End of Age Ministry

I. THE BRIDAL PARADIGM OF THE KINGDOM


2 The Kingdom of heaven is like a certain King (the Father) who arranged a marriage for His Son, 3 and sent out His servants to call those who were invited to the wedding…5 They made light of it and went their ways… 8 He said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy…9 Go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding…37 Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord…with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your mind.” (Mt. 22:1-9, 37)

God's eternal purpose for His creation is to provide a family for Himself and an equally yoked Bride for His Son as His eternal companion who will reign with Him in love. God is raising up a prepared Bride for His worthy Son. Our garments will proclaim the measure of our love.

Jesus referred to Himself to as a Bridegroom and the apostles as Friends of the Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15), His Kingdom as a marriage (Mt. 22:2) and the New Jerusalem as the Bride (Rev. 21:9).

II. THE KINGDOM MESSAGE: EVANGELISM AS AN INVITATION TO THE WEDDING

3 (King)…sent out His servants to call those…invited to the wedding; they were not willing to come. 4 Again, He sent out servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared My dinner; My oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding." (Mt. 22:3-4)

A. The Father sent servants or messengers to invite people to a wedding. In this parable, Jesus reveals His burning desire for us and longing for a deep relationship with us that will last forever. This reveals the purpose of humanity, the design of history and the highest focus for ministry.

III. NEGATIVE RESPONSES TO GOD’S LOVE: PASSIVITY AND HOSTILITY

5 They made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 When the King heard about it, He was furious. He sent out Him armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. (Mt. 22:5-7)

A. Passive resistance to Jesus: passivity about God’s deep desire and great provision for us is a serious crime of ingratitude. People say that they must be practical, but there was nothing practical about creation and the incarnation. God went out of His way for love. Farms and businesses are given to us as God’s gift to experience His love and express it back to Him. No blessing or ministry assignment in God is ever to take the place of our relationship to Him.

B. Active resistance to Jesus: hostility to God’s messengers (treated spitefully and killed)