Preaching the Gospel to the Community

April 25, 2010

Lesson: Luke 14:15–24

Key Verse: Luke 14:21

Introduction

It is recorded that Christ Jesus went about all Galilee “preaching the gospel of the kingdom” (Matt. 4:23). After his resurrection, Christ appeared to his apostles, saying, “Go ye into the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Paul, in writing to the church at Philippi gives thanks to God our Father for their “fellowship in the gospel” (Phil. 1:5). To his beloved apostle, John, Christ gave this revelation of his gospel: an angel flew in the midst of heaven, “having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (Rev. 14:6).

In John’s vision, there was a great multitude who were gathered out of all nations, standing before “the Lamb, clothed with white robes” (Rev. 7:9). One of the elders who stood at the throne of the Lamb asked about those who wore the white robes. It was John who had the answer, saying that they came out of the great tribulation, “and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (7:14). Those who are arrayed in such robes will not hunger or want for anything any longer. “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (7:17).

This is the gospel message, that the Lord is wiping away the tears from our eyes, preparing us for the great marriage feast. The Lord reveals to us that the voices of a great multitude continue to cry out, “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready” (Rev. 19:6–7). Jesus tells John to write, “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb” (19:9).

There is a Kingdom, and there is a King. King Jesus invites his redeemed subjects to join him at the table of a glorious feast. At that supper table is the Lamb who shed his blood for the forgiveness of our sins, enabling us to come into his throne room. We see Christ as our King. In his service we are forever giving him the glory and praise for so great a salvation.

Kingdom Blessing—Luke 14:15–17

Jesus begins the parable of the great supper by telling those who were with him, “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.” How happy are those who are in fellowship with God in the Kingdom of the Son. The Christian who enters into the Kingdom of God possesses an inward happiness, a blessedness that the world cannot give. How happy are those who find bread to eat in the Kingdom of God. To reveal a certain characteristic of his Kingdom, our Lord proceeds to illustrate this blessedness by telling a parable. He begins, “A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.”

The gospel offer, the good news of Jesus Christ, is an invitation to those who have received a new life by the Spirit, who are now able to join the Savior at his table. Jesus went to the cross to prepare a place for us in his Father’s house. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2–3). To be where Christ is! What a wonderful thought.

There are Christians who refuse an invitation from another Christian with the excuse that they are too busy, or that might have to return the favor. There are others who do not want to take the time to prepare a supper for another. Yes, maybe for a close friend or loved one; but, how about the Christian who is not able to prepare such a meal for himself? Or, how about accepting an invitation to a home where little is given but prepared with love? The invitation to the supper is that God’s children would be where their Savior is. We express this truth by not neglecting the fellowship or accepting an invitation to share a meal, for we wish to be where other Christians are, those who have also been redeemed by the precious blood of the Savior. There is also the thought that our invitation may also include those who need to know the Savior, and witnesses will be used of the Spirit to bring others to the supper table of the Lord.

Discussion: Why is the Christian called blessed in the kingdom of God?

Poor Excuses—Luke 14:18–20

The servant goes out with the invitations to come to supper. He hears a variety of excuses why they cannot accept invitation. One said that they had bought a piece of ground and need to go see it. Another said that they had just bought five oxen and needed to see how good they were. Still another said that he had married a wife, and therefore could not come. Excuses are excuses and nothing else. They speak of the immoral heart of the one receiving the invitation. It would have been more honest to say yes or no, rather than to think of an excuse.

We could compare this to the seed which fell upon bad ground or thorns. It is the heart that rejects the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel invitation goes out to all men to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul writes, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth to the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9). However, will the Lord say to those who refuse the invitation, “I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people” (Rom. 10:21)? Gainsaying means to speak against or deny something. In the rejection of the Gospel, people reject Christ the Son of the living God. Those who have excuses to give are expressing their rejection of the King of kings.

Discussion: What do excuses tell us about the heart of unredeemed man?

Compel Sinners—Luke 14:21–24

The servant returned to his lord and showed him the refused invitations. He set the excuses before his lord. The master of the house became angry and said to his servant, “Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.” Those who care more for the things of this world blind their eyes to their need for a Savior. Those in the streets and alleys of our cities certainly know how badly off they are. And those who are in the depth of sin or poverty or sickness, know what their conditions are. “Blessed are those who are poor,” says our Lord. Blessed are those who know that they have transgressed the Law of God and need a Savior. They are the ones who most happily accept the invitation of grace to enter into the supper of the King.

The servant in the parable comes back to his master saying that he had done all he was commanded to do, and still there was room. His lord sends him out again, saying, “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. Those who were first asked to come but refused with their excuses: they would not taste of the supper.

The Lord’s Table will not have an empty seat. The household of God our Father will not have an empty space, for the Christ has prepared a place for each of the Father’s adopted children. The Lord will make effectual the preaching of his Word. There will be those who will hear and respond. Therefore, we must go into all the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is one message of Good News for all people. The invitation comes to the heart of all people from the King. And we know that those who are made able by the Spirit to hear the Words of the King  will come.

It pleases the Lord to embrace those he has pardoned. Those who reject him have no excuse, for they deny him with a wicked heart. We go to the streets and alleys of our cities, to the lanes and farms of the country, by royal command; for our King will save those for whom he died. He will gather into his arms the lost sheep. He will seat them at his table to a supper fit for the King. His sovereign grace will give us the robe cleansed in his blood, and we will glory in him with much praise.

As our Savior raised Lazarus from the grave, he will raise his sheep from the darkness of sin. Is he calling you now? Do you hear the voice of your King inviting you to his supper? It is a wonderful and compelling voice. He moves the heart to receive him as Savior and Lord. He moves us to repent of the sin for which he died. His compassion embraces us with tender mercy which speaks of forgiveness and eternal life. Do not let excuses or anything else turn you from such an invitation. By the Spirit of God, accept the invitation as he himself walks you to his supper table.

Discussion: What is the Gospel invitation that should be received with joy?

Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.