Dr Tom Hover
March 22, 2026
Matthew 21:23 thru 22:14 / Matthew 22:23-33
THE TRINITY PARABLES / THE INTERROGATION (Resurrection and Marriage)
THE TRINITY PARABLES
Matthew 21:23 thru 22:14
Overview To the Three-part Sermon Series:
In our text Jesus gives Three Parables
1. The Two Sons Matthew 21:23-32 They Rejected the Father.
2. The Vineyard Matthew 21:33-46 They Rejected the Son.
3. The Wedding Matthew 22:1-14 They Rejected the Spirit.
The Trinity Parables Part Three Wedding Crashers Matthew 22:1-14
Introduction: Do you remember what a parable is: A Parable Is an Earthly Story With a Heavenly Meaning. The context and the story of this parable, Jesus is painting another picture of the rejection by the nation of Israel. He warns them of their certain doom, which was accomplished in 70 AD. He is also telling them of His intention to fill the Father’s house with people other than themselves. The king in the parable sends his servants out to find other guests to come to the wedding celebration. As they gather themselves together, the king notices a man in the company who does not have on a wedding garment. This man is cast out of the wedding celebration. These verses paint a picture of salvation. When Israel rejected Jesus as their Messiah, He turned to the Gentiles. You see, the Lord intends to fill His Heaven with the redeemed from the earth. Only those who have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ will be admitted into God’s Heaven! You will never settle the sin question until first of all you have settled the Son question. The bible tells us that when the redeemed of the Lord gather together there in Heaven, that there will be a marriage. There will be a time of celebration known as the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb”, Rev. 19:7-9. Today, I would like to ask you this question, “Are You a Wedding Crashers?” Allow me to share four observations from this passage as we think about the question, Are You a Wedding Crashers?
I THE GARMENT IS AVAILABLE Matthew 22:9-10
A. It Is Available to All Matthew 22:10, Romans 10:13, Revelation 22:17, John 7:37-38, Hebrews 12:15
B. It Is Available by Invitation Matthew 22:9, John 6:44, John 6:66
John 1:9, Genesis 6:3
II. THE GARMENT MUST BE ACCEPTED
Matthew 22:10, Philippians 3:8-9
A. It Is Received by Faith Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9-10
B. It Is Totally Free Isaiah 55:1, Revelation 22:17, Romans 3:24
C. It Is a Proper Fit II Corinthians 5:17 Salvation is a perfect fit for everyone.
D. It Is Approved by The Father Romans 4:23-25
III. THE GARMENT HAS GREAT ABILITY
A. It Changes One’s Appearance II Corinthians 5:17
In our modern weddings, the bride does her best to stand out from everyone else at the wedding. However, in ancient times, everyone looked the same at the wedding. They all wore the same type of garments, and they were all identically dressed. So, it is with salvation!
B. It Cover’s One’s Appearance Isaiah. 64:4, Revelation 3:17
IV. THE GARMENT MUST NOT BE ABSENT Matthew 22:12-14
A. Will Produce a Showdown Matt. 22:12, II Cor. 5:10, Rev. 20:11
B. Will Produce Shock Matt. 22:12 “And he was speechless.”, 7:21-23
C. Will Produce Shame Matthew 22:13 The man in the parable was cast out into outer darkness. This is a picture of Hell! Psalm 9:17, Luke 16:19-31,
II Thessalonians 1:8-9: Do You Remember What the King Did in The Parable? Matthew 22:7, Hebrews 10:28 Christ sums up the teaching of the parable with a statement that Matthew has recorded previously: Matthew 20:16 The Comment About the Invitation: The Explanation of The Comment. “Many are called, but few are chosen” Matthew 22:14 This sums up the parable warning. The Jews were called but were not chosen for salvation because they rejected the invitation (Gospel) as the parable illustrated. The Exhortation in The Comment. The universal application is that choosing only comes to those who receive the call and act upon it. The call represents privilege, but privilege brings responsibility; and if we do not do our responsibilities, we will lose our privilege and the blessing it can give us. Many have been given the privilege of hearing the Gospel, but few are in the chosen category because few accept the Gospel.
Conclusion: Are you rightly dressed for the Heavenly Wedding right now? Or are you just a Wedding Casher? Remember: You’re not saved by the plan of salvation; you’re saved by the man of salvation, and His name is Jesus.
PM SERVICE
THE INTERROGATION (Resurrection and Marriage)
Matthew 22:23-33
