Sermon Central
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The Banquet Table
Contributed by Glenn Bleakney on Jul 23, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: The Lord has invited you to sit and commune with him at His banquet table right now. What does this mean? How will you respond? Teaching by Glenn Bleakney.
We have been invited to a Great Feast. At this feast there is a table spread before us. This Feast is not to be viewed as an occasion reserved strictly for the future when we dwell with the Lord forever.
Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.
Though the Marriage Supper of the Lamb is a definite reality in eternity, there is much evidence in the Bible that the Feast of the Lord happens in this life. Consider the following scripture passages:
• And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in that Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
• Ps 23:5
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
1. AT THIS TABLE THERE IS AN ABUNDANCE OF PROVISION
• Runneth over or overflows = Fill to excess; to make drunk; to be extravagant.
• Ps 23:5
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
• Ps 66:12
But you brought us to a place of great abundance. NLT
Jesus said that He came into the world to give us life in abundance (John 10:10).
Beyond Measure = Mark 6:51
Fishing Nets Tearing, Baskets of Bread Left Over!
2. AT THIS TABLE THERE IS A Personal Intimacy
Rev 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Rev 3:20
20 "Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.
Privilege & Honour: 2 Samuel 9:10, 13
3. THIS ABUNDANCE IS STORED UP FOR US. WE MUST GO AFTER IT
Ps 31:19
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You,
Which You have prepared for those who trust in You
In the presence of the sons of men!
• tsaphan = Hidden - by implication, to hoard or reserve.
• Ps. 25:2
• Prov 2:3-4 NLT
• 3 Cry out for insight and understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure
1 Sam 9:22-24
Now Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall, and had them sit in the place of honor among those who were invited; there were about thirty persons. And Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, ’Set it apart.’" So the cook took up the thigh with its upper part and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, "Here it is, what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat; for until this time it has been kept for you, since I said I invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
No More Excuses! Lame Excuses:
I
n spite of the magnitude of the glorious invitation extended to us, many forfeit the blessing and knowledge of God in exchange for vain pleasures and worthless affairs of this life. Like the parable Jesus told, all our alibis are really lame excuses.
Text: Luke 14:15-22
1. Possessions (v. 18).
2. Priorities: (v.19).
3. People (v. 20).
Jer 2:32
32 Does a young woman forget her jewelry? Does a bride hide her wedding dress? No! Yet for years on end my people have forgotten me. NLT
Conclusion:
21 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.’ 22 And the servant said, ’Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ 23 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. 24 For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’"
