A TOTAL DISREGARD FOR GOD
MATTHEW 22:1-14
Introduction: Christ used the kingdom parables to illustrate and teach spiritual truths. Each of these parables can be applied at times to several aspects of life and faith in the kingdom. As we consider the parable in our text, I want you to notice the total disregard for God.
(Give a brief summary or overview of the Parable)
I. There was a total disregard for the King’s Invitation
A. Matthew 22:2-5 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them, which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise.
B. Verse 3 – they would not come - There was a conscious decision on their part not to come to the wedding.
C. Verse 5 – they made light of it - They treated it with contempt, as a thing of no consequence. They paid no attention and gave it no heed.
D. Verse 5 – one to his farm, another to his merchandise (emporia) – his farm, landed property the possessions he had; his merchandise, enterprise, the pursuit of gain. The things he has and the things he wants.
E. It was reprehensible for them not to participate in the wedding celebration.
1. The celebration was important – it was the wedding of the King’s Son.
2. They had previously committed to come – implied by the King’s actions in verse 2 - call them that were bidden
3. There was no good excuse for their refusal – They were motivated by self interest and materialism
F. God has graciously invited us to join in the celebration of the wedding of His Son – in the fellowship of worship and service to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Initially many accept His invitation and vow to put His things first but then self interest and materialism enters.
G. 2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world…
H. Ecclesiastes 5:4 (MKJV) When you vow a vow to God, do not wait to pay it. For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you have vowed.
I. That great missionary to India, William Carey, became deeply concerned about the attitude of his son Felix. The young man, a professing Christian, had promised to become a missionary. But he broke his vow when he was appointed ambassador to Burma. Carey requested prayer for him: “Pray for Felix. He has degenerated into an ambassador of the British government when he should be serving the King of kings.” Our Daily Bread, February 2
J. It is a privilege to come to Christ. It is a privilege to read the Bible. It is a privilege to pray. It is a privilege to come to God’s House. It is a privilege to worship. It is the highest privilege in the world to serve Christ. It is a privilege that we should not take lightly.
II. There was a total disregard for the King’s Messengers
A. In verse 4, the King sends a second group of His servants to remind them of their prior commitment and that they need to come. – Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them, which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
B. They response is one of annoyance and contempt. Matthew 22:6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. (insulted and killed them).
C. There is an irritation that arises from being made aware that one is in the wrong that results in angry with those who would seek to lead them back in the right paths.
D. John 15:18-20 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept My saying, they will also keep yours. John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
E. Many years ago, while on a visit to America, a wealthy Chinese businessman was fascinated by a powerful microscope. Looking through its lens to study crystals and the petals of flowers, he was amazed at their beauty and detail. So he decided to purchase one of these devices and take it back to China. He thoroughly enjoyed using it until one day he examined some rice he was planning to eat for dinner. Much to his dismay, he discovered that tiny living creatures were crawling in it. Since he was especially fond of this staple food in his daily diet, he wondered what to do. Finally he concluded that there was only one way out of his dilemma -- he would destroy the instrument that caused him to discover the distasteful fact! So he smashed the microscope to pieces. "How foolish!" you say. But many people do the same thing with the Word of God. They hate it and would like to get rid of it because it reveals their evil nature.
F. People often avoid God’s house out of conviction.
III. There was a total disregard for the King’s Provision
A. Matthew 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
B. There was one at the wedding not dressed properly. All the other guests were suitably clothed. Regardless of who they were, what they had done, or their station in life. They all had wedding garments, except for this one individual.
C. It was an Oriental custom for a king to supply all invited guests at a royal feast with festive robes to be worn at the banquet. The man refused the provision of the King and wore his dingy everyday dress.
D. His attitude may have been
1. Nobody is going to order me about and tell me what to do
2. If the King wants me at the feast, He’ll have to take me just the way I am.
3. I’m good enough the way I am.
Regardless of what his thoughts were for not accepting the King’s provision, it was an attitude of self will and disregard for the graciousness of the King.
E. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
F. Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
G. As a result of Christ’s provision we read in 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
H. You can come just as you are but you cannot remain just as you are
I. “Our singing, our praying, our teaching or preaching – no matter how excellent these may sound to the human ears – do not impress God until He sees you and me on the worship altar.” – Henry Blackaby, Worship Believers experiencing God, p 61.
IV. There was a total disregard for the King.
A. Matthew 22:12 (MKJV) And he said to him, Friend, how did you come in here without having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
B. When the king addresses the guest, he is thinking not so much of the outward token of disrespect, as of the guest’s mental attitude toward the proprieties of the occasion. It is as if he had said, “What were you thinking of, where was your respect for me and for my guests, when you allowed yourself to come hither not (μὴ) having the proper garment, as you knew you ought to have?” It implies, as Dr. Morison observes, that the man was conscious of the omission when he entered, and was intentionally guilty of the neglect.
C. When confronted he was speechless. He had no excuse for his deliberate act of self will. He could not plead lack of time – the rest found time. He could not plead ignorance – the rest knew where to obtain the King’s provision. He could not plead poverty – the King provided out of His riches. The silence spoke volumes – his crime was the sin of neglect – a total disregard for the King.
D. Psalms 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, There is no God! – No God! Nothing of God! God is not!”
E. Psalms 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
F. Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect (make light of, have no regard for) so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him?
Conclusion: A total disregard for the invitation of God, the messengers of God, the Son of God, and God himself is summed up in one word SELF. Understand that there will never be lasting peace, joy, deliverance, life, blessing, happiness, purpose, direction, or victory until self is laid on the altar and self is crucified. Galatians 2:20 declares, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
