Invited to the Gospel Feast: Embracing Grace
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound story of Tony Campolo, a retired sociology professor, who found himself in a diner in Honolulu, engaging with a group of women who were prostitutes. One of them, Agnes, mentioned it was her birthday, and she had never had a birthday party. Tony, moved by compassion, decided to throw her a surprise party the next night. This act of kindness and love led to a moment of prayer and reflection, highlighting the essence of what it means to be a church that reaches out to the marginalized and forgotten. This story serves as a powerful illustration of the kind of love and grace that Jesus extends to all of us, inviting us to the gospel feast.
We then delved into the hymn "Come Sinners to the Gospel Feast" by Charles Wesley, which serves as an invitation to all to partake in the relationship with Christ and the holy communion. This hymn, rich in scriptural references, reminds us that everyone is invited to the gospel feast, symbolizing both salvation and the heavenly banquet we anticipate when Jesus returns. The Lord's Supper, or holy communion, is a foretaste of this heavenly banquet, a reminder of the grace and love that Jesus offers to each of us.
We explored three key questions about the gospel feast: who is invited, what is the nature of the feast, and what is our response. Jesus, often found in the company of sinners, invites all of us, regardless of our past, to join in this feast. The nature of the feast is a mystery, a divine encounter where we participate in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Our response to this invitation is crucial; we can choose to accept or ignore it, but God's love remains constant, always inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of Tony Campolo and Agnes illustrates the transformative power of love and kindness. It challenges us to be a church that reaches out to the marginalized, embodying the love of Christ in tangible ways. [04:18]
- Charles Wesley's hymn "Come Sinners to the Gospel Feast" is a profound invitation to all, emphasizing that no one is left behind. It reminds us of the inclusive nature of God's love and the open invitation to salvation and communion. [07:12]
- Jesus' association with sinners highlights the importance of grace. The parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son teach us that sinners matter to God, are worth searching for, and that heaven rejoices when one repents. [11:25]
- The nature of the Lord's Supper is a divine mystery. It is not merely a memorial but a spiritual encounter where we experience the presence of Christ. This mystery invites us to admire and receive rather than fully understand. [15:52]
- Our response to God's invitation is crucial. Like the sun that always shines, God's love is constant. We can choose to accept or ignore His invitation, but His love continues to pursue us, inviting us to the gospel feast. [20:06]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:29] - Tony Campolo's Story
[03:38] - Agnes' Birthday Surprise
[04:18] - A Church for the Marginalized
[07:12] - Invitation to the Gospel Feast
[09:33] - Jesus Welcomes Sinners
[11:25] - Parables of Grace
[12:53] - Who's Invited?
[13:37] - Nature of the Feast
[15:52] - Mystery of the Lord's Supper
[17:08] - Experiencing Christ's Presence
[18:28] - Responding to the Invitation
[19:06] - God's Unchanging Love
[20:06] - Invitation to All
[20:43] - Hope for Agnes
[22:16] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 15:1-7 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
2. Luke 15:8-10 - The Parable of the Lost Coin
3. Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Lost Son
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Tony Campolo's initial reaction to Agnes's story about never having a birthday party, and how did he respond? [02:29]
2. How did the people in the diner react when Agnes entered and saw the surprise party? [03:38]
3. What was the significance of the hymn "Come Sinners to the Gospel Feast" in the context of the sermon? [04:18]
4. How does Jesus' association with sinners, as described in Luke 15, challenge the religious leaders' views? [09:33]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the story of Tony Campolo and Agnes teach about the nature of Christian love and outreach? [04:18]
2. How do the parables in Luke 15 illustrate the value God places on each individual, especially those who are lost or marginalized? [11:25]
3. In what ways does the Lord's Supper serve as a "gospel feast," and how does it relate to the concept of a heavenly banquet? [15:52]
4. How does the constant nature of God's love, as described in the sermon, influence our understanding of His invitation to the gospel feast? [19:06]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt marginalized or forgotten. How can the church better reach out to individuals in similar situations today? [04:18]
2. Consider the inclusivity of the gospel feast. How can you personally extend an invitation to someone who feels excluded from the church community? [07:12]
3. The parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son emphasize the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. How can you participate in celebrating and supporting those who return to faith? [11:25]
4. The sermon describes the Lord's Supper as a mystery and a spiritual encounter. How can you prepare your heart and mind to experience this mystery more fully during communion? [15:52]
5. God's love is constant, like the sun always shining. Identify a specific area in your life where you have been hiding from God's love. What steps can you take to open yourself to His invitation? [19:06]
6. Reflect on the story of Agnes and the surprise birthday party. How can you show unexpected kindness to someone in your life this week? [20:43]
7. The sermon ends with a prayer for salvation and freedom to love God fully. What is one practical way you can deepen your relationship with God this week? [22:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformative Power of Compassion
The story of Tony Campolo and Agnes is a profound example of how simple acts of kindness can have a transformative impact on individuals and communities. Tony's decision to throw a surprise birthday party for Agnes, a woman who had never experienced such love and attention, illustrates the power of compassion to reach the marginalized and forgotten. This act of love not only brought joy to Agnes but also created a moment of reflection and prayer, embodying the essence of what it means to be a church that extends the love of Christ in tangible ways. As followers of Christ, we are called to reach out to those on the fringes of society, offering them the same grace and love that Jesus extends to us. [04:18]
"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" (Isaiah 58:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community might feel forgotten or marginalized? How can you extend a simple act of kindness to them this week?
Day 2: Invitation to the Gospel Feast
Charles Wesley's hymn "Come Sinners to the Gospel Feast" serves as a powerful reminder of the inclusive nature of God's love. The hymn invites everyone, regardless of their past or present circumstances, to partake in the relationship with Christ and the holy communion. This invitation symbolizes both salvation and the heavenly banquet we anticipate when Jesus returns. The Lord's Supper, or holy communion, is a foretaste of this heavenly banquet, reminding us of the grace and love that Jesus offers to each of us. As we reflect on this invitation, we are reminded that no one is left behind in God's kingdom, and we are all welcome to the table. [07:12]
"And the Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price." (Revelation 22:17, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who feels excluded from God's love? How can you extend an invitation to them to experience the grace and love of Christ?
Day 3: Grace for the Sinners
Jesus' association with sinners highlights the importance of grace and the value God places on every individual. Through the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son, we learn that sinners matter to God and are worth searching for. Heaven rejoices when one sinner repents, emphasizing the joy and celebration that comes with redemption. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this grace, recognizing that we too are recipients of God's unmerited favor. Our mission is to seek out those who are lost and extend the same grace that we have received. [11:25]
"What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray." (Matthew 18:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt lost and experienced God's grace. How can you share that grace with someone who feels lost today?
Day 4: Mystery of the Lord's Supper
The nature of the Lord's Supper is a divine mystery, inviting us to participate in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is not merely a memorial but a spiritual encounter where we experience the presence of Christ. This mystery invites us to admire and receive rather than fully understand. As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are reminded of the profound love and sacrifice of Jesus, drawing us into a deeper relationship with Him. This sacred act is a reminder of the unity we share as the body of Christ and the hope we have in His return. [15:52]
"The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." (1 Corinthians 10:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you approach the Lord's Supper with a renewed sense of awe and reverence? What does it mean for you to experience the presence of Christ in this sacred act?
Day 5: Responding to God's Invitation
Our response to God's invitation to the gospel feast is crucial. Like the sun that always shines, God's love is constant and unwavering. We have the choice to accept or ignore His invitation, but His love continues to pursue us, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. This invitation is not just a one-time event but a daily call to live in communion with God. As we respond to His love, we are transformed and empowered to live out our faith in tangible ways, reflecting His love to the world around us. [20:06]
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been hesitant to respond to God's invitation? How can you take a step of faith today to open the door to His love and grace?
Quotes
"Jesus still welcomes sinners and eats with us. And he does most certainly and fully in this meal that we share together." [00:09:33] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"There's three lessons we learn in these stories. One is that sinners matter to God. They matter to God. Two is they're worth an all-out search. It's worth an all-out search to do whatever it takes that we can to find lost people and to help them come home." [00:11:25] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"I come then to God's altar with a full persuasion of these words. This is my body. That his holy banquet, this gospel feast, if you will, is not a bare memorial. Only, but may actually convey blessings to me. Indeed, in what manner this is done, I know not." [00:15:52] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Our brains can't comprehend what it is that Jesus is doing when he says, take, eat, this is my body. But know this, that's what he says. This is my body. This is my blood. We believe, Methodists believe, that through faith, when we come to receive the Lord's Supper, that we are experiencing, we are literally participating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus." [00:17:08] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The sun, and it's a beautiful day out today, the sun is always shining. That's what the sun does. It shines. You can hide from the sun. You can lock yourself up in a dark room. You can get in the shade, but that doesn't change the nature of the sun. The sun, that the sun is always shining." [00:19:06] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The same way with God's love. God loves you. God invites you into a relationship with him. God sent his son Jesus. He sent the Holy Spirit to woo you and draw you into a relationship. God loves. That's what God does. That's his nature." [00:20:06] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God's love is still pursuing you. God's love is still shining. God's love is still available, and his invitation still stands. Come sinners to the gospel feast. No one need be left behind. Because God has invited all of us sinners." [00:20:43] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Thank you for your love finding us help us to receive your love and help us to walk in your love in Jesus name we pray amen." [00:22:16] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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