Many Called, But Few Chosen

Opening Text: "For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14).

1. THE PARABLE
1. Illustration: You may have seen a picture of an old World War I poster. It is a white-bearded man wearing white top hat with a ring of stars around it. He's pointing his finger at you. The caption says, 'I want you.' Who is that man in the poster? The man in the poster represents the United States Government. He is calling for people to serve their country.
1. Jesus is our King. He is calling to you and me. He wants us to serve Him, in His heavenly kingdom. Let's read about it in:
2. Matthew 22:1-14.
1. "And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen."
2. What is the wedding garment? Isaiah 61:10 "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."
1. "'Many are called, but few are chosen.'This is a true statement of the final outcome. Man is very dear to the heart of God, and all are invited to this feast. But many come not having on the wedding garment. They do not accept Christ's righteousness. They have not repented and made peace with God. They have not received his free gift." Review and Herald, 05-08-00:18.
3. What does this righteousness of Christ become? Revelation 19:7-9. "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."
1. "...the wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding." Christ's Object Lessons, p. 307:1.
3. What does this parable as a whole represent?
1. "The call to the feast had been given by Christ's disciples. Our Lord had sent out the twelve and afterward the seventy, proclaiming that the kingdom of God was at hand, and calling upon men to repent and believe the gospel. But the call was not heeded. Those who are bidden to the feast did not come. The servants were sent out later to say, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage." This was the message borne to the Jewish nation after the crucifixion of Christ; but the nation that claimed to be God's peculiar people rejected the gospel brought to them in the power of the Holy Spirit. Many did this in the most scornful manner. Others were so exasperated by the offer of salvation, the offer of pardon for rejecting the Lord of glory, that they turned upon the bearers of the message. There was 'a great persecution.' Acts 8:1. Many both of men and women were thrust into prison, and some of the Lord's messengers, as Stephen and James, were put to death.

"Thus the Jewish people sealed their rejection of God's mercy. The result was foretold by Christ in the parable. The king "sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city." The judgment pronounced came upon the Jews in the destruction of Jerusalem and the scattering of the nation.

"The third call to the feast represents the giving of the gospel to the Gentiles. The king said, 'The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.'

"The king's servants who went out into the highways "gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good." It was a mixed company. Some of them had no more real regard for the giver of the feast than had the ones who rejected the call. The class first bidden could not afford, they thought, to sacrifice any worldly advantage for the sake of attending the king's banquet. And of those who accepted the invitation, there were some who thought only of benefiting themselves. They came to share the provisions of the feast, but had no desire to honor the king.

"When the king came in to view the guests, the real character of all was revealed. For every guest at the feast there had been provided a wedding garment. This garment was a gift from the king. By wearing it the guests showed their respect for the giver of the feast. But one man was clothed in his common citizen dress. He had refused to make the preparation required by the king. The garment provided for him at great cost he disdained to wear. Thus he insulted his lord. To the king's demand, 'How camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?' he could answer nothing. He was self-condemned. Then the king said, 'Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness.'" Christ's Object Lessons, p. 308-309

1. "The guests at the marriage feast were inspected by the king. Only those were accepted who had obeyed his requirements and put on the wedding garment. So it is with the guests at the gospel feast. All must pass the scrutiny of the great King, and only those are received who have put on the robe of Christ's righteousness.

"Righteousness is right doing, and it is by their deeds that all will be judged. Our characters are revealed by what we do. The works show whether the faith is genuine.

"It is not enough for us to believe that Jesus is not an impostor, and that the religion of the Bible is no cunningly devised fable. We may believe that the name of Jesus is the only name under heaven whereby man may be saved, and yet we may not through faith make Him our personal Saviour. It is not enough to believe the theory of truth. It is not enough to make a profession of faith in Christ and have our names registered on the church roll...." Christ's Object Lessons, p. 312.

1. It is not enough to be a church member. This cannot, will NOT alone save us.
1. "The man who came to the feast without a wedding garment represents the condition of many in our world today. They profess to be Christians, and lay claim to the blessings and privileges of the gospel; yet they feel no need of a transformation of character. They have never felt true repentance for sin. They do not realize their need of Christ or exercise faith in Him. They have not overcome their hereditary or cultivated tendencies to wrongdoing. Yet they think that they are good enough in themselves, and they rest upon their own merits instead of trusting in Christ. Hearers of the word, they come to the banquet, but they have not put on the robe of Christ's righteousness." Christ's Object Lessons, p. 315:2.
1. CALLED
1. How many enter the strait gate? Matthew 7:13, 14. "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
2. What are we as Christians called in 1 Peter 2:9? "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light"
1. Called from where? Revelation 18:4 "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."
3. Whom did Jesus call when He first began His ministry? Matthew 4:21. "And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him."
1. What type of people are generally the ones called? 1 Corinthians 1:26. "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called"
2. Verse 27 "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty."
3. James 2:5 "Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?"
1. Why not many rich enter? 1 Timothy 6:9,10, 17-19. "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
2. CHOSEN
1. Experience of Israel in the Wilderness.
1. Deuteronomy 7:6 "For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that [are] upon the face of the earth."
1. Repeated in: Deuteronomy 14:2. "For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that [are] upon the earth."
2. Deuteronomy 10:15: "Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day."
2. Israel were chosen of God. 1 Chronicles 16:13 "O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones."
3. Experience of David.
1. 1 Samuel 16:6-12: "And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. 9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. 10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. 11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all [thy] children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. 12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he."
2. 1 Chronicles 28:2-4 "Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood. Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel."
3. What was the difference between the ones chosen and those not chosen? 2 Thessalonians 2:10-14. "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
4. Matthew 20:16 "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."
5. Continuing poster illustration: Who would that man in the poster be talking to? Anyone who read it. What does he want them for? 'I want you--for U.S. Army.' Now, what does it take to get into the army? First of all, you have to go down to the recruiting office. If you never go, you'll never get in. But there are certain things that restrict you from getting in, even if you want to. And what about when you're accepted? What is the first thing you have to go through? Boot camp. Can you be in the army if you don't make it through boot camp? No. And you must abide by the rules of conduct and obey the orders of your commander to stay in the army.
3. FAITHFUL
1. What is this "training" that we must go through? Isaiah 48:10. "Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."
1. Illustration: Before any material reaches the furnace, there is a selection process that goes on. First, the ore containing the metal is mined from the ground. Then the valuable material must be separated from the useless material in the ore. Then it is sent to the furnace for final purification.
2. "God has in training a people chosen, elect, precious. They were once the children of disobedience, disloyal to God. But now 'Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.' The Lord Jesus is making experiments on human hearts through the exhibition of his mercy and abundant grace. He is effecting transformations so amazing that Satan with all his triumphant boasting, with all his confederacy of evil united against God and the laws of his government, stands viewing them as a fortress impregnable to his sophistries and delusions. They are to him an incomprehensible mystery. The angels of God, seraphim and cherubim, the powers commissioned to co-operate with human agencies, look on with astonishment and joy, that fallen men, once children of wrath, are through the training of Christ developing characters after the divine similitude, to be sons and daughters of God, to act an important part in the occupations and pleasures of heaven." General Conference Daily Bulletin, 02-27-93:12.
3. What would you then be called, after enduring the furnace fire? Faithful.
2. Therefore, what is the next step after being chosen? Revelation 17:14. "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."
1. "The chosen people of God will be proved and tried before they are pronounced good and faithful servants, worthy to inherit eternal life with its endowment of heavenly riches." Manuscript Releases, vol. 10, p. 239:3.
1. "We are called to be laborers together with God. The Lord has a particular regard for those who are chosen and faithful, who cry day and night unto him." The Signs of the Times, 05-21-96.
2. "Many hear the invitation of mercy, are tested and proved; but few are sealed with the seal of the living God. Few will humble themselves as a little child, that they may enter the kingdom of heaven." Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 50:2.
1. What Old Testament example graphically illustrates this? How many of those over twenty years old went from Egypt into the Promised Land?
3. What happens if we are not faithful? Matthew 8:11, 12. "And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
1. The first that were called were not faithful. And if we are not faithful, others will come and take our place.
4. CONCLUSION
1. Jesus is calling us today. What is that call? Revelation 22:17. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
1. Let those who hear also give the call.
2. "God now calls upon you to repent, to be zealous in the work. Your eternal happiness will be determined by the course you now pursue. Can you reject the invitations of mercy now offered? Can you choose your own way? Will you cherish pride and vanity, and lose your soul at last? The word of God plainly tells us that few will be saved, and that the greater number of those, even, who are called will prove themselves unworthy of everlasting life. They will have no part in heaven, but will have their portion with Satan, and experience the second death." Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 293, 294.
3. We have been called, and chosen.
1. If we want to follow the Lamb forever as it says in Revelation 14:4, what must we do?
1. Called, chosen, faithful!
2. If we are faithful, what will Jesus do when He comes again? Mark 13:27. "And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven."
1. Do you know what this word "elect" means? It is the same original word as in Matthew 22:14.
3. I pray this will be our experience.

May we be faithful, and follow the Lamb!

Closing Hymn: #266 I Will Follow Thee

1. QUESTION: How can we be guests at the feast, yet the church is also called the bride?
1. ANSWER
2. Let us look at a parable that Jesus told. Matthew 25:1-13.
1. Who are the ten virgins? Ten brides of one man? Or guests at his wedding?
2. Who or what is the bride? What does Revelation 21:9, 10 say? "And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God"
1. She is "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Revelation 21:2.
3. "The marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom. The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called 'the bride, the Lamb's wife.' Said the angel to John: 'Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.' 'He carried me away in the spirit,' says the prophet, 'and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.' Revelation 21:9, 10. Clearly, then, the bride represents the Holy City, and the virgins that go out to meet the bridegroom are a symbol of the church. {see Revelation 14:4} In the Revelation the people of God are said to be the guests at the marriage supper. Revelation 19:9. If guests, they cannot be represented also as the bride." The Great Controversy, p. 426-427.
4. The coming of the Bridegroom to the marriage is represented in Dan. 7:13, 14, where Christ comes to the Father to receive his kingdom. In the Orient of ancient times the coming of a king to his capital city to receive his throne and kingdom was called a marriage. This event, receiving the capital city as the bride, was celebrated with the all show and ceremony of a real marriage. In the same way, when Christ receives His kingdom, he is said to be married to his bride--the New Jerusalem, and this is called "the marriage" in the parable. Having received the kingdom, He will come in His glory, as King of kings and Lord of lords, for the redemption of His people, who are to 'sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,' at His table in His kingdom (Matthew 8:11; Luke 22:30), to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Source material from J.N. Loughborough, Great Second Advent Movement, p. 214)
3. How then is the church called the bride?
1. In reference to the whole marriage feast, and the related illustrations, the church is NOT the bride, but the guests at the feast.
2. But, when we are speaking of the relationship of Christ to His church, the church IS the bride of Christ--in a spiritual sense.
1. Some supporting texts:
1. Isaiah 54:5 "For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called."
2. Israel departs from her husband: Jeremiah 3:20 "Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD."
3. Spiritual Israel is also the wife of the Lord: 2 Corinthians 11:2 "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
2. We see very clearly that the church is called the wife or bride of Christ in these passages.
3. What is the difference?
1. The church is not married to Christ physically. The New Jerusalem is (as in the relationship of a king and his dominion).
2. The church IS married to Christ spiritually. The New Jerusalem is not.
4. We see that both the church and the New Jerusalem are the bride of Christ in separate illustrations. Therefore, we must be careful that we do not get the two confused together.