WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.260 If you have your Bibles, I want you to turn to Luke chapter 14. 00:00:03.960 --> 00:00:05.200 Luke chapter 14. 00:00:05.419 --> 00:00:08.660 We spent several weeks now talking about heaven. 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:13.960 And if you talk about heaven long enough, it will make you more hungry to go. 00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:16.620 We've talked about it a lot. 00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:19.280 Some of you have talked about it in your homes. 00:00:19.400 --> 00:00:22.600 You've shared that with me and come back with questions and all those things. 00:00:22.679 --> 00:00:23.519 It's glorious to talk about. 00:00:23.519 --> 00:00:35.240 And next week, I'm going to close out the portion of the reality of eternity on heaven by answering some questions that people often ask and that we haven't touched on yet. 00:00:35.960 --> 00:00:39.899 And I love talking about it. 00:00:39.939 --> 00:00:43.079 But I want to give you some grim news today, to be honest with you. 00:00:43.340 --> 00:00:44.640 I don't like talking about it. 00:00:44.920 --> 00:00:46.280 But I must be honest with you. 00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:50.519 All are welcome to go to heaven, but most won't. 00:00:53.520 --> 00:01:03.340 People get so caught up in this life and in their way and sometimes in the uncertainties of an unseen God. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:07.600 The questions that seem to plague them. 00:01:08.840 --> 00:01:11.359 The questioning of the validity of eternal life. 00:01:11.460 --> 00:01:13.379 What really happens after this. 00:01:13.379 --> 00:01:28.859 I read an article this week where scientists had studied the last moments of people's lives and when they clinically died and was brought back to life. 00:01:30.620 --> 00:01:35.199 And what did they experience? 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:37.120 What could they share? 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:48.300 They said that some, they put headphones on as I guess they knew they were dying and repeated three different fruits to them in their ears repeatedly. 00:01:49.500 --> 00:01:57.260 To if they came back to life after working on them, see if they could tell them what they were telling them. 00:01:57.260 --> 00:02:10.560 I'd hate to think that I had a loved one that was dying and they said, do you mind if right before we try to bring him back, we put headphones on him and say banana, apple and orange in his ear until he's dead. 00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:12.580 I'd have a hard time with that. 00:02:12.580 --> 00:02:23.280 But the reality is I read this article out of Scientific American and they didn't know any more from all of that than they did before they started the study. 00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:29.759 They really had no idea what went on from that point. 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:36.120 And the reality is there's a lot in this life that we may question. 00:02:36.539 --> 00:02:48.620 And because of that, many people will miss the opportunity to even spend eternity in heaven and to have the opportunity to have a relationship with the Lord. 00:02:48.620 --> 00:02:54.340 The opportunity of eternal life is both now and forever. 00:02:55.460 --> 00:02:59.439 In reality, I love what Christ says about eternal life. 00:02:59.520 --> 00:03:03.420 He said, I've come that you might have life and have it more abundantly. 00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:05.599 He's not just talking about forever, folks. 00:03:05.780 --> 00:03:12.540 He's talking about right now, that there's a difference that happens in your life when you give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:16.500 When you surrender your ways and say, God, I need you to take over. 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:27.919 That opportunity of eternal life while on earth is better and more free and more vibrant and more meaningful than anything else you can have outside of Christ in this life. 00:03:27.919 --> 00:03:36.599 And Satan robs you when he leads you to put off making a decision to follow Christ. 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:43.799 When he talks you into putting off, surrendering your life to Christ, he robs you of that. 00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:45.299 But I want to be clear about something. 00:03:46.079 --> 00:03:53.060 God wants you to have not only be in relationship with him, but to have a steadfast relationship with him. 00:03:53.459 --> 00:04:00.039 Here in this life, enjoying the glories of walking with God and to be with him in glory. 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:01.659 And we have that opportunity. 00:04:01.659 --> 00:04:07.020 The invitation is open to all who are willing to come. 00:04:07.259 --> 00:04:07.579 Period. 00:04:08.099 --> 00:04:08.979 It's open to all. 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:12.120 Christ came to share that message. 00:04:12.400 --> 00:04:13.979 And he shares it again and again. 00:04:14.199 --> 00:04:15.840 And he shares it clearly. 00:04:16.680 --> 00:04:19.319 He shared it in a way that we could understand it. 00:04:19.540 --> 00:04:21.899 He shared it in a way that we could grasp it. 00:04:21.959 --> 00:04:25.959 And he does it in the passage that we're to look at this morning. 00:04:26.519 --> 00:04:29.279 He makes it abundantly clear. 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:37.179 And I just want to take a few minutes to just reiterate some things that you'll see in Luke 14. 00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:40.500 We're talking about the reality of eternity. 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:44.119 And we're going to look in a couple of weeks at the reality of hell. 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:46.879 And we're going to look at that for a few weeks together. 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:51.939 But before we do, I want you to know this morning, you don't have to go to hell. 00:04:52.859 --> 00:04:54.159 You don't have to go to hell. 00:04:54.419 --> 00:04:56.859 I want you to know that you can go to heaven for sure. 00:04:56.860 --> 00:05:06.699 But I also want you to know that if you do not make a decision for Christ in this life, you have made a decision. 00:05:06.699 --> 00:05:22.079 If I'm in a hurry and I'm approaching a yellow light and I become an amber gambler hoping I can make it. 00:05:22.079 --> 00:05:28.079 And that light changes as I go under it. 00:05:29.419 --> 00:05:36.819 And a law enforcement sees it and pulls me over and writes me a ticket. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:42.860 I can't tell him, well, I just couldn't decide. 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:46.420 I thought about it. 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:48.900 But I just couldn't decide. 00:05:49.420 --> 00:05:50.819 That wouldn't make any difference. 00:05:51.840 --> 00:05:53.800 I still ran a red light. 00:05:55.560 --> 00:06:03.400 And if you choose to not make a decision for Christ in this life, you made your decision. 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:10.060 And the reality is, you'll go to hell for all eternity. 00:06:11.679 --> 00:06:13.000 And I don't want you to. 00:06:14.060 --> 00:06:15.359 And Jesus don't either. 00:06:16.139 --> 00:06:18.500 And that's what the story he tells talks about. 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:22.939 It's in Luke chapter 14, beginning in verse 1. 00:06:22.979 --> 00:06:25.299 I just want to introduce the area and then go to 15. 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:36.699 It says, one Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. 00:06:38.379 --> 00:06:40.600 As they were watching, he said this in verse 15. 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:46.860 When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said, 00:06:47.780 --> 00:06:52.180 Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God. 00:06:52.180 --> 00:06:58.100 But he said to them, a man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:04.060 And at the time for the banquet, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:06.680 Come, for everything is now ready. 00:07:07.780 --> 00:07:10.199 But they all alike began to make excuses. 00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:16.560 The first one said to him, I bought a field and I must go out and see it. 00:07:17.420 --> 00:07:18.819 Please have me excused. 00:07:18.819 --> 00:07:25.719 Another one said, I have bought five yoke of oxen and I go to examine them. 00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:27.459 Please have me excused. 00:07:28.300 --> 00:07:29.959 Another said, I've married a wife. 00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:33.360 And therefore, I can't come. 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:39.400 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. 00:07:40.900 --> 00:07:43.620 The master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:49.920 Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city and bring in the poor and the crippled and the blind and lame. 00:07:50.819 --> 00:07:54.580 And the servant said, Sir, what you've commanded has been done and there's still room. 00:07:54.579 --> 00:08:02.060 And the master said to his servant, Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in that my house may be filled. 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:07.399 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. 00:08:09.039 --> 00:08:12.500 Now let me just break this down for you real quick and then show you how it applies. 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:16.860 The banquet preparer in the story is the Lord. 00:08:16.860 --> 00:08:23.060 The servants that he tells to go invite are his people. 00:08:23.960 --> 00:08:26.300 People who have committed their life to Christ. 00:08:27.139 --> 00:08:29.879 And I mean that and not just some one-time decision. 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:34.560 I mean they've committed their life to Christ and to follow Christ and to do what he tells them. 00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:35.480 And he tells them to go. 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:39.519 The invited is anybody else in the world. 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:41.580 I mean, he said just go find folks. 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:42.740 Let them come. 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:47.779 The banquet represents eternity in heaven with the Lord. 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:52.680 It's actually described as the marriage supper of the Lamb. 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:57.519 So it is quite a banquet in the way that they describe what heaven is like. 00:08:57.639 --> 00:09:02.419 And the point of this is the invitation of the Lord is an open invitation. 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:07.000 And that message can be found in four principles that I want to share this morning. 00:09:08.180 --> 00:09:09.399 The first one is this. 00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:12.560 Excuses keep many from following the Lord. 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:14.639 It keeps them from following the Lord. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:17.100 I mean if these excuses seem bogus. 00:09:17.299 --> 00:09:20.399 If they seem absolutely ridiculous to you. 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:23.000 Well they should because they are. 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:29.399 Verse 18 says, but they all alike began to make excuses. 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:32.700 All of them had some reason why they couldn't. 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:35.860 Bogus excuses are pretty common. 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:40.659 They're pretty common among those you ask about Christ. 00:09:41.419 --> 00:09:44.000 About those who are reluctant to follow him. 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:46.639 Sometimes people say, you know, I'm just not ready yet. 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:51.300 I got to live a little longer before I do something like that. 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:54.680 Or some people will just tell me, hey man, I'm good. 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:56.100 I'm good. 00:09:57.860 --> 00:10:00.240 Or me and him's all right. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:04.180 Me and the man upstairs is all right. 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:07.519 Well I'm going to tell you, if you call in the man upstairs, you're not all right. 00:10:08.200 --> 00:10:08.480 Okay. 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:14.820 Some people will tell me my faith is a private matter. 00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:18.420 And expect you to close that off. 00:10:18.520 --> 00:10:21.900 Or they'll tell you that they belong to a church of some other denomination. 00:10:22.140 --> 00:10:25.160 So you don't have to talk about the personal relationship with Christ. 00:10:25.280 --> 00:10:29.680 All excuses that keep us from following the Lord are sad. 00:10:30.020 --> 00:10:35.940 And any delay that you make in a decision for Christ is taking a risk. 00:10:35.940 --> 00:10:45.500 Unjustified excuses, any excuses will not be ignored or looked past the day we meet the Lord in the air. 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:52.120 Delaying a decision for the Lord is like, it's like staying behind in a burning house to save the furniture. 00:10:53.660 --> 00:10:57.660 It's like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. 00:10:58.180 --> 00:11:00.620 I mean, it does not make sense. 00:11:01.020 --> 00:11:02.920 And you will die doing it. 00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:07.019 Because our sin has separated us. 00:11:08.199 --> 00:11:12.939 And God has willingly allowed Christ to come. 00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:14.519 To die in our place. 00:11:14.599 --> 00:11:17.479 To forgive us through the sacrifice of Christ. 00:11:17.479 --> 00:11:28.559 And if we have the audacity to fail to accept that gracious, undeserved invitation of the Lord. 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:30.959 To be blunt. 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:33.019 We'll have hell to pay. 00:11:34.219 --> 00:11:36.039 There's not a doubt about that. 00:11:36.779 --> 00:11:38.759 There's no need to deny that. 00:11:39.819 --> 00:11:42.099 Christ died so we don't have to. 00:11:43.339 --> 00:11:48.779 And to ignore that is to reject a holy, loving, outreaching God. 00:11:49.039 --> 00:11:49.359 Period. 00:11:51.119 --> 00:11:52.500 Second principle is this. 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:56.259 All are invited. 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:59.600 That's what the parable says. 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:07.080 After many rejected him, the master reached out to those that no one reaches out to. 00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:11.919 He reached out to those that no one would invite to a wedding. 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:15.960 He reached out to the outcast of the day. 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:19.059 The lepers of their society. 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:20.960 That means those who were contagious. 00:12:21.559 --> 00:12:23.000 Those who were diseased. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:27.840 Those who seem plagued in whatever way. 00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:30.759 To reach out to the Gentiles. 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:32.299 That's those of other languages. 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:35.080 To reach out to sinners. 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:37.879 That's those that don't live for the Lord. 00:12:37.960 --> 00:12:39.259 That live despicable lives. 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:41.740 That show no remnant of reality with God. 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:44.960 But those are the one that he reaches out to. 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:48.360 And I want to challenge you Christian today. 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:51.920 That too many times we have an idea of who we'd like to come to know the Lord. 00:12:53.820 --> 00:12:58.000 Who we want to go to church with. 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:02.000 What kind of background should they come from? 00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:05.320 But that's not God. 00:13:06.780 --> 00:13:08.000 God don't do that. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:12.440 And the point of this passage is that God invites all. 00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:16.539 So often those that look like they have their act together. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:19.620 So often those that think they have their act together. 00:13:20.379 --> 00:13:22.500 They also think they don't need God. 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.700 And how sad that is. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:24.840 I want you to be clear today. 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:26.500 We all need the Lord. 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:29.039 I don't care how much money you have. 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:31.240 I don't care what family you're from. 00:13:31.419 --> 00:13:32.840 I don't care your background. 00:13:32.840 --> 00:13:34.840 I don't care your education. 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:36.560 How pretty you are. 00:13:36.680 --> 00:13:38.379 Or how ugly you are. 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:40.300 We all need him. 00:13:41.160 --> 00:13:42.120 We all need him. 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:47.060 And thank God scripture tells me that whosoever will may come to him. 00:13:47.160 --> 00:13:51.680 Romans 10 13 says for everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:52.220 You hear me? 00:13:52.660 --> 00:13:56.840 Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 00:13:58.100 --> 00:13:59.780 Well I need to clean up some things. 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:03.339 You don't have the capacity to clean up your life on your own. 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:05.679 There's no need for you to wait that. 00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:07.079 He'll clean you up. 00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:09.819 You just surrender your life to Christ. 00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:13.039 You don't have to look a certain way. 00:14:13.179 --> 00:14:13.539 You don't have to. 00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:16.740 He'll lead you to make the necessary changes in your life. 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:19.879 Don't wait until you get your problems straightened out. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:21.259 Your life together. 00:14:21.439 --> 00:14:23.199 And your habits taken care of. 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:27.459 Because you'll never get those things straight outside of Christ. 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:32.840 And you may struggle with them after you receive Christ to be honest with you. 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:38.700 But the church of Jesus Christ is a bunch of people that God has committed to follow him. 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:40.220 And we are all imperfect. 00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:43.180 And we pick each other up when we got to pick each other up. 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:44.700 And we carry each other when we got to carry each other. 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:49.259 And it's a mutual business that goes on in the body of Christ. 00:14:50.040 --> 00:14:51.480 He's a problem fixer. 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:53.639 He's a life mender. 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:55.899 He's a habit breaker. 00:14:57.279 --> 00:15:02.480 And don't you let anybody else tell you that you're not invited to come to him. 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:07.340 Because you can come as you are. 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:09.080 And he'll save you. 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:10.519 And he'll change you. 00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:14.220 Don't let your petty theological questions come in the way. 00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:18.040 While you're arguing about superficiality stuff. 00:15:18.180 --> 00:15:21.000 You can slip away from this life without Christ. 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:22.620 Come to Christ. 00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:23.800 And when you come to Christ. 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:25.940 A lot of your questions will be answered. 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:28.540 And a lot of them really won't matter anymore quite honestly. 00:15:29.540 --> 00:15:31.639 I have people tell me sometimes when I go to heaven. 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.680 You know what I'm going to ask? 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:33.620 No you're not. 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:35.120 No you're not. 00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:40.200 You're going to be caught up so much in the absolute glory of God. 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:42.820 That's unlike anything in this life. 00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:44.720 I promise you. 00:15:44.780 --> 00:15:45.640 You'll be overwhelmed. 00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:53.100 He'll guide you through the unanswered questions in your life. 00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:56.080 The greatest thing about the banquet of the Lord. 00:15:58.520 --> 00:16:00.260 One I'm so glad I can say. 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:03.340 Is all are invited to come. 00:16:04.260 --> 00:16:05.020 All are invited. 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:06.700 Third thing is this. 00:16:08.380 --> 00:16:10.460 This is the reason why I'm the way I am. 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:12.879 God is insistent. 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:14.600 In his invitation. 00:16:15.920 --> 00:16:19.379 He says compel them to come in. 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:20.280 That's in verse 23. 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:22.259 Now when he says that. 00:16:22.660 --> 00:16:26.139 He's not talking about forcing people to come to the Lord. 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:27.060 We can't do that. 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:27.940 That don't work. 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.200 That don't work. 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.960 People have to make their own decisions. 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:33.139 And to try to do that is wrong. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:34.780 But I'll tell you what he is saying. 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:35.840 He's saying insist. 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:39.379 Tell those that don't feel like they can come. 00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:40.780 Not only can they come. 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:42.180 But they've been invited to come. 00:16:43.300 --> 00:16:44.580 Some won't feel worthy. 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:45.480 And they're right. 00:16:45.560 --> 00:16:46.200 They're not worthy. 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:47.940 None of us are worthy quite honestly. 00:16:48.280 --> 00:16:49.019 But thank God. 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:50.120 We're all invited. 00:16:51.060 --> 00:16:51.420 And so. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.740 Some will take that opportunity. 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.019 And some won't. 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:59.980 But let it never be from the neglect of the believer. 00:17:00.660 --> 00:17:01.019 Caring. 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:03.460 Charles Spurgeon. 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:05.500 Wonderful preacher of the 1800s. 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.420 He said this. 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:08.420 He said if sinners be damned. 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:13.079 At least let them leap to hell over our bodies. 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:15.160 And if they perish. 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:18.759 Let them perish with our arms about their knees. 00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:20.680 Let no one go. 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:23.619 They're unwarned and unprayed for. 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:28.200 Amazingly some have heard it many times. 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.759 Yet still won't respond. 00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:30.720 But the Lord says. 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:33.700 Do everything you can to convince them. 00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:34.339 Share. 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:35.920 Insist. 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.319 Convince. 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:38.819 Do everything you can. 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.960 And lastly is this. 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.799 I hate this part. 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:48.339 The invitation is only good for a time. 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:55.480 If you get an invite to a birthday party. 00:17:55.480 --> 00:18:00.579 And you're supposed to respond to that invitation. 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:02.299 And you don't respond to that invitation. 00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:05.460 And the birthday party comes and goes. 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:07.400 And you never dealt with it at all. 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:08.180 And you don't come. 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:10.720 It happened without you. 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:12.799 Okay. 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:12.899 Okay. 00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:17.700 So the invitation is good for a time. 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:19.000 And the day will come. 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:21.659 When there will be no more invitations. 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:22.779 Period. 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:28.259 Those who refuse will no longer have the opportunity. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.259 When is that day. 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.200 When is that day. 00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:31.539 I don't know. 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.539 And neither do you. 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:35.160 Jesus said in Matthew 24 verse 14. 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:37.839 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached. 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.680 Throughout the whole world. 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:41.000 As a testimony to all nations. 00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:43.500 And then the end will come. 00:18:44.119 --> 00:18:45.400 I'll just tell you this. 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:47.359 More than ever. 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:49.160 The gospel is being presented. 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:52.379 In practically the entire world. 00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:55.820 And I'm not saying it's today. 00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:59.020 And I'm not saying it's tomorrow. 00:19:00.300 --> 00:19:02.220 And I'm not saying it's next year. 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:05.120 I'm saying I don't know. 00:19:06.040 --> 00:19:07.280 And I'll promise you this. 00:19:08.060 --> 00:19:10.860 The end is closer than it's ever been before. 00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:20.300 It's not time for anybody to waste time. 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:25.300 Sinners need to come to Christ. 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:29.160 Christians need to be sharing their faith with others. 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:34.200 Surely the words of Christ are the most appropriate. 00:19:35.300 --> 00:19:37.200 When he said in Matthew 13. 00:19:38.760 --> 00:19:39.880 32 through 37. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.740 He said concerning the day or the hour. 00:19:42.260 --> 00:19:43.100 No one knows. 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:45.480 Not even the angels in heaven. 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:46.240 Nor the sun. 00:19:46.340 --> 00:19:47.120 But only the father. 00:19:47.260 --> 00:19:48.000 Be on guard. 00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:48.780 Keep awake. 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.820 For you don't know. 00:19:50.060 --> 00:19:51.000 When the time. 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.120 Will come. 00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:55.340 It's like a man going on a journey. 00:19:55.560 --> 00:19:56.540 And when he leaves home. 00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:58.160 And puts his servants in charge. 00:19:58.620 --> 00:19:59.680 Each with his own work. 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.960 And commands the doorkeeper. 00:20:01.540 --> 00:20:02.680 To stay awake. 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:04.680 Therefore stay awake. 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:06.500 For you don't know. 00:20:06.560 --> 00:20:07.540 When the master of the house. 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:08.040 Will come. 00:20:08.080 --> 00:20:08.700 In the evening. 00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:10.320 Or at midnight. 00:20:10.780 --> 00:20:12.020 Or when the rooster crows. 00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:12.680 Or in the morning. 00:20:13.360 --> 00:20:14.640 Unless he comes suddenly. 00:20:15.760 --> 00:20:17.540 And find you asleep. 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:20.099 And what I say to you. 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.180 I say to all. 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.359 Stay awake. 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:26.940 Stay awake. 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:30.759 Don't be foolish. 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.559 Invited one. 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:35.839 Because the invitation is open. 00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:38.700 And the time is drawing near. 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:41.700 If you want to know more. 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.420 I'll tell you more. 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.400 About this in coming days. 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.299 But I'll just tell you this. 00:20:44.340 --> 00:20:45.160 Right up front. 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:46.620 Hell is agony. 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:53.059 But you don't have to go. 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:56.380 And heaven is glorious. 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:59.100 And you're invited to go. 00:20:59.099 --> 00:21:03.519 And you can rest in that today. 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.719 So I just ask you. 00:21:08.159 --> 00:21:09.699 When you look at your life. 00:21:11.439 --> 00:21:13.399 And you look at your life spiritually. 00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:17.039 Has there ever been a time. 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:18.179 In your life. 00:21:19.659 --> 00:21:21.359 When you've asked the Lord Jesus. 00:21:22.919 --> 00:21:24.659 To forgive you of your sins. 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.819 To come into your life. 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:29.500 And to change you. 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:32.960 A time when you said. 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.339 Dear God. 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:39.000 I don't want to do it my way anymore. 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:42.639 I want to surrender my life. 00:21:43.679 --> 00:21:44.839 To your way. 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.779 If that's never happened. 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.679 I'm thankful today. 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:54.059 To tell you. 00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:55.480 The invitation is open. 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:58.380 And in just a moment. 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.259 We're going to stand. 00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:00.299 And we're going to sing. 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:03.339 And I'm going to walk down to this floor. 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:06.559 And if you have any questions. 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:08.120 About if that's ever happened. 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:09.240 In your life before. 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:11.980 I'll be happy to guide you through that. 00:22:12.120 --> 00:22:13.480 I'll be happy to pray with you. 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:15.099 And to lead you. 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.259 Please. 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:18.640 Don't leave. 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.240 These premises. 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:22.539 Without knowing. 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.599 That you know. 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:25.259 Christ Jesus. 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:27.359 As your personal Lord and Savior. 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:30.200 And if you're a Christian today. 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:33.159 And you do know that. 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:36.039 You've got a job to do. 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.940 And there's no need to make excuses. 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:41.259 There's no need to put it off. 00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:45.279 God has strategically placed people. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:47.099 In your life. 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.940 That need to hear. 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:50.559 What I've told you. 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.660 This morning. 00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:54.339 And it is your job. 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:57.019 Whether you feel sufficient at it or not. 00:22:57.139 --> 00:22:58.440 It is your job. 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:01.579 As God gave us in the great commission. 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.319 To just go tell. 00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:06.160 Just tell folks. 00:23:07.740 --> 00:23:09.379 If your ball team won yesterday. 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.399 You told somebody. 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:11.879 You know. 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:13.540 Do you go get a new car. 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.860 You get out of it. 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.820 With a new step. 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.600 And you'll step. 00:23:18.540 --> 00:23:20.580 When something new happens in your life. 00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:21.880 And something changes you. 00:23:22.080 --> 00:23:23.580 You want other folks to know. 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:26.700 I'm telling you. 00:23:27.040 --> 00:23:28.180 If you know the Lord Jesus. 00:23:28.300 --> 00:23:29.600 The greatest thing that's ever happened to you. 00:23:30.320 --> 00:23:31.400 And you need to tell others. 00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:33.700 Maybe there's stuff in your life. 00:23:33.760 --> 00:23:34.580 That you need to deal with. 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:36.380 Maybe you made a private decision for the Lord. 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:37.360 And you never made it public. 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.660 Christ by his example. 00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:41.320 And by his commission tells us. 00:23:41.560 --> 00:23:43.160 To be baptized as believers. 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:44.380 Once we come to know him. 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.440 To do it publicly. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.500 And let others know about it. 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.860 If that's never happened to you. 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:49.220 Let me guide you in that process. 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:52.320 Maybe God's drawing you into this fellowship. 00:23:52.800 --> 00:23:53.980 Want to be a part of this church. 00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:55.920 We'd love to help you with that. 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.500 You come. 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:57.580 We'll guide you. 00:23:57.580 --> 00:24:00.120 I don't have a clue how God has spoke to you. 00:24:00.300 --> 00:24:01.220 Know what he said to me. 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:03.019 Don't have a clue what he said to you. 00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:05.140 But I know you'll never be satisfied. 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:07.259 Until you follow exactly what he'd have you to do. 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:11.799 Lord Jesus I love you. 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:14.259 Thank you for our time together. 00:24:14.379 --> 00:24:14.980 Thank you Lord. 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:18.400 For the message that Christ gives us so clearly. 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:18.980 Father. 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:22.019 Just help us to respond in obedience to you today. 00:24:22.379 --> 00:24:23.259 Oh God I pray. 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.799 In Jesus name. 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:26.180 Amen.