Spiritual Embarrassment

By. Matthew Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

98007

2/1/98 - Rapid City, SD

 

I. Introduction.

A.       The opening text of tonight's lesson is found in Mt. 22:1-14.  The parable of the Wedding feast.  Read text.

1.    Focus intently upon v. 11-12

2.    Wedding garments provided by family arranging wedding for guests so all would have an orderly/decent appearance.

3.    Guests would have every opportunity to procure one upon entering the premises.

B.      No excuse for not having a garment.  Thus when confronted by the king in v. 12 as to why he had no garment - he was speechless.

1.    Did not prepare himself while he had the time.

2.    Now caught in a most embarrassing situation.

3.    Nothing to do but face consequences - v. 13-14

C.      This parable a foreshadowing of the attitude of men who have opportunity to come to Christ but refuse it.  Notice esp. v. 1-10.  But in v. 11-14 those who have obeyed Christ need to take note.

1.       Guests upon coming to feast had something to do - find a wedding garment.

2.       Men upon coming to Christ have something to do - live in obedience to the Lord.

3.       While living our lives, we need to be preparing ourselves to meet Christ on the day of judgment.  (The last day.)

D.      Notice phrase: And he was speechless

1.    Some versions - "man had no reply."

2.    Ever been so embarrassed that anything you could/would say would only make matters worse?

3.    A sickening/helpless feeling overcomes…

4.    While all going on in mind begging for forgiveness & a 2nd chance.

5.    This man got neither.  Had to suffer the consequences.

E.      Imagine standing before Christ on day of judgment and being confronted about something with which we are not prepared.  What a terrible situation to stand before Christ & to know that one does not have an excuse for his actions.

1.    Begging for a 2nd chance.  Begging for forgiveness.

2.    All the while knowing there will be no chance.

3.    A feeling of helplessness & regret.

F.       While living here we have opportunity to make things that need correction in our lives right.  At the end we will have no excuse for our actions.  Let us take every opportunity to make things right with God.

 

II.  Would you be embarrassed if it were known what you were thinking?

A.     This was a major theme with the coming of the law of Christ.  Under the law of Moses, a man could basically think what he wanted, as long as he didn't carry out the thoughts in his actions.

1.      Not so under Christ.  The Christian must bring his thoughts under control.

2.      Christianity a religion that deals with the heart/the inner man.

B.     God has always wanted man to have pure thoughts.  This a well-known fact - documented by Solomon - wise king of Israel.

1.    Prov. 23:7 - for so as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

2.    Jesus also identified where all sin originates:  Mt. 15:17-20

3.    Asked to explain what he said in v. 11 by apostles.

4.    Can't just pretend to be humble, pious as the Pharisees did.  They were rotten on the outside.

C.    If the Christian does not clear up his thoughts - then he will not be pleasing to God.

1.    Lk. 6:45 - thoughts will be expressed by our actions.

2.    Many tempted that thoughts not important because often men do know what we think.  BUT, JESUS KNOWS!

a.    Heb. 4:13 - a most frightening verse to those who do not seek to control improper thoughts and don't worry about it b/c others can't see.

b.    A personal matter that EACH man must address.

D.    Would you be speechless if Christ were to confront you on some of your thoughts?

 

III.  Would you be embarrassed if it were known what you say about others?

A.     Personal:  Sometimes I speak before I really think about it, and in the past I have said things about people I later regretted.

1.    Very often - we put down or talk about the ones that are very close to us - usually w/o realizing it.

2.    Other times brethren are the very ones we "trash" w/o regard or remorse.

a.    Not done in front of them - usually behind their back.

b.    Hurtful, spiteful things.

c.     Many totally ignore James 1:19-10

3.    Things said in haste are often regretted.

B.    Christians are to put those things away upon becoming a child of God.

1.    1 Pet. 1:22-2:3 - Put those things away!

2.    How many people you know that are:

a.    Filled w/envy toward brethren/others?

b.    Filled w/evil speaking about one another.

c.     Perhaps we are guilty of these things?

3.    If you are guilty put those things away NOW.  You will have no excuse on judgment day.

C.    Remember words of Christ: Mt. 7:12 - some of the most well known words of Christ.

1.     Brethren we should be willing to assume the best of others & brethren.

2.     We expect people to do the same of us.

3.     Although many assume worse.  Just don't understand….

D.    Would you be embarrassed if Christ were to confront you on what you have said about others?

 

IV.  Would You Be Embarrassed if it were known what you know of the Bible?

A.    Today is the age of learning.  More people going to college now than at any other time in history.

1.     Internet here.  Age of instant communication.  Log onto just about everything & gain knowledge.

2.     Library's filled w/books.

3.     Television another source of knowledge.

B.    All these mediums to gain more knowledge.  Many many people take advantage of this!  Opportunities given - taken advantage of!

1.    What about knowledge of Scriptures?

a.      Which more important in long run as far as eternity concerned?

b.      Which one do you think most people consider more important?

2.    Children of God must study.  Must have a knowledge of the Scriptures.

a.    2 Tim. 2:15 - Study (be diligent) to be approved to God.

b.    If I were t stop sermon & ask someone (you) right now to tell me how I can be saved {from the scriptures} could you do it?

c.     Everyone that has been a Christian for some time should be able to give testimony of how one can be saved!

3.    What if someone was to approach you on a Bible matter such as this?

C.   1 Pet. 3:15 - Christians must be ready to give a defense for the hope that is within them!

1.    Not one passage in Scriptures that allow one to say "let me see what my preacher says."

2.    No excuse to pass responsibility off on someone else!

D.   A problem of the Corinthians.

1.    1 Cor. 15:33-34 - notice I speak this to your shame.

a.    Imagine if you were a Corinthian whom Paul addressed this letter.

b.    How terrible.  How embarrassing.

2.    They were expected to be involved in the study of righteousness.  Righteousness if found w/in the word of God.

3.    Christians today expected to study.

4.    How often do you pick up your Bible to study?

E.    Would/Could Jesus say the same thing to you as Paul did to the Corinthians?

 

V.  Would You Be Embarrassed if it were known what goes on in your home?

A.     Often said that what goes on at home (in our personal lives) none of anyone else's business.

1.    Some ignore problems at home while pretending to others that all is well.

2.    Not a high priority with some people as to what goes on at home.

B.    God expects us to have homes that are in harmony with His word!

1.    Children have a responsibility to honor parents & what they say.

2.    Eph. 6:1-3 - Young people - would you be embarrassed in Christ were to confront you on how you talk to/treat your parents?

3.    V. 4 - parents - would you be embarrassed if Christ were to confront you on how you bring up your children?

a.    Notice - bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

b.    Can do this by being an example & by being consistent in our enforcement of rules set forth.

C.    Would we be ashamed of the way that we treat our spouse if Christ were to confront us?

1.    The husband/wife relationship is to be a loving/caring/concerned relationship.

2.    Eph. 5:22-25

a.    Wives - are you submitting to your husbands?

b.    To many blinded by thinking that women need not submit to husband.

3.    Husbands are you showing proper respect that is due your wife?

D.    Let us strive to take care of these things in our home so that Christ will be pleased with us!

 

VI.           Will You Be Embarrassed on the day of judgment?

A.    Mt. 25:41-46

1.    v. 41 - most terrifying words one could ever hear.

2.    The ones in v. 42-43 have absolutely NO excuse for their actions.

3.    Neglected opportunities to do well and glorify Christ.

B.    Day of judgment the actions of our lives will speak for themselves.  Only the facts will speak out.

1.    What are the facts around/concerning your life?

2.    May hide from man but certainly not from God

3.    Will you stand before God embarrassed or prepared?

C.   Another sad story in Mt. 25:11-13

1.    These had every opportunity to prepare.

2.    Knew there was going to be a wedding.  Knew they would need supplies.

3.    Took no oil with them.  Bridegroom tarries - run out of oil - out of luck.

D.   Christians/people today have every opportunity to prepare.

1.    Know that w/o Christ no eternal salvation possible.

2.    Know that need to live obediently as Bible instructs

3.    Know that those outside Christ have NO hope whatsoever.

4.    Invitation/invitation/invitation - so do not respond.

5.    When it's too late, no excuse just like virgins in v. 11-13 - No reply.

E.    Spiritual embarrassment Can be Tragic!

F.    I N V I T A T I O N