Tempe Nazarene Church
March 11, 2007
Pastor Brian Delbridge


“Are You Going To The Party?”

Encounters With Christ Series
Luke 14:15–24

  1. Introduction
    1. Jesus liked parties!
    2. (Luke 16–24)
      16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.
      17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
      18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
      19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
      20 Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
      21 The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
      22 ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
      23 Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.’
      24 I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

  2. Are You Going To The Party?
    1. God has invited you.
    2. We can:
      1. refuse the invitation
      2. make excuses for not attending
        1. __________________________
        2. __________________________
        3. __________________________
        4. __________________________
      3. accept the invitation
        1. It is an honor
        2. It is “come as you are
        3. It is a time of joy
  3. Conclusion
    1. God has invited us to the mother of all parties!
    2. He sees through our excuses.
    3. He is more interested in forgiveness than excuses.
    4. He wants our acceptance of His invitation.
    5. It is an invitation based on grace not merit.

Are you going to the party?