Chosen Few

Matthew 22:14, “^tFor many are called, but few are chosen.” 1

I.   Called

     A. Invited

     B. Interested

II. Considered

     A. Investigated

     B. Invested

III. Convicted

     A. Interrogated

     B. Included

Introduction:  Many evangelical programs have been introduced through the denominations down through the years.  Programs such as the “Roman Road” which subjects the potential convert to several passages of scripture in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome is one of many.  “Faith Evangelism” is another that uses the FAITH acronym which stand for “Forsaking All I Trust Him.”

It is a good thing to go into the world and present the gospel.  It is the “Great Commission” of Jesus that is found in Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ^eAll power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 ^fGo ye therefore, ^gand ^||teach all nations, ^fbaptizing them ^hin the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, ⁱI am with you alway, even unto ^kthe end of the world. Amen.” [2]

If they don’t hear, how will they follow?  That is the rationale that we often use to go into peoples’ homes uninvited after all.  Today we will look at what it is that we are supposed to be doing in this world that has decided to turn away from Biblical truth.

I have a friend that is on my daily prayer list.  Ismail was born in Tanzania into a family that was understood as education leaders.  They were Muslim.  Ismail was called out by some Baptist Missionaries who were there in their territory.  They needed a translator.  Through that meeting, Ismail accepted Jesus and was ostracized by his family and those in the place where he lived.

Later when the missionaries returned to that place, they found Ismail living in a hollowed-out tree.  His family considered him a dead man.  Later they brought Ismail back to Asheville, NC where he finally wound up where I went to school.  He was enrolled in elementary school and was taught to read and write English.  He went on to get his doctorate at Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth Texas.

Ismail was so excited in Texas.  He went on one of those evangelical outings and was on fire for the Lord.  He knocked on the door of a home and was invited to stay outside.  The occupants informed Ismail that they were Jews and didn’t need his Jesus.  Through Ismail’s insistence, they let him in.  The wife left while the husband kept Ismail busy.  Soon a policeman came and put Ismail in the back of his car.  He explained that he too was a Christian and appreciated what Ismail had in his mind to do but the law was on the side of the people that didn’t want him there.  He took Ismail back to the origin of the ministry and left him there with no repercussion.  We plant the seed, someone else waters, and God brings in the harvest.

Scripture:  The scripture for this message is  Matthew 22:14.  Please Stand Under the reading of God’s word.

Prayer:  Please be seated.

Message:  Many lessons can be learned from the story of my friend Ismail.  Once I was taking him from Asheville to a place north of Henderson in southern Virginia.  Ismail began to cry bitter tears.  His mother had passed, and nobody told him until she was already buried.  His father had also passed.  Ismail said that he expected to go back to Tanzania and win his parents to Christ.  Now he didn’t think he would ever see them again.  He questioned why he had done so much and all he wanted was be reunited with his family under God and now it was not to be.

Today’s focal verse was probably close to Ismail’s heart as he remembered his parents that day.  We think that we are doing great things for God when we go out on soul winning missions.  When we come back with empty hearts, we consider ourselves to have failed.  We forget that heaven is a different realm and we are not in charge of who goes and who doesn’t.  We are to let Jesus’ light shine through us, but it is His light and not ours that illuminates.

Jesus gave several examples or parables as He explained heaven to us.  Let us follow as we hear Matthew 22:1-14, “And Jesus ^aanswered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 ^bThe kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a ^cmarriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants ^dto call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth ^eother servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my ^fdinner: ^gmy oxen and my ^hfatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them ⁱspitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth ^khis armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not ^lworthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, ^mboth bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man ⁿwhich had not on ^oa wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, ^pFriend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he ^qwas speechless. 13 Then said the king to the ^rservants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and ^scast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 ^tFor many are called, but few are chosen.” [3]

In verses one through three we see that there were some bidden by the king to attend but they ignored the invitation.  Next in verses four through six the king sends others out and they are told to explain what a wonderful event he had made ready.  They scoffed and decided that they had better things to do at home.  There were a few stragglers that beat up the kings messengers and killed them.  The king had all he could take with that.  In verse seven we see that the king sent armies and destroyed the murders and burned the city.  People suffered for the sins of a few.

Finally in verse eight the king sent other messengers out to bring others to the feast because those invited guests were not worthy to attend.  In verses nine and ten the king sent the messengers out to invite all who would come, both good and bad.  You would think that whoever showed up would have been welcomed.

In verses eleven though we see that the king came in to observe the wedding guests and there was one in attendance who apparently wasn’t supposed to be there.  He wasn’t dressed for the occasion.  The king even referred to that man as “Friend” in verse twelve.  The guy had nothing to say.

The king had plenty to say.  Get him out of here and throw him into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  You see it was up to the king who was welcome and who was not.  Is that fair?  What do you think?

For many are called…  Many people were invited to the feast.  Jesus came to this earth to make a way for all to go to heaven.  Many were invited and many were interested but some came and most left.  In fact, they all left and Jesus was all alone on that cruel cross.  There were others beside Jesus that day but Jesus was all alone on that cross.

But few…  Who decides who the few are?  Who considers the possible candidates for entry?  There is only One who can properly investigate anyone’s qualifications and that is God alone.  We have discussed the idea of election into heaven.  It is different than election into a position in earthly government.  Politicians are elected by many who do not really know enough about a person to elect them to public office.  God knows our every thought and deed.  He knows us better that we know ourselves.

Not only that but we have made no investment in heaven.  All our investments are in this life.  Even our prayers concern things that we realize here and now.  God gave His Only Begotten Son because He loves us that much.  We are partakers in what God has done.  God has made all the investments for our life in heaven.  Our account is paid in full because of what He has done.

Yet, we insist on how hard we work and how little we get by with while others less worthy seem to have more and take more from us.  We complain and we expect pity from those who are more fortunate.  We truly can do nothing unless God allows us.  Every heartbeat depends on God giving us that which flows life giving blood through our bodies.  We complain about what is happening to the air we breathe and the water we consume but it is God who gives us what we need to live here.

Is there anyone else who considered you before you were born?  God considered each and every one of us into existence.  Who else can decide?  Nobody!

Chosen…  What does it mean to be chosen?  Some of us can remember the military draft.  Many years ago, all able-bodied males were required to register for the draft into the military.  The world was at war.  This practice still is in effect in Israel.  At a certain age the young man goes to the draft board and is interrogated about his physical, emotional, and even spiritual details of his life.  If there is nothing readily evident that would preclude him, he is required to go through a physical examination.  There is a written test that comes if the physical exam doesn’t show any disqualifying result.  If the person passes to the next phase, he is asked if there was any spiritual purpose that would prevent him from fighting to defend himself or others.  It is quite an ordeal.

Some people decide to go into the military without being drafted.  They feel a deep conviction or meaning within themselves to pay back to others that which has been given to them.  There is no way to pay God back for what has been given to you.  Yet with the conviction of the Holy Spirit, there is that need within to have a right relationship with God and the others whom God has placed you with.

God sees everything.  We are all here in this place and this time for God to get to know us.  When the Holy Spirit convicts us and God knows time of interrogation is over for us so that He knows for sure that we are His, we are included.

Nobody and nothing can sidestep that process.  God is indeed in charge and there is nothing that anyone can do to change that.  It is up to God.  Aren’t you joyful that He is a loving God!

Prayer: 

Invitation:  This Saturday is recognized as Veterans Day in this nation.  It is a day that we remember with honor those that were chosen to fight for a cause that they believed in.  We see memorials coming down that were placed by people who remembered the sacrifice that veterans made with their lives.  The cross is the memorial that we see in every place of Christian worship that brings us back to that time when Jesus gave up His heavenly life for a time so that He could give up His earthly life for our sin.

I challenge us to remember the people who gave their lives for others no matter whether we believe in the cause they fought for or not.  They fought so that others at home would not have to leave home possibly forever.  It is a shame for those who are fortunate enough to be here now to judge the people who died for their loved one before.  Memorials can never be taken down as long as you remember those who died so that who came before you didn’t have to.

Let us remember those who were here so that we can be here now.  Otherwise, there would be no choice.  Choose life and let God choose His chosen few.  Could that be you?  Yes!

t See ch. 20:16.

[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Mt 22:14). (2009). Logos Research Systems, Inc.
e Dan. 7:13, 14. ch. 11:27. & 16:28. Luke 1:32. & 10:22. John 3:35. & 5:22, 27. & 13:3. & 17:2. Acts 2:36. Rom. 14:9. 1 Cor. 15:27. Eph. 1:10, 20–23. Phil. 2:9, 10. Col. 2:10. Heb. 1:2, 6. & 2:8. 1 Pet. 3:22.
f Mark 16:15, 16.
g So Isai. 52:10. Luke 24:47. Acts 2:39. See ch. 24:14.
|| [Or, make disciples, or, Christians of all nations]. So in Gk. ch. 13:52. & 27:57. Acts 14:21.
f Mark 16:15, 16.
h Gk. as Rom. 6:3. Gal. 3:27. So Acts 8:16. & 19:5. 1 Cor. 1:13. & 10:2 in the Gk.
i So ch. 18:20.
k See ch. 13:39.
[2] Ibid., Mt 28:18–20). (2009). Logos Research Systems, Inc.
a ch. 11:25. & 17:4. See Judg. 18:14.
b To ver. 14, compare Luke 14:16–24.
c Rev. 19:7, 9. So Tobit 8:19 (Gk.). ch. 25:10. Luke 12:36 (Gk.). & 14:8 (Gk.). John 2:2. See Gen. 29:22.
d So Esther 6:14. Prov. 9:3, 5. Zeph. 1:7.
e ch. 21:36.
f Luke 11:38. & 14:12. So Luke 11:37. John 21:12, 15.
g So Prov. 9:2.
h So Luke 15:23, 27, 30.
i So ch. 21:35.
k Luke 23:11 (Gk.). Comp. Dan. 9:26. Luke 19:27.
l ch. 10:11, 13. Acts 13:46. Rev. 3:4.
m ch. 13:38, 47. & 25:2.
n Zeph. 1:8. Comp. Isai. 61:10. & 64:6. Rev. 3:4. & 16:15. & 19:8.
o Comp. 2 Kin. 10:22.
p See ch. 20:13.
q ver. 34. Mark 1:25. & 4:39 Luke 4:35. 1 Pet. 2:15 in the Gk.
r See ch. 20:26. Gk. not as ver. 3, 4, 6, 8, 10. Comp. ch. 13:41, 49.
s See ch. 8:12.
t See ch. 20:16.
[3] Ibid., Mt 22:1–14). (2009). Logos Research Systems, Inc.