If you would turn with me, please, to Luke's gospel. Matthew, Mark, Luke, Luke's gospel in the New Testament, and chapter 14. Chapter 14, and we will begin our reading at verse 15. Luke chapter 14, reading from verse 15. And when one of them that sat at meat with him, that being Jesus, heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper and bade many, and sent the servant at suppertime to say to them that were bidden, Come, for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. 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. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them. I pray thee, have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came and showed his lord these things. Then his master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in hither the poor and the maimed, the halt and the blind. The servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. The Lord said unto the serpent, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. We trust that the Lord will bless the reading of his word to our hearts. I don't know if you have had many invitations along to wedding feasts, to the wedding ceremony, or a gala banquet. On occasions I have been, obviously, to weddings and to such other occasions. And you always think to yourself, what is it that makes a great supper? Because we read of a great supper in this story. Is it the number of guests? Well, there certainly were a lot of guests, because we read here, and he bade many. Many were invited along. Is it the food, the finesse of the evening, the grandeur of the building? Well, we know that in the latter part of this story, the master was to send out his servants and they were to bring in the people from the highways and the byways so that the house would be full. Is it the conversation? We might use the colloquialism, the banter that takes place and the friendship and the fellowship of such an evening. All of those things go together to make a great supper. And you have in different aspects those things in this story. In chapter 14 of Luke, we find in the first verse that Jesus had been invited himself as the chief guest, in verse 1, to the house of the chief of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath day. So the meeting must have taken place in the synagogue, And thereafter, then, Jesus was invited along to be the guest of honor, to speak to everyone who was gathered in. And most of those we read in verse 3 that he spoke unto the lawyers and Pharisees. Those lawyers were not solicitors, but they were doctors of the law, theologians in those days. And hence, as the conversation developed that night and questioning of the Lord, firstly, about healing on the Sabbath day, then about a supper and who should be the chief guests, etc., then one of those who was a guest, more than likely one of those Pharisees, interjects, gives himself, as it were, a pat on the back in verse 15. And he says unto the Lord, Blessed is he that shall eat in the kingdom of God. He does that because he believes that he's referring to himself. That because of his character as a Pharisee, as a religious leader, because of his creed, being a Jew, one of the chosen people of God, even due to the company that he keeps, such as the Lord himself. All of these things would contribute to him being there present in the kingdom of God, that he would enjoy life and eternity in God's presence. And Jesus reflects upon that statement and responds to that statement in the form of the parable then that follows. And he wants to challenge what this man thinks, that because of his character, because of his creed, because of the company that he keeps, that is an assured guarantee that he would get to heaven. Friends, that's what makes this text tonight so applicable to our meeting this evening. And you see, during the Lord's ministry, quite often he addressed the topic and the theme of the kingdom of God. In Luke chapter 4 and verse 43, having spoken about the kingdom of God, the Lord says then, as his guests wanted him to stay and speak more about it, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also. See, it was an important message that everyone needed to hear, just not the religious, just not the righteous, but those who were unsafe. remember that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. That was the motivation behind his ministry. And so it was, he wanted to go out in all Israel, and he wanted to tell people not just about the kingdom of God, but how they might obtain entrance into the kingdom of God. It was a providential message. It was a message from God himself in the form of his Son, Jesus Christ. As you who would be house owners set the criteria for those who enter in through your front door, so our God in heaven has set the criteria of who and how you will enter into his presence in glory in heaven. So it's a providential message, but it's a personal one again, because remember back to John chapter three, there we read of one of these religious leaders, one of these chief Pharisees, except we know his name. We don't have the names of any of the guests bar the Lord on this occasion, but we're told that by night, one of those religious leaders was called Nicodemus. And he sought the Lord, and he spoke to the Lord about spiritual matters. He didn't come to discuss the weather, he didn't come to discuss sport, he didn't come to discuss politics, but salvation. Having pled platitudes to the Lord, we know that thou art someone sent from God because of the miracles you do, because of the way that you teach, the Lord cut him off at that point. And he said, Nicodemus, forget about the platitudes, forget about the niceties, except a man be born again, Nicodemus, except he be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. was a personal message. Kingdom of God, while it's big enough to hold all, you had to be born again. There had to be a change within your life, within your heart, a change in attitude with regards sin, a change in action turning away from that sin. a change in trusting the Lord as your own and personal Savior, and hence being born again in the Spirit of God. It was a providential message. It was a personal message. It would not be your character, your creed, or your company that would dictate if you get into heaven. But your conversion, The Lord reiterated that, except you be converted, in Matthew 18 and 3, the way the Lord describes that conversion, and become as a little child. Why did he use the example of a little child? Well, a little child simply believes. If you tell that child that that particular activity is wrong, that child trusts in you and he will learn that's wrong. If you tell that child that's right, then that child, that little child, trusting in you, believing in you, will believe that you're telling the truth. And in that same way, the Lord's talking about the heart of little children being pure in that sense and believing without questioning So he says, except you be converted and trust in that way, trust in me, trust in my work on Calvary, you shall not enter into the kingdom of God. The problem was that the Lord was addressing a man who believed that he met all the criteria to get into heaven. He thought sure that he was ready, and he was prepared to go, while in fact he was lost, and he was bound, not for heaven, but tragically for hell. They wonder tonight, as we consider this particular text and this great supper, We're going to look in a moment about the invitation. But that invitation is provided for all. It was without exclusion. Tonight, are you ready for heaven? Tonight, if your life was to cease or the Lord was to return, would you be ready? Are you saved? Friends, The Bible even tells us in the book of Revelation that this man who spoke to Jesus was true. He was correct. Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God, because in Revelation 19, verse 9, there is reference there to a great supper that is called the Martyr's Supper of the Lamb. But only those who know the Lamb of God personally and who are saved by his grace will partake of it. Firstly, there's the great supper. Secondly, then we read what I have termed the great stories or the great excuses. And you read of them, whenever the servant is sent, everything is ready, and the servant is sent out to those that were bidden. What that means is, An invitation already had been launched, and the guests had received the invitation, and they had indicated their desire to attend that great supper. Then, later on, sometime after, when all was ready, the servant was sent out again to tell the people knocking on their door, come now, the feast's ready, the food's ready, it's about to be served, so please come. As he went, we find In verse 18 it says, And they all with one consent began to make excuse. It seemed as if they all contrived together, they all agreed together, Don't go! I'm not going! The reason that that was so serious in that culture was the fact that they already had indicated that they weren't going. If they'd made a refusal first time round, using the excuses that they had, well then, the servant wouldn't have been sent to those homes. So you understand why great offense was caused here. Friends, there were great stories spun. First story that we read off was in verse 18, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it. I pray thee, have me excused. Now imagine the audiences, they'll listen to this story. They would say, that's incredible. That couldn't happen, Jesus. that someone who had already indicated their desire to come, then the servant was sent, come, all is now prepared, it's now ready, then makes an excuse like this? Surely, before he ever purchased the land, he had looked over it. He had talked to others about it. Why, at this particular point, would he need to go and see that piece of ground? It just wasn't credible. It was a lame duck excuse, as we would say today. Friends, in the Scriptures, we find those who cared more about possessions than about pardon, I think of the rich farmer when we follow this theme through in the agricultural sense. There in Luke chapter 12, he worked hard, he built bigger—we know this story—then he planned his retirement. But at that very point, where he was about to quit his business and take his ease and have much merriment, The Lord intervened in his life. Up to that time he had no thought, no consideration for the things of God, for his eternal soul, or for his temporal needs. He had made many plans. And the Lord said of that man, Thy fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee. But he wasn't the only one who had his excuses. In verse 19, another, when the servant was sent to his home, responded, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them. I pray they have me excuse. Again, his audience would have been aghast. He had bought ten cows, five yoke, two together there, And those cows were bought for the purpose of plying. Surely, before he made his purchase, he would have spoken to the one who was selling them. He would have went and seen them actually working together as a pair, as a yoke. would have seen that they were proven. It would only be a fool who would purchase such cows on a whim, and then after he had purchased them, when the deal was done and there was no going back, that he would decide, I'd better go out and try these cattle to see if they actually work. You see, friends, there are some people, and they are fixated by the things around them in this world, I think of Felix, who the apostle Paul spoke to. You see, he had heard the gospel. He had understood the implications of it in his life. And yet, a convenient time was his response. I'll find a time that's better, that suits that time was never to come. After that occasion, we read no more of him being spoken to not just by God's servant but by the Holy Spirit about his need of conversion, his need of righteousness and redemption. Maybe there's someone like that here tonight. your thoughts are well tomorrow. Well, I'm sure there'll be a meeting next week," Pastor Kennedy already has said. We say this according to God's will and plan, because he could return at any time. Well, friends, the third excuse, then, seems to be the most feeble of all. And at this point, you would have had the guests almost rolling about laughing, because in verse 20, another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. If ever a man in the Bible seemed to be hand-packed, it was this man. But you see, friends, in that society, in those days, the wife really didn't have much of a say. And he was newly married, And it would have been a case where he would have had to have went, under normal circumstances, to that feast, or even have brought his wife along. What lady doesn't enjoy an evening out at a good supper? Friends, these excuses—the Pharisees and the scribes, the lawyers, those listening on—were just shaking their head in bewilderment. How could you? Surely not. Would have been their attitude. To a great supper? That is impossible. They must be mad. They mustn't be thinking straight. Yet, the very point that the Lord was trying to make was that he had come as well. offer an invitation to a greater supper in heaven, and they likewise were rejecting his offer, his invitation. Doesn't John tell us in chapter 1 and verse 11, He came unto his own, and his own received him not. They rejected the Lord. They reviled the Lord. They despised the Lord. They cried out, Crucify him! Crucify him! Wasn't it Isaiah who said of the Lord, He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrow unacquainted with grief? And we hid, as it were, our faces from him. He is despised, and we esteemed him not. Friends, these excuses were just extraordinary to those who heard them. It couldn't happen. Surely not. Yet I say to you tonight that we live in a generation here in Northern Ireland where such excuses are made continually. when the gospel message is presented to needy, lost souls. Friends, there is a rejection of the Lord. There is a reviling of the Lord. There is a denial of the Lord. The invitation goes out from Jesus. come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." The invitation sent to the Great Supper. How sad it is that there may be even those here tonight in Ballybaptist, those listening on via internet or CD, And you already have your excuses ready. Those excuses, my friends, before the Lord simply will not do and will not stand. Incredible that the free gift of salvation that already has been paid for by our Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary is rejected, despised, and denied. Firstly, the Great Supper. Secondly, these great stories. But finally, I conclude with what I call the Great Salvation. When the servant come back, we read that the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and the lanes of the city. Bring in hither the poor, the maimed, the halt, the blind, They said, well, Lord, I've done that, and there's still room. And then the Lord said unto his servant, go out into the highways, and we might as well say the byways, the hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. Oh, you see, there was, friends, a great salvation. The master of ceremony, he desired that that house would be full. And so, those who you would have least expected received the invitation. Imagine, now, those haughty, those arrogant Pharisees and religious leaders who thought because of their character, their creed, their company, they would be the first in through the gates of heaven, hearing that those who were spiritually corrupt those who were socially outcast, that they would be there, that they would be invited. Friends, if they had responded with disbelief to the three excuses, well, now both eyes and mouths were wide open. Never so! That such would enter into the kingdom of God, to the great supper that is there of the Lamb in glory, Yet the Lord Jesus himself said that he come not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. And this is why, friends, this message is for someone here tonight. Because the Lord Jesus is preparing a great supper, the marriage supper of the Lamb, and there's still room—we're still in the day of grace—still room for you And friends, it just might be there's someone here tonight, and you think, well, that's okay, pastor, for someone there who hasn't done what I've done in life, who hasn't had the experiences I have had. Pastor, I wouldn't even want to talk about what I have done. I wouldn't even want to mention in public what I have experienced, nor even in private. I would be so embarrassed. The Lord knows all about your past and your present. remember this, our God is gracious and merciful. As far as the east is from the west, he says in the book of Psalms, that's as far as he will remove and further still your sins from you, if you will come and trust in him, if you will respond to his call tonight to put down those arms of rebellion and to say, Yes, Jesus, I come We even see here with the urgency that the master of ceremonies here sent out his servant, compel them to come in, tell them to come in, urge them to come in, plead with them to come in. What do I and Pastor Kennedy have to do tonight? Have to be down on our knees pleading with you to get saved, to come in, to trust, That's how urgent it was. There would only be one invitation. That invitation wouldn't be brought again. It was now or never. And friends, so they came. Just as the excuses were given one by one, so then the poor, the maimed, the halt, the blind, they came. Oh, they didn't deserve it. None of us do. But having received it, they came gladly. There's not one person here tonight who is worthy of salvation. But that is what the grace of God is about, his unwarranted favor for you and for me. And as that invitation is issued tonight, May it be that you come with all haste. Remember, when we talk about this great salvation, because he says, For I say unto you… And you can imagine, at this point of the evening, as they conclude the evening, now the Lord is a finger pointed. He's looking at everyone gathered there. For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper." Oh, friends, a message hit home. If they hadn't understood before, they now did the implications of what Jesus had taught. He was teaching about them and their excuses. And how because of their pedigree, how because of their background and their religiosity, et cetera, they were a privileged people, no doubt about that. God did love them, no doubt about that. But how they'd taken all that for granted, thought that that was enough just to get into heaven, and they realized now they'd fallen short. And how God would even pass them by and go to those who they would deem unworthy to get into heaven, and indeed they were unworthy to get into heaven, but God in his great love and grace provided a means through his Son, the Lord Jesus, to open up the door to heaven. That's why the writer to Hebrews says, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? you come tonight? Will you trust? Do so, I pray, without delay. May Jesus give you deciding grace. Amen.