READ ALL OR PARTS OF MATTHEW 22:1-14 AND LUKE 14:12-24 FROM YOUR BIBLE OR WATCH THE BIBLE STORY VIDEO.

DISCUSSION: What 5 things would you want in an unlimited banquet buffet (food, snacks, drinks, and dessert fountains)

STORY: Who is the greatest NBA basketball player of all time? People try to support the players they think are the GOAT (“greatest of all time”) by spouting how many points they scored, how many championships they won, or how many MVP awards they received. The long lists of stats are impressive for each player, but the question remains to be one of the most-discussed debates of recent decades. Have you ever wondered what makes someone worthy of being a part of God’s kingdom? Some people might think worthiness is based on a person’s good deeds. Others might say that being a part of God’s kingdom is only for the smartest people, the richest people, or those who have the best to offer God. But this debate is clearly answered in God’s Word. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” What makes someone worthy to be a part of God’s kingdom is the invitation that God extends to all people—freely— through Jesus Christ. Anyone who believes in Jesus as Lord and trusts in the work He has accomplished for them will be saved into God’s kingdom!

QUESTION: In Matthew, how many times did the King send out his servants to invite his original guests?

ANSWER: 3 times – and the 3^rd time some of the guests got angry with the king’s servants.

QUESTION: In Luke, what were some of the excuses that we heard from the invited guests?

ANSWER: “I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it.” – “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them.” – “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.”

I don’t know about you, but these responses don’t seem to be very good. Two great purchases, but can they not wait till after the banquet? A man that got married, could he have not asked the king humbly if his wife could attend with him? The excuses do not matter much though, just as we saw in Matthew – they did not want to attend.

WORK ON MEMORIZING OUR SCRIPTURE VERSE!

God,



Thank You for the free gift of salvation You made available in Christ. Don’t let us think that our worthiness comes from our own status or our own accomplishments. Help us to know that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Through Him, we are invited to celebrate in Your kingdom for ever and ever.

AMEN