The Parable of the Wedding Feast

Matthew 22:1-14

Much about the Kingdom of Heaven is not what we expect. We see this in who responds to heaven’s invitation, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Tragically, many reject the invitation. But the least expected respond with joy and attend. This may seem upside down to us, but not to God. As Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” (Mt. 11:25-26) 

Take Home Message: How do you respond to Heaven’s invitation?

Heaven’s invitation is…

-        Offered as a gift (1-2)

-        Rejected by the first (3-7)

-        Extended to the last (8-10)

-        Embraced by the few (11-14).

Take Home Questions

-        Have you put on the only wedding garment? 

-        What excuses are keeping you from the feast?

The irony of the Good News: Jesus’ death was actually the linchpin of His strategy to save the world!

 Check-mate… Game over… Jesus wins!

 And so do we, if only we will trust Him as Lord!

 Scripture: Matthew 21:33-45

 Simple. Authentic. Jesus.

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What lie is the Devil trying to sell you?  That you are so bad that God doesn’t want anything to do with you? Or, that you are so good, that you have nothing to repent of?  

BOTH are lies! Repent, and turn to Jesus!

The Parable of the Two Sons

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Simple. Authentic. Jesus.

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The Laborer’s and the Vineyard

 The whole idea of “fairness” is subjective, meaning, it’s often in the eye of the bolder.   So, what do you think is “fair” from God’s perspective?

 Join us for the message this Sunday to learn about this important parable from Christ.

 Matthew 20:1-16

 Simple. Authentic. Jesus.

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There are no long-term relationships without forgiveness. Why? Because we live in a broken world. We wrong others, and others wrong us. Peter understood this when he asked Jesus, how often should I forgive? Jesus’ answer is offensive to many. Doesn’t He know how I’ve been wronged?! Jesus does know, and He also has the right to command us to forgive. Why? Because He was wronged far greater than anyone who ever lived. Yet He responded, “Father, forgive them.”

 Take Home Message: We forgive because we have been forgiven.

 We forgive because…

-       Our world is broken (21-22).

-       Our debt has been forgiven (23-27).

-       Our refusal kills our witness (28-31).

-       Our Lord demands forgiveness (32-35).

What does the Parable of the Dragnet mean?  There is more to this lesson than first meets the eye!  Remember, this is not a game. 

Matthew 13:47-50:   47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full,  men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Simple. Authentic. Jesus. 

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What did Jesus mean when he gave the commandment “Follow Me”?

The Resurrection Story is the greatest story in world history!   But there’s more to the story than what we often remember. The Resurrection isn’t the culmination of anything. It’s the beginning of everything!  Jesus is saying to each of us: “Come Follow Me!”

 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. 

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Our Humble King

Matthew 21:1-11

 “Humility is something we should constantly pray for, yet never thank God that we have.” -M.R. DeHaan. When it comes to Christian virtues, humility is among the top of the list. Many people are too proud to be used by God. Few people are humble enough to be used by God. God watches over the humble and gives grace to the humble. Jesus is the perfect example of humility. He personifies power under control. He is our humble king.

 Take Home Message: Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, but He will return on a horse.

 Our humble king is a…

-       Promise keeper (1-5).

-       God pleaser (6-9).

-       Judgment bringer (10-11).

 Take Home Questions

-       Have you humbled yourself before our humble king?

-       Are you gentle and lowly like our humble king?

-       Who do you need to introduce to our humble king?

Matthew 19:16  “Teacher, what good deed must I do to inherit eternal life?”     Do you know the answer to this question?

Series: No Wonder They Crucified Him

Message: Check Your Bags

Simple. Authentic. Jesus.

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Simple. Authentic. Jesus.

prairiebible.org