OceanSide church of Christ

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THE GREAT SUPPER

Luke 14:16-24

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Most of us are not fortunate enough to get invited to “great suppers” or banquets on a regular basis.

1.     Occasionally, we get to attend a wedding feast, a retirement party, or an anni-versary celebration.

2.     The “great suppers,” are usually hosted by dignitaries, the rich, and the famous.

3.     Can you imagine getting an invitation to a supper hosts by the president, or a king, or a queen?

 

B.    Our parable this evening is centered upon a “Great Supper.”

1.     Luke is the inspired author who records this parable.

2.     It is found in Luke 14:16-24.

 

I.           THE GREAT SUPPER (Luke 14:16a)

 

Then he said unto him, A certain man made a great supper…

 

A.   Definition:  “great”

1.     Comes from the Greek word “megas” from which we get our word “mega.”

2.     Great in the sense of external form or sensible appearance of things (ex., order of onion rings)

3.     Splendid, prepared on a great scale, stately

 

B.    What makes a feast great?

1.     Stately buildings and large halls

2.     Lavish decorations

3.     An important host

4.     Honored, well-dressed guests

5.     Wonderful food of all types

6.     Talented entertainers

7.     Elegant gifts

 

C.   Christianity is likened unto a “Great Supper.”

1.     A regal host, Jesus Christ the Son of God (Rev. 4:11)

 

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power:  for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they were and are created.

 

2.     A meal that provides everlasting life (John 6:50-51a)

 

This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven:  if a man shall eat of this bread, he shall live for ever…

3.     Spiritual blessing, including the redemption of one’s soul (Eph. 1:3, 7).

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ…In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

 

II.         THE GRACIOUS INVITATION (Luke 14:16b-17)

 

…and bade many:  and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

 

A.   The key word in this text is “come.”

1.     To be invited to a great supper is an honor, a privilege, and a tremendous opportunity.

2.     There is no reason not to go.  The feast is free of charge.

 

B.    Revelation 19:9

 

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.

 

C.   The invitation to come to the feast is extended right now.  Men and women are being called to come (Rev. 22:17).

 

And the Spirit and the bride say Come.  And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.

 

D.   Because the call is to a spiritual feast, it is often difficult for us to realize just how important the invitation is and just how blessed we are to have received it.

 

III.       THE GROUNDLESS EXCUSES (Luke 14:18-20)

 

And they all with one consent began to make excuse…

 

A.   An excuse

1.     A refusal

2.     An explanation offered as a reason for being excused

 

B.    In Jesus’ parable, three excuses are offered by those who had been invited.

1.     Possessions (Luke 14:18b)

 

The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it:  I pray thee have me excused.

 

a.     Question:  Hadn’t the man already seen the land?  Surely, he had not bought the land sight unseen.

b.    The reality is that he was caught up in his new possession.

c.    We often get caught up in things:  golfing, fishing, boating, camping, and sports.  Our things keep us from the great feast of the Lord.

2.     Work (Luke 14:19)

 

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

 

a.     Oxen were the work animals of the day:  pulling plows, pulling carts, and treading grain in the threshing floors.

b.    Question:  Did this man buy the oxen without proving them first?

c.    He was wrapped up in his work.

d.    Work has become one of the most common excuses that people us to escape their responsibilities in Christ.  It has become a god that has replaced the true and living God.

3.     Family (Luke 14:20)

 

And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

 

a.     Question:  Could he bring his wife with him to the feast?  If need be, could he not leave her for a few hours to attend an important feast?

b.    Family is another “god” that has replaced the God of heaven.  Many have allowed the creature to become more important that the Creator.

 

IV.        THE GLARING ANGER (Luke 14:21a)

 

So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things.  Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant…

 

A.   The master of the house was angry and did not conceal it.

1.     He had worked diligently in preparing for this feast.

2.     This feast had cost him dearly.

3.     Those he called to the feast were important to him.

 

B.    All of this only to be jilted by his guests.

 

C.   We often forget that God is a Being with emotions like we have.

1.     It is possible for man to stir His emotions.

2.     He, too, grows angry when we reject His invitation to the great supper.

a.     He planned diligently for man’s salvation (Eph. 3:8-11).

b.    Our blessings cost him dearly (I John 4:10-11).

c.    He loves all men and desires man’s salvation (I Tim. 2:3-4)

3.     Hebrews 12:25

 

See that ye refuse not him that speaketh:  for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven.

 

 

V.          THE GRACIOUS OFFER (Luke 14:21b-23)

 

Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly in the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.  And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.  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.

 

A.   The master of the house had extended a generous offer previous that was neglected by some.

 

B.    He now extends a gracious offer to the unexpected, the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind.

 

C.   The first application of the parable involved the Jews and Gentiles.

1.     The Jews were offered salvation in Christ first.  They rejected it.

2.     God, therefore, extended the invitation to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46).

 

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you:  but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

 

3.     We, like the Jews, can refuse God’s invitation.  God’s offer will be extended to others.  Sometimes the most surprising people will be the ones to accept the Lord’s gracious offer.

 

D.   What is God’s desire?  …that my house may be filled.

 

VI.        THE GRIM REFUSAL (Luke 14:24)

 

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

 

A.   The feast of the Lord will continue into eternity.

 

B.    There will come a time when those who rejected the Master’s invitation will desire entrance.

 

C.   The Lord, however has decreed:  …none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

 

D.   One of the saddest conditions that a man could face is knowing that he could have feasted with the Lord, but his lame excuses kept him out eternally.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   The Bride and the Spirit are presently inviting us all to the Great Supper of the Lord.

 

 

B.    Have you eagerly and graciously accepted the invitation?  Or, do you constantly find some lame excuse not to be part of the celebration?

 

C.   My friend, it is hard to us to describe what you are missing and will miss eternally if you don’t take advantage of the Lord’s call to come to the feast.

 

D.   Revelation 19:9

 

And he said unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.