The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1941-01-16
THE sLIGHTED INVITATION

LESSON TEXT-Lulle 14:15-24.
GOLDEN TEXT-Come; for all things are
now ready.-Luke 14:17.
Actions speak louder than words.
What a man says is important, but
1t IS his life which determines Wheth-
er we accept his words as true. In
spiritual things men have too often
professed to follow Christ but failed
to do His will. It is the business
Of the church to press home the
necessity of an acceptance of Christ
as Saviour which also makes Him
the Lord of our life.
l. PiOus Words ". 15).
We do not know whether the man
who said, BLESSED is he that eateth
bread in the kingdom of God" was
expressing the sincere longing of his
heart or merely making a bit of
plous conversation. Jesus had lust
been dealing with some rather dis
concerning matters wv. 1.14). On
such occasions there is usually
someone on hand to spoil the effec-
tlVeness of the admonition by utter
ing some religious platitude which
will direct conversation into more
comfortable channels.
Even though the man was sincere,
he had evidently not made any prep
arations to be present at that great
feast. This appears from the story
Jesus related in response to his
words.
II. Poor Excuses wv. 1920.
1t is not enough that we know
that God has prepared place of
blessedness, nor does it suffice to
speak approvingly of Gods invita-
ton to come; we must accept. God
graciously bids all men to come; but
all too many, while willing to admit
the desirability Of coming and adj
miring it as the ideal thing to do,
begin to make excuses.
Observe that the men gave ex-
cuses, not reasons. There is a great
difference. Note also that the eX-
cuses were poor ones. One had
new possession-a field-which he
must go out and see" The second
had a business matter to care for
trying out oxen he had bought. The
third had a personal affection he
wanted to fOster-a new wife whom
he could not leave.
The fact is that none of them
wanted to come, and these were but
excuses. What man buys field
without seeing it, or oxen without
trying them? And we agree with
DR.. Morgan that the one who had
married wife twas the most fool
ish of all. Why didn't he take her
with him? Just excuses" Reader,
what excuse is keeping you from
accepting Gods invitation?
III. Urgent Invitations wv. 21-24).
Those who reject Gods invitation
hurt only themselves, for He will
find guests to fill the banquet hall
at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Let us not fail to observe that it
is the duty Of the Lords servants
(and that means every born-again
Christian to be diligently about the
business of urging men to respond
to Gods call. Let us beware that
we do not miss that point by utter
ing some pious platitudes about soul
winning, and then failing to do any
thing to reach others.
1t is the first business of every
Christian who reads these lines to
be engaged in personal soul-winning.
If you want to doit and do not know
how to start, I shall be glad to send
you free, copy of Lessons in Soul
Winning" by DR.. viii H. Houghton.
The important matter is that we get
busy giving out these urgent invita-
tons.
1t is the first business of the I'M
converted to accept that invitation.
Dare you refuse? In one of his last
meetings in Kansas City, Dwight L.
Moody graphically portrayed the in
vitation referred to in our lesson.
In closing his message he pointed
to the wall of the auditorium and
seemed to be writing out a reply to
the invitation. He first wrote a note
declining, the final words being, Il
pray thee have me excused" He
said, Would you sign that, young
man? Would you, mother? Would
you come up to the reporters table,
take a pen and put your name down
to such an excuse? l doubt if there
is one here who would sign it. It
is a loving God inviting you to a
feast and God is not to be Knocked.
Go play with the forked lightning,
go triAe with pestilence and disease.
but trife not with God"