Proclaiming Salvation by Grace Through Faith in Jesus Christ, 856-667-7110

Vacation Bible School is a great experience for kids to learn about the Bible and how to find their very own personal relationship with Christ.

This is also a GREAT time for parents, grand-parents, aunts, uncles, etc. to get a couple hours for 5 days to take some time for themselves. Then on Sunday, the entire family & friends are welcome to enjoy another Fun Sunday! Free fun & food for everyone to enjoy. Enjoy waterslides, slip & slide, games, sweet treats & a barbeque (featuring great vegetarian choices!)

Both VBS Campaigns will run from 6:30pm to 8:30pm from Tuesday to Saturday

June 23-27: ROME – Paul and the Underground Church

DAY 1 – God’s love is a gift.
Bible Verse: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord”. (Romans 6:23)

DAY 2 – God’s love changes us.
Bible Verse: “Don’t copy in the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think”. (Romans 12:2)

DAY 3 – God’s love is always with us.
Bible Verse: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love”. (Romans 8:38)

DAY 4 – God’s love saves us.
Bible Verse: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners”. (Romans 5:8)

DAY 5 – God’s love worth sharing.
Bible Verse: “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ”. (Romans 1:16)

July 28-August 1: Crocodile Dock: Where Fearless Kids Shine God’s Light!

DAY 1 – God is with us.
Bible Story: God speaks to Moses in a burning bush. – Exodus 3:1-4 – 4:17
Treasure Verse: “God answered, ‘I will be with you’” – Exodus 3:12

DAY 2 – God is powerful.
Bible Story: God sends the plagues on Egypt. – Exodus 7:1 – 10:29
Treasure Verse: “I will show you that I am the Lord” (Exodus 7:17).

DAY 3 – God does what he says he’ll do.
Bible Story: God spares the Israelites at Passover (Exodus 11:1-12:42).
Treasure Verse: “The Lord always keeps his promises” (Psalm 145:13b).

DAY 4 – God gives us life.
Bible Story: Jesus dies and comes back to life (Matthew 27:11-28:10).
Treasure Verse: “He is risen from the dead” (Matthew 28:5-6).

DAY 5 – God cares for us.
Bible Story: The Israelites cross the Red Sea (Exodus 14:1-15:21).
Treasure Verse: “Don’t be afraid.” (Exodus 14:13)

Open your eyes to see, Open your hands to receive, Open your heart to love, if you want to be blessed you have to be open to God’s will! He is willing to give it to you FREELY! Question is? Are you willing to except it? If the answer is Yes! Then open your arms and receive it cause, here it comes! Amen!

Key Text: John 10:10

1. Know: That life comes from God and God alone.
2. Feel: The transformation that occurs when Christ enters your life.
3. Do: Allow His presence to shape your choices daily.

Lesson Outline:

I. The Gift of Life (John 1:1–3)

God is the Source of life for everything on earth. Does this amazing gift obligate us to respond in any specific ways? Why or why not?

God has given us many guidelines for taking care of our bodies: dietary recommendations, as well as broader lifestyle instruction. What do these guidelines say about the value God places on human life?

II. An Abundant Life (2 Cor. 5:17)

Just as God gave us life in the beginning, we are born again into a new life in Christ. What has changed in your life as a result of your relationship with Jesus? Explain.

In the memory text for this week, Jesus says He came that we may have life more abundantly. How has He made your life more fulfilling?

III. A New Life in Christ (2 Pet. 3:18)

With Christ in our lives, we can live with purpose and meaning. Second Peter urges us to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus. In what tangible ways can you strive to do that every day?

Summary:

Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be reborn (John 3:1–21). Do all you can to start each day reborn in Christ.

by Shannon Heiden

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17) NIV

Beautiful One, did you know that the old you, is dead and gone?

I don’t usually listen to rap music, but having four teenage sons, I have been exposed to it more and more in recent months. One song in particular has caught my attention The rapper T I and Justin Timberlake have a song out called “Dead and Gone.” I have to admit, that I love this song.

The message that this song brings is one of a redeemed life. A life that had taken quite a few wrong turns, but had made it out to the other side, unlike so many of his friends.

Isn’t that what the Christian life is all about? Haven’t we all taken a wrong turn, some more than others yes, but in the end had it not been for a loving Savior who walked in, took us by the hand and led us safely out, where would any of us be?

Sometimes it is easy to think that because one doesn’t have a shady past or some terribly, terrific testimony that they can’t relate to someone who was delivered from drugs, violence, or abuse. One of the hardest things for Christians to do in particular, is to acknowledge that we compare ourselves, even if we don’t outwardly admit it. We might hear of someone who was in a fast crashing plane, straight on the their way to hell, we might think it’s great that God delivered them, but somewhere in the recesses of our hearts, it is easy to think that we are superior in some way because we never walked that road before.

How many times have we seen some troubled soul walk into our churches with all of their problems and addictions, and how many times have we been frustrated with them because they just didn’t seem to get it right within the time frame we thought they should have? What about the ones who come in with their marriage or family life in shambles? They are always in the prayer lines, crying and needing to be ministered to. On Sunday, they are great, by Wednesday night, their a wreck again…..

Maybe they are baby Christians, maybe not. Does it matter?

Beautiful One, these are just a few examples of real men and women. They are no different than you or I. How many times have our troubled souls walked through the doors, only we weren’t humble enough to admit our real condition?

How easy it is to forget that each of us meet on different levels. Some have walked with the Lord a long time, yet never have entered into his abiding place. Then, there are some God grabs hold of and poof, in a flash, they are spiritual giants, someone Hell wouldn’t dare reckon with.

But the issue is not how many troubles one has, or how long it takes us to figure our way out of them. The issue is, each one of us belongs to God and the old me is dead and gone. We will always wrestle with our “conditions,” but our position is eternally settled.

Let’s put it in a different vernacular, you might not do or say all the right things, you might have some habits and ways about you that are contrary to the Word, but that is a condition of your heart, not your position. Our position is in Christ and in him, we are justified, redeemed and made new. Old things have passed away, we are new creations. Some things just fall off of us when we meet God, then, there are those annoying strongholds that seem to linger, and depending on the day, if you really check yourself, you will find that we all still have them.

Beautiful One, it is helpful to remember that maturity takes time, usually a lifetime. With the exception of a few people, God used men and women who were older in their years. Why? Because maturity and growth takes time. A teenager is no more an adult and mature at eighteen as the law says, than he was at seventeen. There are fifty year olds walking around with a twenty year old mentality. Depending on how much we are willing and cooperative with the spirit of God, will determine where we land on the spectrum.

I suppose this article is for all the ones who just need to know, it’s OK. You’ve made some mistakes and maybe your still making them, but it’s OK. I have news for you, we all are!

God will be faithful to complete what He started in you, even if your taking your sweet time, He has all of eternity. This is for all the ones who try their hardest and are striving, but you are doing it out of head knowledge and not your heart.

Just stop….

Pretending to do all the right things, and saying what you think people want to hear, will in the end, leave you frustrated and confused.

This is for all the ones who think that somehow they have the edge on the holiness corner. May we be reminded that we will never arrive on that spiritual plateau. We need to come down off the mountain before God has to knock us off our high horse……

This is for each and every one of us. We are all in this life together. We are spending our living, breathing moments with each other and without one another, it will take us longer to get where we are going, and might I add, it will be a lonelier ride as well.

Beautiful One, no matter where your at, who your with or what it looks like right now, remember, God shines in the darkness. His grace abounds more than sin does, and his love is unending. The old you really is dead and gone. Don’t believe a lie that has been formed against you. Don’t believe your circumstances or your shortcomings. It’s a trap and a snare, and it’s designed to paralyze you and pressure you to give in and give up.

You are a beautiful, powerful, amazing creation. God knit you in your mothers womb, He destined you to walk on this earth at this hour. God chose you before you did anything at all, He saw your end from the beginning, and guess what? He still chose you…..

No matter how many things you do right, or how many times you stumble, you shall arise and go forth in power and it wont be your own.

Don’t you know that it is not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit that you shall overcome, endure and arise? (Zechariah 4:6) NIV Whether you are dealing with your own condition or someone else’s always remember not to “X” anyone out (including yourself) because God loves impossible situations and He gets so much glory from the ones who know their very own nature.

That apart from him, we can do nothing…

Beautiful one, just believe and remind yourself often, the old me is dead and gone…..

~ ~ ~

shannonheiden@yahoo.com
changingonelifereachingmany.typepad.com

by Shannon Heiden

“Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this bitter cup from me. Yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Mark 14:35) NIV

Beautiful One, what do you do when you know that with God, everything is possible, but that it just might not be for you? What do you do when you believe and hope with all your heart, and still, that bitter cup, does not pass?

What do you do when your afraid, to keep going, a little farther?

The Garden of Gethsemane, is it a place of resounding victory, where the battle between good and evil had already been won?…… Or is it a place that we easily gloss over to the next chapter to celebrate the cross? May I suggest that there would not be a cross, had there not been a garden first. That place where Christ was in the fight of his natural life, wrestling with his will and flesh. The place where reality met with time and separation from the the Father was inevitable. Something Jesus never had experienced in all of eternity.

Until Then….

The darling of heaven visited this earth to bridge the gap between us and God. To infuse life where the thief of sin and death had stolen it’s place. To cover our nakedness and array us in robes of righteousness. To allow us to once again, walk with the LORD in the cool of the day. But before Jesus went to the cross, He had an appointment in the garden.

Beautiful One, the garden is a place that we will visit as well. It is not like the wilderness where we are tempted and tested. It is not the cross, where we will lay down our old lives and take up his new one. The garden is a place where we will confront the ugly and bitter cups of leaving our will, our ways and our agendas in the dirt.

The garden is a place of great pressure, a tight place, a place of isolation where we come face to face with God and his ways, and come to the pain staking reality of choosing to either surrender or retreat.

Oftentimes I ponder what would have happened if Christ had decided not to fulfill his choice. Where would we be if He had decided to just “forget it,” it was too much and He gave up on us?

It is astounding that we serve a God who is faithful, even when we are not. It is amazing that even though we break his heart often, He still mends ours. The very fact that Christ sweat drops of blood with anguish in his heart and still went a little farther, tells us that when things are at their worst, when we are at our weakest, we have a loving God who completely understands us. We have a God on our side who knows exactly what we are feeling and why.

Sometimes the cups that we have been served are filled with torment, misery and grief. Sometimes they come as something sweet, only later do we then taste the bitterness.

There are times when relationships fade, jobs are lost, marriages remain broken and our children don’t come home. Sometimes the cup of betrayal does not pass and the bitter pain does not subside for a season. Sometimes a loved one stays sick, healing is possible, but maybe just for someone else?

The garden is a place where ‘not my will Father, but yours be done’ sounds so much easier than it ever really is…..

Beautiful One, no matter what cup has been placed in front of us, it is helpful to remember that Christs greatest miracle came after his garden. The greatest victory that shouted in the face of hell came after Christ’s surrender, in the garden.

No matter what we face in this journey of life, we can be sure that God will give us the strength, courage and power to endure, overcome or embrace the cup.

Abba, will make sure to to be with us. Even if our friends are asleep, He wont be. If we have fallen to the ground, He will be there to pick us up and gently whisper;

Keep going, a little farther……..

Beautiful One, just believe and if you find yourself in a garden, hold on, you’ve never been closer to your greatest miracle……

~ ~ ~

shannonheiden@yahoo.com
changingonelifereachingmany.typepad.com

No matter what they say to you! No matter what they do to you! No matter what they think of you stay close to the Lord, no matter what!!! Remember! This to shall pass! Just go through, Endure and Prosper! These are things that true christians face in the future! But, know that suffering is for a meantime but, the Lord’s blessings are for a Lifetime! Amen? Amen.

by Shannon Heiden

“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:
‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”

But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

Mark 14:27-31 NIV

Beautiful One, have you ever made a promise and had every intention of fulfilling it, but as pressures and problems set you back, have you ever shocked yourself and experienced the confusion and pain of violating your own principles?

Out of all the wonderful people in the Bible, my absolute favorite remains to be the Apostle Peter. I can identify and relate so much to Peter’s life. He was a man who immediately fell head over heels in love for the Lord. Peter left everything he had known to follow Jesus. Peter was tenacious, he never had a problem speaking up when others remained silent. Peter walked closely with Jesus, he was not just one of his disciples, he was one of Jesus confidants. Peter was a risk taker and a fighter. Peter got out of the boat and walked on water, Peter was the first one to see Jesus for who he really was, the Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter stood a head and foot taller than most, yes, it is easy to see that Peter’s love for the Lord was an exceptional thing…..

And yet, Peter’s greatest strength was also his greatest weakness. Although Peter was the first to see Jesus for who he was, he also was the one Jesus rebuked and corrected often. One moment Christ is praising him, and the next, He is telling him he is a stumbling block. Peter was a man of faith, but over the three and a half years he walked with Jesus, Peter soon found out he was also a man of fear. Peter loved the Lord, but Peter also loved himself and when his beloved friend was taken away into custody, it was Peters self preservation that stood a head and foot taller than his affection for his friend did.

Peter boldly declared to Jesus that he would never leave him, in fact he would die with him if he had to.I believe wholeheartedly that Peter meant what he said, but didn’t really grasp the gravity of what he was saying.

Beautiful One, saying something is one thing, actually being challenged in it, is quite another…..

It is so easy to make promises. Keeping and fulfilling them, well, that’s a different story. When things are going well for us, we tend to have an optimism about us that nothing could ever pull us away from our commitments. But as we can see, it is possible to find yourself on the other end of a dilemma, weeping because you have failed to live up to the declaration that you so boldly believed in.

Beautiful One, we will be strong and weak in many things. But even if we do take 5 steps back for every 1 we go forward, the hope we have is that Christ has already been one step ahead of us.

Peter was hand picked by God to come and follow him. God loved Peter, and yet God knew something about Peter that Peter didn’t. An hour would come that Peter would be tested like never before. The vow that Peter made with a sincere faith and a pure heart was tested to the fullest. Jesus already knowing his friend would desert and deny him, took the time to tell Peter. It was as if God wanted Peter to know that He had foreseen, forgiven and loved him anyway. No exceptions!

Peter denied his Lord, but his Lord never denied him. And when Christ, the lover of our souls and of our shortcomings, rose from that grave, He made sure to call Peter by name. “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ Mark16:7NIV

God knew in Peter’s darkest hour, when his faith failed and his heart broke, that he needed to hear that God still loved him and the plans He had for his life hadn’t changed.

And God did so.

Beautiful One, no matter what test, trial or temptation comes your way, no matter how much you are victorious or your own troubled villain, know this; God loves you, He is with you and He calls you by name.

Always…..

It is an exceptional love, with no exceptions……..

Beautiful One, just believe

~ ~ ~

shannonheiden@yahoo.com | changingonelifereachingmany.typepad.com

Join us this week as Elder Richard White leads our discussion. Saturday, April 11th, 9:30A.

Key Text: Ephesians 2:8

Objectives of Study:

1. Know: That faith is more than just belief but an experience of trust and
   certainty.
2. Feel:Your faith grow stronger through the study of the Bible and through
   a relationship with Jesus.
3. Do: Let faith be the guiding principle in your life.

Lesson Outline:

I. Finding Faith (Hab. 2:4)

Faith is more than just believing in a truth; it is living by that truth. How does your faith guide your actions every day?

Faith matures through study of the Scriptures and through personal experience. What is the basis of your faith? Why do you believe the way you do?

II. Living Faith (Hebrews 11)

Hebrews 11 often is referred to as the faith chapter. It reads like a “Hall of Fame” of the faithful: from Abel to Gideon, those of great faith are noted here. What specific traits set these people apart? How can we aspire to be like them?

Hebrews 11:6 says it is impossible to please God without faith. Why is it so hard to accept the gift of faith? What makes us waver at times?

III. Evidencing Faith (James 2:14–17)

James tells us that faith without deeds is dead. What are some ways you can let your faith be evident in your actions?

Summary:

Our faith experience should serve as our guide through life.

By studying the Bible and developing a relationship with Christ, we can let our faith manifest itself in all aspects of our lives.

A Play About the Resurrection of Christ Jesus

Invite your family and friends to enjoy this awesome spiritual experience.

When:

Saturday, April 11, 2009, or Sunday, April 12, 2009

Where:

Fountain of Life Worship Center – Burlington, NJ

For tickets and more informtation contact:

Carolyn Richardson @ (856) 504-3114

FRIDAY:

Williamstown Seventh-day Adventist Church
Agape Feast, April 10th, 2009, 7:00 PM
Williamstown Fellowship Hall

~ ~ ~

SATURDAY:

Williamstown Seventh-day Adventist Church
Vespers: 6:30P
Concert: 7:00P

~ ~ ~

SUNDAY:

Williamstown Seventh-day Adventist Church
Prayer Breakfast: 10:30A – 12:00P

Key Text: 1 Corinthians 13:13

Objectives of Study:

1. Know: That God is love and that Jesus is the greatest expression of that love.
2. Feel: The difference between human love and God’s all-encompassing,
   selfless love.
3. Do: Allow God’s love to manifest itself in our lives through Christ.

Learning Outline:

I. Needing Love (Gen. 1:26)

The Message Bible translates this text as “let us make human beings . . . reflecting our nature.” Because we reflect God’s nature, and because God is love, we should reflect this love through our actions. How can we do this in our lives?

As humans, we all have the need to love and be loved. How is God’s love different from the love of others? Can you replace one with the other? Why, or why not?

II. Experiencing Love (1 John 3)

God’s extraordinary love is highlighted throughout Scripture. Creation, the gift of the Sabbath, the plan of salvation, and the Spirit of prophecy all affirm God’s loving nature. Share specific ways you have experienced God’s unfathomable love.

The gift of eternal life is the ultimate demonstration of love. What are other examples of God’s love?

III. Reflecting Love (Matt. 22:35–40)

Our reaction to the love of God should be love for one another. This can be hard to do in a world full of sin. How can you better reflect His love?

Summary:

God is love. When we allow Christ to abide within us, this love will be revealed in our lives.

Join us on Sabbath, April 4th, 9:30A when Elder Calvin Lester will lead our discussion.

From the sermon, given on March 28, 2009 by Steven W. Block:

Trust God with ALL your heart

No matter what…just trust
Life is hard
Discipleship is harder
It doesn’t “feel” good
But, God is good
Sometimes, there will be anguish
But, ALL the time, God is good

Lean not unto thine own understanding

His ways are not our ways
Our thoughts are not His thoughts
Pray for strength to endure
Pray for peace to accept
Pray for wisdom to learn

Acknowledge Him in ALL thine ways

Allow God into every detail of your life
Let go
Let God
His grace is sufficient for thee

And, He will direct your path

It may not be a straight line
It may not be smooth
It may have a few holes in it
And, you may fall in, get pushed in, or told, “Get in!”

WHATEVER…

TRUST HIM…

FOLLOW HIM…

NO MATTER WHAT…

TRUST THE LORD!

by Peter Stone

If we are suffering from clinical depression, we typically lose interest in life, are overwhelmed with despair, are terrorized by obsessive fearful thoughts, and are beset by an endless cycle of anxiety attacks, insomnia, guilt, low self-esteem, shock, bewilderment, confusion, denial, and rage. We also lose the ability to feel God’s presence, cannot feel His love for us, and it feels like we can no longer take comfort from His Word.

It is therefore no surprise that while in this stage, we fear or even conclude that God has abandoned us. The magnitude of the suffering is so intense that we cannot comprehend how God could still be with us and yet allow such a thing to happen to us.

From my diary, 28th Feb 1990

Dear Jesus, I continually get angry with You.
Why have You allowed this? Where are You?
How long will You remain silent? Why won’t You heal me?
I know what You are capable of, yet You do nothing why?

Read the rest of this entry »

by Gerald Shuler

Congratulations! As a newborn baby you have just become a part of the most brutal game ever imagined… The Game of Life. During play you will face dangers, challenges and heartaches that are not of your own making or design. At times you may be tempted to quit the game, but, be forewarned: quitting does not end the game. It is nothing more than one more possible play.

Because the game has such dire consequences, the rules are carefully presented below. Please, don’t read them lightly. Without a clear understanding of the Rules of the Game, you don’t stand a chance of surviving, let alone winning. But always remember The Game of Life has been fashioned with your victory clearly in mind.

Rule #1:

God (Player #1) must always tell the truth. (KJV) 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Rule #2:

Satan (Player #2) always lies. (KJV) Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Rule #3:

You (the playing piece) will always have the choice to do either what God suggests, or what Satan suggests. (KJV) Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

How the Game of Life is played:
(Read carefully your success depends on understanding this section.)

Each and every play is initiated with only one goal in mind: to see which “voice” the playing piece (you) will respond to through action. Points are awarded to either God or Satan, depending on who you believe.

A sample play would go somewhat like this:

in your daughter’s Game of Life (yes, other people’s game will always overlap and affect your own Game) Satan has suggested yielding to her boyfriend in a way that would destroy her testimony as a Christian. God suggests that she talk to you about what she has been going through. Now, in your own Game, Satan tells you that she has probably already gone too far with her boyfriend and you should force them to break up. God tells you to be gentle with your daughter and trust her moral upbringing. How you respond could result in your daughter either screaming that you have no right to interfere in her life, or crying tears of joy because she wants to be as Godly as you. Not only are there multiple points involved, but your entire future relationship with your daughter is at stake.

In playing The Game of Life the simplest strategy is to remember that God always tells the truth and Satan always lies. The longer you play the game the easier it becomes to recognize truth from lie. More experienced players are often surprised by the silly choices made by others. They forget that, even at their own level of play, stupid choices can still be made. There is a remedy for the bad choices that will inevitably be made, however. There is a blood-red free spot at the center of the game that is marked by a cross. If you see that you have goofed in your choices and listened to the liar, just get to the cross. Once there, all bad moves will be eradicated and all points awarded to Lucifer will be removed.

In fact, getting to the cross early in the game is the best move you could possibly make. It is at the cross where you are guaranteed to win the Game of Life. Nobody is ever denied access to the freedom of the Cross and it can be instantly reached no matter where you are in the Game.

Which leaves only one other thing to ponder about The Game of Life:
It is easily understood that Satan always lies, God always tells the truth, and the Cross is always available and you are always free to choose in every situation.

So, why are there so many people losing at this game?

copyright 2008 Gerald Shuler

~ ~ ~

I’m an introverted extrovert with an annoying pessimistic optimism. Sometimes I confuse myself so much I simply must write to find out what in the world I am actually thinking. In spite of that, I remain a faithful servant and minister of my Lord, Jesus Christ.

by Jerry Ousley

I remember back in the eighties applying for a certain job. In those days jobs weren’t easy to find and when a company advertised that they were interviewing for a position, whether people had the qualifications or not, they showed up. I had a job at the time but I wasn’t satisfied with it and I wasn’t really making much money at it. A position became available with a prominent company. It was one noted for easy work and big pay. Everyone I knew wanted to work at this place and when someone was fortunate enough to land a job there they felt like they were riding high in the saddle and they had finally made it to the big time.

Actually, there were several positions open that day and literally thousands of people had showed up for that handful of jobs. There were a lot of disappointed people because even though many had responded to the call for employment, only a handful was chosen. I was one of those not chosen.

In Matthew 22 Jesus had been telling the story about a king who had thrown a big wedding party for his son. A lot of the guests that had been invited refused to come stating that they basically had more important things to do. The king was furious and so, determined to fill up the house with wedding guests, he sent his servants out to invite anyone they could find who wanted to come.

However, I suppose that even though these newly invited guests were just common people, being dressed for the wedding was still a requirement. When the king came in to see the crowd of people he saw a man there who didn’t have on the proper attire. The king walked up to the man and asked him why he hadn’t come dressed for the wedding and Jesus said that the man was speechless he couldn’t think of anything to say, which also meant that he didn’t have a good excuse. Because of it the king had him thrown out. Jesus actually stated that the man was bound hand and foot, taken from the party and thrown into outer darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth. This treatment sounds a bit extreme for someone who didn’t show up dressed for the occasion, but Jesus was using it to illustrate what happens to one who doesn’t come properly attired to the invitation of Heaven. Read the rest of this entry »