WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.520 Matthew 22. 00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:10.099 And again, Jesus spoke to me in prayer, saying, 00:00:11.300 --> 00:00:12.000 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.719 Tell them to the Lord, my dear, see, I have prepared my dinner. 00:00:35.579 --> 00:00:40.079 My oxen and bat-cars have been stored, and everything is ready. 00:00:40.920 --> 00:00:42.420 Come to the wedding feast. 00:00:43.980 --> 00:00:48.600 But they paid no attention at the wedding, one to his farm, 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:53.120 another to each of us, while the rest seized his servants, 00:00:53.719 --> 00:00:56.379 treated his family, and killed him. 00:00:56.380 --> 00:01:02.440 The king was angry, and he sent his troops, 00:01:03.300 --> 00:01:06.180 and destroyed those members, and burned his sea. 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:09.879 Then he said to his servants, 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:15.460 The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not ready. 00:01:16.599 --> 00:01:22.659 Go to the main rose, and invite the wedding feast as a man that he found. 00:01:22.659 --> 00:01:26.479 And those servants went out into the rose, 00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:31.159 and gathered all who made a house, both good and bad. 00:01:31.939 --> 00:01:34.519 So the wedding hall was filled with guests. 00:01:36.379 --> 00:01:38.699 But when the king came in to look at the guests, 00:01:38.819 --> 00:01:41.519 he saw there a man who had no wedding yard. 00:01:42.259 --> 00:01:43.259 And he said to him, 00:01:43.939 --> 00:01:48.199 Friend, how did you get me here without a wedding yard? 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:50.180 And he was sweet. 00:01:51.960 --> 00:01:54.040 Then the king said to the servants, 00:01:54.840 --> 00:01:59.799 Binding, hand, and then harvesting into the outer house, 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:03.780 in that place there will be weeping and the natching of the teeth. 00:02:04.960 --> 00:02:08.319 For many are the poor, but a few are the children. 00:02:10.659 --> 00:02:15.439 Then in the very sea went and the Lord had a wedding in his law. 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:16.560 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:17.960 Thank you. 00:02:18.199 --> 00:02:21.199 Just before we get into God's word, 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:26.919 I just want to draw your attention to something the men's ministry are planning to put on. 00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:34.579 After Smokin' Joes, there was some interest from a few friends to explore Christianity further. 00:02:34.759 --> 00:02:39.839 So we want to put something on for, at the moment, just for the guys. 00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:48.840 We're going to do this four-week series called Taste and See that Rory Schreiner from Perth Gospel Coalition has put together. 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:51.300 We're going to put dinner on, barbecue. 00:02:51.300 --> 00:02:55.560 Hopefully, if the weather's good, we're going to do the whole fire pit thing again. 00:02:56.200 --> 00:03:00.560 So please talk to me if you want to know more about the course, what's in it. 00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:04.580 Please be praying and thinking of friends you can bring along. 00:03:05.719 --> 00:03:08.319 Please come along if you invite a friend. 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:10.740 Like, we don't want to overwhelm it with Christians there. 00:03:10.979 --> 00:03:14.539 But if you invite someone, even if you're not sure if they're going to turn up or not, come. 00:03:15.280 --> 00:03:17.740 I know that you can't guarantee whether they come or not. 00:03:17.740 --> 00:03:23.659 But, yeah, let's be praying for it as a church family and let's give it a good hot go. 00:03:25.460 --> 00:03:27.520 Why don't we pray as we come to God's Word? 00:03:27.700 --> 00:03:28.040 Let's pray. 00:03:35.960 --> 00:03:43.240 Father, your gospel is the aroma of life to some and the aroma of death to others. 00:03:43.240 --> 00:03:49.920 Father, I'm feeling insufficient for such things, such weighty things. 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:56.879 So I pray that your Word might carry that weight for me, for us. 00:03:57.879 --> 00:04:03.900 Please give us humble ears to hear the words of your Son this morning. 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:05.640 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:04:07.100 --> 00:04:11.939 Well, I wonder if you like the king in this story, in the parable we've heard. 00:04:11.939 --> 00:04:18.360 He sent troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:26.879 The man not wearing the right wedding garment, he binds him hand and foot and casts him into the outer darkness. 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:37.439 One commentator finds the violence so repulsive they're saying this can't be representing God. 00:04:37.439 --> 00:04:42.759 I thought our passage last week was hard. 00:04:43.800 --> 00:04:44.939 This might be harder. 00:04:46.860 --> 00:04:50.540 It challenges our understanding of God's goodness, I think. 00:04:50.540 --> 00:05:03.720 It exposes in us any degree to which we have a Santa Claus theology of God, rather than the true and living God. 00:05:06.220 --> 00:05:12.960 It urges us to see both the goodness and the severity of God. 00:05:12.959 --> 00:05:18.779 So what is this story about? 00:05:18.959 --> 00:05:21.039 How do we know the meaning of it? 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:33.759 Well, we've just had a kids' talk, and if you're ever asking kids a question about the Bible, there's always three answers you can't get wrong. 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:38.199 God, Jesus, the Bible. 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:42.199 Okay, let me add a fourth for us older ones. 00:05:43.139 --> 00:05:45.599 What does any part of Scripture mean? 00:05:45.699 --> 00:05:47.479 What does this parable mean? 00:05:49.360 --> 00:05:51.719 There's an answer you can't get it wrong. 00:05:51.959 --> 00:05:52.819 It starts with C. 00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:53.920 Anyone know what the answer is? 00:05:57.959 --> 00:05:59.560 No, not the one I'm looking for. 00:06:00.620 --> 00:06:01.579 There might be multiple here. 00:06:01.959 --> 00:06:02.399 Context. 00:06:03.599 --> 00:06:04.000 Context. 00:06:04.159 --> 00:06:04.980 You can't go wrong. 00:06:04.980 --> 00:06:07.939 Like, if you're unsure in a Bible study, just say context. 00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:16.020 Who were those invited, who were this first group invited who were destroyed? 00:06:16.960 --> 00:06:17.480 Context. 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:23.520 Who's the good and the bad who were brought in, filling up the wedding hall? 00:06:23.680 --> 00:06:24.480 The answer is context. 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:29.240 Now, who's the man with the wedding garment who's thrown out? 00:06:29.840 --> 00:06:30.360 Context. 00:06:30.360 --> 00:06:33.360 Now, I'm laboring this point because... 00:06:34.980 --> 00:06:40.800 There are sheep who are going to be hearing God's word to you this morning, 00:06:40.939 --> 00:06:42.220 and you are his sheep. 00:06:42.439 --> 00:06:48.060 But what you're going to be hearing is he's threatening you with hell. 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:49.980 You're sure that... 00:06:51.200 --> 00:06:53.020 You feel like an imposter here. 00:06:53.580 --> 00:06:55.879 You're sure that you're too unworthy. 00:06:56.040 --> 00:06:57.120 You're not chosen. 00:06:57.300 --> 00:06:58.900 Otherwise, you'd be more confident. 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:00.840 You'd be less sinful. 00:07:00.840 --> 00:07:03.020 I don't feel guilty enough. 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:05.019 There's some here... 00:07:06.539 --> 00:07:11.779 You're going to be sure that Jesus is saying this to you. 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:14.279 But the context, look at who he's speaking to. 00:07:14.539 --> 00:07:15.560 We are in the temple. 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:19.939 He entered the temple in chapter 21, verse 23. 00:07:20.099 --> 00:07:22.479 He doesn't leave until chapter 24. 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:27.959 He's talking to the religious leaders who are confident in themselves. 00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:33.239 They're confident in their pedigree. 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:35.439 They're the chosen descendants of Abraham. 00:07:35.620 --> 00:07:37.019 They're confident in their purity. 00:07:38.099 --> 00:07:39.019 They're wearing these... 00:07:39.019 --> 00:07:43.259 They're probably wearing these very lovely priestly garments. 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:48.359 They're confident in their position as being above other Jews. 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:50.719 He is speaking to the confident. 00:07:50.719 --> 00:07:53.199 He is not speaking to those who lack confidence. 00:07:53.199 --> 00:08:02.939 Matthew's gospel tells us, Jesus' words, 00:08:03.159 --> 00:08:07.620 if you lack confidence that God loves you and has saved you, 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:09.279 here's his words to you. 00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:11.839 Blessed are the poor in spirit, 00:08:13.339 --> 00:08:15.259 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:08:15.259 --> 00:08:22.159 A bruised reed he will not break. 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:26.959 And a smouldering wick he will not quench. 00:08:28.980 --> 00:08:32.439 Yesterday I was trying to light candles outside in the wind. 00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:35.720 It was impossible to keep them alight. 00:08:35.939 --> 00:08:37.679 The wind just kept blowing it out. 00:08:38.039 --> 00:08:40.399 And you might feel like your faith is like that. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:46.939 You are so unconfident that you can keep that flame alight. 00:08:47.539 --> 00:08:52.659 And Jesus' words to you is, I will not snuff you out. 00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:57.659 He doesn't get tired of your struggle to trust him. 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:04.299 He speaks this parable to the confident. 00:09:06.539 --> 00:09:08.059 They're confident in themselves. 00:09:08.059 --> 00:09:13.459 So why the severity in this parable? 00:09:13.659 --> 00:09:16.139 Like, it is severe language. 00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:17.019 Why? 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:24.939 There's a Netflix series called Apple Cider Vinegar, 00:09:25.079 --> 00:09:27.819 and it's based on a true story. 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:31.479 And there's a young woman, Australian woman, 00:09:31.659 --> 00:09:34.259 called Mila Blake, who has tumours in her arm. 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:39.279 And they're so life-threatening, the specialist says, 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:40.879 we've got to amputate. 00:09:42.439 --> 00:09:44.639 Now, she's given a week to process that, 00:09:45.059 --> 00:09:48.960 but only a week because it's very, we've got to do it now. 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:52.080 She comes to this meeting, 00:09:52.819 --> 00:09:55.480 board of medical professionals ready to help her, 00:09:56.039 --> 00:09:57.740 and she refuses the treatment. 00:09:57.899 --> 00:09:58.960 She wants an alternative. 00:09:59.179 --> 00:10:02.240 She's done her research, and she wants natural therapy. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:04.480 She's come across this mistletoe therapy. 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:07.940 And she said, it's my arm. 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:10.060 I want another option. 00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:12.200 And the head surgeon says, death. 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:14.899 That's another option. 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:18.039 Do you want to die? 00:10:18.039 --> 00:10:23.000 This is the reality that we are facing. 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:25.759 It's a really awkward scene. 00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:31.579 It's a huge escalation in language, in tone, in message, 00:10:31.579 --> 00:10:34.819 but we all know it's coming from a place of love. 00:10:37.699 --> 00:10:40.839 Jesus has already warned those who are confident in themselves, 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:43.879 your confidence means nothing if you're rejecting me. 00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:48.100 It means nothing if you're rejecting me. 00:10:50.439 --> 00:10:54.080 They perceive that his parables are warning them, 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:56.960 and yet they don't pause to examine themselves 00:10:56.960 --> 00:10:58.360 and consider his warning. 00:10:58.679 --> 00:11:01.039 They want to get rid of this threat to their confidence. 00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:03.399 And so this is a final warning. 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:09.940 That's why there's an escalation in language, in tone. 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:11.500 It's coming from a place of love. 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:21.759 We're going to see in this parable two types of self-confidence 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:27.179 and one group who have a very different confidence. 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:31.659 We're going to see the destruction of the worthy, 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:38.480 feasting for the unworthy, and darkness for the self-assured. 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:43.960 So let's look at verses 1 to 7. 00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:46.220 Now, weddings are great. 00:11:47.159 --> 00:11:52.360 They're a great opportunity to offend and cause harm to family members. 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:56.899 There's nothing like a wedding to offend someone. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:12:00.019 Whether it's like the capacity of the venue 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:03.639 and you don't issue invites to extended family or friends, 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:08.939 or whether it's the heartbreaking decision of a parent who doesn't come. 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:15.000 This invitation is to a royal wedding, 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:19.039 to the heir. 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:23.419 Now, who the bride is, I don't think matters. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:28.059 There's other metaphors in Scripture where it matters a great deal, 00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:30.259 but here it's not the main point. 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:38.559 To use the image of a wedding feast is tapping into what every Jew in that day 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:43.059 understood the picture of salvation to be, the messianic banquet, 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:45.579 looking forward to that time of salvation, 00:12:45.579 --> 00:12:48.419 of peace and joy forever. 00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:50.839 It's like a banquet. 00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:56.419 And so Jesus is pushing himself, I'm that bridegroom. 00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:58.199 It's here. 00:12:58.539 --> 00:12:59.439 It's ready. 00:12:59.839 --> 00:13:00.139 Come. 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:06.919 This ancient banquet, I think we picture a wedding reception where there's one meal. 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:11.099 This lasts for days. 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:14.399 The word dinner can mean breakfast, like come. 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:18.179 Come for breakfast, and then we see it keeps going into the nighttime. 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:25.919 This is a long celebration and eternity, even, for what it represents. 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:32.079 They were invited in advance, this first group of people. 00:13:32.179 --> 00:13:32.919 They had notice. 00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:35.019 So when the servants come out, they're saying, 00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:37.259 you're invited, now come. 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:37.899 It's ready. 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:38.959 That's their message. 00:13:39.099 --> 00:13:39.639 It's here. 00:13:40.199 --> 00:13:41.059 You knew it was coming. 00:13:41.199 --> 00:13:41.719 It's here. 00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:46.879 But they would not come. 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:52.379 Now, it's offensive. 00:13:53.599 --> 00:13:55.859 It's disobedient to the king. 00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:59.399 This isn't just anyone inviting. 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.000 It's the king. 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:03.819 But look at the patience of the king. 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:07.780 Verse 4, he sends more servants. 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:10.960 He could have just wiped his hands of them. 00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:13.640 He is patient, and he sends more servants. 00:14:14.300 --> 00:14:20.180 And this time, he tries to entice them, describing the meal. 00:14:21.180 --> 00:14:22.660 No expense has been spared. 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:25.220 I've killed the ox. 00:14:26.020 --> 00:14:26.840 It's ready. 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:28.160 It's all at my cost. 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:30.559 He's appealing to their imagination. 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:33.879 It's going to be so good. 00:14:34.079 --> 00:14:35.559 Feast to your heart's content. 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:38.339 Like, we've made the mistake. 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:43.959 I had a slip of the tongue the other day where I told Sam what an all-you-can-eat buffet is. 00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:51.060 I've appealed to his imagination now. 00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:53.860 That's what the king's doing. 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:55.080 Come. 00:14:57.759 --> 00:15:00.660 It's a privilege to be invited. 00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:08.259 So see the goodness of the king, his patience. 00:15:14.459 --> 00:15:21.759 When I was at Bible college, at morning tea times, there was something really popular, the Portuguese custard tarts. 00:15:22.079 --> 00:15:24.100 Yeah, okay, Tim goes to SMBC too. 00:15:24.459 --> 00:15:25.019 He's nodding. 00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:33.039 Now, it left you with a dilemma because you wanted, really you should hear the end of that hour's lecture. 00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:36.779 But if you didn't get out there, you didn't get it. 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:45.699 Now, if you don't come now to the wedding feast, you can't come next Tuesday when you feel like it. 00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:48.179 It's ready now. 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:55.039 You will miss out if you don't come. 00:15:57.219 --> 00:15:58.699 But they're indifferent. 00:15:59.819 --> 00:16:06.279 Their lives, their farms, their businesses are more important. 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:12.399 They seem to even find this insistence of the king a threat. 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:19.519 Probably like what we're seeing at the moment, that sovereign citizen mindset. 00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:27.639 They kill these messengers who keep insisting they come. 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:30.519 I think it's a threat to their personal sovereignty. 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:44.919 So we need to see the severity of this king if his abundant goodness is repeatedly thrown in his face. 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:49.759 He is the king. 00:16:49.939 --> 00:16:52.460 It's his prerogative to execute justice. 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:58.240 And he sends his army and destroys the murderers and burns her city. 00:16:58.240 --> 00:17:08.000 Now, the immediate application of those listening were the religious leaders. 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:12.880 They did have every privilege as the Jewish people. 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.740 All the promises are theirs. 00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:17.900 And they were invited well in advance. 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:24.359 But they failed to actually come when the sun arrived. 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:24.359 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:35.299 I think we can rely on our privileges today too. 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:39.339 There's some people in the world, they never hear the gospel. 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:41.120 They never meet a Christian. 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:45.279 There's some who grow up in a church like this and they hear it every single week. 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.480 But have you come? 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:52.500 Don't confuse privilege for actually coming. 00:17:52.500 --> 00:18:04.220 There's others you might be visiting today and you've come to church because you're feeling some sort of spiritual pull on your life. 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:12.660 Can I just say, please be careful not to think you can come to God whenever you feel like it. 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:22.920 But this moment is a final warning for these Pharisees who keep rejecting God's invitation. 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:27.019 It may not be here next Tuesday. 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:31.120 I don't know when the time is. 00:18:31.300 --> 00:18:34.100 I don't know when the time is, but neither do you is my point. 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:39.899 The Portuguese custard tarts are now. 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:46.000 So please act. 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:48.919 Whatever spiritual tug you're feeling, act on it. 00:18:49.139 --> 00:18:51.459 Act on it now. 00:18:54.740 --> 00:19:02.539 Well, the next group in the story, verses 8 to 10, helps us know if we've come to Jesus or not. 00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:07.379 9 and 10. 00:19:07.659 --> 00:19:12.679 Go, therefore, to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find. 00:19:13.199 --> 00:19:17.679 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:20.899 So the wedding hall was filled with guests. 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:36.440 The phrase, both bad and good, I think challenges the basis on which we think God calls us. 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:45.600 The main roads are likely leading into the city, and so it's the junction where everyone comes through those main roads. 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:47.359 You get all types. 00:19:48.439 --> 00:19:55.000 Rich, poor, moral, immoral, employed, beggar, lots of friends, lonely. 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:59.399 All types are here, and all are invited. 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:04.379 Whether they are good or bad was not even a criteria. 00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:13.000 When they issued the invitation, they didn't go, is that a good person? 00:20:13.080 --> 00:20:13.820 Is that a bad person? 00:20:13.860 --> 00:20:15.180 It wasn't even a criteria. 00:20:15.300 --> 00:20:19.300 It's got nothing, nothing, nothing to do with your goodness, and it's got nothing to do with your badness. 00:20:20.100 --> 00:20:26.520 It's all got to do with the abundant goodness, the freeness of the king's invitation. 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:34.220 That's who's in the wedding feast. 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:39.680 Those who were there based on the king's free invitation. 00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:42.720 It's got nothing to do with you. 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:52.180 The famous 16th century preacher, I think it was 16th century, I should have looked that up, but Charles Spurgeon, 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:57.420 he said you always want beggars at your party. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:05.620 Because those who are entitled and they go to restaurants all the time, they go to parties all the time, 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:10.240 when the roast lamb comes out, they go, hmm, yeah, nice, that's good. 00:21:10.620 --> 00:21:16.220 But you get a beggar in your party, and the beggar's going, wow, wow, look at that. 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:18.860 Look at that. 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:23.600 Look at the canapes or canaps, as some people like to call them, and they're cheering. 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:25.279 This is incredible. 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:29.420 Their eyes are darting, going, look at this place. 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.380 It's beautiful. 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.460 Wedding hall. 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:35.420 And they're so grateful and amazed that they're there. 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:41.480 They're feasting, not just with their mouths, but in their heart. 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:46.960 They're just, two hours ago, I was on the street, and here I am. 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:54.160 They're celebrating the king's goodness to them through his son. 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:58.860 Are you amazed that the king would invite you? 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:06.360 That your name would be written on one of those little place cards in the kingdom of heaven? 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.799 Are you amazed? 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:08.860 Are you amazed? 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:14.480 Are you entitled? 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.860 Of course God would want me. 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:22.360 Or are you a beggar going, wow, look at God's goodness to me. 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:25.360 He just keeps pouring goodness and goodness. 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:27.039 I can't believe I'm here. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:40.019 Do you look at how you came to faith and go, you know, if it wasn't for God choosing me, 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:41.160 I wouldn't have come. 00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:46.160 I would have resisted his invitation again and again and again. 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:53.940 Those who are in the wedding hall, they're feasting on the king's goodness. 00:22:53.940 --> 00:23:01.259 That's how you know if you've come to the gospel invitation. 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:05.019 That's where true confidence is in the king's goodness. 00:23:06.340 --> 00:23:08.620 We are meant to be confident in his goodness. 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:14.519 So destruction for the worthy, feasting for the unworthy. 00:23:14.919 --> 00:23:20.000 But then we've got this unexpected ending to the story. 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:23.039 Verses 11 to 14, 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:38.079 Now it feels like the king has double standards. 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:40.619 He said, hey, good and bad, come in. 00:23:40.619 --> 00:23:47.539 And then he's just so harsh for not wearing proper clothes. 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:53.899 He's tied up, presumably so that there's no way of getting back in. 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.319 This is permanent. 00:23:57.779 --> 00:24:01.099 In the darkness, away from the presence of the king. 00:24:04.159 --> 00:24:06.839 It is a picture of judgment, of hell. 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:11.279 Now these are tricky verses. 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:14.299 These are tricky verses. 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:16.399 And the meaning is debated. 00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:23.480 Many see the wedding garments symbolise what's expected of those 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:26.959 who call themselves believers, whether that's faith or repentance 00:24:26.959 --> 00:24:30.779 or a transformed life, good deeds or even baptism. 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:37.160 Others see symbolism of being clothed in Christ's righteousness 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:41.500 because they infer that the guests either couldn't afford garments 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:44.059 or didn't have time to get them, so the king provided them. 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:47.539 Can I just say maybe? 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:50.299 That's where I'm up to in my thinking. 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:51.099 Maybe. 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:58.420 Let's see what is clear here. 00:24:58.420 --> 00:25:00.980 The man is speechless. 00:25:02.860 --> 00:25:05.360 He has no excuse. 00:25:06.600 --> 00:25:08.300 He knows he's guilty. 00:25:12.340 --> 00:25:15.660 The consequence is serious. 00:25:16.060 --> 00:25:18.500 It is a strong warning. 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:22.360 This isn't optional. 00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:29.199 Jesus says the lesson from the parable, verse 14, 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:31.839 many are called but few are chosen. 00:25:33.459 --> 00:25:38.519 Chosen there, I think all these things put the emphasis on it's the king 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:43.699 and not the man who decides what the proper response is. 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:49.859 It's the king who decides what the proper response is. 00:25:49.859 --> 00:26:00.819 I think this man illustrates another way of throwing God's goodness back in his face. 00:26:05.419 --> 00:26:12.439 Now, I'm a fan of the BBC Sherlock Holmes series, Sherlock. 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:19.980 Now, there's a scene where Sherlock is needed by the royal family for his detective work 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:22.059 and government agents come to collect him. 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:28.320 He's just gone out of the shower and he's urged, 00:26:28.580 --> 00:26:30.440 you want to put clothes on where you're going. 00:26:31.580 --> 00:26:33.920 And he's already worked out, because he's Sherlock, 00:26:34.320 --> 00:26:36.180 that he's going to go to Buckingham Palace. 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:40.320 Now, the scene cuts to him sitting on a lounge in Buckingham Palace, 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:44.360 still only wearing a towel around him. 00:26:45.100 --> 00:26:46.000 Now, the scene is funny. 00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:47.180 Like, it is funny. 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:50.620 But it's only funny, it only works as a joke, 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:54.120 because Sherlock is needed by the royal family. 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:55.960 Otherwise, it would just be plain arrogance. 00:26:58.560 --> 00:27:00.140 Choosing not to wear clothes, 00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:04.000 knowing full well where he was going, 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:05.759 it made a statement. 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:08.680 This is on my terms. 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:11.619 Not yours, even though you're royalty. 00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:13.700 He was trying to make a statement, 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:15.640 and that was fine for that setting. 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:18.000 I think it's kind of like that. 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:22.180 This man knows where he is going. 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:24.160 He's going to a royal wedding, 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:25.660 and the privilege of that, 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:29.279 invited by the king. 00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:32.720 And he seems to be making a statement, 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:36.339 I will act on my terms, not yours. 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:45.740 Tim Keller, a pastor, points out, 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:48.079 the only person thrown out 00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:52.120 is the one who is self-assured he's fine. 00:27:52.119 --> 00:28:01.019 There's a way to treat God's gospel call 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:02.500 as cheap grace. 00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:07.359 It's that Santa Claus theology 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:10.519 of it's God's job to forgive. 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:14.079 It doesn't matter how I live, 00:28:14.139 --> 00:28:15.139 if I please him or not. 00:28:15.419 --> 00:28:18.939 It's God's job to be good to me. 00:28:18.939 --> 00:28:19.139 It doesn't matter. 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:26.759 The true mark of someone 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:28.859 who's feasting on the privilege 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:31.379 that you're invited to the wedding feast, 00:28:31.479 --> 00:28:34.719 the mark is, as Paul describes, 00:28:35.419 --> 00:28:37.459 the desire to live a life 00:28:37.459 --> 00:28:39.459 worthy of our calling. 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:44.799 Now, none of us are living, 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:46.319 are yet living that life. 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:46.880 We're not. 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.900 We're not there yet. 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:51.559 But we're meant to have 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:52.960 the Apostle Paul's posture. 00:28:53.340 --> 00:28:54.740 I want to just read a verse 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.680 from Philippians 2. 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:58.680 Not that I have obtained this already, 00:28:59.259 --> 00:29:00.600 or am already perfect, 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:03.660 but I press on to make it my own 00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:06.740 because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:09.359 I press on toward the goal 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:11.539 for the prize of the upward call 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:13.019 of God in Christ Jesus. 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:16.000 If you're feasting on his goodness, 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:19.740 you're not flippant going, 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:21.339 oh, just waltz in. 00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:27.120 You want to get ready for that day 00:29:27.120 --> 00:29:27.900 when we're there. 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:30.900 You know it's on his terms, 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.720 not yours. 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:31.980 You know it's on his terms, 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:43.980 to just treat him on your own terms 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:45.259 is to throw his goodness 00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:46.339 back in his face. 00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:51.839 So we need to see the goodness of God 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.620 in this parable. 00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:55.019 None of us deserve an invitation. 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:57.299 Even when we resist, 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:58.339 he pursues, 00:29:58.900 --> 00:30:00.420 he repeatedly calls, 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.519 he's trying to persuade, 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.359 come. 00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:06.619 And his call is not based 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:07.879 on whether we're good or bad. 00:30:07.979 --> 00:30:09.699 It's simply out of his freeness, 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.559 out of his grace. 00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:13.000 But we also need to see his severity. 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:16.559 There is nothing left for God to give us 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:18.819 if we keep throwing his goodness 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:19.919 back in his face. 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:21.679 There's only severity. 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:27.199 The absence of his light 00:30:27.199 --> 00:30:30.019 in utter darkness. 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:38.940 Now, maybe you struggle 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:39.980 with the doctrine of hell. 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:40.579 I do. 00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:42.559 I hope you do. 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:48.500 It's a terrifying thought. 00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:51.819 Please get rid of those cartoon notions 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.960 of torture chamber. 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:54.819 I think, use the picture here, 00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:56.220 you're just shut out of 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:59.039 the goodness of God. 00:30:59.039 --> 00:31:00.619 There's so much goodness. 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:02.559 I know there's lots of hard stuff in life, 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:04.740 but we have so much goodness. 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.579 Whatever we're going through, 00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:09.579 it's a terrifying thought 00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:11.460 of all that goodness being withdrawn. 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:18.000 Listen to whose lips 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.980 these are coming from. 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:24.220 This is Jesus' own lips, 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:26.460 and it's days, days, 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.980 before he goes to the cross. 00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:32.220 His strong warning 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:35.319 is coming from a place of love, 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:37.920 and he's not saying, 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.399 do better, be better. 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:41.159 He's saying, come to me. 00:31:42.899 --> 00:31:44.680 All the severity of God 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:46.899 is directed at the bridegroom himself. 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.619 He's done everything. 00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:51.639 The feast is ready. 00:31:51.639 --> 00:31:51.740 Come. 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:52.680 Come. 00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:58.519 But if we're asking, 00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.599 like Miller did, 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.779 I want another option, 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:05.019 death is another option. 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:08.420 The choice is to possess God 00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:09.859 or be separated from God. 00:32:10.120 --> 00:32:11.500 If you possess God, 00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:14.359 you can't be half joyful 00:32:14.359 --> 00:32:15.319 when you get there. 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:16.920 You're going to be feasting. 00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.799 If you don't possess God, 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:20.639 you can't be half miserable. 00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:24.059 You don't have any of God. 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:25.259 It's just... 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:31.059 Now, C.S. Lewis, 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:32.460 he brings out 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:33.859 what we are really asking. 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.659 If you're struggling 00:32:34.659 --> 00:32:35.599 with the idea of hell, 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:38.359 C.S. Lewis helps bring out 00:32:38.359 --> 00:32:39.419 what we're really asking. 00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:40.379 He says, 00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:41.200 in the long run, 00:32:42.260 --> 00:32:43.700 the answer to all those 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:45.460 who object to the doctrine of hell 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:47.480 is itself a question. 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:51.620 What are you asking God to do? 00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:56.320 To wipe out their past sins 00:32:56.320 --> 00:32:58.120 and at all costs 00:32:58.120 --> 00:32:59.480 to give them a fresh start, 00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:01.220 smoothing every difficulty 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:03.760 and offering every miraculous help? 00:33:06.560 --> 00:33:08.000 But he has done so 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:10.020 on Calvary. 00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:13.420 To forgive them? 00:33:15.540 --> 00:33:18.100 They refuse to be forgiven. 00:33:18.760 --> 00:33:19.740 To leave them alone? 00:33:22.140 --> 00:33:23.140 Alas, I'm afraid 00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:24.320 that is what he does. 00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:32.620 We're going to share 00:33:32.620 --> 00:33:33.760 the Lord's Supper this morning. 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:39.279 And I hope you're hearing 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:40.900 in the word of God 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:41.900 and the opportunity 00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:42.779 of hearing it. 00:33:43.579 --> 00:33:44.559 And I hope you hear 00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:45.319 and see it 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:46.259 and taste it 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:48.119 in the Lord's Supper. 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.579 The King's invitation 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:52.819 is still ringing out today. 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.259 Come. 00:33:54.299 --> 00:33:55.059 It's ready. 00:33:56.140 --> 00:33:56.579 Come. 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:57.539 You're invited. 00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:57.700 Come. 00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:58.519 Come. 00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:58.519 00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:58.519 00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:58.700 Come. 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:58.700 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:58.700 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:58.700 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:58.700 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:58.700 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:58.700 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:58.700 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:58.700 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:58.700 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:58.700 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:58.700 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:58.700 00:33:58.700 --> 00:34:02.700 Come. 00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:03.519 Come. 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:03.860 Come. 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:03.860 00:34:03.859 --> 00:34:05.039 It declares his goodness. 00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:07.740 But it's not for the worthy. 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:08.980 It's for the unworthy. 00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:13.179 It's the unworthy who are feasting. 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:17.440 It's got nothing to do whether you're good or bad. 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:26.759 Now, I think another pastor, Alistair Begg, gets this across by imagining the thief on the cross. 00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:30.599 You've got Jesus in the middle, the thief on the cross, who's promised paradise. 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:35.239 And Alistair Begg says, I can't wait to find that fellow when he gets to heaven. 00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:39.099 You've never been to a Bible study. 00:34:39.779 --> 00:34:41.000 You've never been baptized. 00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:45.319 You didn't know a thing about church membership, and yet you made it. 00:34:46.799 --> 00:34:48.159 How did you make it? 00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:53.179 And then the angels there must have said the same thing. 00:34:53.219 --> 00:34:54.179 What are you doing here? 00:34:55.900 --> 00:34:58.619 And the man said, well, I don't know. 00:34:58.619 --> 00:35:03.699 And the angel says, hold on, I've just got to get my supervising angel. 00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:05.779 And the supervising angel comes over. 00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:07.199 Sir, we just have a few questions. 00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:11.460 Are you clear on the doctrine of justification by faith? 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:14.539 Never heard about it in my life. 00:35:15.179 --> 00:35:19.839 And eventually, in frustration, on what basis are you here? 00:35:19.839 --> 00:35:22.880 And he says, the man on the middle cross said I can come. 00:35:24.779 --> 00:35:25.380 That's it. 00:35:28.619 --> 00:35:30.900 And he says, you can come. 00:35:41.839 --> 00:35:47.159 If you're feeling terror that you're not one of the chosen, please eat. 00:35:47.159 --> 00:35:52.000 It's the unworthy who feast. 00:35:56.719 --> 00:36:00.940 If you have no hope in yourself, you are fit for heaven. 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.879 He wants beggars going, wow. 00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:14.579 So as we share the Lord's Supper, let's feast and feel the privilege of the upward call, 00:36:15.960 --> 00:36:19.760 knowing he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. 00:36:24.880 --> 00:36:26.140 Come to the wedding feast. 00:36:26.440 --> 00:36:27.039 Let's pray. 00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:30.519 Lord, you are so good. 00:36:34.199 --> 00:36:36.739 We don't deserve to be invited. 00:36:37.779 --> 00:36:46.380 And I know in my life, I did everything I could to resist you, even now, resisting you often. 00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:48.140 And you pursue us. 00:36:48.700 --> 00:36:49.820 You're patient. 00:36:50.660 --> 00:36:52.200 You convince our hearts. 00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:57.220 And Lord, that you would choose the unworthy to sing your praises. 00:36:58.059 --> 00:36:59.539 You are so good. 00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:07.340 Lord, I pray that by your word and your spirit, you would convince every heart in this room that you are good. 00:37:07.340 --> 00:37:09.600 And cause us to come. 00:37:10.840 --> 00:37:15.340 Not confident in ourselves, but confident in the Lord Jesus and him alone. 00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:16.920 In his name I pray. 00:37:17.280 --> 00:37:17.559 Amen.