Cross of Christ Lutheran Church - Liverpool, NY (WELS)

Jesus told a parable comparing God’s kingdom to a wedding feast. You’re invited! But there are a few faux pas to avoid if you don’t want to get thrown out. Jesus told one unified parable, but we can divide it nicely into two parts: in the first part, the King invites unworthy guests.

Like a runner nearing the end of the race, we press on to the finish. Press on to the goal because the end is near. And press on to the goal because after the end, there is no end.

Our congregation's culture needs to change. Each of your hearts needs to change. My heart needs to change. Christ causes culture to change.

God doesn’t do things the way we do. He does not choose anyone based on any human characteristic. The big objection to consider in our text is: “Does that make God unjust?”

Kids imitate their parents. By copying their parents, they learn how to walk and talk and brush their teeth and eat with a spoon. But it’s more than that. Their eyes light up. They giggle. They’re so proud of themselves because they’re just like mom or just like dad. Paul tells us, as dearly loved children, to be imitators of God.

God wants to break us to save us.

What do you do if people keep letting you down? What if your maid of honor keeps dropping the ball? What if your parents continually don’t show up? What if God is letting you down?

Who is the real Jesus? Some people think he’s nothing more than a legend—he never really existed. Most historians wouldn’t make that claim. There’s too much evidence for him. Instead, they look past all the supernatural parts of the Bible to discover the real Jesus. Some say he was a Jewish rabbi, a great teacher, and nothing more. Others claim he was a progressive rebel ahead of his time. Their guesses fall short of the real Jesus.

It’s nonsensical what Paul says about us. He says in all things God works for the good of those who love him. He asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” He says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors,” And he also says, “For your sake, we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

When you think of what people need, or what you need, you typically start with a list like: air, food, water, housing, clothes, human connection. Rarely do people add to this list spiritual needs. Our spiritual needs are even more important than the physical ones.