1. The Cause of Christ

2. The Parable of the Great Banquet 15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man 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.'

3. The Parable of the Great Banquet 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.'

4. The Parable of the Great Banquet 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.'

5. The Parable of the Great Banquet 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. 24 I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' "

6. What does it mean to come to this banquet? Isaiah 25:6 Isaiah 25:6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines.

7. What does it mean to come to this banquet? Dining With Him, Fellowship with Him Spending time with him, Being in His house, being an honored guest It means to know Him

8. What are Excuses for not coming to the Banquet for the LOST? too…. -Entangled in Sin -Rebellion -Pride -Busy -Rich -Confused -Ashamed … no one has invited them

9. Why would a friend not come to the banquet? 3 excuses are given for not coming to the banquet: –field --------------> (Finances) –Oxen ---------------> (Work) –Marriage --------> (Earthly Family) *these excuses were illegitimate

10. At any moment these can become idols or road blocks in our life to coming to the banqueting table. Excuses and Good things

11. Many times the biggest hindrances to following Christ are not sins. They are burdens or barriers or excuses created by good things, causes or even God things. - Family, Work, Church, Dreams, Callings, Self-growth and healing…

12. What are you living for? Know at any moment whatever you live for can become a huge boulder in your life: Success, money, family, internal peace, yourself, ministry, perfection

13. What are your biggest causes in Life? Many times the biggest hindrances to following Christ are good causes. They draw us away and pull our devotion away. –Getting an education, making good grades –Being out of debt –Fighting for human rights or saving the planet –Growing the church

14. Stop The First thing you should do in this situation is stop!!! Repent of everything to know Him to eat at his Banqueting table “Return to first love”

15. Stop and Eat Let go of your causes. The cause of Christ is for you to eat with Him.

16. Psalm 23:5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

17. Luke 10 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

18. Benefit of Knowing Him “I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed…” Knowing him gives confidence and joy to make him known Knowing him takes away shame when sharing the gospel, Knowing him helps you love others

19. To Know Him is To Make Him Known 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.'

20. THE CAUSE OF CHRIST Icor2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

21. THE CAUSE OF CHRIST …Philippians 3:10 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

22. THE CAUSE OF CHRIST …to know Him and make Him known