Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear; biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
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Dr. Robert Jeffress | The Kingdom Of God Is A Party C | June 16, 2022
- ♪ MUSIC ♪
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- [ANNOUNCER] FROM THE PULPIT
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- OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF DALLAS, TEXAS,
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- THIS IS "PATHWAY TO VICTORY," WITH DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS.
- 00:00:09.332 --> 00:00:14.104
- HI, I'M ROBERT JEFFRESS, AND WELCOME AGAIN
- 00:00:14.104 --> 00:00:16.406
- TO "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:00:16.406 --> 00:00:18.374
- WHEN MOST PEOPLE THINK ABOUT HEAVEN,
- 00:00:18.374 --> 00:00:20.376
- THEY MIGHT PICTURE AN IDYLLIC CITY, FLOATING ON CLOUDS,
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- WITH ANGELS LAZILY PLUCKING THEIR HARPS.
- 00:00:23.847 --> 00:00:26.983
- IT SOUNDS A LITTLE BIT BORING, DON'T YOU THINK?
- 00:00:26.983 --> 00:00:29.853
- GRATEFULLY, THAT DEPICTION OF HEAVEN
- 00:00:29.853 --> 00:00:32.088
- IS ANYTHING BUT BIBLICAL.
- 00:00:32.088 --> 00:00:34.257
- AND TODAY WE'RE GOING TO OPEN
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- TO THE PARABLE OF THE WEDDING BANQUET,
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- TO SEE WHAT GOD'S KINGDOM IS REALLY LIKE.
- 00:00:38.161 --> 00:00:41.297
- MY MESSAGE IS TITLED, "THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS A PARTY,"
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- ON TODAY'S EDITION OF "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:00:45.635 --> 00:00:50.140
- ♪ MUSIC ♪
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- [ANNOUNCER] A RECENT NATIONAL SURVEY REVEALED
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- THAT A LARGE MAJORITY OF PARENTS TODAY
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- ARE CONCERNED WITH THEIR CHILDREN'S SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.
- 00:01:01.651 --> 00:01:04.721
- AND IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES,
- 00:01:04.721 --> 00:01:06.256
- "PATHWAY TO VICTORY" IS DEDICATED
- 00:01:06.256 --> 00:01:07.957
- TO SHARING THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
- 00:01:07.957 --> 00:01:11.528
- RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT
- 00:01:11.528 --> 00:01:13.096
- THE FAITH FORMATION OF THE NEXT GENERATION,
- 00:01:13.096 --> 00:01:15.698
- BY GIVING TOWARD THE GOSPEL ADVANCE MATCHING CHALLENGE.
- 00:01:15.698 --> 00:01:19.035
- EVERY DOLLAR YOU GIVE BETWEEN NOW AND JULY 4TH
- 00:01:19.035 --> 00:01:21.504
- WILL BE MATCHED, AND THEREFORE DOUBLE IN MINISTRY IMPACT.
- 00:01:21.504 --> 00:01:24.707
- AND AS A THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFT,
- 00:01:24.707 --> 00:01:26.309
- WE'LL SEND YOU A BRAND-NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK
- 00:01:26.309 --> 00:01:28.211
- BY DR. JEFFRESS, CALLED, "JESUS' FAVORITE STORIES FOR KIDS."
- 00:01:28.211 --> 00:01:32.148
- THANK YOU FOR PARTNERING WITH US IN THIS GOD-GIVEN MISSION
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- TO SHINE THE LIGHT OF GOD'S WORD IN OUR DARK NATION,
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- AND ADVANCE THE GOSPEL TO ALL GENERATIONS.
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- ♪ MUSIC ♪
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- IN HIS BOOK, "WHAT'S SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE,"
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- PHILIP YANCEY RECOUNTS A STORY THAT FIRST APPEARED
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- IN THE BOSTON GLOBE IN JUNE OF 1990.
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- IT WAS ABOUT A WEDDING BANQUET THAT WAS ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE.
- 00:02:02.245 --> 00:02:07.150
- A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THE BANQUET,
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- THE PROSPECTIVE BRIDE AND HER FIANCE,
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- WENT TO THE HYATT HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN BOSTON
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- TO ORDER THE MEAL.
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- THE TWO OF THEM POURED OVER THE MENU.
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- THEY MADE SELECTIONS OF CHINA AND SILVER,
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- POINTED TO PICTURES OF THE FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS
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- THAT THEY LIKED.
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- AND THEY BOTH HAD EXPENSIVE TASTE,
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- AND THE BILL CAME TO $13.000.
- 00:02:27.737 --> 00:02:32.041
- AFTER LEAVING A CHECK FOR HALF THAT AMOUNT
- 00:02:32.041 --> 00:02:34.510
- AS A DOWN PAYMENT, THE COUPLE WENT HOME
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- TO FLIP THROUGH THE BOOKS OF WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENTS.
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- THE DAY THE ANNOUNCEMENTS WERE SUPPOSED TO HIT THE MAILBOX,
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- THE POTENTIAL GROOM GOT COLD FEET.
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- "I'M JUST NOT SURE," HE SAID, "IT'S A BIG COMMITMENT.
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- LET'S THINK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE LONGER."
- 00:02:49.692 --> 00:02:53.096
- WHEN HIS ANGRY FIANCE RETURNED TO THE HYATT
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- TO CANCEL THE BANQUET, THE EVENT MANAGER
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- COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE UNDERSTANDING.
- 00:02:58.935 --> 00:03:00.937
- "THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME, HONEY," SHE SAID,
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- AND TOLD THE STORY OF HER OWN BROKEN ENGAGEMENT.
- 00:03:03.640 --> 00:03:07.377
- BUT ABOUT THE REFUND, SHE HAD BAD NEWS.
- 00:03:07.377 --> 00:03:11.014
- "THE CONTRACT IS BINDING,
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- YOU'RE ONLY ENTITLED TO $1.300 BACK.
- 00:03:13.082 --> 00:03:16.853
- YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS, FORFEIT THE REST OF THE DOWN PAYMENT,
- 00:03:16.853 --> 00:03:20.857
- OR GO AHEAD WITH THE BANQUET.
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- I'M SORRY, I REALLY AM."
- 00:03:23.059 --> 00:03:26.396
- IT SEEMED CRAZY,
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- BUT THE MORE THE JILTED BRIDE THOUGHT ABOUT IT,
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- THE MORE SHE LIKED THE IDEA OF GOING AHEAD WITH THE PARTY,
- 00:03:30.667 --> 00:03:34.270
- NOT A WEDDING BANQUET, MIND YOU, BUT A BIG BLOWOUT.
- 00:03:34.270 --> 00:03:38.207
- YOU SEE, 10 YEARS BEFORE THE SAME WOMAN
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- HAD BEEN LIVING IN A HOMELESS SHELTER.
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- SHE HAD GOT BACK ON HER FEET, FOUND A GOOD JOB,
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- AND SET ASIDE A SIZABLE NEST EGG.
- 00:03:46.115 --> 00:03:49.118
- NOW SHE HAD THE WILD NOTION OF USING HER SAVINGS
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- TO TREAT THE DOWN AND OUTS OF BOSTON TO A NIGHT ON THE TOWN.
- 00:03:52.588 --> 00:03:57.427
- AND SO IT WAS THAT IN JUNE OF 1990,
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- THE HYATT HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN BOSTON
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- HOSTED A PARTY SUCH AS IT HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
- 00:04:02.865 --> 00:04:07.103
- THE HOSTESS CHANGED THE MENU TO BONELESS CHICKEN,
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- "IN HONOR OF THE GROOM," SHE SAID.
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- (CONGREGATION LAUGHING)
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- AND SHE SENT INVITATIONS TO RESCUE MISSIONS,
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- AND THE HOMELESS SHELTERS.
- 00:04:23.219 --> 00:04:25.288
- THAT WARM SUMMER NIGHT,
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- PEOPLE WHO WERE USED TO PEELING
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- HALF GNAWED PIZZA OFF THE CARDBOARD,
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- DINED INSTEAD ON CHICKEN CORDON BLEU
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- HYATT WAITERS IN TUXEDO SERVED HORS D'OEUVRES
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- TO SENIOR CITIZENS PROPPED UP BY CRUTCHES
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- AND ALUMINUM WALKERS.
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- BAG LADIES, VAGRANTS, DRUG ADDICTS
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- TOOK ONE NIGHT OFF FROM THE HARD LIFE
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- ON THE SIDEWALKS OUTSIDE, AND INSTEAD SIPPED CHAMPAGNE,
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- ATE CHOCOLATE WEDDING CAKE, AND DANCED TO BIG BAND MELODIES
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- LATE INTO THE NIGHT.
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- YOU KNOW, CONTRARY TO WHAT MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE,
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- HEAVEN IS NOT GOING TO BE LIKE ONE LONG BORING,
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- NEVER-ENDING CHURCH SERVICE.
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- INSTEAD, JESUS TAUGHT THAT HEAVEN, MORE THAN ANYTHING,
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- COULD BE DESCRIBED AS A PARTY,
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- A BIG BLOWOUT PARTY TO WHICH EVERYONE IS INVITED,
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- BUT ONLY A FEW OF THE MOST UNLIKELY GUESTS
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- ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO ATTEND.
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- AND THAT'S THE THEME OF THE PARABLE
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- WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT TODAY.
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- IF YOU HAVE YOUR BIBLES, TURN TO MATTHEW 22,
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- AS WE DISCOVER WHY THE KINGDOM OF GOD
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- REALLY IS GOING TO BE A PARTY.
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- MATTHEW 22, NOW IN OUR STUDY OF "JESUS' FAVORITE STORIES,"
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- WE'VE SEEN THAT THESE PARABLES WERE NOT STANDALONE STORIES
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- JESUS TOLD JUST TO ENTERTAIN THE CROWD.
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- THEY WERE ALL GIVEN IN A PARTICULAR CONTEXT.
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- AND THE CONTEXT OF THIS PARABLE
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- IS ACTUALLY FOUND BACK IN CHAPTER 21, VERSE 43.
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- JESUS WAS SPEAKING TO THE JEWS,
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- AND NOTICE WHAT HE SAYS IN VERSE 43,
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- "THEREFORE I SAY TO YOU THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD
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- WILL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU, THE JEWS,
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- AND BE GIVEN TO A NATION PRODUCING THE FRUIT OF IT."
- 00:06:13.496 --> 00:06:17.600
- NOW, THIS IS WHAT DROVE THE PHARISEES CRAZY.
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- WHEN JESUS STARTED TEACHING
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- THAT BECAUSE ISRAEL REJECTED CHRIST,
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- GOD WASN'T GOING TO CANCEL THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
- 00:06:26.409 --> 00:06:28.578
- HE WASN'T GOING TO CALL OFF THE BANQUET.
- 00:06:28.578 --> 00:06:30.680
- INSTEAD, HE WAS GOING TO INVITE OTHER PEOPLE
- 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:33.649
- TO SHARE IN THE BANQUET, GENTILES, PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND I.
- 00:06:33.649 --> 00:06:40.022
- AND YOU SEE, THE JEWS COULDN'T HANDLE THAT TRUTH.
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- THEY THOUGHT OF THE GENTILES AS SCOUNDRELS, DOGS,
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- SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS.
- 00:06:44.861 --> 00:06:46.295
- AND TO THINK THAT THEY WOULD ACTUALLY BE IN HEAVEN
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- AHEAD OF THE JEWS, WHO HAD REJECTED CHRIST,
- 00:06:48.764 --> 00:06:51.534
- THAT WAS UNTHINKABLE, BUT THAT'S WHAT JESUS TAUGHT.
- 00:06:51.534 --> 00:06:54.737
- AND TO EMPHASIZE THAT TRUTH, HE TELLS THIS STORY
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- BEGINNING IN CHAPTER 22, VERSE 2,
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- IT'S THE STORY OF A WEDDING BANQUET.
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- NOW THIS STORY COULD ACTUALLY BE TOLD,
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- OR SEEN AS A THREE-ACT PLAY, A PLAY IN THREE ACTS.
- 00:07:06.082 --> 00:07:10.920
- AND WE HAVE ACT ONE OF THE PLAY BEGINNING IN VERSE 2.
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- LOOK AT IT WITH ME, "FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
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- MAY BE COMPARED TO A KING
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- WHO GAVE A WEDDING FEAST FOR HIS SON."
- 00:07:20.563 --> 00:07:24.200
- HERE WAS A KING, HIS SON WAS ABOUT TO GET MARRIED.
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- HE WANTED TO THROW A GALA CELEBRATION
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- TO END ALL CELEBRATIONS.
- 00:07:29.972 --> 00:07:32.975
- NOW IT WAS CUSTOMARY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
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- FOR SUCH A CELEBRATION,
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- NOT JUST TO GO ON FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS,
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- LIKE IT DID AT THE HYATT THAT NIGHT,
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- BUT TO GO ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS.
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- AFTER ALL, IT WAS A BANQUET
- 00:07:43.553 --> 00:07:45.588
- TO HONOR THE KING'S SON, WHO WAS GETTING MARRIED.
- 00:07:45.588 --> 00:07:49.325
- NOW LET'S STOP HERE AND MAKE THE OBVIOUS APPLICATION.
- 00:07:49.325 --> 00:07:53.029
- I BELIEVE JESUS WAS ALLUDING TO A FUTURE WEDDING BANQUET
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- THAT IS YET TO TAKE PLACE.
- 00:07:57.500 --> 00:07:59.235
- IN THE BIBLE, WE CALL IT THE WEDDING SUPPER OF THE LAMB.
- 00:07:59.235 --> 00:08:02.838
- THE BIBLE SAYS IN REVELATION 19,
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- WHEN JESUS CHRIST RETURNS AT HIS SECOND COMING
- 00:08:05.174 --> 00:08:08.311
- TO SET UP HIS MILLENNIAL KINGDOM,
- 00:08:08.311 --> 00:08:10.246
- AND YOU AND I WILL RETURN WITH HIM,
- 00:08:10.246 --> 00:08:12.648
- SINCE WE'LL ALREADY BE IN HEAVEN.
- 00:08:12.648 --> 00:08:14.417
- WHEN HE GETS TO EARTH,
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- GOD'S GOING TO THROW A PARTY FOR HIS SON, WHY?
- 00:08:15.685 --> 00:08:18.921
- BECAUSE HIS SON IS MARRIED.
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- HIS SON IS THE GROOM, JESUS CHRIST.
- 00:08:21.023 --> 00:08:23.993
- HE HAS MARRIED HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH, YOU AND I,
- 00:08:23.993 --> 00:08:27.463
- AND THERE IS GOING TO BE A BANQUET
- 00:08:27.463 --> 00:08:29.365
- CALLED THE WEDDING FEAST, THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB.
- 00:08:29.365 --> 00:08:33.302
- I THINK THAT'S AN ILLUSION TO WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.
- 00:08:33.302 --> 00:08:36.105
- WELL, SUCH A CELEBRATION WAS QUITE AN HONOR
- 00:08:36.105 --> 00:08:39.175
- TO BE INVITED TO.
- 00:08:39.175 --> 00:08:40.610
- NOT JUST ANYBODY GOT INVITED TO THE PALACE
- 00:08:40.610 --> 00:08:43.312
- FOR SUCH SUCH A CELEBRATION.
- 00:08:43.312 --> 00:08:45.247
- I WANT YOU TO IMAGINE FOR JUST A MOMENT,
- 00:08:45.247 --> 00:08:47.416
- YOU GO TO YOUR MAILBOX ONE DAY,
- 00:08:47.416 --> 00:08:49.719
- AND THERE'S AN ENGRAVED INVITATION.
- 00:08:49.719 --> 00:08:52.188
- YOU LOOK IN THE LEFT HAND CORNER, IT'S FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.
- 00:08:52.188 --> 00:08:56.325
- AND YOU'VE BEEN INVITED TO A STATE DINNER.
- 00:08:56.325 --> 00:08:59.629
- TO THINK THAT YOU HAD BEEN SINGLED OUT
- 00:08:59.629 --> 00:09:01.664
- TO COME TO THIS CELEBRATION,
- 00:09:01.664 --> 00:09:03.299
- WELL, THAT'S WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE INVITED
- 00:09:03.299 --> 00:09:05.067
- TO THE WEDDING FEAST FOR THE KING'S SON.
- 00:09:05.067 --> 00:09:08.404
- NOW LOOK AT VERSE 3, IT WAS NORMAL IN THE MIDDLE EAST
- 00:09:08.404 --> 00:09:11.907
- TO SEND OUT TWO INVITATIONS TO SUCH AN OCCASION.
- 00:09:11.907 --> 00:09:16.045
- VERSE 3, "AND HE," THAT IS THE KING, "SENT OUT HIS SLAVES
- 00:09:16.045 --> 00:09:20.349
- TO CALL THOSE WHO HAD ALREADY BEEN INVITED TO THE WEDDING."
- 00:09:20.349 --> 00:09:25.287
- THAT'S THE FIRST INVITATION.
- 00:09:25.287 --> 00:09:27.690
- THE SECOND ONE WAS A COUPLE OF HOURS AHEAD OF THE PARTY,
- 00:09:27.690 --> 00:09:31.160
- THE SLAVES WENT OUT TO REMIND THE GUESTS
- 00:09:31.160 --> 00:09:34.830
- THAT THE WEDDING FEAST WAS ABOUT TO COME.
- 00:09:34.830 --> 00:09:37.933
- HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH THESE GUESTS
- 00:09:37.933 --> 00:09:40.102
- HAD NOT RSVPD MONTHS EARLIER,
- 00:09:40.102 --> 00:09:43.406
- AND NOW HE SENDS OUT HIS SLAVES TO ASK THEM AGAIN,
- 00:09:43.406 --> 00:09:46.409
- THEY STILL ARE UNWILLING TO COME.
- 00:09:46.409 --> 00:09:49.845
- WELL, THE KING COULD HAVE CANCELED
- 00:09:49.845 --> 00:09:51.313
- THE CELEBRATION RIGHT THEN, BUT HE DIDN'T DO IT.
- 00:09:51.313 --> 00:09:53.883
- AFTER ALL, HE WANTED TO HONOR HIS SON.
- 00:09:53.883 --> 00:09:55.918
- SO HE GOES AN UNPRECEDENTED STEP
- 00:09:55.918 --> 00:09:58.487
- OF ACTUALLY SENDING A THIRD INVITATION.
- 00:09:58.487 --> 00:10:01.524
- LOOK AT VERSE 4, "AND HE SENT OUT THE OTHER SLAVES,
- 00:10:01.524 --> 00:10:04.960
- SAYING, 'TELL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INVITED,
- 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:08.264
- BEHOLD, I HAVE PREPARED MY DINNER,
- 00:10:08.264 --> 00:10:10.900
- MY OXEN AND MY FATTENED LIVESTOCK, AND ALL ARE BUTCHERED,
- 00:10:10.900 --> 00:10:15.037
- AND EVERYTHING IS READY.
- 00:10:15.037 --> 00:10:17.239
- COME, COME TO THE WEDDING FEAST.'"
- 00:10:17.239 --> 00:10:21.744
- AND WHAT WAS THEIR RESPONSE?
- 00:10:21.744 --> 00:10:23.245
- VERSE 5, "AND THEY PAID NO ATTENTION, AND WENT THEIR WAY,
- 00:10:23.245 --> 00:10:29.452
- ONE TO HIS OWN FARM, ANOTHER TO HIS BUSINESS."
- 00:10:29.452 --> 00:10:32.755
- HOW DID THE PEOPLE RESPOND TO THIS THIRD INVITATION?
- 00:10:32.755 --> 00:10:35.991
- JESUS SAYS THERE WERE ACTUALLY TWO RESPONSES.
- 00:10:35.991 --> 00:10:38.828
- SOME DECLINED THE INVITATION BECAUSE OF THEIR INDIFFERENCE.
- 00:10:38.828 --> 00:10:43.065
- THEY WERE INDIFFERENT TO THIS OPPORTUNITY
- 00:10:43.065 --> 00:10:46.135
- TO COME AND BE A PART OF THE WEDDING FEAST.
- 00:10:46.135 --> 00:10:49.371
- NOW IN LUKE'S ACCOUNT OF THIS STORY, HOLD YOUR PLACE HERE,
- 00:10:49.371 --> 00:10:53.509
- TURN OVER TO LUKE 14, LUKE 14:18,
- 00:10:53.509 --> 00:10:58.180
- JESUS EXPANDS ON THE REASON THAT THIS FIRST GROUP,
- 00:10:58.180 --> 00:11:01.984
- THE INDIFFERENT, SAID, "NO, I'M NOT COMING,
- 00:11:01.984 --> 00:11:04.487
- EVEN AFTER A THIRD INVITATION."
- 00:11:04.487 --> 00:11:07.056
- LOOK AT VERSE 18 OF LUKE 14,
- 00:11:07.056 --> 00:11:09.058
- "BUT THEY ALL ALIKE BEGIN TO MAKE EXCUSES.
- 00:11:09.058 --> 00:11:12.728
- THE FIRST ONE SAID TO HIM, 'I HAVE BOUGHT A PIECE OF LAND
- 00:11:12.728 --> 00:11:16.732
- AND I NEED TO GO OUT AND LOOK AT IT.
- 00:11:16.732 --> 00:11:19.001
- PLEASE CONSIDER ME EXCUSED.'"
- 00:11:19.001 --> 00:11:21.637
- NOW THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MOMENT,
- 00:11:21.637 --> 00:11:24.406
- WAS THAT REALLY GROUNDS FOR NOT COMING TO THE BANQUET?
- 00:11:24.406 --> 00:11:27.977
- HE HAD BOUGHT A PIECE OF LAND.
- 00:11:27.977 --> 00:11:30.513
- WAS THE LAND GOING ANY PLACE?
- 00:11:30.513 --> 00:11:32.414
- NO, IT WOULD'VE REMAINED AFTER THE CELEBRATION.
- 00:11:32.414 --> 00:11:36.085
- BUT HE WAS COMING UP WITH A LAME EXCUSE.
- 00:11:36.085 --> 00:11:38.354
- NOW ANOTHER ONE SAID, VERSE 19,
- 00:11:38.354 --> 00:11:39.989
- "I'VE BOUGHT FIVE YOKE OF OXEN, I'VE GOT TO TRY THEM OUT.
- 00:11:39.989 --> 00:11:42.992
- PLEASE CONSIDER ME EXCUSED."
- 00:11:42.992 --> 00:11:45.294
- IN THAT DAY, YOU WOULDN'T BUY ANIMALS
- 00:11:45.294 --> 00:11:47.229
- WITHOUT HAVING FIRST INSPECTED THEM.
- 00:11:47.229 --> 00:11:49.698
- ANOTHER LAME EXCUSE.
- 00:11:49.698 --> 00:11:51.133
- AND THEN VERSE 20, "ANOTHER ONE SAID,
- 00:11:51.133 --> 00:11:53.068
- 'I HAVE MARRIED A WIFE.
- 00:11:53.068 --> 00:11:54.837
- FOR THAT REASON, I CANNOT COME.'"
- 00:11:54.837 --> 00:11:57.640
- A LOT OF TIMES, I LIKE TO BLAME AMY
- 00:11:57.640 --> 00:11:59.375
- FOR REASONS I CAN'T COME TO THINGS, YOU KNOW,
- 00:11:59.375 --> 00:12:01.744
- AND SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T WORK.
- 00:12:01.744 --> 00:12:04.780
- BUT HERE IT WASN'T LOGICAL.
- 00:12:04.780 --> 00:12:07.082
- I MEAN, AFTER ALL, IF THIS GUY HAD MARRIED,
- 00:12:07.082 --> 00:12:09.752
- SHE COULD HAVE COME TO THE WEDDING FEAST WITH HIM.
- 00:12:09.752 --> 00:12:12.888
- AND THEY WERE INDIFFERENT, THAT'S WHY THEY DIDN'T COME.
- 00:12:12.888 --> 00:12:16.859
- SOME PEOPLE RESPOND WITH INDIFFERENCE,
- 00:12:16.859 --> 00:12:18.561
- BUT AMAZINGLY VERSE 6 SAYS
- 00:12:18.561 --> 00:12:20.296
- SOME ACTUALLY RESPONDED TO THE THIRD INVITATION WITH ANGER.
- 00:12:20.296 --> 00:12:24.667
- VERSE 6 SAYS, "AND THE REST SEIZED THESE SLAVES,
- 00:12:24.667 --> 00:12:28.304
- MISTREATED THEM, AND KILLED THEM."
- 00:12:28.304 --> 00:12:31.974
- IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT PEOPLE WOULD GET ANGRY
- 00:12:31.974 --> 00:12:35.578
- ABOUT BEING INVITED TO A PARTY.
- 00:12:35.578 --> 00:12:38.981
- JUST LIKE IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE
- 00:12:38.981 --> 00:12:41.917
- FOR PEOPLE TO BECOME ANGRY
- 00:12:41.917 --> 00:12:44.587
- WHEN YOU INVITE THEM TO BECOME A PART OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
- 00:12:44.587 --> 00:12:48.757
- HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT HOW ILLOGICAL IT IS
- 00:12:48.757 --> 00:12:51.260
- THAT WHEN YOU SHARE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
- 00:12:51.260 --> 00:12:53.562
- WITH SOME PEOPLE, WHEN YOU SAY,
- 00:12:53.562 --> 00:12:55.297
- "WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN ME AND ESCAPE HELL,
- 00:12:55.297 --> 00:12:58.067
- AND EXPERIENCE HEAVEN FOREVER AND EVER?
- 00:12:58.067 --> 00:13:00.536
- WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN ME IN EXPERIENCING
- 00:13:00.536 --> 00:13:02.671
- EVERY WONDERFUL THING GOD HAS PLANNED FOR YOU,"
- 00:13:02.671 --> 00:13:05.574
- THAT THEY GET RED FACED, ANGRY.
- 00:13:05.574 --> 00:13:07.476
- THEY ARE INSULTED THAT YOU WOULD INVITE THEM
- 00:13:07.476 --> 00:13:10.646
- TO BECOME A PART OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
- 00:13:10.646 --> 00:13:12.715
- THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED HERE.
- 00:13:12.715 --> 00:13:14.183
- WHAT WAS THE KING'S RESPONSE?
- 00:13:14.183 --> 00:13:15.451
- LOOK AT VERSE 7, "BUT THE KING WAS ENRAGED,
- 00:13:15.451 --> 00:13:18.787
- AND HE SENT HIS ARMIES AND DESTROYED THOSE MURDERERS,
- 00:13:18.787 --> 00:13:22.358
- AND HE SET THEIR CITY ON FIRE."
- 00:13:22.358 --> 00:13:25.361
- AND SOME BELIEVE HERE THAT JESUS WAS ALLUDING
- 00:13:25.361 --> 00:13:28.430
- TO GOD'S SOON-COMING JUDGMENT ON ISRAEL,
- 00:13:28.430 --> 00:13:32.167
- WHEN IN JUST A FEW YEARS AFTER THIS,
- 00:13:32.167 --> 00:13:35.704
- TITUS, THE SON OF THE ROMAN EMPEROR VESPASIAN,
- 00:13:35.704 --> 00:13:38.374
- WOULD MARCH INTO JERUSALEM WITH HIS ROMAN TROOPS,
- 00:13:38.374 --> 00:13:41.076
- AND BURNED THE CITY TO THE GROUND,
- 00:13:41.076 --> 00:13:42.978
- KILLING MORE THAN A MILLION JEWS.
- 00:13:42.978 --> 00:13:44.947
- PERHAPS THAT WAS THE JUDGMENT JESUS WAS ALLUDING TO.
- 00:13:44.947 --> 00:13:48.450
- AND OF COURSE, ALL OF IT IS POINTING
- 00:13:48.450 --> 00:13:50.052
- TO THAT ULTIMATE JUDGMENT,
- 00:13:50.052 --> 00:13:51.954
- WHEN THOSE WHO HAVE REJECTED THE KING'S INVITATION
- 00:13:51.954 --> 00:13:54.890
- TO COME TO THE WEDDING BANQUET,
- 00:13:54.890 --> 00:13:56.792
- THOSE WHO HAVE REJECTED JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR,
- 00:13:56.792 --> 00:14:00.362
- WILL SPEND AN ETERNITY IN HELL, SEPARATED FROM GOD.
- 00:14:00.362 --> 00:14:05.434
- NOW, AFTER SUCH A REJECTION,
- 00:14:05.434 --> 00:14:06.936
- NOT ONE, TWO, BUT THREE REJECTIONS,
- 00:14:06.936 --> 00:14:09.872
- AGAIN, THE KING WOULD'VE BEEN JUSTIFIED
- 00:14:09.872 --> 00:14:11.573
- IN CALLING THE PARTY OFF.
- 00:14:11.573 --> 00:14:12.942
- MAYBE THIS JUST ISN'T A GOOD IDEA.
- 00:14:12.942 --> 00:14:15.911
- BUT AFTER ALL, HE HAD A SON WHO WAS ABOUT TO GET MARRIED.
- 00:14:15.911 --> 00:14:19.114
- HE WANTED TO HONOR THE SON.
- 00:14:19.114 --> 00:14:21.317
- AND SO HE CAME UP WITH AN IDEA, AND THAT BEGINS ACT TWO,
- 00:14:21.317 --> 00:14:24.954
- STARTING IN VERSE 8, "AND THEN HE SAID TO HIS SLAVES,
- 00:14:24.954 --> 00:14:28.924
- 'THE WEDDING IS READY.
- 00:14:28.924 --> 00:14:31.427
- THE DOWN PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE,
- 00:14:31.427 --> 00:14:34.229
- BUT THOSE WHO WERE INVITED WERE NOT WORTHY.
- 00:14:34.229 --> 00:14:37.299
- SO GO THEREFORE TO THE MAIN HIGHWAYS,
- 00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:40.102
- AND AS MANY AS YOU FIND THERE, INVITE TO THE WEDDING FEAST.'
- 00:14:40.102 --> 00:14:44.139
- AND SO THOSE SLAVES WENT OUT INTO THE STREETS
- 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:46.842
- AND GATHERED ALL THAT THEY HAD FOUND, BOTH EVIL AND GOOD,
- 00:14:46.842 --> 00:14:51.480
- AND THE WEDDING HALL WAS FILLED WITH THE WEDDING GUESTS."
- 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:57.820
- IN LUKE'S ACCOUNT OF THIS, IN LUKE 14,
- 00:14:57.820 --> 00:15:01.123
- JESUS SAID THAT THEY WENT OUT INTO THE HIGHWAYS
- 00:15:01.123 --> 00:15:04.093
- AND THE BYWAYS, AND THEY BROUGHT IN THE LAME,
- 00:15:04.093 --> 00:15:06.962
- THE CRIPPLED, THE MAIMED, THE DEAF, AND THE BLIND,
- 00:15:06.962 --> 00:15:11.834
- THOSE WHOM THAT SOCIETY CONSIDERED THE DREGS OF SOCIETY,
- 00:15:11.834 --> 00:15:16.238
- THEY WERE THE ONES WHO WERE INVITED TO COME
- 00:15:16.238 --> 00:15:19.675
- AND BE A PART OF THE WEDDING FEAST.
- 00:15:19.675 --> 00:15:22.811
- IT WAS UNTHINKABLE THAT THESE PEOPLE
- 00:15:22.811 --> 00:15:25.347
- WERE THE ONES WHO WOULD ENTER INTO THE KING'S PALACE.
- 00:15:25.347 --> 00:15:29.351
- DID YOU KNOW THE FACT THAT THEY CAME
- 00:15:29.351 --> 00:15:31.553
- MADE A MUCH MORE EXCITING PARTY.
- 00:15:31.553 --> 00:15:35.190
- JAMES MONTGOMERY BOICE WROTE, "IN THE SAME WAY,
- 00:15:35.190 --> 00:15:39.561
- WHEN THE LORD SAVED US BY HIS GRACE, IT WAS NO COMMON EVENT.
- 00:15:39.561 --> 00:15:44.533
- WHEN HE BROUGHT US, GREAT SINNERS, TO HIS FEET,
- 00:15:44.533 --> 00:15:47.202
- AND WASHED US, AND CLOTHED US,
- 00:15:47.202 --> 00:15:49.371
- AND FED US, AND MADE US HIS OWN,
- 00:15:49.371 --> 00:15:52.341
- IT WAS A WONDER TO BE TALKED ABOUT FOREVER AND EVER."
- 00:15:52.341 --> 00:15:59.281
- JESUS' POINT WAS VERY SIMPLE,
- 00:15:59.281 --> 00:16:02.684
- THE REASON THE FIRST GROUP NEGLECTED
- 00:16:02.684 --> 00:16:05.020
- OR REJECTED THE KING'S INVITATION,
- 00:16:05.020 --> 00:16:07.423
- THEY HAD NO NEED TO COME TO THE BANQUET.
- 00:16:07.423 --> 00:16:10.559
- THEY FELT LIKE THEY WERE SATISFIED.
- 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:12.594
- THEY FELT LIKE THEY HAD ALL THAT THEY NEEDED
- 00:16:12.594 --> 00:16:15.497
- TO SATISFY THEMSELVES.
- 00:16:15.497 --> 00:16:16.999
- THIS SECOND GROUP, THEY ACCEPTED THE KING'S INVITATION
- 00:16:16.999 --> 00:16:20.302
- BECAUSE THEY WERE HUNGERING FOR SOMETHING,
- 00:16:20.302 --> 00:16:23.205
- THEY WANTED TO BE SATISFIED.
- 00:16:23.205 --> 00:16:25.541
- AND WHAT A GREAT LESSON FOR ALL OF US,
- 00:16:25.541 --> 00:16:27.576
- THOSE WHO ACCEPT GOD'S INVITATION
- 00:16:27.576 --> 00:16:30.012
- ARE THOSE WHO RECOGNIZE THEIR NEED BEFORE GOD.
- 00:16:30.012 --> 00:16:34.683
- NOW, JESUS COULD HAVE ENDED THE STORY RIGHT HERE.
- 00:16:34.683 --> 00:16:38.520
- THE STORY COULD HAVE FADED A BLACK AFTER ACT TWO,
- 00:16:38.520 --> 00:16:41.790
- WITH ALL OF THESE HOMELESS PEOPLE,
- 00:16:41.790 --> 00:16:43.492
- STREET PEOPLE, DANCING LATE INTO THE NIGHT
- 00:16:43.492 --> 00:16:46.261
- TO THE BIG BAND MELODIES.
- 00:16:46.261 --> 00:16:48.764
- BUT HAD JESUS ENDED THE STORY HERE,
- 00:16:48.764 --> 00:16:51.366
- WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN TEMPTED TO GET THE WRONG IDEA.
- 00:16:51.366 --> 00:16:54.403
- REMEMBER, THIS IS A PARABLE JESUS SAID
- 00:16:54.403 --> 00:16:56.171
- ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
- 00:16:56.171 --> 00:16:57.739
- AND HAD JESUS STOPPED THE STORY HERE,
- 00:16:57.739 --> 00:16:59.975
- WE MIGHT HAVE MADE THE WRONG APPLICATION.
- 00:16:59.975 --> 00:17:02.311
- WE MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT, "OKAY, WHAT JESUS IS SAYING
- 00:17:02.311 --> 00:17:05.214
- IS THOSE WHO ARE GOING TO BE IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
- 00:17:05.214 --> 00:17:07.749
- ARE THE POOR, THE HANDICAPPED, THE DISADVANTAGED."
- 00:17:07.749 --> 00:17:10.752
- IN OTHER WORDS, THERE'S AN INVERSE RELATIONSHIP
- 00:17:10.752 --> 00:17:12.988
- BETWEEN OUR NET WORTH AND OUR SALVATION,
- 00:17:12.988 --> 00:17:15.324
- THE LOWER OUR NET WORTH,
- 00:17:15.324 --> 00:17:16.592
- THE GREATER THE CHANCE OF GETTING INTO HEAVEN.
- 00:17:16.592 --> 00:17:19.728
- THAT'S NOT WHAT JESUS IS TEACHING HERE.
- 00:17:19.728 --> 00:17:23.031
- OUR STANDING IN HEAVEN HAS NOTHING TO DO
- 00:17:23.031 --> 00:17:25.167
- WITH OUR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS IN LIFE.
- 00:17:25.167 --> 00:17:29.138
- AND TO ILLUSTRATE THE REAL POINT OF THIS PARABLE,
- 00:17:29.138 --> 00:17:32.474
- THERE IS A THIRD ACT, A SURPRISING ACT
- 00:17:32.474 --> 00:17:35.377
- THAT BEGINS IN VERSE 11, LOOK AT IT WITH ME,
- 00:17:35.377 --> 00:17:38.981
- THE UNDERDRESSED GUEST WHO WAS JUDGED,
- 00:17:38.981 --> 00:17:41.650
- "BUT WHEN THE KING CAME TO LOOK OVER THE DINNER GUESTS,
- 00:17:41.650 --> 00:17:45.687
- HE SAW THERE A MAN NOT DRESSED IN THE WEDDING CLOTHES."
- 00:17:45.687 --> 00:17:52.060
- GET THE PICTURE, THE KING'S UP IN HIS QUARTERS,
- 00:17:52.060 --> 00:17:55.397
- THE SLAVES COME AND SAY, "YOUR MAJESTY,
- 00:17:55.397 --> 00:17:57.900
- WE NOW HAVE THE BANQUET HALL FILLED."
- 00:17:57.900 --> 00:18:00.802
- AND THE KING IS DELIGHTED.
- 00:18:00.802 --> 00:18:02.037
- HE WALKS INTO THE GREAT BANQUET HALL,
- 00:18:02.037 --> 00:18:03.872
- AND THERE ARE PEOPLE EATING, AND DANCING,
- 00:18:03.872 --> 00:18:06.742
- FELLOWSHIPPING, HAVING A GREAT TIME.
- 00:18:06.742 --> 00:18:08.443
- HE LOOKS OVER THE CROWD, HE IS SO PLEASED,
- 00:18:08.443 --> 00:18:12.314
- UNTIL HE ZEROS IN ON ONE PERSON, ONE GUEST
- 00:18:12.314 --> 00:18:18.453
- WHO IS NOT DRESSED APPROPRIATELY.
- 00:18:18.453 --> 00:18:21.423
- AND HE ZEROES IN LIKE A LASER ON THAT ONE PERSON,
- 00:18:21.423 --> 00:18:23.592
- AND HE SAYS TO HIM IN VERSE 12, "FRIEND,
- 00:18:23.592 --> 00:18:26.195
- HOW DID YOU COME IN HERE WITHOUT THE WEDDING CLOTHES?
- 00:18:26.195 --> 00:18:32.067
- AND THE GUEST WAS SPEECHLESS."
- 00:18:32.067 --> 00:18:34.937
- WELL, HERE'S A PLACE WHERE UNDERSTANDING THE CULTURE
- 00:18:34.937 --> 00:18:37.206
- HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT JESUS IS SAYING.
- 00:18:37.206 --> 00:18:40.275
- YOU SEE, IT WAS VERY COMMON IN JESUS' DAY,
- 00:18:40.275 --> 00:18:43.312
- AT A WEDDING BANQUET FOR THE HOST TO PROVIDE
- 00:18:43.312 --> 00:18:46.748
- A WEDDING GARMENT TO EVERY GUEST WHO ATTENDED.
- 00:18:46.748 --> 00:18:50.686
- THE GUEST WOULD COME, HE WOULD BE GREETED AT THE DOOR
- 00:18:50.686 --> 00:18:53.021
- BY THE HOST OR ONE OF THE HOST SERVANTS,
- 00:18:53.021 --> 00:18:54.990
- AND HE WOULD BE OFFERED THE PROPER WEDDING GARMENT
- 00:18:54.990 --> 00:18:57.826
- TO BE PUT ON.
- 00:18:57.826 --> 00:18:58.961
- THE PERSON SAID, "YOU KNOW WHAT?
- 00:18:58.961 --> 00:19:00.629
- IF WHAT I HAVE ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH, SO BE IT.
- 00:19:00.629 --> 00:19:04.566
- THE KING CAN TALK TO ME ABOUT IT IF HE WANTS TO."
- 00:19:04.566 --> 00:19:08.103
- SO ALMOST IN THE SENSE OF ARROGANCE,
- 00:19:08.103 --> 00:19:10.639
- HE SAID, "I'LL COME TO THE WEDDING BANQUET
- 00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:13.242
- IN MY OWN CLOTHES, INSTEAD OF PUTTING ON THE GARMENT
- 00:19:13.242 --> 00:19:16.645
- THE KING HAS PROVIDED ME."
- 00:19:16.645 --> 00:19:19.214
- AND THAT'S WHAT MOST PEOPLE ARE BANKING ON,
- 00:19:19.214 --> 00:19:21.116
- THAT THEY ARE GOOD ENOUGH, THEY DON'T NEED ANYTHING ELSE
- 00:19:21.116 --> 00:19:24.453
- TO ENTER INTO GOD'S PRESENCE.
- 00:19:24.453 --> 00:19:27.155
- NOTICE WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS GUEST,
- 00:19:27.155 --> 00:19:29.258
- HIS EXCUSES FOR NOT PUTTING ON THE WEDDING GARMENT
- 00:19:29.258 --> 00:19:31.960
- SEEMED LOGICAL, UNTIL HE STOOD IN THE SPLENDOR OF THE KING,
- 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:36.498
- STOOD IN HIS PRESENCE.
- 00:19:36.498 --> 00:19:37.833
- HE SAW HIM IN ALL OF HIS MAJESTY,
- 00:19:37.833 --> 00:19:40.435
- AND THE BIBLE SAYS, "THE GUEST WAS SUDDENLY SPEECHLESS."
- 00:19:40.435 --> 00:19:44.473
- HE REALIZED AT THAT POINT HE WAS UNDERDRESSED.
- 00:19:44.473 --> 00:19:49.144
- IT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME WAY
- 00:19:49.144 --> 00:19:50.412
- WHEN SOME PEOPLE STAND BEFORE GOD.
- 00:19:50.412 --> 00:19:52.781
- ALL OF THE EXCUSES OF WHY THEY DIDN'T BECOME A CHRISTIAN,
- 00:19:52.781 --> 00:19:55.817
- WHY THEY DIDN'T TRUST IN CHRIST AS SAVIOR,
- 00:19:55.817 --> 00:19:58.220
- THEY ALL SEEM SO LOGICAL ON EARTH,
- 00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:01.356
- UNTIL THEY FIND THEMSELVES STANDING IN THE HOLINESS
- 00:20:01.356 --> 00:20:04.293
- AND THE MAJESTY OF GOD THE FATHER.
- 00:20:04.293 --> 00:20:07.362
- ROMANS 3:19 SAYS, "AT THAT MOMENT,
- 00:20:07.362 --> 00:20:09.665
- EVERY MOUTH WILL BE SILENCED."
- 00:20:09.665 --> 00:20:15.370
- HOW DID HE RESPOND?
- 00:20:15.370 --> 00:20:19.041
- VERSE 13, "THEN THE KING SAID TO THE SERVANTS,
- 00:20:17.739 --> 00:20:22.811
- 'BIND HIM HAND AND FOOT,
- 00:20:22.811 --> 00:20:25.213
- AND CAST HIM INTO THE OUTER DARKNESS,
- 00:20:25.213 --> 00:20:28.417
- IN THAT PLACE WHERE THERE SHALL BE WEEPING
- 00:20:28.417 --> 00:20:31.186
- AND GNASHING OF TEETH.'"
- 00:20:31.186 --> 00:20:34.756
- DOES THAT SOUND FAMILIAR TO YOU?
- 00:20:34.756 --> 00:20:36.758
- IT'S A PHRASE JESUS USES REPEATEDLY TO TALK ABOUT HELL.
- 00:20:36.758 --> 00:20:41.496
- THE PERSON WHO IS NOT DRESSED PROPERLY
- 00:20:41.496 --> 00:20:43.965
- IS DISPATCHED TO HELL.
- 00:20:43.965 --> 00:20:47.436
- YOU SAY, "WELL, PASTOR, ISN'T THAT KIND OF AN OVERREACTION,
- 00:20:47.436 --> 00:20:50.038
- JUST BECAUSE THE PERSON ISN'T DRESSED PROPERLY,
- 00:20:50.038 --> 00:20:52.507
- HE GOES TO HELL?"
- 00:20:52.507 --> 00:20:54.042
- YOU KNOW WHAT JESUS IS SAYING HERE,
- 00:20:54.042 --> 00:20:55.877
- THIS PARABLE IS NOT ABOUT HOW TO DRESS FOR A WEDDING.
- 00:20:55.877 --> 00:20:59.781
- IT'S HOW TO STAND BEFORE GOD.
- 00:20:59.781 --> 00:21:02.184
- LISTEN TO ME THIS MORNING, IN THE BIBLE, A GARMENT
- 00:21:02.184 --> 00:21:05.687
- IS A SIGN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
- 00:21:05.687 --> 00:21:08.390
- A SIGN OF OUR RIGHT STANDING BEFORE GOD.
- 00:21:08.390 --> 00:21:12.661
- AND ALL OF US HAVE A CHOICE ABOUT WHAT GARMENT,
- 00:21:12.661 --> 00:21:15.764
- WHAT RIGHTEOUSNESS WE WANT TO USE WHEN WE STAND BEFORE GOD.
- 00:21:15.764 --> 00:21:19.568
- WE CAN EITHER STAND BEFORE GOD IN OUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS,
- 00:21:19.568 --> 00:21:23.305
- OR IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS GOD OFFERS US
- 00:21:23.305 --> 00:21:26.174
- THROUGH HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.
- 00:21:26.174 --> 00:21:29.277
- ONLY GOD IS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING A COVERING FOR OUR SIN.
- 00:21:29.277 --> 00:21:34.316
- AND THAT'S WHAT HE DID WITH HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST,
- 00:21:34.316 --> 00:21:36.852
- THE PERFECT LAMB OF GOD.
- 00:21:36.852 --> 00:21:38.387
- JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, DIED ON THE CROSS
- 00:21:38.387 --> 00:21:41.890
- IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A COVERING, AN ATONEMENT FOR OUR SINS.
- 00:21:41.890 --> 00:21:46.795
- AND WHEN WE TRUST IN CHRIST AS OUR SAVIOR,
- 00:21:46.795 --> 00:21:49.464
- WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS,
- 00:21:49.464 --> 00:21:51.333
- "I'M NOT TRUSTING IN MY OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, MY OWN GOODNESS.
- 00:21:51.333 --> 00:21:55.170
- I'M TRUSTING IN THE PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS CHRIST."
- 00:21:55.170 --> 00:22:01.209
- JESUS GIVES THIS APPLICATION IN VERSE 14,
- 00:22:01.209 --> 00:22:03.445
- "FOR MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN."
- 00:22:03.445 --> 00:22:10.051
- HAVE YOU HEARD THAT BEFORE?
- 00:22:10.051 --> 00:22:11.453
- "MANY ARE CALLED, FEW ARE CHOSEN."
- 00:22:11.453 --> 00:22:14.523
- IT'S CLEAR WHAT HE MEANS IN THIS PARABLE BY THAT,
- 00:22:14.523 --> 00:22:17.626
- EVERYONE HAS BEEN CALLED,
- 00:22:17.626 --> 00:22:20.028
- EVERYONE HAS BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND THE WEDDING FEAST.
- 00:22:20.028 --> 00:22:24.399
- EVERYONE IS OFFERED THE GIFT OF SALVATION.
- 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:28.770
- HOWEVER, SOME NEGLECT THAT INVITATION.
- 00:22:28.770 --> 00:22:33.041
- THEY ARE SO CAUGHT UP WITH THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD,
- 00:22:33.041 --> 00:22:35.811
- THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT WORLD.
- 00:22:35.811 --> 00:22:38.980
- THEY SIMPLY NEGLECT THE INVITATION.
- 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:41.917
- OTHER PEOPLE ANGRILY REJECT THE INVITATION.
- 00:22:41.917 --> 00:22:45.554
- THEY SHAKE THEIR FIST IN THE FACE OF GOD,
- 00:22:45.554 --> 00:22:47.989
- AND SAY, "I DON'T NEED YOUR SALVATION."
- 00:22:47.989 --> 00:22:51.259
- SOME PEOPLE DECIDE THEY'LL APPROACH GOD IN THEIR OWN WAY,
- 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:55.464
- IN THEIR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
- 00:22:55.464 --> 00:22:57.966
- LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
- 00:22:57.966 --> 00:22:59.167
- THE POINT OF THIS PARABLE IS VERY SIMPLE,
- 00:22:59.167 --> 00:23:01.369
- THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO BE ACCEPTED BY GOD,
- 00:23:01.369 --> 00:23:04.739
- AND THAT IS TO PUT ON THE RIGHTEOUSNESS HE OFFERS YOU,
- 00:23:04.739 --> 00:23:08.143
- HE OFFERS TO CLOTH YOU WITH, THROUGH HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.
- 00:23:08.143 --> 00:23:12.848
- I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT THE HYMN WRITER HAD IN MIND
- 00:23:12.848 --> 00:23:15.250
- WHEN HE WROTE THAT SONG WE SANG A FEW MOMENTS AGO,
- 00:23:15.250 --> 00:23:18.687
- "WHEN HE SHALL COME WITH TRUMPET SOUND,
- 00:23:18.687 --> 00:23:22.524
- OH, MAY I THEN IN HIM BE FOUND.
- 00:23:22.524 --> 00:23:26.928
- DRESSED IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ALONE,
- 00:23:26.928 --> 00:23:30.031
- FAULTLESS TO STAND BEFORE THE THRONE.
- 00:23:30.031 --> 00:23:33.335
- ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND,
- 00:23:33.335 --> 00:23:36.838
- ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND.
- 00:23:36.838 --> 00:23:40.408
- ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND."
- 00:23:40.408 --> 00:23:45.080
- ♪ MUSIC ♪
- 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:50.318
- DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THE IMAGERY IN THIS PARABLE
- 00:23:50.318 --> 00:23:53.054
- IN MATTHEW 22?
- 00:23:53.054 --> 00:23:54.956
- OUR REDEMPTION IS WORTHY OF CELEBRATION.
- 00:23:54.956 --> 00:23:58.560
- WHEN WE CHOOSE TO FOLLOW JESUS,
- 00:23:58.560 --> 00:24:00.262
- WE ARE DRESSED IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS,
- 00:24:00.262 --> 00:24:02.764
- AND WE ARE FAULTLESS TO STAND BEFORE HIS THRONE.
- 00:24:02.764 --> 00:24:06.635
- AND NOW LET ME TAKE A MOMENT TO REMIND YOU
- 00:24:06.635 --> 00:24:09.738
- ABOUT THE ACTIVE GOSPEL ADVANCE MATCHING CHALLENGE,
- 00:24:09.738 --> 00:24:13.174
- IN WHICH EVERY GIFT YOU GIVE THROUGH JULY 4TH
- 00:24:13.174 --> 00:24:16.478
- WILL BE DOUBLED IN ITS IMPACT.
- 00:24:16.478 --> 00:24:18.947
- GENEROUS FRIENDS HAVE BANDED TOGETHER
- 00:24:18.947 --> 00:24:20.849
- WITH AN ENORMOUS GIFT OF $500.000,
- 00:24:20.849 --> 00:24:24.586
- CHALLENGING OUR VIEWERS AND LISTENERS
- 00:24:24.586 --> 00:24:26.922
- TO MATCH THAT AMOUNT WITH THEIR OWN GIVING.
- 00:24:26.922 --> 00:24:29.858
- AND I CAN'T THINK OF A MORE CRITICAL TIME
- 00:24:29.858 --> 00:24:32.294
- TO ENCOURAGE OUR NATION, AND OUR WORLD
- 00:24:32.294 --> 00:24:34.863
- WITH THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL, THAN RIGHT NOW.
- 00:24:34.863 --> 00:24:38.199
- SO WHILE IT'S FRESH ON YOUR MIND, PICK UP THE PHONE,
- 00:24:38.199 --> 00:24:41.736
- OR GO ONLINE TO PTV.ORG, AND GIVE A GENEROUS GIFT.
- 00:24:41.736 --> 00:24:46.474
- TOGETHER, WE ARE PIERCING THE DARKNESS
- 00:24:46.474 --> 00:24:49.077
- WITH THE LIGHT OF GOD'S WORD.
- 00:24:49.077 --> 00:24:51.546
- NOW PLEASE STAY RIGHT THERE, I'LL BE BACK IN JUST A MOMENT
- 00:24:51.546 --> 00:24:54.816
- WITH ONE LAST WORD OF INSPIRATION.
- 00:24:54.816 --> 00:24:58.787
- GOD BLESSED AMY AND ME
- 00:24:58.787 --> 00:25:00.088
- WITH THREE BEAUTIFUL TRIPLET GRANDCHILDREN.
- 00:25:00.088 --> 00:25:03.158
- AND THAT LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE IGNITED IN ME
- 00:25:03.158 --> 00:25:06.595
- A FRESH PASSION TO ADVANCE THE GOSPEL
- 00:25:06.595 --> 00:25:09.364
- TO THE NEXT GENERATION.
- 00:25:09.364 --> 00:25:11.266
- TODAY, I'M PLEASED TO SHARE WITH YOU
- 00:25:11.266 --> 00:25:12.867
- MY NEWEST CHILDREN'S BOOK,
- 00:25:12.867 --> 00:25:14.736
- "JESUS' FAVORITE STORIES FOR KIDS."
- 00:25:14.736 --> 00:25:17.505
- [ANNOUNCER] THIS BRAND-NEW, FULL-COLOR BOOK
- 00:25:17.505 --> 00:25:19.908
- CONTAINS 10 EASY BIBLE LESSONS FOR CHILDREN
- 00:25:19.908 --> 00:25:21.576
- THAT PROVIDE A FOUNDATION FOR FAITH THAT ENDURES.
- 00:25:21.576 --> 00:25:24.546
- EACH LESSON CONTAINS A DISCUSSION QUESTION
- 00:25:24.546 --> 00:25:26.615
- TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION,
- 00:25:26.615 --> 00:25:28.283
- A PRAYER FOR YOU TO PRAY TOGETHER,
- 00:25:28.283 --> 00:25:30.151
- AND REAL LIFE APPLICATION
- 00:25:30.151 --> 00:25:31.653
- TO HELP THEM CONNECT THE SCRIPTURE TO THEIR YOUNG LIVES.
- 00:25:31.653 --> 00:25:34.556
- I PRAY THESE BIBLE LESSONS
- 00:25:34.556 --> 00:25:36.157
- HELP THE CHILDREN IN YOUR LIFE GROW IN THEIR FAITH,
- 00:25:36.157 --> 00:25:39.094
- AS THEY UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT GOD AND HIS WORD.
- 00:25:39.094 --> 00:25:42.831
- [ANNOUNCER] REQUEST YOUR COPY
- 00:25:42.831 --> 00:25:44.065
- OF "JESUS' FAVORITE STORIES FOR KIDS,"
- 00:25:44.065 --> 00:25:45.800
- WHEN YOU GIVE A GENEROUS GIFT TO SUPPORT THE MINISTRY
- 00:25:45.800 --> 00:25:48.336
- OF "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:25:48.336 --> 00:25:49.904
- AND WHEN YOUR GIFT IS $75 OR MORE,
- 00:25:49.904 --> 00:25:52.574
- WE'LL ALSO SEND YOU ALL 15 MESSAGES
- 00:25:52.574 --> 00:25:54.809
- IN THE "JESUS' FAVORITE STORIES" TEACHING SERIES
- 00:25:54.809 --> 00:25:57.178
- ON CD AND DVD.
- 00:25:57.178 --> 00:25:59.147
- BECAUSE OF THE GOSPEL ADVANCE MATCHING CHALLENGE,
- 00:25:59.147 --> 00:26:01.616
- YOUR GENEROUS DONATION TODAY WILL BE MATCHED,
- 00:26:01.616 --> 00:26:03.918
- AND THEREFORE DOUBLED IN IMPACT,
- 00:26:03.918 --> 00:26:05.687
- THROUGH THE JULY 4TH DEADLINE.
- 00:26:05.687 --> 00:26:07.589
- THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH "PATHWAY TO VICTORY"
- 00:26:07.589 --> 00:26:10.025
- TO ADVANCE THE GOSPEL TO THE NEXT GENERATION.
- 00:26:10.025 --> 00:26:14.863
- ♪ MUSIC ♪
- 00:26:14.863 --> 00:26:16.164
- AREN'T YOU RELIEVED TO KNOW
- 00:26:16.164 --> 00:26:17.432
- THAT HEAVEN IS NOT GOING TO BE ONE LONG, BORING,
- 00:26:17.432 --> 00:26:20.735
- NEVER-ENDING CHURCH SERVICE?
- 00:26:20.735 --> 00:26:22.937
- INSTEAD JESUS TAUGHT US THAT HEAVEN, MORE THAN ANYTHING,
- 00:26:22.937 --> 00:26:26.374
- COULD BE DESCRIBED AS A PARTY.
- 00:26:26.374 --> 00:26:28.977
- AND THIS IS ONE CELEBRATION YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS.
- 00:26:28.977 --> 00:26:33.048
- WELL, MOST PEOPLE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
- 00:26:33.048 --> 00:26:35.150
- BY MAKING INVESTMENTS, OR PAYING OFF DEBT.
- 00:26:35.150 --> 00:26:38.219
- BUT NEXT TIME, WE'RE GOING TO DISCOVER
- 00:26:38.219 --> 00:26:40.121
- WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING NOW
- 00:26:40.121 --> 00:26:42.023
- TO PREPARE FOR OUR ETERNAL LIVES IN HEAVEN.
- 00:26:42.023 --> 00:26:45.460
- STAY TUNED FOR A PREVIEW OF WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT
- 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:48.296
- ON "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:26:48.296 --> 00:26:51.599
- HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD SAY TODAY,
- 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:53.568
- "I AM ABSOLUTELY, 100% SURE THERE IS A GOD,
- 00:26:53.568 --> 00:27:00.008
- THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH, THERE IS A HEAVEN AND HELL,
- 00:27:00.008 --> 00:27:02.644
- AND ONE DAY I'M GOING TO BE JUDGED BY GOD."
- 00:27:02.644 --> 00:27:06.081
- IF I WERE TO ASK YOU HOW MANY OF YOU
- 00:27:06.081 --> 00:27:07.515
- BELIEVE THAT IS 100% CERTAINTY, MOST OF YOU WOULD SAY YES.
- 00:27:07.515 --> 00:27:13.354
- AND MOST OF YOU WOULD BE LYING.
- 00:27:13.354 --> 00:27:16.157
- [ANNOUNCER] SET YOUR DVR AND JOIN US NEXT TIME
- 00:27:16.157 --> 00:27:18.059
- FOR THE MESSAGE, "HOW TO SURVIVE A LAYOFF,"
- 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:20.628
- HERE ON "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:27:20.628 --> 00:27:22.697
- ♪ MUSIC ♪
- 00:27:22.697 --> 00:27:22.697
