The Great Supper

…A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

The table is spread – a feast of the finest food and flavours.

What a great honour to be an invited guest!

SALVATION is like A GREAT FEAST - hosted by the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Luke 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

The master sent his servant, with the message: come - and feast. All things are NOW ready. No time to waste.

God extends His offer of salvation to planet earth.

Luke 14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse.

One guest after another gave excuses. Weedy, lame excuses.

Excuses of…
• Pride
• Business
• Pleasure

Something else was more important.

What an insult to the host! How rude!

Things can get in the way for some people. I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

This one was too caught up with possessions.

“I must…” he says. Yet - what about God’s “must”? John 3:7 …Ye MUST be born again.

What about THE greatest possession?
Some refuse to accept the offer of gospel. They've got other commitments, other priorities - seeking gain or gold, or pursuing pleasure.

For some the excuse is… Work.

And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

Here’s a man preoccupied with his business. I am too busy.

For some, the excuse is People. The affections and loves of others.

Luke 14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

Why didn’t he bring his wife with him?

Luke 14:21 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.

Imagine, having a party and no one you invited shows up?

No wonder this man was angry!

So too, God is angry… Psalm 7:11 …God is angry with the wicked every day.

Bring in the poor – the needy.
The sick, the crippled.
The blind.
The wretched.

The call goes out to the lost.
To sinners far and wide.

Luke 14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

Luke 14:23 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.

The master of the feast wants his house literally crammed.

The Master says to His servants –bring them in…
• Seek them out…
• Hurry
• Go out quickly

Jesus commands us to share our faith.

The task is still the same.
Go out.

Beckon them to come.
To the master’s house.

Luke 14:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

The ones who had REJECTED had LOST THEIR OPPORTUNITY.

Those who were originally invited aren’t going to get a taste. Not even a bite.

The divine call goes out still…

God wants Heaven filled…
BUT, some will miss out.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

A PERSONAL INVITATION can either be
• RECEIVED or
• REFUSED.

So, too, with SALVATION.

A Personal Invitation calls for...
A PERSONAL RESPONSE…

The Master extends His invitation yet wider, ever wider...

He still REACHES to THE UTTERMOST.
And He still SAVES to THE UTTERMOST.

We have a wonderful PRIVILEGE and HONOUR – to be INVITED TO DINE WITH HIM.

COMPEL them.

Some need to be driven to Christ as their only refuge and hope. Just as the angels took Lot by the hand and led him out.

He simply says ‘Come; For all things are NOW READY’...

• Lay aside your excuses
• Don’t delay!
• Decide now!

It’s SUPPERTIME.
Come, and dine!

Come to this feast. It's ready for you.

Yet some will still say: I can’t - I've got this and that to do, to occupy myself with. Maybe later, they say. I'm just too busy.

Some will miss out. They will not even get a taste of heaven.

Have you declined your invitation - or will you accept your invitation?

Will you say, I’m hungry and thirsty? I want to taste and see that the Lord is good. I want to get a taste of that satisfaction that only Christ can give. That salvation that can satisfy that soul hunger.

You can't afford to miss this.
It is free to all.

Come and partake of it. The feast is prepared. It's ready.

Come to Christ. Don't put it off. Don't delay. Accept the Master’s call today.
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