Glen Bond Aug. 5, 2007 Picayune MS Subject : You are compelled to come. The grace of God: The thief on the cross - Luke 23:39-43 This man was no different than any of you. If God had never put within him to beg for mercy, he would have been just like the other thief, or just like every untouched sinner. Mat. Henrey said: When sin is made grevious, Christ will become very precious. Luke 14:16 - 24 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 14:21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 14:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. look at Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. the word compel doesn't mean 'to force against ones will'. It means to urge, to make it necessary, to make it needful. It is to say, 'you must come', or 'You are commanded to come'. Compel means: to put away all excuses. to make a reason to com. Are you hungry? Then you NEED (it is necessary)to come, there is food. Are you sick? Then you NEED to come, there is doctors. Are you tired? Then you NEED to come, there is rest. Are you thirsty? Then you NEED to come, there is drink. The servant was to make it necessary to come. This servant can be compared to the Holy Spirit working in the heart. It is by the grace of God that many are called. The Holy Spirit is calling to all "Come". Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. This is not a suggestion 'come', this is a command, Come! look at vs.14:21 After those who were first bidden to the feast had refused to come: So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. This still hold true; If you won't come then Christ will call someone else in your place. vs:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. We have told you over and over how that God is not pleased with the death of the wicked. (Ezekial 33:11) This is just another example of that. Look what he said: "Then the master of the house being angry ..." God is not happy that you have refused what he offers. He is angry. Psalms 7:11 God is angry with the wicked every day. But look, he wants you to come. He has made preperations for you. He is waiting for you to come. But the appointed time is now. ------------------------------------- - compel doesn't mean 'to force against ones will'. It means to urge, to make it necessary, to make it needful. It is to say, 'you must come', or 'You are commanded to come'. ------------------------------------- Each one of you are compelled to come. I urge you to come. I tell you that it is of the utmost importance to you, you must come. Look back at vs 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: The word 'bade': This word means 'to call aloud' or to 'command' The word went to those aloud, not quietly, and in a command "COME!". This is the same bidding that is sent to you. loud and in a commandment. Will you refuse it?