Fantastic free
offer!
What do you think would be the most wonderful thing that could
happen to you? Could there be anything more wonderful than being
offered a sure place in Heaven to look forward to?
1*. In today's story
we find out about such an offer, and we learn why most people
refuse it!
"A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many
guests…. He sent his servant to tell those who had been invited,
`Come, for everything is now ready.' But they all alike began to
make excuses." Other things, like their business, employment, or
family responsibilities, were more important to them at the time.
They replied, "Please excuse me." or," I can't come." 2*.
Today some people are not interested in hearing about God's
invitation to His heavenly home. 3*. The all important things to most people are
their present achievements and friendships. Some might even be so
busy trying to do the impossible - trying to earn or deserve
their way to Heaven and God - that they don't want to take
seriously God‘s undeserved invitation to them. 4*.
You see, God is not giving us what we deserve when He offers us an
invitation for Heaven! Jesus' teaching shows us how God thinks very
differently than you or I would think! 5*. He said,. "When you give a luncheon or
dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or
your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so
you will be repaid. But … invite the poor, the crippled, the lame,
the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you,
you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
6*.
But how very sad it is if those who are offered such a kind
invitation refuse it!
You see, when God sent Jesus into the world to be the One who could
bring us to God, 7*.
even His own people would not receive Him as their only hope and
Saviour. 8*. His
great kindness to them was rejected; but His generosity wasn't
going to be wasted!
What did the owner of the house do after he, at great cost to
himself, had made it possible for those people to freely attend his
banquet? When his invitation was refused and ignored by the invited
guests he "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…. make them come in, so that my house will be
full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a
taste of my banquet.'" 9*.
That's what is happening right now with this message. You are being
offered God's wonderful free invitation to Heaven! God, at great
cost to Himself, made this invitation possible by allowing Jesus to
take the punishment we deserved for our sins by dying for us.
10*.
Don't reject or ignore God's fantastic kindness to YOU. Christ died
and rose again for you so that you would only have to accept
this fantastic free offer and you will
be assured of acceptance with God. Trust Jesus as your Saviour
NOW.
Read about the wonderful offer to the most unlikely people in Luke
chapter 14, verses 12-24.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Bible quotations from N.I.V.
1 Luke 14:15.
2 Luke 14:16-20.
3 2nd Peter 3:3-13.
4 Galatians 2:16.
5 Isaiah 55:8-9.
6 Luke 14:12-14.
7 John 14:6. 1st Peter
3:18.
8 John 1:11-12.
9 Luke 14:21-24.
10Romans
3:21-26.
