MANY ARE INVITED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN (Outline)
October 21, 2007 -
PENTECOST 21 -
Matthew 22:1-14
INTRO: Consider for a moment how many technological advances that have taken place in the last few years. We cannot keep track of all the electronic marvels that have been invented or improved. Telephones have become an important part of our society. In one generation we have moved from homes without a phone to homes with two or more phones. We have moved to the age of cell phones that are filled with all kinds of options. There is call forwarding and call waiting and text messaging. There is even called ID. The cell phone owner has the option of not even answering the call they have received. One look at caller ID and a snap judgment is made whether to answer or not. Maybe it is a number that is not recognized. May be it is someone we do not want to talk to. On a whim the call is rejected.
At times this happens with the call of the Lord. On a whim he is rejected: not now, no time, or maybe later. People reject God’s call. People look at the caller ID and put the Lord on hold. Thankfully our loving heavenly Father does not give up. In the midst of mindless rejection after rejection the Lord calls. For the Lord has only purpose in mind for mankind. "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth"(1 TIMOTHY 2:3,4). We will want to remember the Lord’s will as we examine man’s self-will in our text.
MANY ARE INVITED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN.
I. God calls and calls again.
II. Man reacts in various ways.
I. GOD CALLS AND CALLS AGAIN
A. Jesus continues again with his teaching by a parable – an earthly story with a divine meaning.
1. At the end of chapter 21 the church leaders the parables were spoken against them.
2. Thus Jesus continues verses 1,2. God’s kingdom is one of joy and celebration.
B. Verse 3a the king invites the invited. He calls those called once again. This was the normal custom.
1. The people were invited once and are reminded again when that day and time arrived.
2. There was a refusal. Verse 4. The king sends more servants with another call to come.
3. Everything was ready. They only had to come and enjoy the great banquet and feast.
C. Sadly, they reject again. There is only conclusion the king can make, verse 8.
1. The king is not giving up. Verse 9. The servants are sent into the streets to gather everyone.
2. Verse 10. The servants gather in good and bad and the hall of celebration is filled.
a. Those called who were invited rejected.
b. The others were gathered with no choice.
D. By and with divine grace – God’s undeserved love – the Lord does desire that all men be saved and come to knowledge of the truth. To make this happen our gracious God calls and calls and calls again and again. His call is free and comes with no strings attached. God calls the same way today that he has for generations. He offers his kingdom freely and without cost. "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost"(ISAIAH 55:1). In this way our King would have all enter the wedding banquet.
E. How does God extend his call? Where is one to discover this valuable invitation? Some say they would and can find God in nature. True one is awestruck by the marvels of nation and creation. BUT not one wonder of creation declares that Christ died for our sins. There is only one place to hear Jesus calling. There is only one way to receive God’s invitation. "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ"(ROMANS 10:17).
F. For believers we remember God’s promises. After the first sin, God promised Adam and Eve that he would send a Savior. They watched and waited for thousands of years. Christ Jesus the Savior came, lived, died, and rose again. Jesus promised that he would return again. For thousands of years we have been watching and waiting for his return. We pray thy kingdom come in eager expectation of Jesus’ return. We may even feel that judgment day should have come and gone by now. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance"(2 PETER 3:9). God is patient waiting for mankind to repent.
MANY ARE INVITED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN.
Thankfully God calls and calls again and again.
II. MAN REACTS IN VARIOUS WAYS
A. Everything was prepared and the banquet feast was ready. All that was needed were the invited.
1. The servants go out to call those called but they refused to come verse 3.
2. There were various reasons for their rejection of the king’s call. Indifference in verse 5.
3. Verse 6 describes outright rejection and hatred for this call. They killed the servants.
B. The king was enraged at this rejection. They would be rejected verse 7.
1. The king comes to the wedding and visits with the guests verse 11. Something is wrong.
2. Verse 12. A guest is not dressed properly. He has no answer for his disobedience.
a. Guests were to be properly dressed.
b. The host even provided a wedding garment.
C. Once again, rejection is met with rejection verse 13. This would be an utter and complete rejection.
D. One begins to wonder why? Why would anyone reject a call to celebrate? Why would so many reject anything free? It all began in the Garden of Eden. Man rejected God’s perfect creation. Ever since mankind has been with evil in their hearts. We start out in this world as enemies of God. Here lies the constant struggle of the believer. All too often all too many give in to their sinful nature and its desires. "Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people"(EZEKIEL 12:2).
E. That people would reject God and his call is nothing new. Take time to read the first chapter of the Gospel of John. Even his own, those chosen by God, and the Israelites rejected Jesus and the call of God. Many are invited but few are chosen. "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him"(JOHN 1:10,11). John states later that people did not understand this light but loved darkness. This is the danger of evil that lurks within our hearts. Thanks be to God for calling us into his light!
F. In these final days before judgment day the world grows more and more wicked. Worst of all, is the truth of Jesus’ warning to watch out for false shepherds. The false shepherd come as ravenous wolves disguised in sheep’s clothing. The leader of a well-known fast growing church (this term is used rather loosely) has declared that there is no cross in his building because it is too controversial. Too controversial!?! Without the cross of Christ and his sacrifice for our sins we are lost – for ever! God’s truth is just that, it is still truth. We are sinners – controversial. We are saved by the sufferings, death, and blood of Christ – more controversial. These are the simple saving truths that are being done away. They are being replaced with self-help books from self-proclaimed preachers. Sadly: "Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things"(PHILIPPIANS 3:18b, 19).
CONC.: Many are invited, but few are chosen. This is God’s truth. Our King calls and calls again and again. Sadly, many reject God’s call. More sadly, many more even despise God’s call. To reject God is the natural inclination of man’s sinful nature and evil heart. This helps us to appreciate all the more God’s grace, which gathers us into his kingdom. Our gracious God does all of this without any merit or worthiness of our own. We will someday be seated at the wedding banquet filled with guests. We will someday rejoice in perfect joy at the wedding feast of the Lamb. We are already wearing the wedding garment. "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ" (GALATIANS 3:26,27). Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
WORSHIP SER.: SAT – 1:00pm @ NCF Min., &
SUN – 9:30am @ Church & 12:00pm @ NCF Medium
Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
PENTECOST 21 readings:
RUTH 1:1-19;
2 TIMOTHY 2:8-13;
LUKE 17:11-19 (PSALM 111)
