I was really thrilled to start our new series of messages on the Great Commission last weekend. I think God is reminding us of our calling as His disciples and stirring up something afresh in our hearts. In case you missed it, I challenged all of us as a church to fill our services on the 22nd and 23rd of September with visitors and guests. See, if we want the Great Commission to become our greatest concern, then we must work together as a family to see God’s house filled.
In Luke 14, Jesus tells a parable about a great banquet. He starts off by making a powerful declaration - “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 14:15) He then proceeds to share about a man who was throwing a banquet and invited many people. As the parable goes on, we learn that many of those who were invited did not show up. So, the man instructs all his servants to go out and invite everyone and anyone to the banquet.
Now, why did he do that? See, this parable speaks of people being saved. Hence, Jesus starts off by talking about feasting in the Kingdom of God. When the servants tell the man that there is still room, he tells them to continue bringing more people till it is full. I believe he was so insistent because as long as there is space, it means that one more person can receive the greatest blessing ever. So, the man gives an important instruction - “Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” (Luke 14:23)
Well, this is precisely what we’re going to do on the 22nd and 23rd of September. We must go out and urge as many people to come and hear the Good News of Jesus Christ! If our church service were the great banquet mentioned in the parable, how blessed will our invited guests be when they finally feast in the Kingdom of God.
Church, I’m really excited about what is to come. I hope you are too. I believe this is something that brings God delight, because ultimately, we are not just filling FCBC. We are filling HIS house. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us!
- Deputy Senior Pastor Daniel Khong