Transcript Blessed are those who are invited

Attitudes and actions that garner God’s blessings
• What is this series about?
• An examination of 21 attitudes and behaviors
identified in the New Testament as “blessed”
• A look at Christian conduct and characteristics
that will enrich our lives with lasting joy
• A look at the condition of those who lack
these qualities
“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage
supper of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:9)
• Outline (Revelation 19:6-9)
• The marriage supper of the Lamb
• The blessing of being invited
• The cursed life: the uninvited
• The challenge for us
• The marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:6-9)
• Imagery is rooted in ancient Eastern marriage tradition
• Dowry: Groom paid a dowry to girl’s father
• Betrothal: considered married in all ways but sexual union
• The bride: keeps herself pure according to groom’s expectations,
adorns herself with wedding garments of purity
• Marriage supper: celebration of union
• Jesus is the Groom, the Church is the Bride (Eph. 5:25-32)
• Jesus “paid the dowry” with His blood (Acts 20:28; Rev. 5:9)
• The Church is now betrothed to Him in purity (2 Cor. 11:2)
• The Church must keep pure & adorn herself with righteous
deeds (Rev. 19:7-8)
• When the Lord returns, He will claim His Bride and bring her to
His home for this great marriage feast of Revelation 19-20
• The blessing of being invited
• We will see the Church delivered up to the Father
(1 Cor. 15:24)
• We will see Jesus Christ our Savior (1 John 3:2)
• We will see great saints of the Bible (Matt. 8:11)
• We will be united with Christ & the saints
(1 Thess. 4:16-17)
• But the uninvited will not participate in these things…
• The cursed life: the uninvited
• Matt. 22:1-9 – those who refuse to come
• Acts 13:46 – they choose to reject God’s offer
• Matt. 22:11-14 – those not dressed appropriately
• Gal. 3:27 – the baptized are clothed with Christ
• Matt. 25:1-13 – the unprepared, not ready at the end
• Rev. 2:10 - we must be faithful until death
• Luke 13:23-28 – those whom the Lord knows not
• Many religious people who think they were okay
• Eternal curse: “Outer darkness…weeping and gnashing of teeth”
“Be on the alert then, for you do not know
the day nor the hour” (Matt. 25:13)
• The challenge for us: remember that…
• Each of us is a member of the body that composes the
bride (1 Cor. 12:12-27)
• Each of us contributes to the health, growth, and purity
of the body/bride (Eph. 4:16)
• Each of us must adorn ourselves with purity and
righteous acts (2 Pet. 3:14)
• Altogether, we are the beautiful Bride of Christ. Let us
be ready for His appearance at any moment!
• Summary
• The imagery of the wedding feast of the Lamb
(Jesus Christ) to His Holy Bride (the Church) is
beautiful
• A great blessing awaits those who are invited
• The uninvited have only themselves to blame
• It is incumbent upon each of us to prepare
ourselves for that glorious celebration
Blessed are those who are invited to the
marriage supper of the Lamb!
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Believe in Jesus Christ (John 14:1; Acts 16:30-34)
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Repent of your past sins (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9)
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Baptism puts you into Christ (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27)
Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16)
Baptism saves you (1 Peter 3:21)
Be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10)
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Declare your belief that Jesus is God’s Son (Acts 8:37)
Receive Baptism (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12)
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Commit yourself to holy conduct (Acts 26:30; Titus 2:11-12)
Confess your faith (Matthew 10:32)
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That He died for your sins and was resurrected (1 Cor. 15:3-4)
Trust His grace and obey His commands (Hebrews 5:9)
Or face the retribution due to those who do not obey
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2 Thessalonians 1:8; Romans 2:8; John 3:36
Pray without ceasing…Practice what Jesus preached…Prepare for our next assembly