AT THIS POINT

THE DOOR IS STILL OPEN (Luke 14:15-24, Matthew 25:1-13) Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ”(Luke 14:21-24) In Luke 14, we see the master of the house inviting many people to come to a feast(banquet) on the day of the banquet he sends out a servant to let the peoplenvited that the banquet was ready and that they could now come, the doors were open. In those days the people invited were those of the same social status of the host or slightly lower. For someone to reject the invite (Luke 14:17-18) would’ve been humiliating for the host, thus I belieb=ve is why he got so angry and responded as he did, by inviting those far below his own social standing (vv. 21-23) this would’ve been unheard of in those days. Jesus often refered to God’s kingdom as a banquet people were invited too.(see Isaiah 25:6-9). So then as Jesus told this parable, he was challenging His listeners’ to focus on securing social status and as to what this parable was all about (Luke 14:7). He was emphasizing that God’s kingdom is very, very large and the invitation to salvation includes everyone. All who receive Him by faith are welcomed into His kingdom, are welcomed into heaven. This parable in Luke, told the story, of a man who lovingly prepared and set up for a great banquei and invited many, who in the end, simply gave excuses as to why they couldnt come. getting married, bought land, bought oxen, and so on. The man became angry and very disappointed at their rejection. So he sent his servant out to invite people from the highways and the byways,“the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame” (v. 21). and there was still room at the tables, his servants went out and “compel [others] more to come in” and enjoy the banquet.(v. 23). This is a reminder to us that many of God’s chosen people refused Jesus as their Messiah and rebuffed His invitation into His kingdom (John 1:11). To continue God’s plan to save the world despite their rejection, He opened His invitation to the gentiles,to us, who are not Jews,to come. He said all who will receive Jesus by faith can come into God’s kingdom (heaven),it does not matter if the world thinks they disqualified or not the world thinks they do not deserve to go. The door to heaven are still open and the invitation stands and is still extended to all who will believe and come. But I am here to tell you, those doors, one day will close. The story of the 10 Virgins in Matthew is writen to warn us that this will happen and once they close, if we are still on the outside, we cannot open those doors and it is too late. Read - Matthew 25:10-13 again, it says, "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us! But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [b]in which the Son of Man is coming. Yes, at present the door is still open for all who believe to come to the banquet but there is comig a day the door will close and tthe response to come to the banquer=t willbe to late and all of those who came will enter, but those who refused and wouldnot beleove will be left outside the door. Have you responded to the invitstion to come to the Heavenly Kindom Banquet have you RSVP it with a positive affirmation that you are on your way? Im here to tell you, it is the most important RSVP you will ever ake, choose carefully. The bible says to be ready, watching and waiting and seeking to move the kingdom forward as you do. We have the great opportu ity while we wait to spread the good news of Jesus Chrsit to all that we meet.Thnk you Lord for this opportunity, I pray for all of those who you have choosen to believe to make that choice now before it is too late. It is in your nae I pray AMEN Dear Jesus, thank You for making a way for me to experience a personal relationship with You.