Pericope:  Luke 14:15-23 - ¹⁵ When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

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 compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 

Sermon Text:  Luke 14:23 NIV - 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.

Sermon Title: Pull-Up Pt1: Who’s Coming to The Barbecue

17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'

Point 1:   Who’s on the Invitee List Verses 18-20  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.'

verse 16 - 16Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.

Point 2: The Invitee List Has To Change. 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.'

• Verse. 21, 22 - 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.'

Point 3: The Ministry of Invitation! Paul put it this way in 2 Cor. 5:19-20 - 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Mark 10:14 – 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

         Second, notice he said make [defined - 315 translates as “compel” five times, and “constrain” four times. 1 to necessitate, compel, drive to, constrain. 1a by force, threats, etc. 1b by permission, entreaties, etc. 1c by other means.] them. Paul put it this way in 2 Tim. 2:3-4 - 3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.

 Paul put it this way in

• 2 Cor. 3:2 2You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.
• 1 Pet 3:15 - 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Life Application:

1.  Pray about who you will invite to the Block Party

2.  Take tickets/door knockers/ and place them…

3.  Invite the person who you know needs “pull-up” at Jesus table