An Invitation to the Family of God - May 24, 2026

In this message from Luke 14:12-24, Jesus challenges us to rethink how we treat others by examining the way God has treated us. Speaking to a room full of religious leaders, Jesus instructs his host to stop inviting people who can repay the favor and instead invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind — those who have nothing to offer in return. The reason? God himself set this example first, generously inviting spiritually bankrupt sinners like us to the feast of his kingdom at the ultimate cost: the death of his own Son.Jesus then tells the parable of a man who throws a great banquet, only to have his invited guests offer a string of lame excuses for why they can't attend. In response, the host throws open the doors to the outcasts of society — and still has room to spare. This parable traces the arc of salvation history, showing how Israel's religious leaders rejected Jesus, while the poor, the broken, and eventually the Gentiles responded with faith. The invitation to God's kingdom goes out to all, but it must be personally accepted through faith in Christ.Finally, Jesus brings the parable home with a personal challenge: what excuses are we making to avoid following him fully? Whether it's possessions, finances, or relationships, anything we place above Jesus has become our god. This sermon is a call to stop making excuses, surrender to Christ without reservation, and then generously extend that same invitation to others — because God's feast has plenty of room, and he wants his house to be full.