I.
	A.A Parable
		1.An earthly story used to  convey spiritual truth
		1.Parables enable people  who believe to understand,  but block the  understanding of those  who refuse to believe

I.
	A.Notes about “The kingdom  of heaven” 
	A.God is the King today over  all things  [Universal  Kingdom]
	A.Jesus Christ created all  things
		1.Both physical
		1.And in the realm of kings  and nations
	A.Jesus Christ sustains all  things
	A.Today God’s kingdom of  heaven is real but can only  be seen by faith
	A.When Christ returns God’s  Kingdom will be seen in the  physical world

I.
		1.Those without faith see the  effects of God’s rule – 
			a.but reject the thought that  God is the reason for things  happening
		1.Jesus points out the fallacy  of their rejection
		1.Jesus shows that the  Kingdom is real and  operating in their midst



I.
	A.Why does Jesus give  parables that show what  the kingdom of heaven is  like?
	A.The kingdom of heaven is  invisible to our physical eye
		1.These parables let believers  see God at work behind the  curtain of visibility
		1.They encourage us to live  by faith and not by sight



I.
	A.Observations about  interpreting this kingdom  parable
	A.Some parts of a parable are  clearly meant to reveal  spiritual truth about the  kingdom of God
	A.Other parts of a parable are  only there to help the story  along
	A.Often the main point is  stated at the beginning or  end of the parable
	A.The main point is often a  key that  helps us know  how to interpret the  parable properly

I.
	A.Notice the main point of  this parable
	A.Question:
	A.In what sense are many  called?
		1.God desires everyone to be  saved


		1.When people repent and  trust Christ to save them,  they are born again and will  be chosen to enter into  God’s kingdom

I.
	A.Questions:
	A.In what sense are many  called?
	A.In what sense are few  chosen?
		1.One day the invisible  kingdom will become visible  and only those who have  trusted Christ will be  allowed to enter
		1.Jesus indicates that few will  be saved compared to the  number that will be lost

I.
	A.In the parable of the  Wedding Feast
		1.Who does the “certain  king” represent?
		1.This “certain king”  represents God Himself

			a.Since this king has a son he  wants to honor

			a.Since this king decides who  enters the kingdom of  heaven and who does not

I.
	A.In the parable of the  Wedding Feast
	A.Who does the “certain  king” represent?
	A.Who does the “son”  represent?
		1.Jesus often places Himself  in His parables because He  is the key to salvation for all  people





I.
	A.In the parable of the  Wedding Feast
	A.Who does the “certain  king” represent?
	A.Who does the “son”  represent?
		1.Jesus often places Himself  in His parables because He  is the key to salvation for all  people
		1.He is the Son that the  Father desires to greatly  honor






I.
	A.In the parable of the  Wedding Feast
	A.Who does the “certain  king” represent?
	A.Who does the “son”  represent?
		1.Jesus often places Himself  in His parables because He  is the key to salvation for all  people
		1.He is the Son that the  Father desires to greatly  honor






I.
	A.In the parable of the  Wedding Feast
	A.Who does the “certain  king” represent?
	A.Who does the “son”  represent?
	A.Why is a marriage feast  used in the parable?
		1.An event that perfectly sets  the scene
		1.An occasion that gives a  father the opportunity to  greatly honor his son
		1.Very careful planning
		1.A very serious occasion
		1.Expense is not a  consideration
		1.Exposes the foolishness of  those who would not come







I.
	A.In the parable of the  Wedding Feast
	A.Who does the “certain  king” represent?
	A.Who does the “son”  represent?
	A.Why is a marriage feast  used in the parable?
		1.Those who enter the  kingdom are said in  Revelation 19 to be “called”  to the “marriage supper of  the Lamb”
		1.In the parable of the  Wedding Feast, those who  are chosen guests are those  who are allowed to be  citizens of the kingdom of  heaven


I.
	A.In the parable of the  Wedding Feast
	A.Who are the servants?
		1.The King’s servants are  saved people who are  willing to do whatever the  King desires
		1.They call the invited
		1.They are willing to be  rejected while giving the  King’s message
		1.They are willing even to die  for the King if necessary
		1.The King shares confidential  information with them
		1.The King shares the goal  with them and they are  trusted to figure out how to  accomplish the goal




I.
	A.In the parable of the  Wedding Feast
	A.Who are the chosen?
		1.Those who were willing to  take advantage of the  gracious offer of the king
			a.Had nothing to do with  their worthiness, their  wealth, their status in life
			a.Had only to do with their  willingness to respond to  the king’s invitation




I.
	A.“By the  Rivers of  Babylon” 
	A.Psalm 137 

I.
		1.Required humility
			a.Had to accept the king’s  wedding garment instead  of their own
				(1)Are you willing to admit  that your righteousness is  not sufficient to get you  into the kingdom?
			a.Had to be willing to be  looked down upon by  scoffers