The Parable Of The Wedding Feast, Part 2of4, Pastor Phil Sessa

Matthew 22:12, “So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.”

In part 1 of the Parable of the Wedding Feast, we looked at the reality of the Kingdom of God, and how it is opposed to the Kingdom of this world. Jesus has a Kingdom, and the Kingdom of God dwells within His children. The Kingdom of this world should not the one that God’s people chase after, but rather they should embrace the Kingdom of God, and the King (God) of the Kingdom!

There is a Kingdom banquet! However, not only does a heavenly Kingdom exist, but there is a Kingdom banquet! The king threw a banquet on behalf of his son’s marriage. Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding. The king made that everything was prepared to his liking and his will. He ordered the meal, and wanted to make sure everything was set just right. The King is still throwing a banquet. John wrote in the book of Revelation, “9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:9)!’ There is still a GREAT DAY coming for those that are the Bride of Christ, which will partake in wedding feast in Heaven. Will you be there? When Jesus sent out the 70 on their ministry assignment, they came back rejoicing that darkness (the demons) were subject to their authority in Christ. However Christ said, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven”, Luke 10:20. You may have your name written on your birth certificate, on your social security card, on your marriage license, and one day your name will be written on a tomb stone. But if your name is not written in the Lambs (Philippians 4:3; Revelation. 3:5), it does not matter if your name is written anywhere else. Those that have their names written in heaven’s role, will be the ONLY ones that will be at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

The Kingdom servants spread the news! “3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” The King sent the servants out, and they obediently went out as the King commanded. They were to call all those invited to the wedding, but those they called were not willing to come. Still the king sent more servants out to tell those invited that the king has prepared a banquet table and has killed both his oxen killed and the fatted calf for the celebration. God is still sending his servants out to call people the upcoming banquet. Jesus sent His disciples out to minister (Luke 10) and his last words “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Instead of staying in all the church building, Jesus said “Go into all the world…” We are to be mobile, and that involves MOVEMENT. As you are going into all the world (the place you live, your community, the people you know, and the strangers you meet) you are to preach the Gospel. “20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God (2Corinthians 5:20).” The Gospel is simply the good news that Christ Jesus alone has paid the penalty (fine) for the Law (the 10 Commandments) that you and I have broken. “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” So to partake in this you are commanded to “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19).” Why is this crucial? “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).” A servant obeys his or her master. Jesus said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? This is why Paul’ heart was so burdened that he proclaimed, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel (1Corinthians 1:17).” “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel (1Corinthians 9:16-18).”

Kingdom servants will be persecuted. “5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.” Some will outright reject the call and make light of it. I spoke to someone just recently, and he said, “I’m just not into that,” when I shared the Gospel with him, making light of his need for a Savior. Those that are servants of the King (God) are godly people, and God has promised something for them to look forward to. Paul wrote, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2Timothy 3:12). The king in the parable sent out his servants, and his servants were seized, spitefully treated, and even killed. But there is another promise from God here, straight from the lips of Jesus. Jesus said, “10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:10-12).” This is not the kind of promises that most focus on, but in the full council of God, one cannot leave out these types promises in 2Timothy 3:12; Matthew 5:10-12. The servants of the king were blessed by the persecution that they received as they received it on behalf of their king. To be continued…
Until the nets are filled…
Blessings, Phil Sessa, Evangelist – Soulfishing Ministries <><