Matthew 2:1-14
Preached Sunday Morning, May 24, 2009
Introduction:
Are you one of those people who have not yet personally accepted the free gift of eternal life? Perhaps you are still trusting in your baptism, your sacraments, or your good efforts. It is possible that you still have not been convinced that placing your faith and trust in Jesus alone is the only way to Heaven. Today you will hear about another invitation. This parable is for folks who have had every chance to know about and believe the Bible way to eternal life. This parable is also about folks who have not heard much about Jesus. You are trapped in your sin and your circumstances. You do not even dare to think that there could be a way out. This message is for you to. Jesus tells us about the marriage dinner.
I. The First Invitation
Matthew 22:1-3
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
A. The king = God
B. His Son = Jesus
C. Servants = Prophets and messengers
D. Invitation was made world wide through the people of Israel.
E. This invitation was generally rejected.
II. The Second Invitation
Matthew 22:4
4 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.
A. Other servants = prophets
B. Israel was given detailed plans of the Messiah’s Mission – all the preparations were made for the wedding supper.
Isaiah 53:3-6
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
1. Despised and rejected
2. Bore our griefs
3. Wounded for our transgressions
4. Carried our Iniquity
2 Corinthians 5:21
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.
C. After all that revelation, the invitation was still rejected.
Matthew 22:5-6
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
1. Made light of it.
2. Turned to worldly pursuits
3. Abused the messengers
4. Aggressively rejected the message.
D. Such rejection incurred God’s wrath.
Matthew 22:7
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
-> Predicted the destruction of Jerusalem that took place in A.D. 70
E. Have you, like the people of Israel, heard the message often?
F. Have you rejected the message out of apathy, unbelief, or contempt?
III. The Third Invitation
A. Offered to Gentiles directly
Matthew 22:8-9
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
Acts 10:34-35
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
B. The invitation is to go to as many as you can find.
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
C. The invitation is extended to people of every religious background.
Matthew 22:10
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
IV. The Wedding Garment
Matthew 22:11
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
A. Ancient kings would give gifts of wedding garments to all who attend the dinner.
B. The garment was usually a beautiful white robe.
C. To reject that free gift and remain in street clothes was a terrible offence.
D. We have all been invited to the kingdom of Heaven.
E. The robe is the righteousness of Christ
1. We do not have our own righteousness
Romans 3:10,23
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
2. Jesus gives us the gift of His righteousness
Romans 3:20-22
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Romans 5:8
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
3. That gift is received by faith alone.
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 10:13-14
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
F. Without the wedding garment, we are condemned to Hell.
Matthew 22:12-14
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
1. Speechless – without excuse
2. Cast into outer darkness
3. Weeping and gnashing of teeth.