A Universal Invitation
Luke 14

Intro:
Good evening.

I appreciate the month of November for two days that remind us to be thankful of where we are and what we have, and to be thankful of the sacrifice made by those that serve. Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day.

Most of you know our son resides in Nashville. While visiting there we often go to the Opry Mills Mall to see a movie, go shopping, or just walk on the grounds in the Gaylord Hotel. Opry Mills has a curious posted speed limit of 24 mph. I’ve never found a definitive article on why this is, so when I saw an article about other odd speed limits I had to read it.

Apparently there are quite a number of odd speed limits around but little in the way of solid information as to why. Apparently in Lost Pines Texas for example, is a posted speed limit of 19 mph. But then I found one with an explanation. At a new apartment complex in the Scotland the parking lots are posted at 11 mph. According to this article, a new tenant of the apartment complex spotted the groundskeeper, and asked him, "How come 11 m.p.h.? Why not 10 m.p.h.?" The groundskeeper replied, "An eleven is easier to paint."

I can easily see this being a valid reason for a lazy painter. Fortunately when it comes to painting a picture of the kingdom of heaven, Jesus will always be the master painter. Please turn in your Bible to Luke 14 which will be our reference for this evening’s lesson. One of the great qualities, which dominated the life of Jesus, was His unselfishness. While He was eating dinner in the presence of the Pharisees, Jesus’ thoughts turned to the many people who hadn’t been invited.

He spoke to His host in the plainest of terms and said in Luke 14:12-14 – “Then He also said to him who invited Him, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor your rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. "And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.''”[NKJ]

Make no mistake about this, these were hard words, I would imagine the host staring at Jesus with anger in his eyes, but that didn’t deter Jesus.

I. Have you ever been in a conversation about a subject that you just don’t want to talk about or that makes you uncomfortable? When that happens to me I usually try to change the subject or say something that will make my thinking a little easier.
A. I suspect something like that is what happens next because out of nowhere one of the other guests tries to break the spell and dismiss the question by saying in Luke 14:15 – “… Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Jesus then responds with a parable that compares God’s kingdom to a banquet furnished by God.
B. Luke 14:16-24 – “Then He said to him, "A certain man (God) gave a great supper (God’s Kingdom) and invited many (these being the Jews), "and sent his servant (God’s messengers) at supper time (the advent of the Messiah) to say to those who were invited, 'Come, for all things are now ready (We sing about this – so the fullness of time has come).' "But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.' "And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.' "Still another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' "So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.' "And the servant said, 'Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.' "Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 'For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.' ''”[NKJ]
C. Before we get into the parable I need to mention Matthew’s account. In Matthew 22:1-14 we find a similar parable by Jesus like the one we have just read. Many people interpret them both as variations of one original story. However, when you read the backgrounds and the details of both parables I think you will find that they are different.
D. The parable in Matthew’s account is in close succession with the parable of “The Tenants” and sounds a warning note to the Jews who would reject their Messiah. The parable in Luke’s account, however, is not as severe in tone, yet it stands as a warning to all men that they should not take the kingdom for granted.
E. I believe the two parables are independent of each other but the obvious similarities are due to their common origin, Jesus Christ.
F. I heard a story about a new Christian who attended her very first fellowship meal and she was advised to take a spoon for the pudding. The lady who advised her had been going to fellowship meals for many years and she felt that desert time was always the best. She would actually carry her spoon with her in her purse wherever she went. The new Christian asked her, “Why do you do that?” and the lady said, “That it was a constant reminder that when she was not yet a Christian, her life was just the first part of the meal.” The new Christian asked, “When did you get the second part of your meal.” “Ah!” The lady said, “That’s when I became a Christian and I knew then that the best was yet to come.”
G. That’s what Jesus does here. He compares the kingdom of heaven to a wonderful banquet. It’s significant that in most of Luke 14 Jesus talks about feasts and banquets. In this atmosphere Jesus compares entering the kingdom of heaven to coming to a feast.
II. I don’t know about you but I do not like rumors, they may have an element of truth about them but mostly they are extended lies about an event or a person. You may remember when Princess Diana was killed in that car crash and the whole world mourned for her. Not long after that a lot of rumors started to go around about her and continue to go around about her. They said the crash was no accident, that she was actually murdered. There are rumors about her having an abortion and having affairs. It’s now at the point you don’t know what to believe, but some people believe everything the rumors say.
A. What started off as a rumor has now become a fact in some people’s eyes. You see during the days of Jesus there was a rumor that went around which the Jews believed as fact, even today many Jews still believe it as fact.
B. It was a common belief at that time that when the Messiah came, in the golden age of His reign, all of the Jews would be invited to sit at His table in a great feast. With that in mind Jesus may have used this popular notion and compared the kingdom to a banquet. It’s not a long dreary funeral procession; it’s a festive occasion of warm fellowship and unheard of delight. Our meal that we will enjoy at our pot-luck is like that. A meal with loving brothers and sisters.
C. Remember that Jesus didn’t come to darken an already gloomy world. His mission was to bring - good news. I wish the world would recognize that. Jesus’ message of good news has been distorted almost beyond the point of recognition. Multitudes of people have come to believe that people cannot enjoy themselves and still be a Christian.
D. People have misconceptions about Christianity because they have a distorted view of Jesus. Yes, it’s true that Isaiah 53:3 describes Him as a “Man of sorrows”, but this point has been magnified out of all proportion. Look with me at how scripture, Isaiah 53:2-3, describes the messiah; “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
III. A man named Publius Lentulus supposedly wrote a letter to the Roman Senate. It is reported he was a Roman Counsel from 27 BC to 14 AD and Governor of Judea before Pontius Pilate. This letter is considered apocryphal for a number of reasons. But listen to the way he describes Jesus.
A. “There has appeared in our times, and there still lives, a man of great power (virtue), called Jesus Christ. The people call him a prophet of truth; his disciples, son of God. He raises the dead, and heals infirmities. He is a man of medium size (statura procerus, mediocris et spectabilis); he has a venerable aspect, and his beholders can both fear and love him. His hair is of the color of the ripe hazel-nut, straight down to the ears, but below the ears wavy and curled, with a bluish and bright reflection, flowing over his shoulders. It is parted in two on the top of the head, after the pattern of the Nazarenes. His brow is smooth and very cheerful with a face without wrinkle or spot, embellished by a slightly reddish complexion. His nose and mouth are faultless. His beard is abundant, the color of his hair, not long, but divided at the chin. His aspect is simple and mature, his eyes are changeable and bright. He is terrible in his reprimands, sweet and amiable in his admonitions, cheerful without loss of gravity. He was never known to laugh, but often to weep. His stature is straight, his hands and arms beautiful to behold. His conversation is grave, infrequent, and modest. He is the most beautiful among the children of men.”
B. Now this image of Jesus has had a lasting effect on the art and sculpture of succeeding ages, and even today Jesus is seen as a man who never laughed. Is this what Jesus was like?
C. I’m reminded of Romans 14:17 – “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Matthew tells us in chapter 25 that the faithful servant will enter into the joy of his Lord.
D. We’re not expected in “Monk fashion” to withdraw from the world and punish ourselves. We’re not expected to be like the Pharisees and bind ourselves with a code so strict that even toys for children are condemned as “Works of the flesh.” Jesus said, “His kingdom is one of Joy”. Not a joy of bodily depravity and sensual living but the joys that are spiritual and eternal.
IV. Back to Luke 14:16-18 - "… A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, "and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to make excuses..”
A. There are three excuses given but they can be divided into two classes. The first two have to do with earthly possessions and the third concerns earthly ties. We are going to look at the excuses in more depth in a minute, but let me first say this; the word translated as “with one consent” or “with one accord” or “alike” in verse 18 is interesting because it doesn’t mean they couldn’t go or they simply said “No thank you”. What it points to is that they “didn’t want to go”. “from one motive they began to make excuse”.
B. Let’s look at the first two excuses, the earthly possessions. Luke 14:18-19 - “The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.” “And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.”
C. There is little difference between the two excuses. Both men are absorbed in their own interests. Both men were so tied up in their business affairs that they had no time for anything else. They were basically saying that, “They had too much to do, so they couldn’t come.”
D. How many times have we heard that excuse over the years? I would love to come to worship, or I’d love to stay for the fellowship meal, or I’d come back this evening, - but my life is just so busy at the moment! It’s like focusing on “self” is everything and the “life that is now” gets the most attention. Their business is their “Bible” and making a living is their creed. They rarely seem to have time for other people,… never mind time for God.
E. God knew that all of mankind would struggle with this and so what He did to help us take our minds away from our earthly possessions, is institute what is called the Lord’s Day. It’s a special occasion with a special service of worship on the first day of every week. Sunday’s are the days when He gives us a spiritual call to put aside all of our concerns of the previous week and give attention to the concerns of God.
V. As we meet every week with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we each encourage one another and each of us reflects upon the sacrifice of Jesus, as we are reminded again of the cost of sin. In Matthew 4:4 - Jesus tells us that, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
A. Let me quote a passage of Scripture that some Christians don’t like. Hebrews 10:25 - “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Now I ask you, is this referring to Judgment Day? No, it is referring to the Lords Day.
B. The reason I said that some Christians don’t like this verse is because it is a direct command from the Holy Spirit, through the Hebrew writer, for us to continually come together. The ones who don’t like this verse are those who are already in the habit of not meeting together. I don’t know about you but I need encouragement. Maybe I’m not as strong as some other Christians but I need encouragement more than once a week.
C. That’s why I am glad I’m not alone with my struggle. That’s why I’m glad that others attend the “Wednesday night Bible study”. I feel very privileged to have an opportunity to study for those classes. I thank God for our Sunday Bible study.
D. I thank God for “Pot Luck meals”; because I need the encouragement from other Christians to help me through another week.
E. Am I perfect in attending? No, and I will admit I’m far from any perfection. But I don’t want to end up like “Demas who loved this world, and deserted Paul and went away to Thessalonica” according to 2 Timothy 4:10. When James is talking about those who are rich and are oppressing other people, he says in James 5:5 - “You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.” You see it’s not just a matter of commitment; it’s a matter of encouragement.
VI. Let’s look at the second excuse, the earthly ties. Luke 14:20 - "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'” This man’s excuse is a little more difficult to understand because of one of the beautiful Laws written in the Book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 24:5 - says, “When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife whom he has married.”
A. It maybe the man was basing his excuse on this particular Law and maybe he felt that he had a perfectly good excuse. He placed the obligation of his family and his home first and he thought that everybody would understand, but when you think about it, it’s a paradox that something as lovely and sweet as home can stand between a man and God. After all Genesis 2:24 - says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” That doesn’t mean that he is to leave his Father in heaven.
B. When we think about our homes, they are among our greatest blessings, but as we know many a blessing can turn into a disaster. Because there are at least two ways in which we can use our homes wrongly.
1. Our home and our family ties can occupy the chief spot in our hearts. The man said in Luke 14:20 - “'I just got married, so I can't come.'” It seems like a reasonable excuse but read on in verse 26, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple.” We are going to look more at this another time, but for now let me say that Jesus commands an exclusive affection from us. He wants the whole heart.
2. Our homes can be used selfishly. We can come home after a hard day at work and want to do nothing but relax and enjoy ourselves. We can spend much time and effort making our homes so livable that we wrap ourselves up in comfort and shut others out.
C. You see, folks, regardless of how our homes are built; the windows should always look out on the needs of others. This is the way the first century church thought of their homes and it’s the way we should think about our homes.
D. In Romans 12:13 – we are told; “Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”[para] In Hebrews 13:2 - “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” Practicing this is one of the great glories of having a Christian home. Ask yourself, when was the last time you invited someone to your home?
VII. Continue now in Luke 14:21-23 – “"So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.' "And the servant said, 'Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.' "Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”
A. The flimsy excuses had made the host angry, especially by those whom He invited but who didn’t want to come. He sent His servant out into the city, He sent his servant onto the streets, and the alleys.
B. He wanted His house full, He sent his servant out into what we would call the slums. What’s Jesus point here? The point is that Jesus was saying to the Jews that if they reject the invitation and they wouldn’t sit at the God’s table. He’s telling them that who they consider the lower classes of people, the publicans, sinners and even the heathens are going to take their place at the table.
C. He’s says in Luke 14:24 - “For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.” This is bad news for those who rejected His offer but great news for us. Isn’t that a wonderful truth – when you think about the applications here – that God wants His house to be full?
VIII. Romans 5:17 - “For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”
A. He is abundant in mercy and desires the salvation of all. Once His invitation is refused, He returns again and goes to others in order for others to feast at His banquet. Matthew 28:19 - “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…”
B. This is a universal invitation to come and feast at the Lord’s Table. The gospel is for all; the love of God desires a multitude of guests. What a sight it must have been! The cripples, the downcasts, the poor with their heads bowed. The blind groping around for a place to sit, the lame leaning on their crutches. You might think that is a miserable sight. No, no, no. It is not a miserable sight!
C. What we need to remember is that it was a happy group of people and the happy occasion of this feast. I wish I could just leave the sermon on that happy note, but I can’t, because there are still the others, the ones who didn’t come in. They had closed themselves out, they had sent different excuses, yet there was only one reason why they didn’t come. They loved things too much, they rejected a generous Host and they rejected His grace.
D. Imagine what it’s like. Some are filled with the bread of life and for others are dying of hunger! Some have living water at their feet and others are dying of thirst!

CONCLUSION:
Matthew 5:6 - “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” What is Jesus doing through this parable? Jesus is giving those who aren’t Christians an invitation. He is generous. Yet people continue to reject His grace. When we converse with non-Christians we need to try to get them to the point where they think about Jesus’ offer of salvation. When they get to that point perhaps we can encourage them to think about confessing His Name before people. Talk to them about repentance, talk to them about turning away from self and start turning to God.

If they start thinking about those things, they may come to the question the Jews asked Peter in Acts 2:37 when they asked, “What must they do to be saved?” Every person needs to get to that point. It is not a case of God, “this is what I’m going to do to be saved”. It is asking what God wants us to do. When people come to that conclusion we can teach them that they can become a child of God by doing what Peter told them to do and what every other Christian who is here today has done. Acts 2:38 "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

If we get anything from this parable tonight it is this. Jesus’ invitation is open to all of us. Anyone and everyone. Keep in mind people are going to come up with excuses. We need to put in their minds that an excuse is simply that. It’s an excuse. We need to let them know there is a table here, and there is a space at that table for them. We have not prepared it, Jesus Himself has.

Luke 14:21-23 - "So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.' "And the servant said, 'Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.' "Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. "

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We learn from the New Testament how to be saved. We need to hear the word; believe in Jesus; repent of our sins; we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God; and be baptized for the remission of our sins… If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.

Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today. If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.

# 600 – Jesus is Calling

Reference Sermon
Mike Glover

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CONCLUSION:
Matthew 5:6 - “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” What is Jesus doing through this parable? Jesus is giving those who aren’t Christians an invitation. He is generous. Are you going to reject His grace? Let me encourage you to think about Jesus’ offer of salvation. Think about confessing His Name before witnesses, think about repenting and turning away from self to God.

If you are thinking about those things, and you have come to the point where you have a question like the Jews asked Peter in Acts 2:37 when they asked, “What must they do to be saved?” then you too become a child of God by doing what Peter told them to do and what every other Christian who is here today has done. Acts 2:38 "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

If we get anything from this parable tonight it is this. Jesus’ invitation is open to all of us, anyone and everyone. Do not refuse your personal invite to feast at His table today.