Come, For Everything Is Now Ready. Series

UNDERSTANDING THE PARABLE:

a) The king is God. V. 2

b) The son is Jesus. V. 2

c) The invited guests are the people of Israel. V. 3

d) The first slaves are the O. T. prophets. V. 3

e) The 2nd and 3rd sets of slaves are Christians. Vv. 4 & 8

f) The burned city is Jerusalem. V. 7

g) The good and bad are the members of the church. V. 10

h) The wedding ROBE is Christ Righteousness. Vv. 11-12

KEY POINTS IN THE PASSAGE:

1. GOD INVITES EVERYONE. Matthew 22:3-6

A. The rejection and rebellion. Matthew 22:3-6

i. The Father is still inviting the people of Israel to come, in spite of what they did to His Son.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—THE JEW FIRST and also the Gentile.

ii. Many people do not know God because of a lack of interest. Matthew 22:3-5

iii. Many prophets, including John the Baptist, had been murdered. Matthew 22:6-7

Matthew 22:7 “The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town.

- Many understand this to be a prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in 70 A. D.

B. The invitation is extended to others. Matthew 22:8-10

i. God’s free gift of eternal life is available to everyone.

ii. All are invited to partake of the kingdom of heaven.

APPLICATION: If we are already Christians, we need to help others get ready.

2. GOD PROVIDES THE ONLY WAY. Matthew 22:11

EXPLANATION:

i. It was customary for the hosts to provide their guests suitable apparel so the guests would not be embarrassed or out of place, meaning everybody was properly attired.

ii. Just as the king provided wedding garments for his guests, God provides salvation for everyone.

iv. Salvation is personal and individual. John 1:12, 3:16

We must accept what God gives to us—the righteousness of Christ and not try to make it on our own.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].

- We must be clothed with Christ righteousness by faith.

APPLICATION:

i. Have you submitted to Christ’s rule over your life?

ii. Salvation is free, but making Jesus Lord of your life demands that you surrender your all to Him.

3. GOD WILL JUDGE THE WICKED. Matthew 22:11-14

A. Only those who are clothed in Jesus’ righteousness are welcome.

i. The man without a wedding garment pictures those who think [they will] be accepted in their own righteousness rather than the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

ii. To reject Jesus Christ is to reject God’s only provision for eternal life. Matthew 22:13

- The weeping and gnashing are the ultimate regret for rejecting God’s gift of salvation.

APPLICATION: Philippians 3:9ff “I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.”

CONCLUSION: Are you wearing the garment God has prepared for you?