The Invitation

Luke 14:16-25-Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’

But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’

And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’

Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’

So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’

And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’

Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’”

The man who gives the invitation represents God and the invitation He offers!

GREAT SUPPER-Not just a good supper, not just an ok supper but a great supper!

What God offers is the very best! There is nothing out there that can compare to what He offers!

SUPPER TIME-The invitation was given to meet a need, and at the right time (Supper time), they should have been hunger and ready to partake of what is offered!

When God gives an invitation, it is at the right time, to meet a need in that person’s

life,(I have preached sermons before that I knew what someone was going thru or dealing with and the message that God gave me, I believe it was a answer to their situation, but they weren’t there to hear it, now, I know that I am not the only source for God to speak to them, but I know that opportunity was missed)!

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Verse 17-COME-An invitation is given! God gives an invitation, it’s not church’s or the pastor (Though we are suppose to tell it, to proclaim it), but it’s still God’s invitation!

People are not turning down the church, they are not turning down the pastor, they are turning down God!

When people leave the church, they are not leaving the church and the programs that it offers or don’t offer (Most people want to know what the church can do for them, instead of what they can do for the church), they are turning their backs on God and what He has done for them!

Rev. 22:17-And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

If Your Burden Down-Matthew 11:28-Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

If You Want Walk By Faith-Matthew 14:29-So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

If You Want Your Life To Matter-Matthew 16:24-Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

If You Want Someone That Knows All About You And Still Loves You-John 4:29-“Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”

ALL THINGS ARE NOW READY-God has done everything that needs to be done for people to go to heaven, for people to have a real relationship with God instead of a religion and all that is left to do is accept it.

(You can have the greatest doctor living in your town and still die of something that is treatable, if you don’t go to that doctor, or don‘t take the medicine he prescribes!)

NOW-2 Cor. 6:2-For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Proverbs 27:1-Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 29:1-He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Isaiah 55:6-Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.

We often think of a invitation, as a invitation to accept Jesus as our Savior, but God gives us a invitation to follow Him daily!

The question is are you?