In Jesus’ parable of the wedding banquet, the king’s table is ready, but the invited guests are too busy with their farms and businesses to come. So the invitation goes out to everyone in the streets, “both good and bad.” Last week we said entrusted. This week we say invited.

In this message, we look at grace that reaches us before we reach for it, at how good things like work, security and responsibility can quietly crowd God out, and at why the man without a wedding robe reminds us that grace receives us and changes us. The sermon closes with the story of Donnie, a church member whose “Operation Hush Money” plan to prove his pastor wrong about tithing turned into a changed heart.

As we prepare for Consecration Sunday on October 25, we’re invited to pray honestly about our generosity. Not out of guilt, and not about a make-believe situation, but as a grateful response to the King who invites us to his feast.

“Lord Jesus, here is my heart. Show me what has a hold of it and help me surrender that to you.”