Luke 14:16-24 Then said he to him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:… I. In the first place, then, WHAT IS NOT PRESUMPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE MATTER BEFORE US? The invitation — "Come, for all things are now ready," may be applied to that Holy Communion to which all who flee to Jesus are invited. 1. And I would observe, in the first place, that it is not presumption to be obedient to the Lord's command. Knowledge ought to induce obedience. The victim is slain, the sacrifice is offered; Jesus has "died, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." He who has done all this as our Surety enjoins this ordinance upon us, and tells us to "do it in remembrance of Him?" Gratitude should induce obedience. "All things are ready." 2. But, secondly, it is not presumption to accept the invitation of our heavenly King. If we are invited there is no presumption, and there can be no presumption in accepting the invitation. 3. And so, I observe, thirdly, that it is not presumption to come to the Holy Communion, as all other worthy communicants do come. How do those who are worthy come? that is, those whom God esteems to be worthy? Do they come because they are holy? that is, because they are perfectly free from sin? because they have no temptations around them, to which sometimes they feel inclined to give way? No; it is that, feeling their weakness, they flee to God for grace in this holy sacrament of His own appointment. II. But now, let us look at the other side of the question, and examine WHAT IS PRESUMPTION IN THIS MATTER OF WHICH WE ARE SPEAKING. 1. I answer, then, to this inquiry, that it is presumption for any one to profess practically to be wiser than God. This is what those do, who neglect Holy Communion. 2. But further, it is presumption, I will allow, to attend this holy ordinance in thoughtlessness and willing ignorance. 3. Then, thirdly, it is presumption to attend this holy ordinance while living in wilful and acknowledged sin. 4. Lastly, it would be presumption to come to the Lord's table in an unforgiving spirit. (W. Cadman, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:WEB: But he said to him, "A certain man made a great supper, and he invited many people. |
    |