A Moment of Decision

In everyone's life there comes a time when the vows we've made, the promises we gave, and the lives we live are either in harmony, growing and focused or it is revealed to be a shame, a lie, and hypocrisy of life. The results of which can be disastrous. Jesus was having dinner with a group of Jewish leader and admonishing them for not doing more to reach out to the poor. Instead they invited to their parties only their own wealthy patrons who could and who would return their favors. One hand washing another. After a brief dialogue, a man says to Jesus, in effect, "Jesus that's all well and good, but the blessed are those who will sit at the banquet table in the Kingdom of God." In essence he admits there a things they should be doing better perhaps, but what's the big deal, Jews after all were the blessed people and therefore guaranteed a seat at the banquet table. So why sweat it, we're in, our ticket is punched, we're the lucky ones! Why are you getting so worked up? In response, Jesus tell the parable of the Great Banquet found in Luke 14. In this parable Jesus tells of people who were invited and presumably accepted the invitation, but instead of preparing for the feast became distracted by other things. When the feast was ready, the king sent his servants to those who had already been invited, but they ALL found excuses why they could not do what they promised they would do. When the moment of decision came they faltered with disastrous consequences. Clearly Jesus is pointing to the invitation extended to the Jewish nation which found ways not to live up to their vows and promises to God. Jesus is also speaking to us, Christians. When we became disciples of Jesus Christ, we vowed to be faithful with our prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service and witness. We made the promise freely and without compulsion, but when the time came to follow through, we became masters of excuses. Jesus identifies these three. (1) The excuse of wealth - I have to tend to what I own. (2) The excuse of possessions - I have to play or try out what I just bought. (3) The excuse of time - I need family time and Sunday is the best time for that. Jesus identified these as the most common almost 2,000 years ago and little has changed since. Why do people most commonly skip out on the church and the covenant with God and others: (1) more work - time to catch up on household duties, save money, (2) entertainment value - distracted by momentary entertainment (3) family time - we're so busy this is the only 'me' time for our family Dieterich Bonhoeffer contrasts "cheap grace" and "costly grace" by pointing out that “costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life."   What promise did you make? What's your excuse? Worship 10.27.13 Moment of Decision Sermon Notes 10.27.13 Making Plans