Worship this Sunday
Jesus told a parable in Luke 14:15-24 about a man who hosted a great banquet. He invited his friends as honored guests. On the day of the banquet, the man's servant went out to tell those who were invited that everything was ready, yet, one by one, each of the invited guests made excuses for why they couldn't come to the banquet. Determined to have the banquet, the man sent his servant out to the streets and alleys of the town and instructed him to invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame to the feast! He invited all the misfits to join the party!
In reading this parable, it doesn't take long to realize that Jesus is not just talking about a man who wants to have a big party! It is a parable -- a story to make a point. The man who hosted the banquet is God, and the banquet is the Kingdom of Heaven. The invited guests? In Jesus' day it was the religious folk - the really religious folk. They were so busy with their lives that they didn't have time to participate in the Kingdom of God! So, one by one they made excuses, and God invited the misfits - the outsiders - to the party instead.
I'll leave it to you to determine which of the invited guests with which you most identify -- the ones who were too busy, or the misfits! The Good News is that Jesus invites us all to the feast. The sermon for this week is entitled: "A Banquet for Misfits." Read the 14th Chapter of Luke, and pray for me as I prepare for this message.
Don't forget that we have four opportunities for worship each week. ThursdayWorship at 5:30 PM on Thursday. Celebration at 9:00 AM and Traditions at 10:45 AM, and Vespers at 6:00 PM on Sundays. It is a joy to be your pastor!
Roger K. Thompson, Senior Minister
Gadsden First United Methodist Church
115 S 5th St
Gadsden AL 35901
(256) 543-8200
Gadsden First United Methodist Church: "Saving the Soul of Gadsden"
Changing Lives by Sharing Christ, Making Disciples, Serving People, Giving Hope
Link to Serve: United Way of Etowah County
