The Parable of the Wedding Feast – Sermon on the Lord’s Invitation
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Textual Sermon OutlinesSermon on the Lord’s Invitation – Sermon outline by Tom Moore on Matthew 22:1-14, the Parable of the Wedding Feast. The King’s invitation must be answered.
INTRODUCTION: Read Matthew 22:1-14
A. Jesus the Master Teacher taught often in parables.
1. The word parable is derived from a Greek word signifying to compare together, and denotes a similitude taken from a natural object to illustrate a spiritual or moral subject.
2. It is a narrative of some fictitious or real event, in order to illustrate more clearly some truth that the speaker wished to communicate.
B. In “The Wedding Feast”, the Lord is revealing how people in a very clear way reject Him.
1. In this parable they are rejecting kindness which had been graciously offered to them
2. Today, many are rejecting the gospel invitation
C. In this parable, we also see an expansion of the element of Divine Judgment
1. This parable describes judgment upon Israel for rejecting God’s Son
2. This parable also describes judgment upon those who have accepted the King’s invitation, yet not in the way it was intended to be received!
DISCUSSION: As we explore the Parable of the Wedding Feast we see…
A. THE REJECTED INVITATION
1. The kingdom of heaven is likened to a wedding feast… Matthew 22:1-2
a. Isaiah had used the figure of a feast to prophecy of the Messianic age … Isaiah 25:6
b. The Book of Revelation describes a future marriage of the Lamb and His Bride … Revelation 19:7
c. The kingdom of heaven is like a wonderful wedding feast
2. And yet the invitation is spurned…
a. By those indifferent … Matthew 22:3-5
b. By those rebellious … Matthew 22:6
3. Jesus has reference here to the Jewish nation, but as we will see later there is spiritual application for us
4. The King’s furious reaction … Matthew 22:7
a. Those who had so callously rejected His invitation, abused His servants, are themselves destroyed
b. Many understand this to be a prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in 70 A. D. …Luke 19:41-44
5. The invitation is extended to others … Matthew 22:8-10
a. The opportunity to enjoy the blessings of the kingdom of God is extended to others … Acts 13:46
b. This has reference to the offer of the gospel and the kingdom to the Gentiles – cf. also Matthew 8:5-12
B. A GUEST IMPROPERLY ATTIRED
1. Without a wedding garment … Matthew 22:11-12
a. It was customary for the hosts to provide their guests suitable apparel
b. To not wear the provided garment showed a lack of respect and appreciation
c. No real excuse could be offered for not wearing one (“he was speechless”)
2. The King’s furious reaction … Matthew 22:13
a. The seriousness of the insult is seen in the reaction of the king
b. The punishment described is similar to that found in other parables … Matthew 13:42,50
3. Jesus’ conclusion … Matthew 22:14
a. This summarizes the main point of the entire parable
b. The invitation (call) of God is extended to many, but few receive it in such a way to be among the “chosen”
4. This parable was clearly told in response to the rejection of the King’s Son and His Kingdom by the Jewish nation.
a. However, elements of the parable apply to us as well, for the invitation to attend “The Wedding Feast” is still being offered through the call of the Gospel!
b. With that in mind, consider a few more thoughts on …
C. HAVE YOU SPURNED THE FATHER’S INVITATION?
1. Through indifference?
a. Many people do not know God because of a lack of interest
b. Yet God has so ordered the affairs of life to encourage faith and interest in Him –
1) Acts 17:26-27
2) Romans 1:20
3) 1 Titus 2:3-4
c. For this reason, even those who through indifference do not know God and obey the gospel will be condemned. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
2. Through rebelliousness?
a. There are many who know full well the Father’s invitation
b. But for whatever reason they rebel against it
c. In so doing, they despise riches of God’s grace and store up for themselves God’s righteous indignation … Romans 2:4-11
3. Certainly all should respond to the Father’s invitation if they desire to enjoy the spiritual blessings of the kingdom of heaven. But as we learn from the parable, there is more…
Finally as we consider the Parable of the Wedding Feast we ask the question…
D. ARE YOU ATTIRED FOR THE WEDDING?
1. Many seek to attend the “wedding” in apparel of their own choosing
a. Some, not knowing the righteousness of God, have sought to establish their own … Romans 10:1-3
b. People do this today, when they expect salvation on terms different than those taught in the gospel
1) E.g., trying to obtain salvation based upon their own good works
2) E.g., trying to obtain salvation on faith without repentance and obedience
2. We must be willing to put on the “apparel” that God gives us:
a. We must “put on” Jesus Christ!
1) First and foremost this involves clothing ourselves with Christ
2) Which Paul explains takes place in baptism … Galatians 3:26-27 – Have you put Christ on in baptism?
b. We must “put on” the new man!
1) Ephesians 4:20-24
2) Do we wish to be found at the wedding feast adorned with the apparel of the “old man with his deeds”?
3) Are you putting off the “old man”, and putting on the “new man”?
c. We must “put on” righteous deeds!
1) John described the preparation for glorious wedding of the Lamb and His bride … Revelation 19:6-9
2) The “righteous acts of the saints” are not done to bring honor to God, and therefore we are to be ever ready and zealous to do good works … Titus 3:1, 8, 14
d. Are you doing what you can to “beautify” the wedding garment of the bride?
CONCLUSION: [ Ending to this sermon on the Parable of the Wedding Feast. ]
A. We have truly been blessed to be given the opportunity to receive the Father’s invitation to the wedding feast of His Son!
B. But we learn from Jesus and His parables that the “kingdom of heaven” is for those who thankfully and properly receive the grace that God has to offer
C. The example of the nation of Israel should serve as a warning to all, both Jew and Gentile, that while God’s call of the gospel is open to all, the saying of Jesus still remains true… “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
D. You have been called, but will you be chosen?