INTRODUCTION
A. Andy and Barney’s high school reunion.
1. Barney is moving his trunk into Andy’s garage when the old high school annual falls out.
2. Andy begins to question where they all are and about the possibility of seeing them again.
3. Before long they are planning a high school reunion.
4. One of the local girls heads it up, and they are surprised at the many responses they get.
5. Andy is particularly hoping that his old high school sweetheart will come, but they never hear from her.
6. The big night finally arrives, and Barney has the book out trying to figure out who all the people are.
7. When the party is almost over, Sharon, Andy’s high school sweetheart, shows up.
8. They have a wonderful talk and do a lot of reminiscing.
9. After it’s all over and Andy and Barney are cleaning up, they are sad because it’s all over but glad they had the chance to see their old friends again.
10. Heaven will be one big reunion of God’s people.
11. There may be some sadness over those who didn’t make it, but there will be great joy in seeing those we have known and only read about in God’s word.
B. Jesus dines with one of the Pharisees.
1. He thought of those who had not been invited (Pharisees would not just invite anyone).
2. Probably only invited those of his elite group.
3. No one from the lower class of society would have been there.
4. Told his host he should have invited the poor, crippled, lame and blind.
C. Reply by one of the guest leads to the parable.
1. “Blessed is the person who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.
2. Jesus tells about a great banquet.
GOD’S KINGDOM IS LIKE A BANQUET OR PARTY
A. God’s Kingdom defined.
1. Reign of God in human history through the person of Christ to redeem humanity.
2. God is king and is acting in history to accomplish his purposes and bring the world to his planned end.
3. Has always existed, but took on new meaning after the work of Christ.
4. Jesus established this phase of the kingdom when he came and will bring it to a close when he comes again.
5. He will create a new heaven and earth for all the redeemed of the ages.
6. Jesus, “But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
7. Jesus, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”
8. We enter the kingdom of God by faith in Jesus and that ensures our existence in it throughout eternity.
B. Jesus compares the kingdom to a banquet.
1. When giving a banquet, a general announcement was sent with the date.
2. On the day of the banquet, a servant was sent to tell that the banquet was ready.
3. Jesus tells of a man who did just this.
4. When the servant was sent, those who had been invited began to make excuses.
5. Master became angry and told the servant to go into the streets and alleys and invite the poor, crippled, blind and lame.
6. Still room after this had been done.
7. Instructed to then go into the roads and country lanes and invite everyone.
8. If the friends would not come, he would invite everyone.
C. First application is made to Jesus.
1. The prophets predicted the coming Messiah, but when he came many refused to believe in him.
2. The gospel went to the Jews first, but when they rejected it, it was sent to the Gentiles.
D. Entering his kingdom is like going to a feast or party.
1. Festive time, delightful time, and time for fellowship.
2. It is entered by faith.
3. Living the Christian life should be fun not boring.
4. Many Christians seem to say by their actions that you have to be sad to be God’s child.
5. Frowns don’t equal godliness.
E. The Bible doesn’t teach that we have to renounce all joy and pleasure.
1. This teaching has slipped into some churches and denominations.
2. Bible doesn’t call us to be ascetic or deny our bodies things God has provided for us.
3. Doesn’t say we have to be recluses or withdraw from society, because Jesus didn’t.
4. I’m afraid some Christians might not enjoy heaven.
5. We are to mingle and thereby be that permeating influence.
6. We should enjoy the beautiful earth God has made for us.
7. We are not to be legalists like the Puritans or Pharisees.
8. Puritans even condemned toy for their children calling them “works of the flesh.”
F. John Wesley made some of the same mistakes.
1. Established the Kingswood School in 1748.
2. Children required to get up at 4 am in winter and summer.
3. No recess, holidays, or play of any sort.
G. Such ideas may come from a distorted view of Jesus.
1. He was a suffering servant, but this picture may have been blown out of proportion.
2. Letter written by Publius Lentulus, contemporary of Pilate, that gave first written description of Jesus, “In reproof and rebuke he is formidable; in exhortation and teaching, gentle and amiable. He has never been seen to laugh, but oftentimes to weep. His person is tall and erect; his hands and limbs beautiful and straight. In speaking he is deliberate and grave, and little given to loquacity. In beauty he surpasses the children of men.”
3. Gospels don’t give this picture of Jesus.
4. Real flesh and blood, both human and divine.
5. Did not deny himself nor was he a recluse (often found at parties).
6. Friend of children, tax collectors and sinners.
7. The way he trapped the religious leaders is comical, and he enjoyed a good story.
H. Not to indulge in sensuous or sinful living.
1. We are live joyful lives. Jesus came to give abundant life.
2. Many things to be happy about: forgiveness, indwelling presence of God, comfort, fellowship with other believers, peace of God that passes all understanding.
3. Kingdom is like a banquet: now and in eternity.
SOME MAKE EXCUSES TO NOT ATTEND THE REUNION
A. Servant heralded the news of the banquet but he met excuses.
1. Just bought a field and wanted to go see it.
2. Just purchased some oxen and wanted to try them out.
3. Just got married.
B. These three excuses can be broken down into two excuses.
1. Excuse of earthly possessions.
2. Just purchased oxen and a piece of land.
3. Material things mean too much to them and all their focus is there instead of on the things of God.
4. Lay up treasures on earth not in heaven.
5. The Christian life would cut into their pursuit of more.
6. Nothing wrong with material possessions unless they take God’s place.
C. Excuse of earthly ties.
1. Just gotten married.
2. Old Testament said a just married man could avoid war.
3. Surely the master would have invited the wife also.
4. Represents those who let family ties and earthly relationships interfere with service to God.
5. Entering the kingdom of God means giving our allegiance to him.
6. Jesus, “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.”
GOD EXTENDS A UNIVERSAL INVITATION TO HIS REUNION
A. Servant reported that friends were not coming.
1. Man got furious and told him to go into the streets, alleys, roads, and country lanes.
2. First call to Jews, then to Gentiles.
B. God gives a universal invitation.
1. Christians make that invitation known to the world.
2. Gospel is for all but the kingdom must be entered by faith.
3. If message is refused, we continue to go.
4. Jesus wants his kingdom full.
5. Always be room for more.
6. We must spread the message quickly.
CONCLUSION
A. Many will reject the invitation but we must continue to invite. When we enter, we should live joyous lives.
B. Clock of life
The clock of life is wound but once,
And no man has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop,
At late or early hour.
To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed
To lose one’s health is more.
To lose one’s soul is such a loss
That no man can restore.
