2025.09.07. Sermon Notes. ARE YOU RAPTURE READY? The King’s Invitation, Authority, and Command _ Matthew 22:1–46
William Akehurst, HSWC
BIG IDEA: Are you Rapture Ready?
The King invites us into His kingdom, calls us to live under His authority, and commands us to love Him with all our heart.
The King is calling. How will you respond?
Are you Rapture Ready?
Better be Ready...HE's Coming Soon!
SCRIPTURES: Matthew 22:1-46, Isaiah 55:1, Revelation 19:9,
John 1:11-12, Hebrews 2:3, Romans 10:13, Luke 14:23,
Isaiah 61:10, Isaiah 64:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Matthew 7:21, John 6:37, Genesis 1:27, Genesis 9:6, Philippians 3:20, Acts 5:29, John 11:25, Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18, Romans 13:10, Psalm 110:1, Revelation 19:16, John 20:28, Philippians 2:10-11
INTRODUCTION:
Matthew 22 opens with an invitation from the King of kings. But it doesn’t stop there. This chapter also shows us His authority when questioned by men, and His identity as the Lord of all. This ultimately poses the question…WHO is JESUS to you?
I. THE KING’S INVITATION (VV. 1–14) BEING RAPTURE READY
1. THE KING’S INVITATION (VV. 1–4)
Matthew 22:1-4
1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” ’
Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like a king preparing a wedding feast for his son.
• The king prepares a wedding feast for his son.
• The gospel is an invitation-free, gracious, and extended to all.
• This is a picture of God the Father preparing a celebration for His Son, Jesus Christ—the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7–9).
• The King sends out invitations, saying, “Everything is ready—come to the wedding!”
• Yet, people refused to come.
ILLUSTRATION: Have you ever received a wedding invitation and ignored it? We consider that rude. How much greater the offense to ignore the invitation of Almighty God!
LESSON: GOD is not stingy with His grace-He is generous, inviting us to eternal fellowship with Him. To be rapture ready, you must first accept God’s invitation of salvation.
SCRIPTURE SUPPORT:
• Isaiah 55:1 “Come, everyone who thirsts…”
• Revelation 19:9 “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”
2. THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSE/REJECTION (VV. 5–7)
Matthew 22:5-7
5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Some who received the invitation were too busy. Others mocked the King’s messengers. Some even killed them.
• This pictures Israel’s rejection of Christ, and the persecution of the prophets and apostles.
• The King responded in judgment. Prophetically, this points to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., but it also foreshadows eternal judgment.
APPLICATION: Many today are still too busy for God. Careers, possessions, entertainment - “I’ll get to God later.” But when the trumpet sounds, later will be too late.
LESSON: To reject the King’s invitation is to reject life itself. GOD’s patience is great, but His judgment is real.
Be rapture ready by responding now, not delaying.
SCRIPTURE SUPPORT:
• John 1:11 “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”
• Hebrews 2:3 “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”
3. THE OPEN INVITATION EXTENDED TO ALL (VV. 8–10)
Matthew 22:8-10
8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.
The King says, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.”
• This shows the gospel invitation is for all people; good and bad, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile alike.
• This represents the gospel being offered to Gentiles, to the broken, to all who will receive.
• The wedding hall is filled with guests - GOD’s kingdom will not be empty.
• Romans 10:13 says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
• Go into the highways and invite everyone – we are the servants to carry the invitation to the world around us.
ILLUSTRATION: A banquet hall being filled with unexpected guests; a homeless man, a poor widow, a broken sinner - each one welcomed, not because of who they are, but because of the King’s invitation.
LESSON: No one is too far gone for the grace of GOD. His banquet is open to all. Be rapture ready by recognizing the gospel is for you. No one is too far gone.
Share the gospel invitation with others. Luke 14:23
SCRIPTURE SUPPORT:
• Romans 10:13 “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
• Luke 14:23 “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”
4. THE REQUIREMENT OF THE WEDDING GARMENT (VV. 11–13)
Matthew 22:11-13
11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The most sobering part of the parable is the man without a wedding garment.
• He came to the feast, but was not properly dressed, without proper wedding clothes.
POINT: He had the invitation, but no covering. He attempted to come his own way.
• The wedding garment represents the righteousness of CHRIST.
• Isaiah 61:10 says: “He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.”
• Our own works are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Only in Christ can we be covered.
• We cannot enter GOD’s kingdom on our own terms.
The King said, “Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness.” This is eternal separation from God.
APPLICATION: Church attendance won’t save you. Good works won’t save you. Religion won’t save you. You must be clothed in Christ.
LESSON: The only way to be accepted at the King’s banquet is to be clothed in CHRIST’s righteousness, not our own works. To be rapture ready is to be clothed in Christ’s righteousness, not trusting in your own.
SCRIPTURE SUPPORT:
• Isaiah 61:10 “He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of GOD in Him.”
• Isaiah 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
5. THE FINAL WARNING (V. 14)
Matthew 22:14
14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
• The invitation goes out to all, but only those who respond in faith and are clothed in CHRIST are truly chosen.
SCRIPTURE SUPPORT:
• Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven.”
• John 6:37 “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”
LESSON: It is not enough to merely hear the call-we must respond, surrender, and put on CHRIST.
ARE YOU RAPTURE READY?
1. Have you accepted the King’s invitation? Don’t put it off. Tomorrow is not promised.
• Accept the Invitation – Don’t delay. Receive Christ today. Tomorrow is not promised.
• 2 Corinthians 6:2 Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2. Are you clothed in CHRIST’s righteousness? Church attendance, good deeds, or morality won’t qualify you-only CHRIST will.
Wear the Garment – Trust in Jesus alone, not in yourself.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
3. Are you distracted with lesser things? Don’t let work, pleasure, or pride keep you from the banquet.
• Live Watchfully – Keep your lamp full of oil, your heart devoted to Him (Matthew 25:1–13).
4. Are you inviting others? GOD calls us to be His messengers, extending His invitation far and wide.
• Invite Others – Be like the servants—go out and invite as many as you can. Time is short!
RAPTURE READY SCRIPTURES:
• John 14:1-3 “I will come again and receive you to Myself.”
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “Caught up together… to meet the Lord in the air.”
• Revelation 19:7-9 “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
• Luke 21:36 “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things…”
LESSON:
• Salvation is freely offered (Isaiah 55:1).
• Revelation 19:9 Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’…
• The gospel invitation is wide and for all: “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
• But entry requires the righteousness of CHRIST, not our own good works (Isaiah 61:10). Only CHRIST’s righteousness qualifies us.
• Isaiah 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of GOD in Him.
• To refuse is to reject life
John 1:11-12 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
II. THE KING’S AUTHORITY (VV. 15–40)
The religious leaders try to trap JESUS with three questions. Each one backfires.
1. TAXES – RENDER TO CAESAR (VV. 15–22)
Matthew 22:15-22
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. 17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.”
So they brought Him a denarius.
20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”
21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”
And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.
They ask: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” A political trap.
If JESUS says yes, He angers the Jews; if no, He angers Rome.
JESUS asks for a coin. “Whose image is this?” “Caesar’s.” “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to GOD what is GOD’s.”
ILLUSTRATION: When you hold up a dollar bill, you see George Washington’s face. But when GOD looks at you, He sees His own image (Genesis 1:27). The coin belongs to Caesar-but your life belongs to GOD.
LESSON: Be responsible citizens, but remember your ultimate allegiance is to GOD (Acts 5:29).
BIG IDEA: We must honor earthly authority, but our ultimate loyalty belongs to GOD.
APPLICATION: Be a faithful citizen of earth while living as a loyal citizen of heaven.
SCRIPTURE SUPPORT
• Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
• Genesis 9:6 …For in the image of God, He made man.
• Philippians 3:20 Our citizenship is in heaven.
• Acts 5:29 “We ought to obey God rather than men.
2. RESURRECTION – THE GOD OF THE LIVING (VV. 23–33)
Matthew 22:23-33
23 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, 24 saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. 27 Last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.”
29 Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. 31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32 I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” 33 And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.
The Sadducees, who deny resurrection, mock JESUS with a story about marriage in heaven. JESUS replies: “You are wrong, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of GOD.” GOD says, “I am the GOD of Abraham.” Not was. He is the GOD of the living.
ILLUSTRATION: A little girl once put flowers on her grandmother’s grave and whispered, “See you soon, Grandma.” Children often grasp resurrection hope better than adults. Death is not the end.
LESSON: The resurrection is real. Our hope is anchored in eternal life.
• John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
BIG IDEA: GOD is not the GOD of the dead, but of the living; resurrection life is real.
APPLICATION: Know the Scriptures, trust GOD’s power, and live in resurrection hope.
3. THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT (VV. 34–40)
Matthew 22:34-40
34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
A lawyer asks: “Which commandment is greatest?” JESUS sums up the entire law in two sentences: “Love the Lord your GOD with all your heart, soul, and mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.”
The Question of the Lawyer – Testing JESUS with legal debates.
1. The Greatest Commandment – Love GOD with all your being.
Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.
2. The Second Commandment – Love your neighbor as yourself.
Leviticus 19:18b …you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
3. The Fulfillment of the Law – All the Law and Prophets hang on love.
Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
ILLUSTRATION: St. Augustine once said: “Love GOD and do what you please.” Because if love for GOD fills your heart, your actions will follow.
LESSON: True obedience is rooted in love. Love for GOD flows into love for neighbor.
BIG IDEA: The greatest commandment is love; love for GOD and love for neighbor.
APPLICATION: Examine your love for GOD and neighbor. Let love guide every action.
TRANSITION - NOTICE THE PATTERN: every trap collapses under the weight of His authority. JESUS isn’t just answering questions-He’s showing that GOD’s wisdom silences man’s schemes.
III. THE KING’S IDENTITY (VV. 41–46)
Matthew 22:41-46
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?”
They said to Him, “The Son of David.”
43 He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying:
44 ‘The LORD said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’?
45 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?” 46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.
Finally, JESUS asks them a question: “What do you think about the CHRIST? Whose Son is He?” They reply: “The Son of David.”
But JESUS quotes Psalm 110:1: “The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand…” If the Messiah is merely David’s son, how can David call Him Lord?
The Pharisees are speechless. And from that day on, no one dares question Him.
ILLUSTRATION: C.S. Lewis once said: “You can’t just call JESUS a good teacher. He is either a liar, a lunatic, or He is Lord.”
LESSON: JESUS is not just a prophet, a rabbi, or a wise man. He is both David’s Son and David’s Lord-fully human, fully divine, the eternal King (Revelation 19:16).
BIG IDEA: JESUS is both David’s Son and David’s LORD; fully man and fully GOD.
MATTHEW 22 - CHAPTER RECAP:
• The Wedding Feast (vv. 1–14) – GOD’s invitation to salvation must be received and entered into with the righteousness of CHRIST. Accept GOD’s invitation to salvation.
• Render to Caesar (vv. 15–22) – Our ultimate allegiance belongs to GOD. Live responsibly under earthly authority but give GOD your ultimate loyalty.
• The GOD of the Living (vv. 23–33) – The resurrection is real, and GOD is the GOD of the living. Trust in the reality of the resurrection and live with eternal hope.
• The Greatest Commandment (vv. 34–40) – Love for GOD and neighbor is the essence of the Law. Love GOD fully and love your neighbor sincerely.
• The Son of David, the Lord of All (vv. 41–46) – JESUS is both David’s Son and David’s Lord, the Messiah and GOD in the flesh. Confess JESUS as both Son of David and Lord of all
CONCLUSION & CALL FOR RESPONSE
Matthew 22 brings us face-to-face with three eternal questions:
1. The King’s Invitation – Have you accepted the invitation to salvation and been clothed in CHRIST’s righteousness?
2. The King’s Authority – Will you live under His rule, giving to GOD what is GOD’s - your very life?
3. The King’s Identity - Who is JESUS to you? Just a teacher - or the Lord of your life?
• Will you respond like Thomas declares… “My Lord and my God!” in John 20:28
• Or as Revelation 19:16 declares HIM as… “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Matthew 22 leaves us with no neutral ground.
You must either accept the invitation, bow to His authority, and confess His identity - or reject Him altogether.
Philippians 2:10-11 10… at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, …11 and that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST is Lord, to the glory of GOD the FATHER.
RESPONSE NEEDED: The King is calling. How will you respond?
BENEDICTION: Confess JESUS as Lord, surrender to His authority, and live under His rule.
Let’s Pray
FATHER, thank You for inviting us to the wedding banquet of Your Son. May we never treat that invitation lightly. Clothe us in CHRIST’s righteousness, teach us to live under Your authority, and fill us with Your love. Strengthen our hope in the resurrection and help us boldly confess that JESUS is both Son of David and Lord of all. May our lives reflect Your glory until we see You face to face. In JESUS’ name, Amen.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Bill
Hymns
111 All Hail the Power of JESUS’ Name
316 I Surrender All
122 Crown Him with Many Crowns
