Kingdom Parables: Wedding Banquet

What is the Kingdom of God like?

Is it a realm of religious rules? A place for the worthy? A church for “holy” people?

In this message from the Kingdom Parables series, Pastor Josh opens up Matthew 22 to reveal the shocking truth: the Kingdom of God is like a wedding banquet—a joyful, extravagant party thrown by a King who loves to invite. But not everyone comes. And not everyone stays.

The Kingdom Is a Party—And You’re Invited

Jesus uses parables—simple yet profound stories—to help us grasp the deep things of God. In this week’s parable, the Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a wedding feast, where a king prepares an abundant celebration for his son. The food is ready. The doors are open. But shockingly, the invited guests reject the call.

This isn’t just about an event—it’s about how people respond to God’s invitation. Some are too busy with their farms and businesses, while others go as far as violently rejecting the messengers. Pastor Josh reminds us: “You may have your life together, but that’s no excuse to reject the life God is offering.”

We often live as though this life is everything, but Jesus gently confronts that illusion: “You were made for eternity.” No matter how successful or broken we are, we are invited into something far greater—God’s eternal Kingdom.

Come As You Are, But Don’t Stay As You Are

The story takes an unexpected twist: when the hall is filled with guests from all walks of life—both bad and good—the king notices someone without proper wedding clothes and removes him from the feast.

Is this harsh? Not when you understand the garment. Pastor Josh explains this as the “garment of righteousness”—not our own goodness, but the covering of grace through Jesus Christ. You are invited as you are, but you must be clothed in Christ to truly belong.

“None of us can say we’re holy—not even me. But Jesus gave me His holiness. That’s my worth.”

A Church That Imitates the Inviting God

At the heart of the parable is the character of God: He is an inviting God. Not angry, not exclusive, not hard to please. He longs for people to join Him in joy. And that’s the kind of church we want to be.

Pastor Josh shared how Heartbeat once hosted a community lunch in the middle of an unfamiliar, largely Muslim neighborhood—“No one came at first… but success isn’t our job. Invitation is.”

In the same way, our church shouldn’t close its doors because it’s comfortable or familiar. “We don’t want to be a Korean church, a Chinese church, or a Filipino church. We want to be God’s church—a church that invites everyone.”

Final Invitation

The parable ends with a sober line: “Many are called, but few are chosen.” The invitation has gone out—but how will we respond?

Let’s not be too busy, too proud, or too distracted to say yes. The feast has been prepared. The Kingdom is open. Come. Bring nothing but your need. Jesus has already prepared the rest.

“You don’t have to prove your worth. Church is the one place you come broken, sinful, and unworthy—because Jesus already said you’re