1 00:00:00,254 --> 00:00:03,896 if you will, and open them to the book of Matthew. 2 00:00:06,599 --> 00:00:16,646 As we continue both our training and our discussion and our building up of our skills and our understanding of evangelism. 3 00:00:18,002 --> 00:00:26,149 One of the principles that we need to understand is the opposite of what we've usually been told in life. 4 00:00:26,149 --> 00:00:31,593 The saying typically goes, it's quality, not quantity. 5 00:00:31,853 --> 00:00:36,397 And in some scenarios in life, that is true. 6 00:00:36,397 --> 00:00:39,039 Quality does matter. 7 00:00:39,580 --> 00:00:47,746 But when it comes to evangelism, specifically in the realm of contacts and reaching people, 8 00:00:47,822 --> 00:00:51,322 It's quantity, not quality. 9 00:00:51,881 --> 00:01:00,042 At least in view of we are not the judges of quality. 10 00:01:00,962 --> 00:01:08,382 As we open our Bibles to Matthew chapter 22, this might, this illustration might help us. 11 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:18,259 Jesus tells His disciples, especially those like Peter, that once were fishermen for actual fish. 12 00:01:18,259 --> 00:01:20,681 It's how they made their living. 13 00:01:20,842 --> 00:01:29,510 And Jesus will describe to Peter that, will make you fishers of men. 14 00:01:29,922 --> 00:01:40,789 Well, when we say that Peter by occupation was a fisherman, we don't mean that Peter was involved in what the guy on the right hand side is doing. 15 00:01:40,910 --> 00:01:50,336 The guy on the right hand side in this slide is standing on a boat on a lake by himself with one hook in the water. 16 00:01:51,017 --> 00:01:51,949 Now I love. 17 00:01:51,949 --> 00:02:04,644 appreciate Jay and Joe and some of the other fishermen here in this room, and that's a great enjoyable relaxing way to fish, but that is not how to make a living. 18 00:02:05,506 --> 00:02:11,272 If you want to make your living as a fisherman, you need to have the other boat. 19 00:02:11,627 --> 00:02:16,943 because the other boat is a commercial fishing boat. 20 00:02:16,943 --> 00:02:28,895 And in a commercial fishing environment, you don't send one hook into the water with the exact right perfect bait for the exact right perfect catch to make sure that you get the 21 00:02:28,895 --> 00:02:31,117 exact right perfect bite. 22 00:02:31,798 --> 00:02:34,600 You let down a net. 23 00:02:35,229 --> 00:02:48,280 and you utilize the principle of quantity over quality because there is a place in the cycle where quality will be derived, but it's not at the point of catching. 24 00:02:48,895 --> 00:02:51,166 It's not at the point of contact. 25 00:02:51,166 --> 00:02:55,129 It's later on that quality is measured. 26 00:02:55,129 --> 00:03:05,605 So as we're going through this lesson and we're establishing this principle of it's quality not quantity, we're understanding it from the perspective of when a commercial 27 00:03:05,605 --> 00:03:14,821 fisherman or a fisherman of souls goes out to fish, he's not looking for the one perfect bite. 28 00:03:16,332 --> 00:03:23,949 He's looking for as many opportunities to find the right fish as he can get. 29 00:03:24,410 --> 00:03:27,162 So consider Matthew chapter 22. 30 00:03:27,685 --> 00:03:35,718 Matthew chapter 22, Jesus provides a parable that helps us to understand this idea. 31 00:03:35,718 --> 00:03:57,940 Beginning in verse one, and Jesus answered and said to them again by parables and said, uh 32 00:03:57,940 --> 00:04:08,913 as Jesus is providing us this picture, as He's showing us a picture of the kingdom, He's also providing us a picture of God. 33 00:04:10,076 --> 00:04:13,500 God here represented as the head of the kingdom. 34 00:04:13,500 --> 00:04:14,313 oh 35 00:04:14,313 --> 00:04:27,773 The one who is the father, the king, who has a son and desires to bring those into the marriage feast of the son, he is going and he is ascending God. 36 00:04:29,581 --> 00:04:33,541 The king sends his servants on a mission. 37 00:04:33,541 --> 00:04:45,401 If turn to Matthew chapter 28, you will observe that Jesus carrying out God's commands and God's will sends his servants. 38 00:04:45,401 --> 00:04:51,761 Matthew chapter 28, beginning in verse 18, Jesus came and spoke to them, the them is his disciples. 39 00:04:51,801 --> 00:04:56,921 He spoke to them saying, all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 40 00:04:57,041 --> 00:04:57,949 Go... 41 00:04:57,949 --> 00:05:03,402 Therefore, and make disciples, now notice a couple of things of interest. 42 00:05:03,402 --> 00:05:15,497 He does not say, make disciples of those whom you deem to be worthy and qualified and meaningful and appropriate and perfect candidates. 43 00:05:16,318 --> 00:05:18,499 He didn't send his disciples to do that. 44 00:05:18,499 --> 00:05:23,071 He said, rather go make disciples of all nations. 45 00:05:23,071 --> 00:05:26,642 It's quantity, not quality. 46 00:05:26,642 --> 00:05:27,903 He says, make disciples. 47 00:05:27,903 --> 00:05:36,736 of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with 48 00:05:36,736 --> 00:05:46,790 you always, even to the end of the age." Jesus sends out his disciples because God is a sending God. 49 00:05:47,283 --> 00:05:55,593 If you turn over to the book of Mark, Mark chapter 16, Mark records similar. 50 00:05:55,881 --> 00:06:02,105 A similar message from Jesus nearing the time of His departure and ascension back into heaven. 51 00:06:02,105 --> 00:06:12,721 We read in Matthew chapter 16 beginning in verse 15, and He, Christ, said to them, go in all the world and preach the gospel to who? 52 00:06:12,891 --> 00:06:21,115 To the select ones who you deem to be worthy, to the ones who appear to be the most willing to know. 53 00:06:22,277 --> 00:06:23,607 Go in all the world. 54 00:06:23,607 --> 00:06:27,421 preach the gospel to every preacher. 55 00:06:28,263 --> 00:06:34,930 He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. 56 00:06:35,091 --> 00:06:40,416 Consider what John writes in John chapter 20. 57 00:06:45,889 --> 00:06:58,416 John chapter 20 beginning in verse 21 we read, so Jesus said to them again, peace to you, as the Father has sent me, I send you. 58 00:06:59,257 --> 00:07:07,441 Jesus makes it clear that he had been sent by God the Father. 59 00:07:07,965 --> 00:07:16,491 and that he was sending his disciples because he had been sent by God the Father. 60 00:07:17,752 --> 00:07:19,533 We should understand. 61 00:07:19,839 --> 00:07:22,421 that God is a sending God. 62 00:07:22,421 --> 00:07:27,936 Verse 22, and when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, receive the Holy Spirit. 63 00:07:27,936 --> 00:07:31,359 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. 64 00:07:31,359 --> 00:07:34,621 If you retain the sins of any, they are retained. 65 00:07:35,302 --> 00:07:43,348 Jesus sent his disciples out that people might have forgiveness. 66 00:07:45,065 --> 00:08:00,217 Yet Jesus recognized that there would be some who would be candidates for forgiveness and others who would disqualify themselves from forgiveness. 67 00:08:00,718 --> 00:08:08,104 It is not as though there was an offer of universal salvation without condition. 68 00:08:10,327 --> 00:08:24,775 But there was a universal message and a universal hope and a universal promise and a universal solution for sin if individuals were willing to obtain it, accept it, and be 69 00:08:24,775 --> 00:08:26,426 obedient to it. 70 00:08:28,167 --> 00:08:31,669 But it was not the role of the disciples. 71 00:08:32,843 --> 00:08:40,359 to measure the quality of whether or not someone was worthy to hear the gospel. 72 00:08:40,899 --> 00:08:45,523 Rather, it was their responsibility to preach the gospel to the entire world. 73 00:08:45,523 --> 00:08:48,033 You turn to Acts chapter 1. 74 00:08:49,393 --> 00:09:00,644 Acts chapter 1 and in verse 8, Jesus says as He is preparing to ascend back to the Father, but you, the disciples, the apostles standing there, shall receive power when the Holy 75 00:09:00,644 --> 00:09:09,432 Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria. 76 00:09:09,432 --> 00:09:10,355 uh 77 00:09:10,355 --> 00:09:13,467 and to the end of the earth. 78 00:09:13,788 --> 00:09:30,880 As we consider the role and responsibility of Christians to reach those who are lost in the world, we are to be focused on quantity because our mission is the entire world. 79 00:09:31,621 --> 00:09:37,725 It does not mean that when we find someone who will listen, we don't... 80 00:09:38,175 --> 00:09:41,506 transition to focusing on quality. 81 00:09:41,987 --> 00:09:54,512 It does mean that as we're reaching for contacts, as we're reaching for opportunities, as we're seeking to bring in the fish, we want as many fish as we can possibly get so that 82 00:09:54,512 --> 00:10:01,154 when we go check them out at the shore, we have the good fish that we need, okay? 83 00:10:01,275 --> 00:10:06,817 Consider Jesus the Savior sent. 84 00:10:08,009 --> 00:10:12,552 And because he did that because he was sent. 85 00:10:13,289 --> 00:10:25,344 15 times from John chapter 5 until John chapter 20, Jesus says, the father sent me. 86 00:10:26,305 --> 00:10:27,385 Why? 87 00:10:27,926 --> 00:10:31,829 Because God is a sending God. 88 00:10:32,250 --> 00:10:35,713 God has something he desires to see accomplished. 89 00:10:35,977 --> 00:10:43,120 God desires that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 90 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:54,365 And yet the only way that someone is going to come to repentance, that someone is going to be obedient to the gospel, is if they hear the gospel. 91 00:10:56,247 --> 00:11:05,809 So God is focused on a universal proclamation, not a limited proclamation. 92 00:11:06,291 --> 00:11:07,992 But then consider. 93 00:11:08,829 --> 00:11:19,194 as well as you look at the fact that Jesus sent his servants, you see examples of this in Luke chapter nine, as Jesus sends out the 12. 94 00:11:19,194 --> 00:11:25,937 You see examples of this again in Luke chapter 10, where Jesus sends out the 70. 95 00:11:25,937 --> 00:11:33,020 You see examples here in this exact parable where the king sends out his servants, but notice the parable again. 96 00:11:33,020 --> 00:11:35,689 Let's go back to Matthew chapter 22. 97 00:11:35,882 --> 00:11:38,703 Matthew chapter 22, as we look at this text, 98 00:11:38,703 --> 00:11:39,883 next. 99 00:11:41,067 --> 00:11:50,662 You'll notice that verse 3 says, sent out His servants to call those who were invited to the wedding, and they were not willing to come. 100 00:11:50,662 --> 00:12:00,846 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 101 00:12:00,846 --> 00:12:01,467 wedding. 102 00:12:01,467 --> 00:12:03,007 But they made light of it. 103 00:12:03,007 --> 00:12:05,919 Go down to verse 9, Therefore go into the highways. 104 00:12:05,919 --> 00:12:11,041 He tells His servants now, after these others have refused, go into the highways, and as 105 00:12:11,041 --> 00:12:15,033 many as you find, invite them to the wedding. 106 00:12:16,694 --> 00:12:24,578 Here in this parable we have a picture of the king who's been refused by those who are the select ones. 107 00:12:25,238 --> 00:12:28,960 So the king tells his servants, you go out and you find anybody. 108 00:12:29,161 --> 00:12:37,845 You go to the highways, the byways, you go to the sides of the road and if someone is lame, you pick them up and carry them. 109 00:12:38,507 --> 00:12:57,403 but you fill my feast." Consider that as we look at this text, we look at verses three through verse 10, we also learn that God is a summoning God. 110 00:12:58,083 --> 00:13:03,445 He is one who calls people to something. 111 00:13:03,691 --> 00:13:13,113 He is one who summons them to what they should be doing, though they are often not doing it. 112 00:13:13,394 --> 00:13:15,856 Consider verse 3 once again. 113 00:13:16,011 --> 00:13:24,325 He sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding, and they were not willing to come. 114 00:13:24,325 --> 00:13:29,127 Again, he sent out other servants saying, Tell those who are invited. 115 00:13:29,127 --> 00:13:35,180 See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen, my fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. 116 00:13:35,180 --> 00:13:37,191 Come to the wedding. 117 00:13:37,191 --> 00:13:42,834 But they made light of it and went their way, one to his own farm and another to his business. 118 00:13:42,834 --> 00:13:45,945 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, 119 00:13:45,945 --> 00:13:47,176 and killed them. 120 00:13:47,176 --> 00:13:50,058 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. 121 00:13:50,058 --> 00:13:54,600 He sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 122 00:13:54,600 --> 00:14:01,444 Then he said to his servants, The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 123 00:14:01,625 --> 00:14:06,107 Therefore, go into the highways, as many as you find, invite them to the wedding. 124 00:14:06,107 --> 00:14:15,293 So the servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 125 00:14:17,527 --> 00:14:24,162 To consider what Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. 126 00:14:24,162 --> 00:14:28,845 Paul writes concerning his time in Thessalonica. 127 00:14:29,326 --> 00:14:44,817 And he writes, choose you, uh that God chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth to which he called you by our gospel. 128 00:14:45,377 --> 00:14:49,761 for the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. 129 00:14:50,282 --> 00:15:03,734 Paul is pointing out as he writes to Thessalonica that God desires for them to share in the glory of Christ. 130 00:15:04,336 --> 00:15:08,899 God desires for them to share in His glory. 131 00:15:10,547 --> 00:15:22,743 God desires for them to participate and partake of the glory that He has prepared for them, so they've been called. 132 00:15:24,304 --> 00:15:33,209 But Paul doesn't identify that those in Thessalonica were called by a still small voice in the night. 133 00:15:33,781 --> 00:15:41,709 He doesn't identify that they were called by a feeling or a nudge in their heart or their mind. 134 00:15:41,910 --> 00:15:49,958 He does not identify that they were called because they had observed some great miraculous deed. 135 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:56,064 No, rather Paul says, you were called by the gospel. 136 00:15:57,383 --> 00:16:12,081 God, as He summons individuals to His glory, as He summons them to participate and partake of Christ's glory, He calls them by the gospel. 137 00:16:13,182 --> 00:16:19,105 Now the king, as we go back into our text, He called some initially. 138 00:16:19,531 --> 00:16:27,107 You notice there in verse three and verse four, some were called, specific individuals were called. 139 00:16:27,107 --> 00:16:39,697 If you were to understand the parable itself and Jesus' point behind it, you would have understood that these in view in the parable are the Jews. 140 00:16:41,319 --> 00:16:44,101 These are the ones who should have heard, 141 00:16:44,107 --> 00:16:47,438 the call, the summoning to the kingdom. 142 00:16:47,438 --> 00:16:50,720 They should have been aware of the message that was coming. 143 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:54,441 They should have been awaiting the arrival of the Messiah. 144 00:16:54,441 --> 00:17:02,785 They should have been anticipating the message of God, and they should have been willing to hear it, to be obedient to it, to understand it. 145 00:17:04,929 --> 00:17:07,610 But when the call came, they were busy. 146 00:17:08,691 --> 00:17:10,851 One of them had a business to run. 147 00:17:11,292 --> 00:17:13,653 One of them had a field to take care of. 148 00:17:13,813 --> 00:17:18,335 One of them had cares of this world to deal with. 149 00:17:19,676 --> 00:17:21,496 And so, they didn't listen. 150 00:17:22,197 --> 00:17:27,059 As a matter of fact, when the second wave of servants came, they made light of it. 151 00:17:28,380 --> 00:17:31,521 You can't possibly believe that the kingdom has come. 152 00:17:31,797 --> 00:17:35,642 You can't possibly believe that it is time for the feast. 153 00:17:35,903 --> 00:17:37,464 We're not coming. 154 00:17:38,287 --> 00:17:40,909 But then some went so much further. 155 00:17:41,071 --> 00:17:48,040 They not only made light of it, they killed the servants who came bearing the invitation. 156 00:17:50,273 --> 00:17:58,724 as Jesus pictures the Jewish nation so overrun with self-interest. 157 00:18:01,003 --> 00:18:07,948 that they would take the servants that came, inviting them to the Master's feast. 158 00:18:10,025 --> 00:18:11,476 and kill them. 159 00:18:13,611 --> 00:18:20,866 You see the picture of the nation that would kill the very Son of God. 160 00:18:21,707 --> 00:18:31,714 And yet, some are called, and those few that are called reject the call. 161 00:18:32,915 --> 00:18:35,337 But the king is not deterred. 162 00:18:36,279 --> 00:18:47,771 for he sends his servants back out." And there in verses 9 and 10, you'll notice as we read, the king says, therefore, go into the highways, and as many as you find. 163 00:18:50,697 --> 00:18:52,378 invite them to the wedding. 164 00:18:53,180 --> 00:18:58,864 So the servants went out into the highways and gathered together all. 165 00:18:59,586 --> 00:19:01,587 Notice the descriptors. 166 00:19:01,648 --> 00:19:05,652 Notice the use of the universal affirmative. 167 00:19:05,652 --> 00:19:10,215 They didn't go, well, I'm not sure about that guy. 168 00:19:11,137 --> 00:19:15,220 That guy, the way he's dressed, nope, not bringing him. 169 00:19:15,497 --> 00:19:21,779 No, the command had been to go out and to bring in all that they find. 170 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:25,421 And so that's exactly what they did. 171 00:19:25,421 --> 00:19:33,744 They gathered together all whom they found, both good and bad, those who were uh acceptable-looking and those who were unprepared. 172 00:19:33,744 --> 00:19:36,925 Those who were willing came. 173 00:19:37,397 --> 00:19:40,903 and they gathered all into his feast. 174 00:19:40,903 --> 00:19:45,831 But then notice as well that God is a sentencing God. 175 00:19:46,569 --> 00:19:48,450 Yes, he's a sending God. 176 00:19:48,450 --> 00:19:53,453 Yes, he's a summoning God, but he is also a sentencing God. 177 00:19:53,574 --> 00:20:01,399 As I mentioned, it is not our role in the point of discovering contacts and reaching out to people with the gospel. 178 00:20:01,399 --> 00:20:06,262 It is not our role to predetermine who to preach to. 179 00:20:06,262 --> 00:20:15,929 It is not our role to predetermine who will hear and who will not, but there is a measurement of quality. 180 00:20:18,453 --> 00:20:31,653 And you'll notice as you go into the text, verse 11, but when the king came in and saw the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 181 00:20:33,887 --> 00:20:51,770 Now, if we were to think of this maybe from our terms, our modern day, we would go, well, this is kind uh of unfortunate and maybe just a little bit judgmental. 182 00:20:51,811 --> 00:20:58,756 After all, he sends his servants into the highways, he sends them into all the places where people were not. 183 00:20:58,756 --> 00:21:00,677 uh 184 00:21:00,885 --> 00:21:05,808 thinking, know what, if I get up today I'm probably going to a wedding feast. 185 00:21:05,869 --> 00:21:07,931 Make sure and have my wedding garment with me. 186 00:21:07,931 --> 00:21:15,395 You know, there's a high possibility that as they went through the highways they found some people who didn't own a wedding garment. 187 00:21:16,016 --> 00:21:23,111 So why is the parable seeking to criticize the ones who didn't have a wedding garment? 188 00:21:24,781 --> 00:21:26,421 You're missing the picture. 189 00:21:27,461 --> 00:21:33,601 The king provided the wedding garments for all those who were in attendance. 190 00:21:34,481 --> 00:21:48,901 The king who prepared the feast, prepared the food, prepared all the things that were necessary, all you had to do was arrive and a wedding garment was given to you to wear. 191 00:21:51,223 --> 00:21:59,915 And so all those in the highways, all those who were the poor, all those who would normally not have had the wedding garment. 192 00:21:59,915 --> 00:22:11,058 Matter of fact, if you were here just a few weeks ago, you remember that Louis Rushmore showed us one of those garments that was a wedding garment that men would wear in India. 193 00:22:12,259 --> 00:22:13,579 Here's the point. 194 00:22:14,219 --> 00:22:20,721 The wedding garment was not missing because it was unavailable. 195 00:22:21,099 --> 00:22:26,513 The wedding garment was not missing because the individual didn't have access to one. 196 00:22:26,513 --> 00:22:32,577 The wedding garment was not missing because the individual was unable to afford one. 197 00:22:32,577 --> 00:22:43,865 The wedding garment was missing because the individual refused to wear the wedding garment that had been provided. 198 00:22:46,091 --> 00:22:57,406 The king comes in and you'll notice if you look back at the text, when the king came in to see, that's the idea of to inspect. 199 00:22:58,586 --> 00:23:01,868 This is his feast, this is what he has prepared. 200 00:23:01,868 --> 00:23:05,409 This is what he has had in mind and this is what he has been planning. 201 00:23:05,409 --> 00:23:13,853 He has spent a great deal of time, effort, money, and energy in order to prepare this feast and it will be right. 202 00:23:17,355 --> 00:23:35,517 There are some individuals in life who I know who are very good at getting things perfectly right because they have an eye for is it perfect or is it not quite perfect. 203 00:23:36,778 --> 00:23:41,181 And I'll be honest with you, I make their life a struggle. 204 00:23:44,459 --> 00:23:48,671 because I'm more of the move hard and get it, move fast and get done. 205 00:23:49,152 --> 00:23:52,474 And they're more of the slow down and get it perfect. 206 00:23:53,915 --> 00:24:02,901 As a result of that, things I do may not always be perfect, but they'll get done. 207 00:24:04,403 --> 00:24:07,844 Now, I have a son back there shaking his head. 208 00:24:09,166 --> 00:24:10,186 Yes. 209 00:24:10,687 --> 00:24:14,109 Now you look at this and the king, 210 00:24:14,657 --> 00:24:16,058 He wants perfect. 211 00:24:16,779 --> 00:24:25,104 He wants it exactly the way he planned it to be. 212 00:24:25,905 --> 00:24:28,266 So he comes to inspect the guests. 213 00:24:28,988 --> 00:24:35,712 As he comes to inspect the guests, he sees a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 214 00:24:35,712 --> 00:24:42,277 Verse 12, so he said to him, friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment? 215 00:24:42,941 --> 00:24:45,242 and he was speechless. 216 00:24:46,404 --> 00:24:48,665 You see here the inquiry. 217 00:24:49,847 --> 00:24:55,671 The king doesn't jump to conclusions, but he holds him to account. 218 00:24:56,492 --> 00:25:02,697 How is it that you came in without the appropriate garment on? 219 00:25:03,137 --> 00:25:13,014 How is it that you have arrived here and that you are attempting to participate in this marriage feast and yet you have refused the garment? 220 00:25:13,014 --> 00:25:16,000 that would have you prepared for the feast. 221 00:25:19,521 --> 00:25:23,892 Here's the thing, when it comes time... 222 00:25:25,729 --> 00:25:28,670 to reach individuals with the gospel. 223 00:25:30,729 --> 00:25:47,041 And when you sit down and you study the gospel with them, I can assure you of this, they will understand what the gospel actually says. 224 00:25:50,347 --> 00:25:52,830 because the gospel is so simple. 225 00:25:54,431 --> 00:25:57,157 You have to try hard to misunderstand it. 226 00:25:58,697 --> 00:26:04,509 You have to intentionally misunderstand it to get it wrong. 227 00:26:06,665 --> 00:26:13,093 or you have to understand it and then refuse to obey it. 228 00:26:14,791 --> 00:26:25,409 As the king inquires of the man, you'll notice that his response was to be speechless. 229 00:26:26,690 --> 00:26:30,332 He had no justification for his state. 230 00:26:30,833 --> 00:26:38,458 He had no ability to say, look, here's why I'm not wearing the wedding garment. 231 00:26:39,239 --> 00:26:41,881 He is without excuse. 232 00:26:44,845 --> 00:26:56,656 But then consider verse 13, then the king said to the servant, to the servants, bind him hand and foot, take him away and cast him into outer darkness, there will be weeping and 233 00:26:56,656 --> 00:26:58,077 gnashing of teeth. 234 00:27:00,843 --> 00:27:09,093 God, who is a sentencing God, provides not only the inspection, the inquiry, but the indictment. 235 00:27:12,733 --> 00:27:15,656 God has set expectations. 236 00:27:16,698 --> 00:27:22,325 God has set barriers and conditions on salvation. 237 00:27:24,309 --> 00:27:30,813 And one of those conditions is we have to do it His way and not ours. 238 00:27:31,915 --> 00:27:43,853 So as we examine our own lives, as we examine what we are to do, and as we consider how we are to reach those who are lost and how we are to reach those who are contacts and build 239 00:27:43,853 --> 00:27:51,609 those contacts, we need to understand its quantity, and I see I'm still saying it wrong, its quantity and not quality. 240 00:27:54,145 --> 00:28:07,775 Because inside that quantity are those who we would have thrown back, we would have rejected, yet they will hear, believe, obey God, and be faithful to Him. 241 00:28:10,665 --> 00:28:26,938 And yet there are those who we think this is the perfect person and they will discern themselves to be unworthy of the gospel call and refuse. 242 00:28:28,020 --> 00:28:34,975 But then consider verse 14, that God is a summarizing God. 243 00:28:37,189 --> 00:28:51,699 As you look at the text, Jesus concludes the parable, for many are called, but few are chosen. 244 00:28:52,900 --> 00:29:05,193 Some come to the text and they say, well, that's because God predestined those who would be saved and that means that he chose those in advance regardless of. 245 00:29:05,193 --> 00:29:08,715 what they do, these are saved and those are lost. 246 00:29:08,715 --> 00:29:10,876 No, that's not what the text says. 247 00:29:11,997 --> 00:29:24,405 If you go back to the parable, the ones who heard the call initially, they were called, but they were not chosen. 248 00:29:24,405 --> 00:29:28,427 But who was the reason they weren't chosen? 249 00:29:29,548 --> 00:29:30,769 They were. 250 00:29:31,329 --> 00:29:36,031 for they refused to hear and obey the call. 251 00:29:36,732 --> 00:29:48,277 And the man who came and heard the call and arrived at the wedding feast and yet refused the wedding garment and refused to be prepared for the feast, who caused him to be in that 252 00:29:48,277 --> 00:29:49,357 state? 253 00:29:50,238 --> 00:29:52,899 It wasn't the king who called him. 254 00:29:53,439 --> 00:29:58,041 It was the man who refused to heed the call. 255 00:29:59,223 --> 00:30:05,043 When God says, many are called, but few are chosen, the ones who are not chosen. 256 00:30:06,943 --> 00:30:12,716 are not in that state because God didn't desire for them to repent and to be saved. 257 00:30:12,716 --> 00:30:15,078 The text of Scripture is very clear about that. 258 00:30:15,078 --> 00:30:18,500 God desires all men everywhere to repent. 259 00:30:18,500 --> 00:30:21,181 There's no one outside that category. 260 00:30:23,415 --> 00:30:39,182 But those who will not hear and will not be obedient to the call of the gospel have chosen themselves to be removed from the salvation which God offers. 261 00:30:40,244 --> 00:30:41,965 Matthew chapter seven. 262 00:30:43,923 --> 00:30:57,765 Jesus, as He concludes or comes near to concluding the Sermon on the Mount, will say, "Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to 263 00:30:57,765 --> 00:31:11,797 destruction, and there are many who go in by it, because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." 264 00:31:13,877 --> 00:31:30,032 One of the reasons why there are so few who find the narrow gate is actually in the very next breath that Jesus breathed as He said, beware of false prophets who come to you in 265 00:31:30,032 --> 00:31:34,317 sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 266 00:31:36,843 --> 00:31:44,001 Jesus says there's going to be many who go forth who do not tell people the truth. 267 00:31:45,611 --> 00:31:56,789 And there are many who will cause others to be devoured and destroyed and suffer destruction because they will not tell them the truth. 268 00:31:59,915 --> 00:32:03,793 They will not preach the gospel that originates with God. 269 00:32:04,797 --> 00:32:08,454 They will only preach the doctrines that originate with men. 270 00:32:10,401 --> 00:32:16,304 So as we examine our mission, our mission is to call many. 271 00:32:17,185 --> 00:32:30,172 Our mission is to consider not just those who we interact with, not just those who we meet on a day-to-day basis, not just those who we understand where they're at to be possible 272 00:32:30,172 --> 00:32:31,423 contacts. 273 00:32:33,185 --> 00:32:39,850 but for us to be liberal with the contacts that we think we can reach. 274 00:32:41,031 --> 00:32:49,156 For us to look at that card that we've discussed so many times in recent weeks and go, you know what, there's 10 spots on here. 275 00:32:49,156 --> 00:32:52,680 That's not enough, I need a few more cards. 276 00:32:54,081 --> 00:32:59,655 Because I'm going to stop fishing with a hook and I'm going to start fishing with a net. 277 00:33:03,889 --> 00:33:06,953 Many are called. 278 00:33:07,314 --> 00:33:16,246 But if we consider the question, if we call many and the result is we get few, what happens if we call few? 279 00:33:16,468 --> 00:33:17,929 What will we get? 280 00:33:20,363 --> 00:33:23,771 Historically, the evidence is none. 281 00:33:25,943 --> 00:33:27,809 Turn to John chapter 3. 282 00:33:29,493 --> 00:33:31,463 In John chapter 3 283 00:33:35,859 --> 00:33:38,680 Jesus speaks to Nicodemus. 284 00:33:43,859 --> 00:33:46,270 Nicodemus was a teacher of the law. 285 00:33:47,291 --> 00:33:54,854 He was one who should have been anticipating the arrival of the kingdom. 286 00:33:55,715 --> 00:34:06,150 And as a matter of fact, Nicodemus will say to Jesus, Rabbi, verse 2, we know that you are a teacher come from God. 287 00:34:06,150 --> 00:34:08,801 by the way, they knew he was sent. 288 00:34:10,849 --> 00:34:15,616 For no one can do the signs that you do unless God is with him. 289 00:34:17,181 --> 00:34:24,132 Jesus answered and said, Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 290 00:34:27,049 --> 00:34:37,520 when Jesus interacted with Nicodemus and Nicodemus begins the conversation by saying, know that you are sent from God. 291 00:34:37,520 --> 00:34:46,269 Jesus immediately follows it up with not an answer, not a discussion about whether he was or not, but the message he was sent with. 292 00:34:48,012 --> 00:34:49,573 You must be born again. 293 00:34:52,201 --> 00:34:55,422 Nicodemus said to him, how can a man be born when he is old? 294 00:34:55,422 --> 00:34:59,063 Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? 295 00:34:59,063 --> 00:35:07,245 Jesus answered, most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 296 00:35:07,326 --> 00:35:17,909 Twice Jesus has spoken to this teacher and given disqualifying statements. 297 00:35:22,005 --> 00:35:24,747 There is someone who measures quality. 298 00:35:26,469 --> 00:35:29,291 There is someone who determines entrance. 299 00:35:30,773 --> 00:35:36,137 And it's the one who gave the message. 300 00:35:36,978 --> 00:35:41,121 It's the one who gave the commandments. 301 00:35:41,442 --> 00:35:47,987 It's the one who said, by my words, you will be judged. 302 00:35:48,568 --> 00:35:50,365 John chapter 12. 303 00:35:50,901 --> 00:35:54,173 Nicodemus said to him, How could a man be born when he is old? 304 00:35:54,173 --> 00:35:56,964 Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born again? 305 00:35:56,964 --> 00:36:03,367 Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 306 00:36:03,367 --> 00:36:05,308 That which is born of the flesh is flesh. 307 00:36:05,308 --> 00:36:07,089 That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 308 00:36:07,089 --> 00:36:10,630 Do not marvel that I say to you, you must be born again. 309 00:36:10,630 --> 00:36:18,954 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. 310 00:36:18,954 --> 00:36:21,295 So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. 311 00:36:21,856 --> 00:36:25,477 Nicodemus answered and said, how can these things be? 312 00:36:27,159 --> 00:36:31,821 Jesus answered, are you a teacher in Israel and you do not know these things? 313 00:36:34,699 --> 00:36:37,529 Here were the select few. 314 00:36:37,854 --> 00:36:40,317 Nicodemus was on the Sanhedrin. 315 00:36:40,317 --> 00:36:42,080 He was one of the seventy. 316 00:36:42,080 --> 00:36:43,692 He was a teacher in Israel. 317 00:36:43,692 --> 00:36:46,044 And Jesus says, you don't know this? 318 00:36:52,090 --> 00:37:01,948 It is not self-evident that those who claim to be teachers from God know what God has to say. 319 00:37:06,057 --> 00:37:15,473 It is not self-evident that those who claim to be speaking on behalf of God are actually declaring God's message. 320 00:37:17,623 --> 00:37:19,375 So then what must we do? 321 00:37:20,156 --> 00:37:32,972 We must measure the message that we hear against the originator and his message. 322 00:37:35,159 --> 00:37:50,642 So if we open up the Word of God and we find that what someone has told us about salvation isn't found anywhere in the book, maybe we should have some pause about the teacher we're 323 00:37:50,642 --> 00:37:51,862 listening to. 324 00:37:52,643 --> 00:37:59,708 If we open up the book and we examine the book and we find what God says we must do, 325 00:38:01,749 --> 00:38:09,214 we can have assurance that when we do it, we will be right in the eyes of God. 326 00:38:10,435 --> 00:38:12,556 Go down just a few verses. 327 00:38:13,357 --> 00:38:28,008 Jesus provides an example from Moses' life and from the time of the early Israelites of those who were willing to not understand how God was going to save them, but trust and 328 00:38:28,008 --> 00:38:29,989 believe and obey anyway. 329 00:38:31,445 --> 00:38:38,907 And you read there in verse 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 330 00:38:39,248 --> 00:38:46,631 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 331 00:38:46,631 --> 00:38:53,613 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might believe. 332 00:38:54,251 --> 00:39:07,632 He who believes in him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." And notice the 333 00:39:07,632 --> 00:39:19,300 condemnation, and this is the condemnation that the light has come into the world and men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. 334 00:39:21,483 --> 00:39:38,670 Jesus identifies to Nicodemus that there are those who will refuse the light, they will refuse the message, they will refuse the truth, not because God does not love them, not 335 00:39:38,670 --> 00:39:41,973 because God did not send His Son on their behalf. 336 00:39:43,009 --> 00:39:51,620 but rather because their deeds are evil and they don't want the light shown on their evil deeds. 337 00:39:53,517 --> 00:40:00,650 You turn back to Genesis chapter 1 and you read in the creation account. 338 00:40:02,507 --> 00:40:10,560 that God said to God, let us make man in our image and after our likeness. 339 00:40:13,045 --> 00:40:27,795 When God created humanity, He created every single human who would ever live to be valuable because they're made in the image of God. 340 00:40:29,835 --> 00:40:37,690 So as a result, we should understand its quantity, not quality. 341 00:40:38,631 --> 00:40:43,034 Every person is worthy of hearing the gospel. 342 00:40:43,714 --> 00:40:52,760 Every person should be on the list of people we need to reach if they're lost. 343 00:40:53,061 --> 00:40:59,685 Because God so loved the world and everyone in it. 344 00:41:01,037 --> 00:41:04,398 It doesn't matter their nationality and it doesn't matter their color. 345 00:41:04,638 --> 00:41:08,379 It doesn't matter their background and it doesn't matter their stature. 346 00:41:08,859 --> 00:41:12,620 It doesn't matter how old they are or how young they are. 347 00:41:13,241 --> 00:41:23,404 It matters that they're a part of the human race made in the image of God and that Jesus Christ came that they might be saved. 348 00:41:23,784 --> 00:41:27,435 If you're here this morning and you're outside the body of Christ, 349 00:41:27,757 --> 00:41:35,672 If you're outside of the place where salvation is found, if you're outside of the place for which Christ shed His blood, that's the church. 350 00:41:37,291 --> 00:41:39,342 then you need to change that. 351 00:41:40,022 --> 00:41:47,525 Because there is coming a day where the king will inspect those who arrive and claim they're ready for the feast. 352 00:41:48,546 --> 00:41:54,488 And some of them, it will be determined they are not. 353 00:41:55,549 --> 00:42:02,932 If you're here this morning and you're outside the body of Christ, we encourage you to open up the book and study it. 354 00:42:03,632 --> 00:42:05,887 And if you perhaps are like, 355 00:42:05,887 --> 00:42:14,096 the Ethiopian eunuch as he was traveling and he had the book open and he was studying it and he was asked, do you understand what you read? 356 00:42:14,096 --> 00:42:16,821 He said, how can I unless someone guide me? 357 00:42:18,445 --> 00:42:25,788 If you would like more guidance as to what God has to say, this is the assurance we can give you. 358 00:42:26,749 --> 00:42:30,431 We won't tell you anything that you can't read for yourself. 359 00:42:31,652 --> 00:42:39,115 Because it is not by false prophets that you will be saved, and it is not by man's doctrine that you will be saved. 360 00:42:39,115 --> 00:42:43,177 It is by the Word of God. 361 00:42:45,335 --> 00:42:51,256 for the power of God to salvation is the gospel. 362 00:42:51,599 --> 00:42:55,667 If you have need of the invitation, why not come forward now as we stand?