And it's 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.740 resisting the 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.519 demands of a 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.019 king who 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.859 simply says 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:14.039 come and 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.819 receive what 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.139 I have 00:29:15.139 --> 00:29:15.740 provided. 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.539 Receive the 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.679 wedding clothes 00:29:18.679 --> 00:29:19.779 which when we 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.319 think about how 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:20.919 it's pictured in 00:29:20.919 --> 00:29:21.500 the New Testament 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:23.259 is to put on 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.379 the righteousness 00:29:24.379 --> 00:29:25.259 of Christ. 00:29:25.479 --> 00:29:26.319 To receive what 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:27.119 he has done for 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:28.379 us on the 00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:29.099 cross and to 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:31.139 humbly accept 00:29:31.139 --> 00:29:32.119 that as a 00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:32.479 gift. 00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:35.659 This story 00:29:35.659 --> 00:29:36.779 makes it very 00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:38.079 clear for us 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:38.679 that with any 00:29:38.679 --> 00:29:40.099 invitation there 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:40.939 is an accepted 00:29:40.939 --> 00:29:41.960 or a rejected 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.519 choice. 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.379 We either say 00:29:43.379 --> 00:29:44.259 yes to Jesus 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:45.619 or no to 00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.019 Jesus. 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:48.500 Jesus himself 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.079 said he who 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:50.299 is not for 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:52.619 me is against 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:52.899 me. 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:53.480 There is no 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.759 neutral ground, 00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.299 there is no 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:56.259 sitting on the 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:56.919 fence when it 00:29:56.919 --> 00:29:57.939 comes to 00:29:57.939 --> 00:29:58.359 Jesus. 00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.359 And so the 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.299 shocking elements 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.179 of this story 00:30:01.179 --> 00:30:02.939 Jesus gives to 00:30:02.939 --> 00:30:04.339 us in order to 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:05.179 wake us up. 00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:06.240 Just like the 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.939 prophets of the 00:30:06.939 --> 00:30:07.559 Old Testament, 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.379 they brought 00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:08.940 news of 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:09.779 impending judgment 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.659 to shock the 00:30:10.659 --> 00:30:11.319 people into 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:12.279 repentance and 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:12.679 faith. 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.960 Jesus wants us 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.599 to see the 00:30:16.599 --> 00:30:18.099 horror of 00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:19.659 ignoring and 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:20.779 rebelling against 00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:21.960 and resisting 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:23.539 our good and 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.500 gracious King. 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.619 And he wants 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.779 to show us the 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:29.639 urgency of our 00:30:29.639 --> 00:30:30.579 need to respond 00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:32.539 positively to 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:32.899 Jesus. 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.319 One of the 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:34.819 things that this 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:35.980 story reminds us 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.980 of is that grace 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:38.360 is only grace if 00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:39.120 the outcome should 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:39.700 be different. 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.259 By rights, 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:41.920 because of our 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:42.799 rebellion against 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.440 God, we should 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:44.279 all experience 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:44.900 judgment. 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.259 But only in 00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:48.759 Jesus is there 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:50.180 grace and 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:50.819 salvation. 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.920 And so we need 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:53.220 to receive that 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:53.839 invitation. 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.579 And that takes us 00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.660 to our last 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.500 group. 00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:57.460 The group that 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.860 find themselves in 00:30:58.860 --> 00:30:59.400 the feast. 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.799 And they remind us 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:02.299 that receiving the 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:03.720 invitation of God's 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:05.640 grace leads to 00:31:05.640 --> 00:31:07.900 joyful life. 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:11.180 The story reminds 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:12.400 us that God's 00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:13.500 guest list is full 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.200 of surprises. 00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:16.360 Jesus' life on 00:31:16.360 --> 00:31:17.079 earth and his 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:18.360 mission shows us 00:31:18.360 --> 00:31:19.640 that God's guest 00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:21.000 list is full of 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.680 surprises. 00:31:22.360 --> 00:31:23.299 Now we're told 00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:25.079 anyone, verse 10, 00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:26.980 both good and bad, 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.279 in the world's eyes 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.100 or indeed in our 00:31:29.099 --> 00:31:30.779 own eyes, if we 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:32.219 believe in Jesus, 00:31:32.699 --> 00:31:34.299 we will be in 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:35.379 the feast. 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.439 Because it's about 00:31:36.439 --> 00:31:37.359 grace and it's not 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:38.179 about merit. 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:40.000 It's not about rank 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.799 or status. 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.939 It's about, do I 00:31:41.939 --> 00:31:42.799 see my need? 00:31:42.879 --> 00:31:43.959 Do I trust the 00:31:43.959 --> 00:31:45.159 goodness of God, 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:45.919 my King, and the 00:31:45.919 --> 00:31:46.759 sending of Jesus, 00:31:46.919 --> 00:31:47.679 his Saviour, to 00:31:47.679 --> 00:31:48.719 forgive my sin and 00:31:48.719 --> 00:31:50.119 to give me new 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:50.639 life? 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:53.579 How do we enter 00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:54.639 the feast? 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:57.439 We be thinking 00:31:57.439 --> 00:31:58.419 about God's grace, 00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:59.640 but what's our 00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:00.200 part? 00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:02.539 There's faith 00:32:02.539 --> 00:32:03.460 involved, isn't 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:03.620 there? 00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:04.200 We need in the 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.060 first place to say 00:32:05.060 --> 00:32:06.740 yes to the 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.300 invitation. 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.680 We need to say 00:32:08.680 --> 00:32:10.080 yes that we want 00:32:10.080 --> 00:32:11.740 to come to 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.820 Jesus, that we 00:32:12.820 --> 00:32:13.840 want to have him 00:32:13.840 --> 00:32:14.880 as our Lord, that 00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:15.580 we trust that what 00:32:15.580 --> 00:32:16.360 he did on the 00:32:16.360 --> 00:32:17.680 cross, he did for 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.620 me to deal with 00:32:18.620 --> 00:32:19.740 my sin, to give 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:21.220 me new life with 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:21.680 God. 00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:23.860 And we also, as 00:32:23.860 --> 00:32:24.840 the story shows us, 00:32:24.860 --> 00:32:25.920 we need to obey 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:27.259 the dress code. 00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:28.259 We need to come 00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:29.079 dressed in the 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:29.640 right way. 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:32.019 And that's not 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.920 coming dressed in 00:32:32.920 --> 00:32:33.559 our own goodness. 00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:35.160 We don't come 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:35.740 saying, well, look 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:36.819 at my good deeds, I 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.500 should be in the 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.240 kingdom of heaven. 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:39.599 And we come 00:32:39.599 --> 00:32:41.200 clothed in the 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:42.099 righteousness of 00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:42.519 Christ. 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:44.299 It takes us back 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:44.920 to that great 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:45.640 exchange that 00:32:45.640 --> 00:32:46.220 happens at the 00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:46.460 cross. 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:48.339 Jesus takes our 00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:49.920 sin and he 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.879 gifts us his 00:32:50.879 --> 00:32:52.160 perfect record of 00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:52.619 righteousness. 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:54.920 God sees us in 00:32:54.920 --> 00:32:56.119 Christ, perfectly 00:32:56.119 --> 00:32:58.359 righteous in him so 00:32:58.359 --> 00:32:59.639 that we are able to 00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:00.879 enjoy life with God. 00:33:00.959 --> 00:33:01.819 We can be welcomed 00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:03.000 and accepted when we 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:04.639 are in Christ. 00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:06.779 And because of that, 00:33:06.939 --> 00:33:08.319 we get to enjoy life 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:09.379 in the feast. 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:10.879 It's a great picture of 00:33:10.879 --> 00:33:11.539 the kingdom of heaven, 00:33:11.619 --> 00:33:12.039 isn't it? 00:33:12.379 --> 00:33:13.439 It reminds us of the 00:33:13.439 --> 00:33:15.399 joy that we have as 00:33:15.399 --> 00:33:16.019 Christians. 00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:18.119 I read an article by a 00:33:18.119 --> 00:33:18.779 guy called Randy 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.799 Alcorn this week and he 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:22.000 said, Christianity is 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:23.779 not a frowning 00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:24.359 context. 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:27.680 Sometimes, perhaps 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:29.039 that's the image or 00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:30.140 the message that we 00:33:30.140 --> 00:33:31.960 portray to the 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.400 world. 00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:35.039 Rather, Jesus is 00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:36.500 saying, by faith in 00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:37.640 him we enter this 00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:38.140 feast. 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:39.740 We are brought into 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.900 this good news of 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:41.779 great joy. 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.380 We have this prospect 00:33:43.380 --> 00:33:45.079 of happiness now and 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:46.460 eternal happiness to 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:47.000 follow. 00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:48.920 So that actually the 00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:49.819 joy that we have as 00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:51.140 Christians should be a 00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:52.180 crucial part of our 00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:52.540 mission. 00:33:53.120 --> 00:33:53.980 As we're inviting 00:33:53.980 --> 00:33:54.960 others to come to 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.980 Jesus, people should 00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:57.140 be saying, what's the 00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:58.000 basis for your hope? 00:33:58.060 --> 00:33:59.020 What's the basis for 00:33:59.020 --> 00:33:59.680 your joy? 00:34:00.080 --> 00:34:01.000 This is different from 00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:01.740 the kind of happiness 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.720 that I'm pursuing which 00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:03.460 comes and goes. 00:34:03.580 --> 00:34:04.720 Yours seems lasting 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.460 and solid. 00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:08.539 So joy is part of our 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:10.320 mission because joy is 00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:12.559 our ultimate destination. 00:34:13.240 --> 00:34:14.140 And joy is what we 00:34:14.140 --> 00:34:15.539 have now when our 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:18.039 faith is in Jesus. 00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:21.679 God in Jesus, his son, 00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:24.759 invites us to the 00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:25.199 feast. 00:34:26.800 --> 00:34:28.739 The guests here were 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:30.719 surprised by the 00:34:30.719 --> 00:34:31.800 invitation of the king. 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:32.480 And it's sometimes, 00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:33.559 isn't it, it's the 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:34.960 surprising invitations 00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:37.639 that bring us surprising 00:34:37.639 --> 00:34:39.179 and wonderful joy. 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:41.219 We still remember and 00:34:41.219 --> 00:34:42.519 talk about that time 00:34:42.519 --> 00:34:43.519 years ago when we were 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:45.779 on holiday in Corsica, 00:34:46.179 --> 00:34:47.039 one of the French 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:48.739 islands and we'd gone 00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:50.159 for a day trip to a 00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:51.199 fairly remote beach 00:34:51.199 --> 00:34:51.920 and we'd missed the 00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:52.699 bus and so we were 00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:54.719 stranded and hitchhiking 00:34:54.719 --> 00:34:56.500 in this really remote 00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:57.639 part of Corsica when 00:34:57.639 --> 00:34:59.199 somebody drove along 00:34:59.199 --> 00:35:00.079 who'd just been back 00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:00.840 from a fishing trip. 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:02.380 And it turned out he 00:35:02.380 --> 00:35:04.300 was the ex-chief of 00:35:04.300 --> 00:35:06.820 police in Corsica, a 00:35:06.820 --> 00:35:08.199 man who was very both 00:35:08.199 --> 00:35:10.039 familiar and fond of 00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:10.500 Glasgow. 00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:11.739 And so there was a 00:35:11.739 --> 00:35:13.139 great chat and then we 00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:14.380 got invited back to his 00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:14.980 mansion. 00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:16.420 And we had a wonderful 00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:18.340 dinner with his family 00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:19.840 and we stayed in touch 00:35:19.840 --> 00:35:20.500 for a number of years 00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:21.719 and it was a wonderful 00:35:21.719 --> 00:35:23.199 and surprising invitation. 00:35:24.059 --> 00:35:26.420 God in his mercy and his 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:29.440 grace invites us to so 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:30.240 much more than that, 00:35:30.300 --> 00:35:30.619 doesn't he? 00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:33.320 To a feast that we don't 00:35:33.320 --> 00:35:35.559 deserve, a feast that we 00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:36.579 don't need to earn the 00:35:36.579 --> 00:35:37.639 invitation for. 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:39.280 He has sent his son 00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:41.179 Jesus, he has paid the 00:35:41.179 --> 00:35:43.059 great cost to invite us to 00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:44.860 the feast, to provide that 00:35:44.860 --> 00:35:45.759 clothing of his 00:35:45.759 --> 00:35:47.500 righteousness so we can 00:35:47.500 --> 00:35:51.539 come in and know our 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.000 God. 00:35:52.579 --> 00:35:53.619 To have that joy that 00:35:53.619 --> 00:35:55.420 begins now, to have that 00:35:55.420 --> 00:35:57.019 joy that lasts for all 00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:58.019 eternity. 00:35:59.299 --> 00:36:01.779 So today, will you come? 00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:03.539 Will you come to this 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:03.799 feast? 00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:05.779 Will you enjoy life with 00:36:05.779 --> 00:36:07.360 God through faith in Jesus? 00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:09.519 And if that's where you're 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:10.219 at, if you're already 00:36:10.219 --> 00:36:12.199 feasting on that joy, will 00:36:12.199 --> 00:36:13.679 you share that invitation 00:36:13.679 --> 00:36:16.279 with others, continuing 00:36:16.279 --> 00:36:18.699 that mission to bring 00:36:18.699 --> 00:36:20.919 others to know the joy 00:36:20.919 --> 00:36:22.199 there is in Jesus? 00:36:22.199 --> 00:36:22.219 Thanks. 00:36:22.659 --> 00:36:23.079 Trans suspected