The Compelled Church 2nd Part

In part one of this message, the Lord Jesus outlined the common excuses people make in refusing the invitation of God. In a parable, a host prepares a great banquet, and many from the community agree to attend. But at the last minute, they all at once back out of their commitments, colluding to bring shame to the master of the party. 

Excuses offered were the usual suspects – they played the possessions card (“I have bought a field and need to see it”); they played the work card (“I have bought five yoke of oxen and must try them out”); they played the family card (“I have married a wife”).

One conclusion we drew from the first half of the parable is that the greatest rivals to the kingdom of God are not resident evils like Satan or gross immorality or false religions, but rather common priorities like finances, jobs and family.