Free Lunch!

(This is a sermonette and/or illustration, that was taken from one of our Gospel tracts. It could be considered tongue-in-cheek. It simply explains the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and how to qualify to participate in it.)

Someone once said there is no such thing as a “free lunch.” There are indeed few things in life that are free. Usually, if something advertised as being “free,” there are conditions to be met, stated in the small type, and difficult to read.

If you are familiar with the internet, you have probably seen posts claiming a service offered is free, but once you download the program, your computer becomes infected with malware or something worse. I’m speaking from experience, so I always question anything that claims to be free of charge.

But there is something free in life, and there are no hidden clauses, there is no small type to read, and no one is going to knock on your door or call you by phone to sell you something.

It’s a real FREE LUNCH, and there is only one condition to be met to qualify for a pass or ticket to enjoy the best meal ever served in the history of the world.

You see, long before you were born, a plan went into effect which guaranteed this FREE LUNCH and many other gifts which are also free. It concerns a plan making it possible for someone to die for you so you would be eligible to accept or reject the gifts. This someone’s name is Jesus, and He is the Son of God who came to earth to act as your representative.

Every man and woman ever born have sinned and deserve to go to a place of torment called Hell. There have been only two exceptions. The first was the first man, Adam, although he wasn’t born but created by the hands of God. The second was Jesus, the Son of God, born into this world by a virgin woman named Mary. How a virgin woman gave birth is another story, but for now, suffice it to say that the first man, Adam, sinned by rebelling against God, His Creator. But Mary’s Son, Jesus, went from birth to about the age of 33 without sinning one time against God. So He became a “second Adam” and was qualified to represent you and me when it came time to be judged by God.

If the words FREE LUNCH got your attention, you were probably expecting a coupon for a fast food meal. Maybe a pizza, hot dog or hamburger, and a drink to go with it.

Sorry, but this offer is more than just lunch. This offer is a real meal, and it’s going to take place very soon. It’s called “The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” There is no delivery service to you, but instead, transportation to this meal is guaranteed and without charge to you.

You may be thinking, “Oh, they must be going to serve lamb.”

No, the Lamb has already been served. When Jesus died, He died as a lamb led to slaughter. He never complained once as men cruelly beat Him and nailed His hands and feet to a wooden cross. You could say He was “meek as a lamb” when He became a sacrifice for you. When He died, you then became eligible for a seat at the table of the Marriage Supper. You can enjoy the meal, and Jesus has already picked up the tab.

This may or may not make sense to you now, but you have to accept it by faith. Down deep in their hearts, everyone knows they are sinners, but most people don’t want to admit it. Some churches of today believe the worst thing to do to a congregation is to tell people they are sinners and going to Hell. They say it lowers self-esteem, and people don’t want to hear negative sermons. Today it’s believed that entertainment, refreshments served, loud music appealing to those accustomed to that style, jokes, charitable programs, and social get-togethers are what is needed to build a church.

But the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that man was born a sinner, and there is no way he can earn a place in Heaven. He is lost and bound for Hell. Money cannot buy a way to Heaven. Doing good works will not permit one to pass through the gates of Heaven, nor membership to any particular church.

The word, Gospel, means, good news, and here it is: You don’t have to go to Hell. It’s not a matter of where you go to church or whether you attend church at all. Being a nice person and doing things for others is good, but that alone will not get a person into Heaven. Believing in God will not keep you out of Hell. Even your enemy, the Devil, believes there is a God, and that will not get the Devil into Heaven.