WEBVTT

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 Thanks, Jonathan, and thanks to Fiona again also for music this evening.

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 We're continuing in the parables of Jesus and Luke's Gospel,

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 and you might like to turn to Luke chapter 14 and just have your Bible open as we go along.

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 It's a great parable, and it's a great invitation.

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 And I just want to start by saying that this parable is for us today.

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 It was spoken, of course, by Jesus all those years ago and written down.

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 But the parable is for us today.

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 The invitation, in fact, still stands, and you're invited to come to the great banquet.

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 What does that mean?

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 Well, with God's help, I'll try and explain the best I can as we go along.

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 But the main point to say is that you're invited to come.

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 And if I can do anything at all this evening, I just want to make that the main point,

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 invite you to come and to put your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus.

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 So if you're here in the church this evening or you're listening online,

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 and you haven't yet accepted that invitation, then here's an opportunity to do so this evening.

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 One day, of course, it will be too late, but now is the day of salvation.

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 Now the invitation still stands.

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 And if you're here this evening and you're already a Christian,

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 you've accepted that invitation and you've trusted in the Lord,

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 well, I hope that also in this passage you'll find a lot of encouragement

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 and by way of challenge too.

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 And I think there's some really deep theology in this passage as well.

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 And so I think there'll be something for everyone here in this passage this evening.

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 So let's dive right in.

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 And the first question to ask really is, what are we reading about here?

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 And the first thing to note was that Jesus was at a dinner and he was speaking about a dinner.

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 And so I think the words of Jesus must have been especially relevant to those who originally heard Jesus.

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 He was speaking to people right where they were at.

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 He was speaking about a dinner and they were sitting at a meal table.

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 But we also note that all was not well at the table.

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 And you can read about this if you just glance back to the beginning of chapter 14.

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 Jesus was in the house of a ruler of the Pharisees.

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 And all the guests present were Pharisees and lawyers.

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 And you can see that there was some unrest at the table,

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 particularly about who would get the most important seats at the dinner.

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 And you can just imagine the sort of thing that was going on here.

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 One guy is maybe just a bit annoyed that someone else got the most important seat.

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 Why should he get the important seat?

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 That should be me that's sitting there next to Jesus.

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 And so you can imagine the sort of thing that was going on in that occasion.

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 People were trying to get the most important seat.

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 And the whole thing was pretty sad.

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 And so Jesus deals with the problem directly.

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 And he reminds them that God's way is so different from the ways of the world.

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 Now the way of the world is me first.

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 But Jesus reminded them it's totally different in God's kingdom.

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 Remember how Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death.

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 Even such a death as the death of the cross.

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 And what humility that was.

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 And as followers of Jesus, this is to be our way as well.

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 Not me first.

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 But rather we're to be others first.

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 And how important is that in church life as well?

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 And how sad when that humility is lacking.

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 Jesus is our example.

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 But Jesus is far more than just our example.

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 And when we think of his atoning death on the cross,

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 we remember that what he did was not just an example for us to follow,

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 although certainly we are to take up our cross and follow him.

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 But Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins,

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 to take the punishment that we deserve,

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 to pay the price that we could never pay.

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 He was buried and rose again from the dead on the third day.

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 And he's risen, ascended to the Father's right hand.

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 And one day he will return in glory and in judgment.

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 But for now the call goes out to all to come to him

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 and to accept the invitation by faith.

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 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,

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 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,

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 but have everlasting life.

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 And those who accept the invitation will not perish,

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 but will have eternal life.

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 And Jesus reminds the people at the meal

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 about the kind of people who are on God's guest list.

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 It's not our rich neighbours or our own friends and relatives,

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 but the poor and the crippled and the lame and the blind.

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 And those who have no way of returning the favour.

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 And what a difference that is.

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 How different is God's kingdom to the way of the world?

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 The world says meek is weak,

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 but God says the meek shall inherit the earth.

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 We're going to look at the parable of the banquet itself now,

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 but you can see what I'm getting at with these words of introduction.

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 A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

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 And this parable about an earthly banquet

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 speaks of a heavenly banquet.

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 An entrance to it is by faith in God,

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 the one who has issued the invitation.

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 So let's just take a minute to identify the main characters in the parable.

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 Who do they refer to?

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 Well, first of all, there's the master of the house.

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 And the master of the house is God.

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 The gospel invitation is sent out by the servant.

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 And he goes out to invite people to come in.

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 Now, who is the servant?

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 Well, I think when it comes to this question,

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 there are quite a range of opinions.

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 There are those who refer to the servant as the prophets,

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 or perhaps John the Baptist,

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 or the evangelists, or the apostles.

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 And maybe the servant refers to us as believers,

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 or to Jesus himself.

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 In the Bible, especially in the book of Isaiah,

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 Jesus is spoken of as the great servant of the Lord.

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 And you might like to turn to Isaiah 42.

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 And we'll just read a few verses from there

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 where Jesus is spoken of as the servant.

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 Isaiah in chapter 42.

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 Behold my servant, whom I uphold,

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 my chosen, in whom my soul delights.

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 I have put my spirit upon him,

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 and he will bring forth justice to the nations.

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 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,

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 or make it heard in the street.

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 A bruised reed he will not break,

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 and a faintly burning wick he will not quench.

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 He will faithfully bring forth justice.

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 He will not grow faint or be discouraged,

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 till he has established justice in the earth,

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 and the coastlands wait for his law.

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 And then if we turn over to the New Testament as well,

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 in Philippians chapter 2,

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 and some really well-known verses there.

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 Philippians chapter 2,

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 and starting at verse 5.

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 Philippians 2 verse 5.

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 Have this mind among yourselves,

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 which is yours in Christ Jesus,

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 who, though he was in the form of God,

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 did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

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 but made himself nothing,

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 taking the form of a servant,

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 being born in the likeness of men.

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 And being found in human form,

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 he humbled himself by becoming obedient

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 to the point of death,

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 even death on a cross.

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 Therefore, God has highly exalted him

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 and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

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 so that at the name of Jesus,

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 every knee should bow in heaven

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 and on earth and under the earth,

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 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord

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 to the glory of God the Father.

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 So you see how the interpretation fits here.

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 On the one hand,

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 we as believers in the Lord Jesus

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 are called to go out into all the world

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 and to preach the gospel.

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 We are ambassadors for Christ.

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 So I think it's fair to say

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 that all of the views I just mentioned

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 about the identity of the servant in this parable

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 are correct.

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 Ultimately, the Lord Jesus

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 is the great servant of the Lord,

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 the one who is fully God and fully man.

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 The word became flesh

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 and dwelt among us,

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 and who during his earthly ministry

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 pursued his goal of calling people

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 out of darkness

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 and into his glorious light.

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 But right down through the Bible history,

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 we can see that the Old Testament prophets,

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 people like John the Baptist

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 and the apostles,

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 all were in a very special way

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 called to speak God's word

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 and to invite people to come to him.

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 But what about us today?

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 I mean, none of us here are apostles

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 or prophets,

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 as Elijah was a prophet

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 and Peter was an apostle.

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 Peter and John were among the 12 apostles.

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 But those of us who are believers

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 in the Lord Jesus

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 are sent ones.

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 We are sent out with the gospel.

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 That's what the word apostle means

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 in the original.

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 We are not apostles with a capital A

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 as the 12 apostles of the Lord,

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 but certainly with a small a.

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 And we have a great commission

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 and we are called to go

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 into all the world.

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 We are servants

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 and we are called to go out

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 and to invite.

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 We may be unworthy servants,

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 but we can do what we can.

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 We can serve the Lord

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 and preach the gospel

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 and invite people to come in

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 and as our text says,

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 to compel people to come in.

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 And so there's the master of the house,

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 there's the servant

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 who goes out with the invitation to all,

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 to the streets and lanes

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 and to the highways and hedges.

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 And finally,

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 there are two groups of people.

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 The first group are those

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 who accept the invitation

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 and come to the great banquet.

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 And then there's a second group

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 are those who reject the invitation.

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 And we'll see that they make excuses

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 and they turn down the invitation.

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 They reject it and they rubbish it.

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 And they are ultimately excluded

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 from the banquet.

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 And ultimately, of course,

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 in the teaching of the parable,

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 remembering that there's a heavenly meaning

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 in the story,

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 those who reject the invitation

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 will not be in heaven.

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 They will not take part

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 in God's heavenly banquet.

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 But just as in Jesus' day,

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 there were those who accepted

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 the invitation

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 and those who rejected

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 the invitation.

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 Even so,

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 when the invitation is given

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 nowadays,

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 amongst those who hear it,

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 some will accept it

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 and others will reject it.

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 But we're reminded

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 the invitation is very great

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 and it's an invitation

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 to eternal life.

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 And how wise it is

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 to take it

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 and to accept it

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 right now,

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 well, there is time.

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 And to enter into God's banquet

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 and to his kingdom

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 and ultimately

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 to have that hope

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 and assurance

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 of a place

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 at God's banquet

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 in heaven.

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 And so with these things in mind,

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 let's look at verse 15

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 of our text.

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 And this is a really key verse

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 to our understanding

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 of what follows.

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 We read that

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 one of those

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 who reclined at table

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 with Jesus

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 made a comment.

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 And the comment

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 he made

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 was in response

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 to Jesus' teaching

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 about the sort of people

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 who are on God's guest list.

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 And this man

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 made a comment

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 at the dinner

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 and he said,

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 blessed is he

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 who shall eat bread

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 in the kingdom of God.

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 I guess we all make

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 all kinds of comments

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 at dinner tables

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 and we talk

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 about all sorts

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 of things

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 at home

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 or families

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 and we're out

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 with friends

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 for a meal.

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 Sometimes there's silence

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 at the table

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 as is in the case

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 when Jesus healed

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 the ill man

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 over in chapter 14

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 and verses 4 and 6.

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 But on this occasion

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 at the meal,

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 this particular Pharisee

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 who also

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 must have been

00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:32.540
 an expert

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 in the law,

00:14:34.440 --> 00:14:36.060
 he made a serious comment

00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:37.820
 to be sure

00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:39.080
 we don't really know

00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:41.279
 what the man's thoughts were

00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:42.540
 but we can only guess

00:14:42.540 --> 00:14:43.860
 if his words

00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:45.120
 were truly genuine

00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:45.879
 or whether

00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.680
 there was a hint

00:14:46.680 --> 00:14:47.540
 of hypocrisy

00:14:47.540 --> 00:14:48.460
 in what he said.

00:14:49.560 --> 00:14:50.240
 And so we're left

00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:51.320
 with many questions.

00:14:52.180 --> 00:14:53.340
 And when he said,

00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:54.320
 blessed is he

00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:55.340
 who shall eat bread

00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:56.560
 in the kingdom of God,

00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.160
 was he

00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:59.240
 somehow presuming

00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.539
 that one day

00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:01.639
 he would make it to heaven

00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:03.279
 when in fact

00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:03.879
 he had no right

00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:04.879
 to expect this?

00:15:05.959 --> 00:15:07.219
 Was it just a sort of

00:15:07.219 --> 00:15:09.360
 a pious comment

00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:11.059
 by a Pharisee

00:15:11.059 --> 00:15:12.059
 seeking to impress

00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:13.120
 the other Pharisees

00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:13.699
 and lawyers

00:15:13.699 --> 00:15:14.480
 at the meal?

00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:17.000
 Or was this man

00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.059
 really genuinely

00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:20.279
 longing to be present

00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:21.179
 with the Lord

00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:21.720
 in heaven

00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:23.319
 and to partake

00:15:23.319 --> 00:15:24.379
 of the heavenly banquet?

00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:26.159
 We just don't know

00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:26.959
 for sure.

00:15:28.579 --> 00:15:29.419
 But what we do know

00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:29.959
 is that Jesus

00:15:29.959 --> 00:15:31.059
 told this parable

00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:32.079
 in response

00:15:32.079 --> 00:15:33.360
 to the man's comment.

00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:35.779
 Jesus said

00:15:35.779 --> 00:15:37.719
 in verses 16

00:15:37.719 --> 00:15:38.939
 and 17,

00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:41.059
 the man once

00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:42.100
 gave a great banquet

00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:43.559
 and invited many.

00:15:44.579 --> 00:15:45.219
 And at the time

00:15:45.219 --> 00:15:46.019
 for the banquet

00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.559
 he sent to his servant

00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:49.779
 to say to those

00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:50.639
 who had been invited,

00:15:50.959 --> 00:15:51.240
 come

00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.579
 for everything

00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:53.819
 is now ready.

00:15:53.820 --> 00:15:57.140
 The banquet

00:15:57.140 --> 00:15:57.940
 described here

00:15:57.940 --> 00:15:58.400
 would have been

00:15:58.400 --> 00:16:00.060
 a formal dinner,

00:16:01.060 --> 00:16:01.940
 a great feast

00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:02.760
 and the invitation

00:16:02.760 --> 00:16:03.500
 went out.

00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:05.160
 In fact,

00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:05.640
 I don't know if you

00:16:05.640 --> 00:16:06.560
 spotted this

00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:07.379
 but there's a double

00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.540
 invitation here,

00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:10.640
 a two-part invitation.

00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:11.260
 Firstly,

00:16:11.940 --> 00:16:13.080
 in verse 16

00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:13.760
 we read that

00:16:13.760 --> 00:16:15.000
 many were invited

00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:17.480
 and then in verse 17

00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.300
 there's a command,

00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:19.460
 come for all things

00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:20.160
 are now ready.

00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.419
 And when you think

00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:21.679
 of this

00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:23.319
 it makes perfect sense.

00:16:23.839 --> 00:16:24.939
 In Jesus' day

00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:26.319
 there was no such thing,

00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:28.219
 certainly we're talking

00:16:28.219 --> 00:16:29.639
 about a formal banquet,

00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:30.539
 there's no such thing

00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:31.600
 as fast food.

00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:33.339
 Animals would have

00:16:33.339 --> 00:16:34.939
 had to be slaughtered

00:16:34.939 --> 00:16:35.600
 and roasted

00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:38.439
 and so this would have

00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:39.779
 taken quite a bit

00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.219
 of time.

00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.659
 And also it's such

00:16:42.659 --> 00:16:43.399
 an obvious thing

00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:43.860
 to say

00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:44.579
 but people didn't

00:16:44.579 --> 00:16:45.199
 have watches.

00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:48.180
 So their sense of time

00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:48.520
 would have been

00:16:48.520 --> 00:16:49.300
 quite elastic

00:16:49.300 --> 00:16:50.780
 and of course

00:16:50.780 --> 00:16:51.200
 they didn't have

00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:51.620
 the sort of

00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.940
 communications networks

00:16:52.940 --> 00:16:54.580
 that we have today.

00:16:55.800 --> 00:16:56.680
 But can you see

00:16:56.680 --> 00:16:57.400
 the two parts

00:16:57.400 --> 00:16:58.500
 of the invitation here?

00:16:58.620 --> 00:16:58.980
 Firstly,

00:16:59.640 --> 00:17:00.480
 in verse 16

00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.960
 the many are invited

00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:02.580
 and secondly

00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:03.620
 the call went out,

00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:05.480
 come for all things

00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.240
 are now ready.

00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:08.920
 It was a two-part invitation.

00:17:10.080 --> 00:17:10.519
 There's another

00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.500
 really great example

00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:12.720
 of this in the Old Testament.

00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:14.640
 If you know your Bible well

00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:15.500
 you'll remember

00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.920
 in the book of Esther

00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:19.480
 Queen Esther invited

00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:21.000
 the king and Haman

00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.900
 to a banquet

00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:23.720
 and remember

00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.920
 the banquet was announced

00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:27.060
 and that was the first part

00:17:27.060 --> 00:17:27.740
 of the invitation

00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.680
 in chapter 5

00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:29.320
 verse 8

00:17:29.320 --> 00:17:31.060
 but it wasn't until later

00:17:31.060 --> 00:17:32.540
 chapter 6

00:17:32.540 --> 00:17:33.580
 verse 14

00:17:33.580 --> 00:17:35.140
 when the king's servant

00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:36.040
 brought Haman

00:17:36.040 --> 00:17:36.840
 to the banquet.

00:17:37.560 --> 00:17:38.660
 So it's the exact same thing

00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:39.620
 is happening there.

00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:41.060
 There's the initial call

00:17:41.060 --> 00:17:41.740
 that goes out

00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.320
 and then

00:17:42.320 --> 00:17:44.060
 the second part

00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:45.399
 has basically come

00:17:45.399 --> 00:17:46.440
 where all things

00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.200
 are now ready.

00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:49.700
 So the master

00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.159
 of the house

00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:51.000
 gave the invitation

00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.960
 to the servant

00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.899
 and the servant

00:17:52.899 --> 00:17:53.619
 went out

00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:54.700
 to bring the people in.

00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:56.740
 But the astounding thing

00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.559
 is that despite

00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.259
 the kindness

00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:59.419
 of the master

00:17:59.419 --> 00:18:00.519
 and his generosity

00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:03.139
 and gracious invitation

00:18:03.139 --> 00:18:04.019
 to come to

00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:05.599
 such a lavish banquet

00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:07.359
 there are many

00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:08.000
 who declined

00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.519
 the offer.

00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.799
 And not only so

00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.399
 but they did it

00:18:11.399 --> 00:18:11.899
 in such

00:18:11.899 --> 00:18:13.379
 an ungrateful

00:18:13.379 --> 00:18:14.299
 manner.

00:18:15.399 --> 00:18:16.059
 We read that

00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:17.139
 they all alike

00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:18.440
 with one accord

00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:20.279
 made excuses

00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.859
 and three excuses

00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:22.539
 are mentioned

00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:24.159
 in verses 18 to 20

00:18:24.159 --> 00:18:24.740
 and we'll look at

00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.500
 those just now.

00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.399
 If you're taking notes

00:18:27.399 --> 00:18:28.740
 the heading here

00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:28.940
 is

00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:30.599
 silly excuses

00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:32.339
 verses 18 to 20.

00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:34.879
 the first two excuses

00:18:34.879 --> 00:18:35.899
 have a sort of

00:18:35.899 --> 00:18:37.879
 formality

00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:38.919
 attached to them

00:18:38.919 --> 00:18:41.679
 request to be excused

00:18:41.679 --> 00:18:43.419
 whereas the third

00:18:43.419 --> 00:18:43.899
 excuse

00:18:43.899 --> 00:18:44.939
 while seemingly

00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:46.339
 quite plausible

00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:47.240
 is just downright

00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:47.679
 blunt

00:18:47.679 --> 00:18:48.379
 and no hint

00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:49.099
 of politeness

00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:50.059
 in it at all.

00:18:51.899 --> 00:18:52.939
 All three excuses

00:18:52.939 --> 00:18:54.119
 are lame excuses

00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:55.720
 and quite ridiculous

00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.759
 to the point

00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.740
 of being absurd.

00:18:57.740 --> 00:19:00.799
 When you think about it

00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.259
 no wonder

00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:01.940
 that the master

00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:02.720
 of the house

00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.299
 was angry

00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:04.099
 as we read

00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:05.059
 in verse 21.

00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.180
 I guess

00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.460
 in everyday life

00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:10.359
 we all have excuses

00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:11.279
 for various

00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:12.380
 things

00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:12.960
 that we don't

00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.680
 want to do.

00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:15.099
 Maybe like me

00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:15.859
 you could write a book

00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:16.640
 on excuses

00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:17.880
 that you've used

00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:18.599
 in the past

00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:20.660
 but as we look

00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.319
 at the excuses

00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:22.220
 in the parable

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:23.000
 the amazing thing

00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.420
 is

00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:25.420
 although the lifestyle

00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.200
 and culture

00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:26.819
 of the time

00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:27.639
 the parable

00:19:27.639 --> 00:19:28.139
 is written

00:19:28.139 --> 00:19:30.539
 is vastly different

00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:32.220
 from our own day.

00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:34.139
 The excuses given

00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:36.679
 for not taking seriously

00:19:36.679 --> 00:19:37.460
 the call

00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:38.419
 to faith in God

00:19:38.419 --> 00:19:39.339
 are much the same.

00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:41.859
 And in our text

00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:43.039
 here in Luke 14

00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:44.539
 clearly those

00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.419
 mentioned

00:19:45.419 --> 00:19:46.799
 considered

00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.839
 other things

00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:48.679
 more important

00:19:48.679 --> 00:19:49.359
 than coming

00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.059
 to the banquet.

00:19:51.939 --> 00:19:52.779
 Now here are

00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.379
 the excuses.

00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:54.679
 Excuse number one

00:19:54.679 --> 00:19:56.220
 I've bought a piece

00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:56.740
 of ground

00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.660
 and I must go

00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:58.640
 and see it.

00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.799
 And so we wonder

00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.460
 why the man

00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:01.940
 didn't go

00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.779
 and see the land

00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.359
 first

00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:04.019
 before

00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:06.319
 he bought it.

00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.559
 Would you really

00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.720
 buy some land

00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.420
 without first

00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.099
 viewing it?

00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.740
 I think that's

00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:13.579
 certainly possible

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.460
 but it's certainly

00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.299
 not a wise

00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.319
 thing to do.

00:20:18.380 --> 00:20:19.420
 Excuse number two

00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:19.900
 I've bought

00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:20.740
 five yoke

00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.579
 of oxen

00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:21.960
 and I'm going

00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:22.720
 to test them.

00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:25.160
 and he was

00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:25.839
 actually on

00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:26.360
 his way

00:20:26.360 --> 00:20:27.079
 to test

00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:27.900
 the oxen

00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:29.319
 and again

00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:30.440
 beggars belief

00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.420
 why the man

00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.360
 would not have

00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.380
 tested the oxen

00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:34.059
 first

00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:35.480
 for their usefulness

00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.740
 before he brought

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.360
 the animals.

00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:39.480
 How foolish

00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.100
 or maybe

00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:41.120
 just how ridiculous.

00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:43.660
 And so you get

00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.519
 the impression

00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.160
 that the man

00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:46.240
 was speaking

00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:47.220
 as he was walking.

00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:49.500
 I don't know

00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.299
 if he would even

00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:50.720
 have stopped

00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.319
 for a moment

00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:52.779
 to speak

00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.660
 to the servant

00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.440
 out of courtesy.

00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.000
 He made his

00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.680
 excuse

00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:58.059
 and he was off.

00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.759
 He was going.

00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:00.500
 And then excuse

00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.160
 number three

00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:02.240
 I've married a wife

00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.900
 and therefore

00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:04.160
 I cannot come.

00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.279
 And this excuse

00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:07.019
 is really the most

00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:08.339
 blunt of the three.

00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.059
 It's abrupt

00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:10.000
 and the man

00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:10.660
 doesn't even

00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.720
 say please

00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.279
 can you have me

00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.059
 excused.

00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.220
 He just

00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:15.579
 rejects the invitation

00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:16.039
 outright.

00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:18.360
 That said

00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:19.600
 at first glance

00:21:19.600 --> 00:21:20.740
 this excuse

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.360
 might seem

00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:22.839
 to be plausible

00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:24.779
 at least

00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.360
 on the basis

00:21:25.360 --> 00:21:26.400
 of the Old Testament.

00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.339
 If you know

00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:28.339
 your Bible well

00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:29.579
 you remember

00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.720
 in Deuteronomy

00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.660
 24

00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:32.940
 verse 5

00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:34.140
 a man

00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:34.660
 who just got

00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:34.980
 married

00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:35.900
 was exempt

00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:36.799
 from military

00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:38.079
 service for a year

00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:39.400
 and also

00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:40.259
 from other

00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:41.620
 certain responsibilities

00:21:41.620 --> 00:21:42.460
 in business.

00:21:43.600 --> 00:21:44.460
 But even so

00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.420
 the excuse

00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:46.380
 is quite ridiculous

00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:48.240
 and the banquet

00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.780
 has nothing

00:21:48.780 --> 00:21:49.340
 to do with

00:21:49.340 --> 00:21:50.340
 military service

00:21:50.340 --> 00:21:51.900
 and in any case

00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:52.580
 the man's wife

00:21:52.580 --> 00:21:53.260
 would have been

00:21:53.260 --> 00:21:54.140
 most welcome

00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.400
 to come to the banquet

00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.800
 as well.

00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:58.860
 And so there are

00:21:58.860 --> 00:22:00.000
 three silly

00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.940
 excuses here.

00:22:02.840 --> 00:22:03.740
 But what about

00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.440
 here and now

00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:05.040
 today?

00:22:06.860 --> 00:22:07.580
 I preached on

00:22:07.580 --> 00:22:08.340
 this passage

00:22:08.340 --> 00:22:08.980
 in Peebles

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:10.060
 a few months ago

00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:11.159
 and in such

00:22:11.159 --> 00:22:11.980
 a rural

00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.759
 and farming

00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.319
 community

00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:13.720
 I guess

00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.159
 there may have

00:22:14.159 --> 00:22:14.579
 been some

00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:14.980
 people

00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:16.279
 in the church

00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:17.599
 who would be

00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.119
 in the business

00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:18.940
 of buying land

00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.919
 and buying animals

00:22:19.919 --> 00:22:21.559
 but I expect

00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.879
 for us here

00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:23.500
 today

00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:24.399
 in the big city

00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:26.339
 as none of us

00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:27.299
 will be

00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:27.879
 I think

00:22:27.879 --> 00:22:28.200
 anyway

00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.980
 going out

00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.240
 to buy land

00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:30.980
 or five yoke

00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.619
 of oxen

00:22:31.619 --> 00:22:32.859
 tomorrow morning.

00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:35.299
 But in fact

00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:35.959
 regardless

00:22:35.959 --> 00:22:37.199
 of our culture

00:22:37.199 --> 00:22:38.139
 or location

00:22:38.139 --> 00:22:39.519
 people have

00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.579
 many many excuses

00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:41.699
 for not accepting

00:22:41.699 --> 00:22:43.099
 God's invitation

00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:45.599
 and the excuses

00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:46.339
 are essentially

00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:46.919
 the same

00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.619
 as the ones

00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:48.699
 we just read about

00:22:48.699 --> 00:22:50.899
 although the culture

00:22:50.899 --> 00:22:51.419
 of the day

00:22:51.419 --> 00:22:52.319
 was very different

00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.099
 from ours

00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:54.619
 and none of those

00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:55.139
 excuses

00:22:55.139 --> 00:22:56.399
 that were made

00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:57.339
 or can ever

00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.079
 be made

00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:59.399
 are valid.

00:23:01.439 --> 00:23:02.419
 There are many

00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.360
 things that are

00:23:03.360 --> 00:23:04.440
 important in life

00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.180
 our families

00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:07.200
 our friends

00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.940
 our employment

00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:09.519
 our homes

00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.840
 our families

00:23:10.840 --> 00:23:11.539
 are very dear

00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.420
 to us in fact

00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:14.519
 and other things

00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.259
 are necessary

00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:16.320
 our work

00:23:16.320 --> 00:23:16.840
 and a home

00:23:16.840 --> 00:23:17.519
 to live in

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:19.740
 but there's nothing

00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.620
 more important

00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:21.380
 in all the world

00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:22.519
 than how we respond

00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.980
 to God's invitation

00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:26.100
 and you can accept

00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:26.759
 it or you can

00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.600
 reject it

00:23:27.600 --> 00:23:30.039
 but by putting

00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.620
 it off

00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:31.840
 till another time

00:23:31.839 --> 00:23:32.379
 because you're

00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:32.980
 too busy

00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:35.119
 or now's

00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:36.000
 not a convenient

00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.679
 time

00:23:36.679 --> 00:23:38.319
 it's just the same

00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:39.500
 as rejecting it

00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:41.359
 and rejecting

00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:42.000
 the invitation

00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.000
 comes with

00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:44.099
 consequences

00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:44.879
 as we'll see

00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.559
 in a moment

00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.220
 in the following

00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.720
 verses

00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:50.139
 but my first point

00:23:50.139 --> 00:23:50.779
 was to

00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.980
 draw your attention

00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.740
 to the silly

00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.220
 excuses

00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:54.179
 of the parable

00:23:54.179 --> 00:23:56.419
 and now

00:23:56.419 --> 00:23:56.859
 in verses

00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:58.699
 22 and 23

00:23:58.699 --> 00:23:59.299
 we're looking

00:23:59.299 --> 00:24:00.299
 at surprises

00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:03.240
 and we see

00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:03.799
 that the master

00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.240
 of the house

00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:04.759
 is angry

00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.759
 because the

00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.700
 excuse is given

00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.960
 by those who

00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.960
 rejected his

00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.819
 kind invitation

00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.720
 and no wonder

00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:12.779
 and so he sends

00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.240
 the servant

00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:13.940
 out again

00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.539
 this time

00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:16.579
 in great haste

00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.319
 and you can

00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.019
 almost imagine

00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.599
 the servant

00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.619
 being driven out

00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:20.779
 by his master

00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.659
 into the city

00:24:21.659 --> 00:24:23.559
 and after all

00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:23.980
 the banquet

00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:24.559
 was ready

00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.359
 and there was

00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:26.039
 no time

00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:26.679
 to lose

00:24:26.679 --> 00:24:28.039
 time was short

00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:29.379
 and there was

00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:29.759
 a certain

00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.500
 urgency

00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:32.179
 about the matter

00:24:32.179 --> 00:24:32.720
 and he says

00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.599
 go out quickly

00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:36.000
 but here the

00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:36.799
 surprising thing

00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.399
 is that he

00:24:37.399 --> 00:24:37.980
 didn't say

00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:39.460
 go out quickly

00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.240
 to the rich

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:41.039
 and to the

00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:42.079
 important people

00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:44.099
 to the people

00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:45.039
 of high standing

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:46.359
 and the wealthy

00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:48.220
 influential

00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:48.940
 but he says

00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:50.419
 bring in the poor

00:24:50.419 --> 00:24:51.740
 and the maimed

00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.559
 and the lame

00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:53.879
 and the blind

00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:56.180
 and how interesting

00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:56.800
 that is

00:24:56.800 --> 00:24:58.500
 those who

00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.220
 in effect

00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.920
 had nothing

00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:00.680
 at all

00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:02.160
 to give in return

00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.240
 were invited

00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:06.000
 but we need to be

00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:06.900
 careful here as well

00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.960
 not misunderstand

00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:09.800
 what's being said

00:25:09.800 --> 00:25:11.740
 remember there's a

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.600
 heavenly meaning

00:25:12.600 --> 00:25:13.640
 in the parable

00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:15.440
 and so the poverty

00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.380
 and the blindness

00:25:16.380 --> 00:25:17.580
 spoken of here

00:25:17.580 --> 00:25:18.860
 doesn't refer

00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:19.720
 to physical

00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:21.400
 disability

00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:23.140
 but rather

00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:23.940
 to spiritual

00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.580
 condition

00:25:24.580 --> 00:25:26.780
 in other words

00:25:26.780 --> 00:25:27.520
 those who are

00:25:27.520 --> 00:25:28.600
 spiritually blind

00:25:28.600 --> 00:25:29.240
 those who are

00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.280
 poor in spirit

00:25:30.280 --> 00:25:31.880
 those who are

00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:32.880
 crippled spiritually

00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.560
 and unable

00:25:33.560 --> 00:25:34.240
 to straighten

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.900
 themselves up

00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:35.240
 again

00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:38.280
 and so the servant

00:25:38.280 --> 00:25:38.740
 goes out

00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.480
 at the master's

00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:39.740
 command

00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.740
 into the streets

00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.280
 and lanes

00:25:41.280 --> 00:25:41.920
 of the city

00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.840
 and yet

00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.440
 there was still

00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:43.860
 room

00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:46.540
 and so the master

00:25:46.540 --> 00:25:47.240
 sends them out

00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.560
 again

00:25:47.560 --> 00:25:48.060
 this time

00:25:48.060 --> 00:25:48.780
 to the highways

00:25:48.780 --> 00:25:49.620
 and hedges

00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.660
 with the command

00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:51.700
 compel them

00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:53.040
 to come in

00:25:53.040 --> 00:25:54.920
 the streets

00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.500
 and lanes

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.460
 probably refer

00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.540
 to cities

00:25:57.540 --> 00:25:58.120
 and towns

00:25:58.120 --> 00:25:58.860
 whereas the highways

00:25:58.860 --> 00:25:59.580
 and hedges

00:25:59.580 --> 00:26:01.400
 the rural areas

00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:02.000
 the countryside

00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:02.720
 areas

00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:04.360
 and we can see

00:26:04.360 --> 00:26:05.000
 here clearly

00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:06.000
 I think that the gospel

00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.720
 is to go out

00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:08.000
 to all people

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.940
 in every place

00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:10.480
 the gospel

00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.240
 is to be preached

00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.740
 everywhere

00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.820
 to all nations

00:26:12.820 --> 00:26:13.440
 in fact

00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:15.180
 in the cities

00:26:15.180 --> 00:26:16.060
 and in the streets

00:26:16.060 --> 00:26:16.779
 and lanes

00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:18.579
 in the countryside

00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.319
 everywhere

00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:20.539
 and people

00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:21.579
 are to be compelled

00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:22.399
 to come in

00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:23.759
 how are we going

00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.660
 to compel people

00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.319
 to come in

00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:25.779
 we're not going

00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.599
 to use force

00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:28.079
 and certainly

00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.660
 we're not going

00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.559
 to use the sword

00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.819
 or persecution

00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:33.660
 but a genuine

00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.339
 concern

00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.059
 and courtesy

00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:36.180
 and love

00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:36.980
 were to compel

00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.980
 them to come in

00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:40.680
 but that's not

00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.599
 the end of the story

00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:42.759
 point number one

00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.639
 was that there were

00:26:43.639 --> 00:26:44.539
 silly excuses

00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:46.460
 point number two

00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.319
 there were surprises

00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.960
 and my final point

00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:50.200
 number three

00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:51.200
 there is still room

00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:53.900
 verse 22 says

00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:56.259
 master it is done

00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.259
 as you commanded

00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:59.019
 and still there is room

00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:02.160
 there is still room

00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:04.319
 there is a great banquet

00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.079
 and you are invited

00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:05.660
 to come

00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:06.680
 and there are still

00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:08.140
 spaces at the table

00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:10.840
 and that's the good news

00:27:10.840 --> 00:27:12.720
 the Lord says come

00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:14.620
 for all things

00:27:14.620 --> 00:27:15.400
 are now ready

00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:17.800
 there is so much

00:27:17.800 --> 00:27:18.660
 more that could be said

00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:19.580
 about this parable

00:27:19.580 --> 00:27:20.759
 but for now

00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:22.060
 it's time to draw

00:27:22.060 --> 00:27:23.080
 things to a close

00:27:23.080 --> 00:27:24.200
 and just very

00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:25.680
 brief thoughts

00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:27.080
 by way of conclusion

00:27:27.080 --> 00:27:28.620
 three brief thoughts

00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:30.380
 there is an invitation

00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:31.320
 to be accepted

00:27:31.320 --> 00:27:33.600
 and there is a warning

00:27:33.600 --> 00:27:34.340
 here as well

00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:35.040
 to be heeded

00:27:35.040 --> 00:27:36.240
 and there is a mission

00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.580
 to be accomplished

00:27:37.580 --> 00:27:40.280
 first of all

00:27:40.280 --> 00:27:40.800
 there is an invitation

00:27:40.800 --> 00:27:41.860
 to be accepted

00:27:41.860 --> 00:27:43.560
 and that's very clear

00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.720
 I think from this passage

00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.399
 this evening

00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:47.980
 wouldn't it be great

00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:48.759
 if someone here

00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:50.139
 or if you listen

00:27:50.139 --> 00:27:51.579
 to a recording of this

00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:54.159
 wouldn't it be great

00:27:54.159 --> 00:27:55.639
 if someone accepted

00:27:55.639 --> 00:27:56.799
 God's invitation

00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.399
 to come

00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:59.879
 maybe you don't feel

00:27:59.879 --> 00:28:00.579
 very good

00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.899
 or worthy to come

00:28:01.899 --> 00:28:03.419
 maybe you don't feel

00:28:03.419 --> 00:28:04.399
 very religious

00:28:04.399 --> 00:28:06.359
 all I can say

00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:07.039
 is the invitation

00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:08.419
 is addressed to you

00:28:08.419 --> 00:28:08.960
 personally

00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:12.380
 and maybe the concerns

00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:12.940
 of life

00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:14.220
 have taken first place

00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.120
 in your life

00:28:15.120 --> 00:28:16.380
 and maybe over many years

00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:16.900
 in fact

00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:19.120
 your career

00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:21.900
 and your job

00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:23.319
 your professional development

00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.039
 your home

00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:25.559
 and family

00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:27.480
 and a hundred other things

00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.620
 have got in the way

00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:31.579
 your business of life

00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:33.279
 and all the things

00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:35.500
 that you need to do

00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.440
 or you want to do

00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:37.400
 you're so busy

00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:38.700
 that you don't have

00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:39.680
 time for God

00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:41.140
 maybe the Lord

00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:42.039
 is saying to you

00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.640
 this evening

00:28:42.640 --> 00:28:43.600
 now is the time

00:28:43.600 --> 00:28:45.140
 to put first things first

00:28:45.140 --> 00:28:47.100
 and no excuses

00:28:47.100 --> 00:28:49.400
 there are other things

00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:49.840
 of course

00:28:49.840 --> 00:28:50.680
 that are really important

00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.299
 in life

00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:55.019
 but this

00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:56.500
 takes a priority

00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:58.080
 this is the first thing

00:28:58.080 --> 00:28:59.460
 and this is the most

00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.380
 important thing

00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:04.380
 maybe you don't feel

00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:05.299
 worthy enough

00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:06.400
 to come to the Lord

00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:06.720
 well

00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.620
 all I can say

00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:08.500
 is that this parable

00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:10.320
 is for you

00:29:10.320 --> 00:29:11.840
 who did the master

00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:12.580
 of the house

00:29:12.580 --> 00:29:14.400
 invite

00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:16.160
 those who are

00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:17.200
 spiritually poor

00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:18.840
 and maimed

00:29:18.840 --> 00:29:19.400
 and blind

00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:20.980
 those are the ones

00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.720
 who are welcomed

00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.660
 with open arms

00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.519
 to come

00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:24.360
 to the banquet

00:29:24.360 --> 00:29:26.720
 there's a

00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:28.480
 kindness

00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.600
 and a graciousness

00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:31.280
 in this invitation

00:29:31.280 --> 00:29:34.360
 that he would invite

00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:36.000
 people like us

00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.559
 to come

00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.899
 to the great banquet

00:29:37.899 --> 00:29:38.379
 to come

00:29:38.379 --> 00:29:39.279
 into his kingdom

00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:40.459
 and that's the good news

00:29:40.459 --> 00:29:43.279
 you see

00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:43.879
 secondly here

00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:44.619
 there's a warning

00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:45.479
 to be heeded

00:29:45.479 --> 00:29:46.119
 a warning

00:29:46.119 --> 00:29:47.619
 to the religious

00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:49.359
 and that might seem

00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:49.899
 like a

00:29:49.899 --> 00:29:50.859
 quite a strange

00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:51.559
 thing to say

00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.179
 but remember

00:29:52.179 --> 00:29:53.899
 when Jesus spoke

00:29:53.899 --> 00:29:55.099
 the words of this parable

00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:56.399
 who was he speaking to

00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:57.139
 he was speaking to

00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:57.740
 people who were

00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.460
 very very

00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:59.620
 very religious

00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:03.240
 there were people

00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:03.740
 who were

00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.840
 known to be

00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:05.540
 very religious

00:30:05.540 --> 00:30:06.960
 and outstandingly

00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:08.060
 so in fact

00:30:08.060 --> 00:30:09.920
 they were Pharisees

00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:11.060
 the people

00:30:11.060 --> 00:30:12.120
 looked up to them

00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:13.600
 as religious people

00:30:13.600 --> 00:30:16.700
 but we have the benefit

00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.240
 of hindsight

00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:17.880
 today

00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:18.820
 and we have the whole

00:30:18.820 --> 00:30:19.220
 Bible

00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:20.300
 in our hands

00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:23.259
 and we know

00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:24.039
 that on the part

00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:25.019
 of the Jews

00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.019
 there was a rejection

00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:27.019
 of the gospel

00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.879
 they were the ones

00:30:27.879 --> 00:30:29.599
 who first were invited

00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.619
 and they rejected

00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.339
 the invitation

00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:33.339
 and then what happened

00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:33.680
 next

00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.539
 they were cut off

00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:35.779
 for a season

00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:37.220
 and you can read

00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:37.940
 all about that

00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:39.379
 in the book of Romans

00:30:39.379 --> 00:30:40.180
 particularly

00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:42.639
 from 9 onwards

00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:43.919
 chapter 11

00:30:43.919 --> 00:30:45.159
 as well

00:30:45.159 --> 00:30:48.319
 and so the invitation

00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:48.940
 has gone out

00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:49.839
 to the Gentiles

00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:50.579
 first

00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.459
 the invitation

00:30:51.459 --> 00:30:52.220
 has gone out

00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:53.119
 to the prophets

00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:54.879
 now in Jesus

00:30:54.879 --> 00:30:56.179
 the second invitation

00:30:56.179 --> 00:30:56.740
 is given

00:30:56.740 --> 00:31:00.159
 the religious elite

00:31:00.159 --> 00:31:00.799
 the Jews

00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.480
 rejected

00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.539
 the invitation

00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:03.399
 now the gospel

00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:04.099
 has gone out

00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:05.399
 to the Gentiles

00:31:05.399 --> 00:31:06.740
 there's some deep

00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.399
 theology

00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:08.359
 in these things

00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:09.099
 and it's good for us

00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:10.099
 to think about it

00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:12.659
 and to ponder

00:31:12.659 --> 00:31:13.579
 God's plan

00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:15.379
 and his amazing ways

00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:18.119
 what does this mean

00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:19.539
 for us here today

00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:20.759
 here and now

00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:22.420
 of course it's not

00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:23.599
 a bad thing per se

00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:24.559
 to be religious

00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:26.200
 but the fact is

00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:27.039
 it's possible to be

00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:28.019
 very very religious

00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:29.240
 and yet not to be

00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.399
 on the road to heaven

00:31:30.399 --> 00:31:32.559
 and that's just a plain fact

00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:34.099
 and read about that

00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:35.720
 through the Bible

00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:36.779
 and through the history

00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.379
 of the church

00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:38.420
 there's so many examples

00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:39.039
 of that

00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:41.039
 the Pharisee

00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.740
 who was sitting

00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.460
 at the table

00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.159
 with Jesus

00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:45.960
 of all people

00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:46.800
 could have sung

00:31:46.800 --> 00:31:47.600
 the words of that

00:31:47.600 --> 00:31:48.680
 really old hymn

00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:50.920
 that we very occasionally

00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:53.300
 rarely sing these days

00:31:53.300 --> 00:31:54.259
 when the trumpet

00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:54.920
 of the Lord

00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:55.640
 shall sound

00:31:55.640 --> 00:31:56.420
 when the roll

00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:57.080
 is called up

00:31:57.080 --> 00:31:57.640
 beyonder

00:31:57.640 --> 00:31:58.840
 I'll be there

00:31:58.840 --> 00:32:01.960
 but did he really

00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.920
 make it to heaven

00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:04.920
 we don't know that

00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:05.759
 and

00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:07.779
 you can see

00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.779
 he can be very

00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.460
 very religious

00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:10.220
 and yet not

00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:11.579
 on the road to heaven

00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:14.220
 what can we do

00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:14.860
 about this

00:32:14.860 --> 00:32:15.759
 or what can be done

00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.440
 about this

00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:17.480
 well I believe

00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.120
 the first thing

00:32:18.120 --> 00:32:18.519
 is this

00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:19.240
 to take heed

00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:20.420
 to the warning

00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:21.960
 here in this parable

00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:23.519
 and secondly

00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.140
 to pray

00:32:24.140 --> 00:32:25.019
 and to ask

00:32:25.019 --> 00:32:26.140
 for God's help

00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:28.160
 that we may be assured

00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:28.980
 that we are

00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:30.160
 really trusting

00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:31.160
 in Jesus

00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:34.319
 not in anything else

00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:35.660
 not in our good works

00:32:35.660 --> 00:32:39.480
 not in who we are

00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.100
 the good things

00:32:40.099 --> 00:32:40.839
 that we have done

00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:41.519
 we are trusting

00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:42.559
 in Jesus alone

00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:43.819
 for salvation

00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:46.480
 and how important

00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.459
 this is

00:32:47.459 --> 00:32:47.759
 to

00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:50.259
 take such great care

00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.119
 if we find ourselves

00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:52.500
 drifting or wavering

00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.559
 in our faith

00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:58.240
 I was thinking

00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:58.839
 of an illustration

00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:59.480
 of this

00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.359
 and a few months ago

00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:00.859
 I remember

00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:02.240
 there was that story

00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:02.899
 in the news

00:33:02.899 --> 00:33:03.459
 and there was

00:33:03.459 --> 00:33:05.659
 a P&O ferry

00:33:05.659 --> 00:33:06.740
 that

00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:08.159
 had gone adrift

00:33:08.160 --> 00:33:09.740
 it was

00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:10.240
 I think

00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.640
 going from

00:33:10.640 --> 00:33:11.759
 Cairn Ryan

00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:13.340
 over to Larn

00:33:13.340 --> 00:33:15.019
 and it lost

00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.580
 all power

00:33:15.580 --> 00:33:16.279
 in the engines

00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:17.700
 and here's this ferry

00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.440
 sort of drifting

00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:20.000
 drifting along

00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:23.480
 I thought

00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:24.000
 how good

00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.480
 an illustration

00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.279
 is that

00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:26.200
 is that

00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:27.200
 anyway like us

00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:27.900
 as Christians

00:33:27.900 --> 00:33:28.340
 at the time

00:33:28.340 --> 00:33:28.779
 we're sort of

00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.200
 drifting

00:33:29.200 --> 00:33:32.500
 an action

00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.059
 needs to be

00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:33.460
 taken

00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:34.580
 just supposing

00:33:34.580 --> 00:33:35.299
 the

00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:36.920
 captain

00:33:36.920 --> 00:33:38.019
 of that vessel

00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:39.360
 had said

00:33:39.360 --> 00:33:41.220
 to the first mate

00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:42.580
 on the boat

00:33:42.580 --> 00:33:44.580
 you know

00:33:44.580 --> 00:33:45.160
 we've lost

00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:45.720
 all power

00:33:45.720 --> 00:33:46.460
 in the engines

00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:48.299
 but not to worry

00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:49.019
 we'll just

00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:50.539
 we'll drift along

00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:51.700
 and a few hours

00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.200
 we'll drift

00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:53.940
 into Larn

00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.840
 everything

00:33:54.840 --> 00:33:55.519
 will be okay

00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:57.400
 well I think

00:33:57.400 --> 00:33:57.859
 you know

00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:58.519
 if the first mate

00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:58.859
 was

00:33:58.859 --> 00:34:00.819
 in any way

00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:01.519
 good at his job

00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:01.960
 he wouldn't be

00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:02.440
 too happy

00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:02.980
 with that

00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.460
 he'd be

00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:04.059
 saying

00:34:04.059 --> 00:34:04.460
 no no

00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:04.799
 we need

00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:05.139
 we need

00:34:05.139 --> 00:34:05.299
 to

00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:06.119
 put the

00:34:06.119 --> 00:34:06.720
 maide signal

00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:06.980
 out

00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:07.299
 we need

00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:07.759
 to get

00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:08.300
 the

00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:09.519
 we need

00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:09.900
 help

00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:12.219
 and of course

00:34:12.219 --> 00:34:12.900
 there was a

00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:13.639
 good outcome

00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:14.259
 to that

00:34:14.259 --> 00:34:14.840
 story

00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:15.519
 and you remember

00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.380
 that

00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:17.559
 after about

00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:17.920
 an hour

00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.820
 adrift

00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.380
 in the Irish

00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:19.780
 sea

00:34:19.780 --> 00:34:21.699
 ferry

00:34:21.699 --> 00:34:22.259
 got in

00:34:22.259 --> 00:34:22.719
 tow

00:34:22.719 --> 00:34:23.340
 tugboats

00:34:23.340 --> 00:34:23.759
 were sent

00:34:23.759 --> 00:34:23.980
 out

00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:24.340
 from

00:34:24.340 --> 00:34:25.360
 Belfast

00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:26.440
 and so

00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:26.660
 there was

00:34:26.660 --> 00:34:26.940
 a good

00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.360
 ending

00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:28.360
 and the

00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:28.519
 boat

00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:29.180
 got safely

00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:29.880
 into

00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.920
 the dock

00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:32.740
 but if

00:34:32.740 --> 00:34:32.940
 we're

00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:33.360
 in our

00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:33.740
 Christian

00:34:33.740 --> 00:34:34.120
 faith

00:34:34.120 --> 00:34:34.519
 if we're

00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.000
 drifting

00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:35.460
 if we're

00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:36.059
 wavering

00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:36.380
 if we're

00:34:36.380 --> 00:34:36.740
 not the

00:34:36.740 --> 00:34:37.120
 Christians

00:34:37.120 --> 00:34:37.480
 we used

00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:37.780
 to be

00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:37.980
 we're

00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:38.440
 going

00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:38.940
 back

00:34:38.940 --> 00:34:39.660
 instead

00:34:39.660 --> 00:34:40.000
 of going

00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:40.620
 forward

00:34:40.620 --> 00:34:42.620
 take heed

00:34:42.620 --> 00:34:42.940
 to the

00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.360
 warning

00:34:43.360 --> 00:34:44.140
 is what

00:34:44.140 --> 00:34:44.720
 this parable

00:34:44.720 --> 00:34:45.320
 says

00:34:45.320 --> 00:34:47.620
 don't go

00:34:47.620 --> 00:34:48.140
 on drifting

00:34:48.140 --> 00:34:48.680
 at the

00:34:48.680 --> 00:34:49.000
 end

00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:50.240
 you know

00:34:50.240 --> 00:34:50.920
 just like

00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:51.260
 the boat

00:34:51.260 --> 00:34:51.539
 you could

00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:52.160
 be dashed

00:34:52.160 --> 00:34:52.460
 on the

00:34:52.460 --> 00:34:52.780
 rocks

00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:54.539
 to use

00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:54.680
 the

00:34:54.680 --> 00:34:55.200
 illustration

00:34:55.199 --> 00:34:56.339
 but take

00:34:56.339 --> 00:34:56.859
 action

00:34:56.859 --> 00:34:57.919
 take the

00:34:57.919 --> 00:34:58.279
 warning

00:34:58.279 --> 00:34:59.739
 and pray

00:34:59.739 --> 00:35:00.199
 to God

00:35:00.199 --> 00:35:00.759
 for help

00:35:00.759 --> 00:35:03.019
 there's an

00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:03.419
 invitation

00:35:03.419 --> 00:35:03.839
 to be

00:35:03.839 --> 00:35:04.299
 accepted

00:35:04.299 --> 00:35:04.819
 there's a

00:35:04.819 --> 00:35:05.159
 warning

00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:05.679
 to be

00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:06.000
 heeded

00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:06.659
 and thirdly

00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.199
 and finally

00:35:07.199 --> 00:35:08.139
 there's a

00:35:08.139 --> 00:35:08.399
 mission

00:35:08.399 --> 00:35:09.059
 to be

00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:09.659
 accomplished

00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:12.899
 the man

00:35:12.899 --> 00:35:13.159
 at the

00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:13.440
 table

00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:13.679
 with

00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:13.960
 Jesus

00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:14.420
 said

00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:14.859
 blessed

00:35:14.859 --> 00:35:15.139
 is

00:35:15.139 --> 00:35:15.579
 everyone

00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:16.099
 who

00:35:16.099 --> 00:35:16.259
 will

00:35:16.259 --> 00:35:16.480
 eat

00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:16.960
 bread

00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:18.079
 in the

00:35:18.079 --> 00:35:18.339
 kingdom

00:35:18.339 --> 00:35:18.599
 of

00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:19.019
 God

00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:20.579
 let's

00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:20.819
 just

00:35:20.819 --> 00:35:22.259
 suppose

00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:22.819
 for a

00:35:22.819 --> 00:35:23.019
 minute

00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:24.639
 that

00:35:24.639 --> 00:35:25.039
 this

00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:27.679
 man

00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:28.039
 spoke

00:35:28.039 --> 00:35:28.339
 these

00:35:28.339 --> 00:35:28.679
 words

00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:29.059
 and he

00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:29.460
 spoke

00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:29.619
 them

00:35:29.619 --> 00:35:29.839
 really

00:35:29.839 --> 00:35:30.579
 genuinely

00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:34.319
 and let's

00:35:34.319 --> 00:35:35.219
 just suppose

00:35:35.219 --> 00:35:35.500
 for a

00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:35.699
 moment

00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:36.039
 and this

00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:36.739
 actually may

00:35:36.739 --> 00:35:37.139
 have been

00:35:37.139 --> 00:35:37.739
 the case

00:35:37.739 --> 00:35:38.619
 that the

00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:39.119
 man was

00:35:39.119 --> 00:35:39.559
 genuine

00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:40.379
 and like

00:35:40.379 --> 00:35:40.899
 so many

00:35:40.899 --> 00:35:41.579
 other of

00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:42.479
 the Pharisees

00:35:42.479 --> 00:35:44.219
 and his

00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:44.779
 expression

00:35:44.779 --> 00:35:46.319
 was a

00:35:46.319 --> 00:35:47.059
 real expression

00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:47.719
 of faith

00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:48.159
 in the

00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:48.439
 Lord

00:35:48.439 --> 00:35:49.179
 and he

00:35:49.179 --> 00:35:50.199
 had every

00:35:50.199 --> 00:35:50.979
 right to

00:35:50.979 --> 00:35:51.559
 say this

00:35:51.559 --> 00:35:52.559
 because he

00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:53.019
 was trusting

00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:53.339
 in the

00:35:53.339 --> 00:35:53.679
 Lord

00:35:53.679 --> 00:35:54.739
 and he

00:35:54.739 --> 00:35:55.399
 was actually

00:35:55.399 --> 00:35:55.839
 on the road

00:35:55.839 --> 00:35:56.319
 to heaven

00:35:56.319 --> 00:35:57.319
 and he

00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:57.899
 would eat

00:35:57.899 --> 00:35:58.439
 bread in

00:35:58.439 --> 00:35:58.819
 the kingdom

00:35:58.819 --> 00:35:59.459
 of God

00:35:59.460 --> 00:36:02.280
 and this

00:36:02.280 --> 00:36:02.860
 evening I'm

00:36:02.860 --> 00:36:03.199
 speaking

00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:04.059
 of every

00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:04.500
 reason to

00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:05.019
 believe to

00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:05.440
 genuine

00:36:05.440 --> 00:36:06.059
 Christians

00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:08.280
 and those

00:36:08.280 --> 00:36:08.699
 of you

00:36:08.699 --> 00:36:09.860
 here this

00:36:09.860 --> 00:36:10.340
 evening who

00:36:10.340 --> 00:36:10.740
 I know

00:36:10.740 --> 00:36:12.740
 and as a

00:36:12.740 --> 00:36:13.099
 matter of

00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:13.860
 fact some

00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:14.139
 of the

00:36:14.139 --> 00:36:14.559
 most

00:36:14.559 --> 00:36:16.679
 sincere and

00:36:16.679 --> 00:36:17.199
 outstanding

00:36:17.199 --> 00:36:17.920
 Christians I've

00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:18.659
 ever known

00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:19.539
 have been

00:36:19.539 --> 00:36:20.079
 members of

00:36:20.079 --> 00:36:20.679
 this church

00:36:20.679 --> 00:36:22.519
 some

00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:24.240
 are now

00:36:24.240 --> 00:36:24.659
 with the

00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:24.980
 Lord

00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:26.860
 but

00:36:26.860 --> 00:36:28.760
 I just

00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:29.059
 want to

00:36:29.059 --> 00:36:29.620
 encourage you

00:36:29.620 --> 00:36:30.220
 this evening

00:36:30.220 --> 00:36:31.079
 if you're

00:36:31.079 --> 00:36:31.640
 on the

00:36:31.640 --> 00:36:32.079
 road if

00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:32.579
 you're trusting

00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:32.920
 in the

00:36:32.920 --> 00:36:33.380
 Lord and

00:36:33.380 --> 00:36:33.960
 going on

00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.940
 with him

00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:36.820
 that there's

00:36:36.820 --> 00:36:37.160
 a lot of

00:36:37.160 --> 00:36:37.660
 encouragement

00:36:37.660 --> 00:36:38.519
 here in

00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:39.059
 this parable

00:36:39.059 --> 00:36:39.820
 for you

00:36:39.820 --> 00:36:43.099
 as a

00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:43.960
 reminder that

00:36:43.960 --> 00:36:44.400
 there's a

00:36:44.400 --> 00:36:45.140
 mission to

00:36:45.140 --> 00:36:45.920
 be accomplished

00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:47.400
 those who

00:36:47.400 --> 00:36:47.720
 have never

00:36:47.720 --> 00:36:48.260
 heard the

00:36:48.260 --> 00:36:49.039
 invitation might

00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:49.500
 hear it

00:36:49.500 --> 00:36:50.220
 and the

00:36:50.220 --> 00:36:50.780
 great commission

00:36:50.780 --> 00:36:51.240
 of course

00:36:51.240 --> 00:36:52.059
 still stands

00:36:52.059 --> 00:36:53.640
 and people

00:36:53.640 --> 00:36:54.360
 need to hear

00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:54.740
 the life

00:36:54.740 --> 00:36:55.519
 changing message

00:36:55.519 --> 00:36:56.380
 of the gospel

00:36:56.380 --> 00:36:57.460
 and we're

00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:58.280
 facing a

00:36:58.280 --> 00:36:58.740
 task

00:36:58.740 --> 00:36:59.460
 unfinished

00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:03.519
 the great

00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:03.940
 commission

00:37:03.940 --> 00:37:04.920
 still stands

00:37:04.920 --> 00:37:05.820
 go therefore

00:37:05.820 --> 00:37:07.320
 and make

00:37:07.320 --> 00:37:08.059
 disciples of

00:37:08.059 --> 00:37:08.700
 all nations

00:37:08.700 --> 00:37:09.840
 baptizing them

00:37:09.840 --> 00:37:10.380
 in the name

00:37:10.380 --> 00:37:10.680
 of the

00:37:10.680 --> 00:37:11.840
 father and

00:37:11.840 --> 00:37:12.160
 of the

00:37:12.160 --> 00:37:12.599
 son and

00:37:12.599 --> 00:37:12.860
 of the

00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:13.039
 holy

00:37:13.039 --> 00:37:13.519
 spirit

00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:15.059
 teaching

00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:15.539
 them to

00:37:15.539 --> 00:37:16.019
 observe

00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:17.079
 all that

00:37:17.079 --> 00:37:17.340
 I've

00:37:17.340 --> 00:37:17.660
 commanded

00:37:17.660 --> 00:37:18.099
 you and

00:37:18.099 --> 00:37:18.640
 behold I

00:37:18.640 --> 00:37:18.940
 am with

00:37:18.940 --> 00:37:19.660
 you always

00:37:19.660 --> 00:37:20.619
 to the

00:37:20.619 --> 00:37:20.900
 end of

00:37:20.900 --> 00:37:21.460
 the age

00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:23.099
 what does

00:37:23.099 --> 00:37:23.460
 that mean

00:37:23.460 --> 00:37:24.000
 for us

00:37:24.000 --> 00:37:26.420
 well I

00:37:26.420 --> 00:37:28.199
 quoted an

00:37:28.199 --> 00:37:28.780
 old hymn a

00:37:28.780 --> 00:37:29.260
 few moments

00:37:29.260 --> 00:37:30.079
 ago and

00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:30.539
 here's another

00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:31.219
 verse from

00:37:31.219 --> 00:37:31.719
 that hymn

00:37:31.719 --> 00:37:32.539
 when the

00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:33.039
 trumpet of

00:37:33.039 --> 00:37:33.440
 the lord

00:37:33.440 --> 00:37:34.179
 shall sound

00:37:34.179 --> 00:37:37.639
 the words

00:37:37.639 --> 00:37:38.699
 are archaic

00:37:38.699 --> 00:37:39.539
 I know but

00:37:39.539 --> 00:37:40.820
 the sentiment

00:37:40.820 --> 00:37:41.519
 of this hymn

00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:42.139
 is absolutely

00:37:42.139 --> 00:37:42.800
 spot on

00:37:42.800 --> 00:37:44.059
 let me

00:37:44.059 --> 00:37:44.960
 labor for

00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:45.539
 the master

00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:46.880
 from the

00:37:46.880 --> 00:37:47.400
 dawn till

00:37:47.400 --> 00:37:48.159
 setting sun

00:37:48.159 --> 00:37:49.460
 let me talk

00:37:49.460 --> 00:37:50.019
 of all his

00:37:50.019 --> 00:37:50.739
 wondrous love

00:37:50.739 --> 00:37:51.299
 and care

00:37:51.299 --> 00:37:53.079
 then when

00:37:53.079 --> 00:37:53.539
 all of

00:37:53.539 --> 00:37:54.199
 life is

00:37:54.199 --> 00:37:55.000
 over and

00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:55.559
 my work

00:37:55.559 --> 00:37:56.299
 on earth

00:37:56.299 --> 00:37:57.000
 is done

00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:57.699
 and the

00:37:57.699 --> 00:37:58.099
 role is

00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:58.539
 called up

00:37:58.539 --> 00:37:58.939
 yonder

00:37:58.939 --> 00:37:59.839
 I'll be

00:37:59.839 --> 00:38:00.159
 there

00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:01.500
 do you

00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:02.019
 get it

00:38:02.019 --> 00:38:04.659
 it's old

00:38:04.659 --> 00:38:05.659
 language but

00:38:05.659 --> 00:38:07.399
 it's absolutely

00:38:07.399 --> 00:38:07.899
 right

00:38:07.899 --> 00:38:08.899
 let us

00:38:08.899 --> 00:38:09.339
 labor

00:38:09.339 --> 00:38:10.179
 for the

00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:10.500
 master

00:38:10.500 --> 00:38:11.019
 let's go

00:38:11.019 --> 00:38:12.219
 on trusting

00:38:12.219 --> 00:38:12.619
 in the

00:38:12.619 --> 00:38:13.259
 lord and

00:38:13.259 --> 00:38:13.619
 doing what

00:38:13.619 --> 00:38:14.119
 we can

00:38:14.119 --> 00:38:14.519
 in his

00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:15.059
 service

00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:16.199
 there may

00:38:16.199 --> 00:38:16.539
 be only

00:38:16.539 --> 00:38:17.159
 so much

00:38:17.159 --> 00:38:17.459
 that we

00:38:17.459 --> 00:38:18.019
 can do

00:38:18.019 --> 00:38:19.139
 in our

00:38:19.139 --> 00:38:19.839
 own life

00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:20.480
 situations

00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:21.079
 or our

00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:21.760
 sphere of

00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:22.320
 influence

00:38:22.320 --> 00:38:23.180
 but we

00:38:23.180 --> 00:38:23.740
 can pray

00:38:23.740 --> 00:38:25.640
 and we

00:38:25.640 --> 00:38:25.960
 can do

00:38:25.960 --> 00:38:26.280
 what we

00:38:26.280 --> 00:38:26.780
 can and

00:38:26.780 --> 00:38:27.320
 surely the

00:38:27.320 --> 00:38:28.300
 lord will

00:38:28.300 --> 00:38:28.920
 bless it

00:38:28.920 --> 00:38:34.140
 I'd like to

00:38:34.140 --> 00:38:34.620
 finish just

00:38:34.620 --> 00:38:35.120
 with a

00:38:35.120 --> 00:38:37.280
 very short

00:38:37.280 --> 00:38:37.660
 prayer

00:38:37.660 --> 00:38:42.880
 maybe you've

00:38:42.880 --> 00:38:43.220
 heard a

00:38:43.220 --> 00:38:43.820
 sermon like

00:38:43.820 --> 00:38:44.500
 this and

00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:46.240
 it's such a

00:38:46.240 --> 00:38:47.260
 clear gospel

00:38:47.260 --> 00:38:48.360
 sermon

00:38:48.360 --> 00:38:50.620
 such a

00:38:50.620 --> 00:38:51.720
 clear invitation

00:38:51.720 --> 00:38:53.320
 I don't

00:38:53.320 --> 00:38:54.039
 know if

00:38:54.039 --> 00:38:54.740
 anyone here

00:38:54.740 --> 00:38:55.700
 this evening

00:38:55.700 --> 00:38:57.280
 may want to

00:38:57.280 --> 00:38:58.320
 respond to

00:38:58.320 --> 00:39:00.539
 the teaching

00:39:00.539 --> 00:39:00.820
 of this

00:39:00.820 --> 00:39:01.280
 parable

00:39:01.280 --> 00:39:02.240
 the bible

00:39:02.240 --> 00:39:02.620
 that we

00:39:02.620 --> 00:39:03.160
 have read

00:39:03.160 --> 00:39:04.420
 respond to

00:39:04.420 --> 00:39:04.880
 the lord

00:39:04.880 --> 00:39:05.700
 and trust

00:39:05.700 --> 00:39:06.579
 in him

00:39:06.579 --> 00:39:08.320
 I'm going

00:39:08.320 --> 00:39:08.740
 to just

00:39:08.740 --> 00:39:11.820
 pray this

00:39:11.820 --> 00:39:12.940
 short prayer

00:39:12.940 --> 00:39:13.620
 and if you

00:39:13.620 --> 00:39:14.280
 can use some

00:39:14.280 --> 00:39:14.720
 of the words

00:39:14.720 --> 00:39:15.039
 in this

00:39:15.039 --> 00:39:15.760
 prayer that's

00:39:15.760 --> 00:39:16.500
 great

00:39:16.500 --> 00:39:20.440
 it's not

00:39:20.440 --> 00:39:21.340
 a sort

00:39:21.340 --> 00:39:21.760
 of a

00:39:21.760 --> 00:39:22.880
 magic

00:39:22.880 --> 00:39:23.380
 formula

00:39:23.380 --> 00:39:23.860
 if you

00:39:23.860 --> 00:39:24.440
 pray this

00:39:24.440 --> 00:39:25.180
 prayer then

00:39:25.180 --> 00:39:25.500
 you're a

00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:25.860
 Christian

00:39:25.860 --> 00:39:26.660
 certainly not

00:39:26.660 --> 00:39:27.140
 saying that

00:39:27.140 --> 00:39:27.680
 in any way

00:39:27.680 --> 00:39:28.180
 at all

00:39:28.180 --> 00:39:29.080
 but if you

00:39:29.080 --> 00:39:29.560
 can take

00:39:29.560 --> 00:39:30.280
 the sentiment

00:39:30.280 --> 00:39:30.920
 of the

00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:32.560
 words expressed

00:39:32.560 --> 00:39:32.960
 here

00:39:32.960 --> 00:39:35.580
 then our

00:39:35.580 --> 00:39:36.300
 heart's desire

00:39:36.300 --> 00:39:37.000
 in prayer is

00:39:37.000 --> 00:39:37.420
 that you

00:39:37.420 --> 00:39:37.780
 would come

00:39:37.780 --> 00:39:38.140
 to know

00:39:38.140 --> 00:39:38.660
 the lord

00:39:38.659 --> 00:39:39.779
 and put

00:39:39.779 --> 00:39:40.219
 your faith

00:39:40.219 --> 00:39:40.659
 and trust

00:39:40.659 --> 00:39:41.179
 in him

00:39:41.179 --> 00:39:44.460
 so let's

00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:45.000
 pray together

00:39:45.000 --> 00:39:45.339
 I'll just

00:39:45.339 --> 00:39:45.779
 pray this

00:39:45.779 --> 00:39:46.299
 very very

00:39:46.299 --> 00:39:46.679
 short

00:39:46.679 --> 00:39:47.019
 prayer

00:39:47.019 --> 00:39:47.259
 and if

00:39:47.259 --> 00:39:47.519
 you can

00:39:47.519 --> 00:39:48.039
 use it

00:39:48.039 --> 00:39:48.819
 then please

00:39:48.819 --> 00:39:49.319
 do take

00:39:49.319 --> 00:39:49.579
 it

00:39:49.579 --> 00:39:51.279
 and use

00:39:51.279 --> 00:39:51.579
 it

00:39:51.579 --> 00:39:52.940
 lord

00:39:52.940 --> 00:39:53.299
 jesus

00:39:53.299 --> 00:39:53.839
 christ

00:39:53.839 --> 00:39:56.679
 i admit

00:39:56.679 --> 00:39:57.059
 that i'm

00:39:57.059 --> 00:39:57.399
 weaker

00:39:57.399 --> 00:39:58.379
 and more

00:39:58.379 --> 00:39:58.859
 sinful

00:39:58.859 --> 00:39:59.559
 than i

00:39:59.559 --> 00:40:00.319
 ever before

00:40:00.319 --> 00:40:00.980
 believed

00:40:00.980 --> 00:40:04.219
 but through

00:40:04.219 --> 00:40:05.079
 you i'm

00:40:05.079 --> 00:40:05.860
 more loved

00:40:05.860 --> 00:40:07.340
 and accepted

00:40:07.340 --> 00:40:08.880
 than i ever

00:40:08.880 --> 00:40:09.400
 dare to

00:40:09.400 --> 00:40:09.699
 hope

00:40:09.699 --> 00:40:11.780
 i thank you

00:40:11.780 --> 00:40:12.340
 for paying

00:40:12.340 --> 00:40:13.079
 my debt

00:40:13.079 --> 00:40:15.179
 for bearing

00:40:15.179 --> 00:40:15.940
 my punishment

00:40:15.940 --> 00:40:18.360
 for offering

00:40:18.360 --> 00:40:19.099
 me forgiveness

00:40:19.099 --> 00:40:21.719
 for inviting

00:40:21.719 --> 00:40:22.380
 me to your

00:40:22.380 --> 00:40:22.820
 feast

00:40:22.820 --> 00:40:25.800
 and i turn

00:40:25.800 --> 00:40:26.240
 from my

00:40:26.240 --> 00:40:26.579
 sin

00:40:26.579 --> 00:40:28.380
 and receive

00:40:28.380 --> 00:40:28.940
 you as

00:40:28.940 --> 00:40:29.539
 my savior

00:40:29.539 --> 00:40:31.639
 amen