THE MARRIAGE OF THE KING’S SON--THE MARRIAGE FEAST

THE MARRIAGE OF THE KING’S SON

THE MARRIAGE FEAST

Matthew 22:1-14

Introduction:

A marriage feast was a big event in the nation of Israel during the time our Lord was on the earth. Much preparation was made and great expectation accompanied the occasion. Family and friends were invited and many times that included an entire village.

In this passage a “certain king” was preparing a feast for the marriage of his son.

I. THE DINNER PREPARED FOR THIS MARRIAGE, v. 4.

A. This feast includes all the blessings of the new covenant,..

1. The pardon of the sinner, Nehemiah 9:17, “And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.”

2. The favor of God, Psalm 30:5, “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

3. The peace of conscience.

a. By faith we have peace with God, Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

b. Being faithful we have a “good conscience toward God, 1 Timothy 1:19, “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:”

4. The promises of the gospel.

a. Great and precious promises, 2 Peter 1:4, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

b. Motivating promises, 2 Corinthians 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

B. This feast contains all the spiritual riches that are in the promises of the gospel.

1. Rejoicing in His Word, Psalm 119:13, “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.”

2. The riches of his goodness, Romans 2:4, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

II. THIS DINNER WAS A FEAST

A. A feast is a good day, Isaiah 25:6, “And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.”

B. It is a time of rejoicing, Psalm 107:22, And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.”[Singing].

C. It was a day of high expectations,

III. THE INVITATIONS GO OUT

A. The King sent forth his servants to call them that were invited to the feast, v. 3, “And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.”

1. The King had prepared well and sent his servants to personally invite each guest.

2. These guest were Hebrews, the Kings own people, but “they would not come.”

B. The second invitation was even more detailed, v. 4, “Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.”

1. The dinner is prepared, “my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready.”

2. Come, “come unto the marriage.” Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

C. The unthinkable happened.

1. Some made light of it, v. 5, “But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise.” Hebrews 2:3, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;”

2. The others took the King’s servants and mistreated them and some they killed, v. 6, “And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.”

D. The King reacts to the rejection of His invitation, v. 7, “But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.” In 70 AD the Roman general Titus destroyed Jerusalem just as the Lord said would happen.

IV. THE KING INVITES OTHERS, Vs. 8-10

A. They which were bidden were not worthy, Acts 13:46, “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”

B. Other sheep have I, John 10:16, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

This message continues with THE CASE OF THE MAN WITHOUT A WEDDING GARMENT.