I read a book called "Always Enough." This is an incredible read about two missionaries that the Lord has used in amazing ways to bring His message of Grace to Mozambique. The author said something that has really stirred my thinking and my heart.
READ THIS FIRST THEN LISTEN...Luk 14:15-24 NLT Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, "What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!" (16) Jesus replied with this story: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. (17) When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, 'Come, the banquet is ready.' (18) But they all began making excuses. One said, 'I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.' (19) Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.' (20) Another said, 'I now have a wife, so I can't come.' (21) "The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, 'Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' (22) After the servant had done this, he reported, 'There is still room for more.' (23) So his master said, 'Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. (24) For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.'"
The author says..."' Many people in the Church are frustrated because they don't see a harvest. They're frustrated because they have so little fruit and they wonder why. They keep going to the same people. In the parable above, the rich didn't want to come. They were busy enjoying their money, possessions, and they made excuses. The poor can't do these things, and they are EAGER to come to the banquet when they are invited. god says there are no excuses, but the Church keeps going to the wealthy and the well-fed and then it wonder's why they DON'T respond. God is saying, "Wake Up Church. The Church isn't ready for the wedding feast.. The poor need to be called,." The Lord is looking for servant-lovers who are passionate for Him, who are filled with love for Him, who are longing for the Bridegroom's return, who can taste the feast and know it's about to begin. They can't stand anymore to stay in their comfort, to wait around for someone to be saved. They will literally run out an call in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. If we will go, THEY WILL COME.'
WOW...she pretty much nailed the Church to the wall. I believe there are many things we can look at in this parable and learn from. To me it's clear that our call is to GO (according to Acts 1:8) and then our call is to run to the poor and outcast and invite them in to this great banquet that He has prepared. Missions work whether it's global or local in Max Meadows must be targeted to these. We waste so much time trying to get to those that look like us or sound like us or smell like us that we forget and gladly ignore those that don't. Remember it says in Matthew that Jesus didn't come to save those that THINK they are good enough but to save the lost!
This weekend we will be conducting our 2nd Local Outreach Mission through our Community/Park Day event. During this event we invite the entire town of Max Meadows to come out as a family and enjoy a free meal, free music and free rock climbing walls, and hoppers etc. While there we give away gas and grocery gas cards and most importantly share the Gospel with them! Please pray as we reach our arms outside our church walls that God will draw people into this event...people that have never been "invited" to a banquet of any kind and they will join us for a great "feast."
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