1. being with God an open invitation

2. Exodus 32 Jews rebel and create a new god God’s covenant jeopardised

3. God threatens Moses pleads for his people God relents

4. Psalm 106 Moses (the intercessor) is celebrated as the one chosen by God

5. Matthew 22 Definitions: Heaven – living with God

6. Parable – a short story with a religious moral

7. A parable feature: Addressed to three groups of people

8. Orthodox Jews Potential Christians Us!

9. Another parable feature: Full of symbolism

10. Matthew 22 Symbols The king represents God

11. The banquet represents heaven (being with God)

12. The first servants represent Moses delivering God’s wishes to the Jews

13. The second group of servants represent the Old Testament prophets

14. The last servants represent Christ, the apostles and missionaries

15. One was not suitably dressed (prepared) Cultural Christian

16. Orthodox Jews: those first invited to the Banquet (to be with God)

17. Refused to attend (to be with God) Like Jews in Exodus

18. More servants (Jewish prophets) sent Largely ignored and persecuted

19. Potential Christians An open invitation issued

20. God amends his covenant to include EVERYONE

21. Invitees include the good and the bad

22. Many received the invitation and attended the banquet

23. Jesus, our Intercessor, delivers a new invitation (gospel) through the apostles

24. Us Impediments to being with God

25. “one to his fields” Priority – basic human needs

26. “another to his business” Pursuit of worldly “riches”

27. “The rest seized, mistreated, killed the servants”

28. Actively anti- God!!! Worst condemnation!

29. The man without wedding clothes received harsh condemnation

30. Wanted the benefits of the banquet BUT

31. Failed to conform with expectations His actions condemned him

32. We have accepted the invitation to God’s banquet

33. We also dictate if we are to be chosen to remain permanently HOW?

34. Philippians.. whatever is true whatever is noble whatever is right

35. whatever is pure whatever is lovely whatever is admirable

36. if anything is excellent or praiseworthy

37. THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS

38. whatever you have learned or received or heard from me (Paul)

39. or seen in me PUT INTO PRACTICE

40. And the God of peace will be with you (and you will be with God)