Eternal Judgment Part 5: How to Prepare for the Great Supper. Nothing is more important than Jesus Christ. We must not let work, possessions, or even family keep us from gathering with God’s people. Receiving God’s invitation is not enough; we must respond with commitment. If we prioritize other things over eternal life, we risk missing out on it. Make Christ your top priority now because delay or excuses can have eternal consequences.
Eternal Judgment Part 5: How to Prepare for the Great Supper
Audio
Scriptures used in this lesson:
Luke 14:14-20, Luke 14:21-24,
Eternal Judgment Part 5: How to Prepare for the Great Supper
The Blessing of the Kingdom Feast
Luke 14:14-20
14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
The Danger of Excuses
At least they were polite. They did say, “Please excuse me.” When we make excuses, we do it in such a way that seems apologetic. Sometimes, there were reasons, but more often, we make excuses.
Eternal Judgment Part 5: How to Prepare for the Great Supper
Have you ever been given a lame excuse by someone who didn’t do what they were supposed to do? How did you feel? Have you ever given a lame excuse for not doing something? I’ve done both. You’ve got to realize that with nearly thirty years of being a pastor, I’ve heard almost every excuse you can imagine why people didn’t come to church. I’d share some but…
Jesus told another story/parable. Remember, a parable means to lie alongside. Jesus laid out a story. Our job is to find where we lie in the story. Off the top, where do you think most people find themselves in the story when it comes to God and excuses? Have you ever made excuses concerning the things of God? I have. Did we ever think our excuses had a connection with our resurrection, eternity, heaven, or eternal judgment?
This person at the table gave his beatitude, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God,” but finds himself in the wheelhouse of Jesus when talking about the kingdom. What he said was true, “Blessed is the man…” but his conception of who will attend the feast is erroneous, and it’s got to do with excuses. Jesus said Let me tell you a story concerning your idea of the feast. Jesus enjoyed shattering false religious beliefs.
Eternal Judgment Part 5: How to Prepare for the Great Supper
Misplaced Priorities in Spiritual Life
Verse 20 said, “And another said, I’ve married a wife and therefore I cannot.” The man refuses an invitation because he has just gotten married. He does not even ask to be excused. He simply says he cannot come. Outwardly, his reason sounds good. However, he is missing out on the party and causing his new wife to miss it as well. This is a mistake, even if it seems reasonable.
At a young adults group, I asked them to search the scriptures to find out what is most important to Jesus: the natural family or the spiritual family. The group found that Jesus prioritized the spiritual family. Jesus said that those who do God’s will are his true family. According to Scripture, spiritual relationships precede natural ones.
Marriage is often misunderstood in the church. Adam did not find Eve on his own. God brought them together. The lesson is that God wants to be involved in marriages. Marriage should not just be about two people, but about God joining with them. It’s not only two becoming one. It’s three becoming one: God, the man, and the woman.
The man in the story (Luke 14:20) is not leading his wife toward God. Instead, he is leading her away from the spiritual party. Men and women should marry someone who will help them follow God. I cannot stress enough the importance of marrying “in the Lord.”
Eternal Judgment Part 5: How to Prepare for the Great Supper
There are three main excuses people use to avoid God, skip church, or miss church functions. First, they are too busy with work and their pursuit of success, as seen in the case of the man who bought the property. Second, they are distracted by hobbies and entertainment like the man with five yoke of oxen. Third, they prioritize family over spiritual matters, as seen in the case of the man with the new wife. The Scripture says these are just excuses.
Many people think they will serve God later, after enjoying youth and family. However, the Bible advises us to serve God while we are young and able. Waiting until old age is not wise. God wants people to give their best to Him now, not later.
Let’s continue with the parable.
Luke 14: 21-24
21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. 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 hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
Eternal Judgment Part 5: How to Prepare for the Great Supper
The people in the story made excuses for not coming to the master’s party. The servant told the master about these excuses. The master did not say it was okay or change the date. He did not try to please everyone. Instead, he became angry. He told his servant to invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. The servant did as he was told, but there was still room. The master then said to go out to the roads and country lanes and urge others to come so his house would be full.
The Urgency of God’s Invitation
This passage is often misunderstood. Some think God will always wait for us or accept our excuses. But the message is clear. If we put other things before God, He will find others to take our place. The invitation is given, but not everyone will accept it. If we refuse, we miss out.
God wants us to put Him first. He will not accept being second. We must seek Him above all else. The cost of this invitation was great. God gave His Son, Jesus, for us. Making excuses will not work. We must make God our priority.
The question for each person is: What excuse are we giving? What is truly most important in our lives? God is calling us to put Him first. Nothing else matters more.
Eternal Judgment Part 5: How to Prepare for the Great Supper
Father, help us, Lord. Let us get our priorities in order. Let us understand that the marriage party primarily concerns the bride – the church. Your eternal purposes are around your body, around your bride, making herself ready. Let us understand that that is superior in your thoughts. Minister that to our spirit. Let it be more than words coming out of a preacher’s mouth. Let it be more than Logos written. May this become Rhema, so that faith may come, and our lives may shine. So we can hear you and what the Spirit says to us, to me, and to the church. You are not second place to anything. Minister that to our hearts.
Eternal Judgment Part 5: How to Prepare for the Great Supper
Eternal Judgment Part 5: How to Prepare for the Great Supper
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