Blog of
Kevin M. Shaw:     
999 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, Colorado 80246   Phone: 303.777.8888

July 23, 2008          The Importance of Walls

Jeremiah 1:18-19
“For behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land; against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they will not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the LORD, “to deliver you.”

1 Timothy 1:18, 1 Timothy 6:12, Ephesians 6:11-12, and 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 are some awesome verses among many in God’s Word that talk about “Spiritual Warfare.” Also, check out this verse...

Psalms 78:9-11
The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle. They did not keep the covenant of God. They refused to walk in His law, and forgot His works and His wonders that He had shown them.

There are also a number of verses that discuss the “importance of walls”. For example: Psalm 18:29, Proverbs 21:22, Jeremiah 5:10, Proverbs 23:10, Proverbs 24:30-31, and Jeremiah 15:20. But check out this verse...

Ecclesiastes 10:8
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall, a serpent will bite him.

Luke 11:28, 1 Timothy 6:20, and 2 Timothy 1:14 use a military term (phulasso) to emphasize that we have some valuable things to “guard.” (In Greek... Luke 11:28 (BYZ), 1 Timothy 6:20 (BYZ), and 2 Timothy 1:14 (BYZ).

I strongly believe that we must build up “spiritual walls” of protection to guard the incredibly valuable spiritual possesions that we have; to guard our walk with God; and to guard our “holiness.”

I plan to revisit this topic in the future....

Are you ready to build up your “Spiritual Walls?”

August 20, 2008          No Matter What Consecration

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said:
“We ought to obey God rather than men.”

“No Matter What Consecration” is the phrase I have selected to discuss the concept of the willingness of God’s truly consecrated
characters who were willing to do “whatever” if it only pleased the Lord. No other consideration matters but pleasing Him. Consider the commitment of the “Early Church” to endure persecution for the Name! Consider the awesome examples of: Naboth, Joseph, Jeremiah, John the Baptizer, and Job. Naboth (1 Kings 21:1-3) resisted Ahab while defending His Inheritance, His Principles (and therefore Truth). (See also Proverbs 23:23.) Joseph (Genesis 39, 50) was incredibly in God’s Purpose even while (because of) enduring suffering. Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:5-6) stood for “the Right” and executed his God-assigned “Ministry” while enduring the pit of rejection! And John the Baptizer (Luke 3:19-20) endured Herod’s prison, Herod’s partial listening and partial ignoring, and his own personal doubts while fulfilling God’s perfect plan for his life. Job; of course, in patient endurance suffered not knowing all with great integrity simply because he loved and trusted God! In Job 13:15 he says, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

That is what I call “No Matter What Consecration!” Interested?

August 31, 2008          Soldier In the Army of the Lord!

2 Timothy 2:3-4
“You; therefore, must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
2 Chronicles 20:15-17 tells us the battle is not ours, but God’s! But according to... 1 Timothy 1:18, “… that by them you may wage a good warfare, ….” and 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,” So we must fight as a “Soldier, in the Army of the Lord!”

2 Corinthians 10:3-4
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, …”

Remember Psalms 78:9-11 from an above blog? It is time to Fight for the Lord!

There are some concepts that not only are a part of military life in the natural world but also has have great importance in the Spiritual War! Among these are: Discipline, Duty , Faithfulness, C2 (Command and Control), Chain of Command, Flow of Authority, Esprit De Corps, Unit Cohesion, Loyalty, Vigilance, and the Willingness to Die (on the part of the soldier). I hope that all of these concepts can help us to be better Soldiers for Him!

Not Entangled

But 2 Timothy 2:3-4 makes another very important point: a good soldier does not entangle himself in the “affairs” of this life. They are a distraction that the soldier simply cannot afford! 2 Peter 2:20 also makes a point about not being “entangled again.” The Soldier in God’s Army cannot become entangled or distracted. That is why we need “separation from the world” and from worldliness. And we do it all that we may please Him who has enlisted us into His Army!!!

Anyone wanna enlist?


September 03, 2006          Spiders In Kings’ Palaces

Proverbs 30:28
“The spider takes hold with its hands, and is in Kings’ palaces.”

Solomon noticed the determination of spiders, and he penned this awesome verse. We should all learn the tremendous lesson that perseverance and a
stubborn refusal to allow any setbacks to deter us from our spiritual goals is essential to our ultimate success in the Lord’s Kingdom! May we take hold with our hands and not let go!! Our spider-like persistance will put us in a great place: the King’s Palace!       Yes, even the “Throne Room” of God!”

I am thinking about revisiting Proverbs 30:24-28 in the future.
Maybe I’ll discuss “Conies in the Rocks” and a few other things! ...

Do you want to be a “Spider In The King's Palace?”

September 07, 2008          The “In You” Makes the Difference!

Jesus said, “… you can do nothing.” (John 15:5c) But Paul said, “I can do all things…” (Philippians 4:13a) The difference between these two statements, of course, when you read a little more closely, is that in one verse “without me (Jesus)” and “through him (Jesus)” are the qualifying phrases. In other words, Jesus makes all the difference!!! Or to put it another way: the difference between “nothing” and “everything” is Jesus inside of you!

Colossians 1:27
“The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To whom God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

A careful reading of John 14:17-20 and John 15:4-5 and then 2 Corinthians 13:5 and Galatians 2:20 make it clear that Jesus wants to be not just “with us” but “in us.” I am convinced that it is the One who is “In Us” who is making all the difference in our lives especially in terms of our Spiritual Victory!

2 Corinthians 3:5
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of (or from) God;”

You should read Galatians 3:1-3. Can we now be made perfect with Him; in the flesh? No Way!!! See also Romans 14:17 and Romans 8:11. There are many many more verses in the Word which illustrate the Power of the Holy Ghost as He works in our lives to give us overcoming Power and Strength! The “In Us” Makes the Difference!

Do you have the Holy Ghost “In You?”

September 24, 2008          The Triumphant Church!

Do you remember the old song...
         Are you in the Church Triumphant?
         Are you in the Savior’s Bride?
         Come and be baptized into the Body.
         And forevermore abide!

Gamaliel said regarding this new group of Jesus People (the Church)... “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest you even be found to fight against God.”
(Acts 5:35-36)

Note these key points from Acts chapters 4 and 5...
         When They Prayed
         Speaking the Word with Boldness
         Don't Lie to Holy Ghost
         Miracles and Wonders
         Prison Break
         Obey God Not Men
         Home Bible Studies
         You Cannot Overthrow it!

Gamaliel had a good point. The only thing is... the Church is of God. And it will always prevail. The Church belongs to God, and it will always be Triumphant!! What Psalms 46:5 says, could easily be applied to the Church as well, “God is in the midst of her. She will not be moved. God will help her, and that right early.” See also Ephesians 5:25-27! Yes, His is a Glorious Church! Aren't you glad to be in it?

Are you in it?
September 28, 2008          The Ministry of Encouragement!

John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, and 16:7 all tell us that the Holy Ghost is our Comforter! But this word “Comforter” does not simply mean one who comforts or consoles or placates in the traditional sense. It means much more. The word comes from the greek word (paraklaytos), and it means one who comes alongside, alongside to advocate for, to help, to strengthen, to encourage, to exhort. In fact, the exact same word “Comforter” is translated “Advocate” in 1 John 2:1.

It has a parallel word in (paraklaysis), which is the actual act or activity of coming alongside to encourage, advocate, console, comfort, exhort, excite, etc.! In fact, the word is often translated: exhortation.

In the book of Acts we read about Barnabas, “The Son of Encouragement.”
Acts 4:36-37
And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles which is translated “Son of Encouragement,” a Levite, a Cyprian by country, who, possessing a field, sold it and brought the money and placed it beside the feet of the apostles.

Barnabas had a truly significant and important “Ministry of Encouragement.” First, he encouraged the Apostle Paul while he was still young in the Lord and in the ministry. (See Acts 9:26-28, and Acts 11:22-26.) Barnabas included Paul in ministry opportunities. (See Acts 11, 12, 13.) Barnabas also encouraged John Mark. (See Acts 12:25 and Colossians 4:10.) After the Jerusalem Conference (Paul and Barnabas played a significant role there), Paul suggested that they revisit some of the newly planted congregations! (Acts 15:36) Paul did not want to take John Mark but Barnabas the “Son of Encouragement” insisted. In the end, there were two missionary teams as a result. Paul and Silas was one team. Barnabas and John Mark formed another! (Acts 15:36-40) Later Paul would change his view of John Mark by saying, in 2 Timothy 4:11, “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is profitable (or useful) to me for the ministry.”

Hebrews 10:23-25 is a great passage of scripture telling us to encourage one another and to be faithful in attendance to the gathering of the congregation! Verse 25 says that we should be “exhorting one another.” Verse 24 says “And let us consider one another in order to stir up to love and to good works,” The word for stir up is (paraxusmon) from which English gets the word “paroxysm.” There is a powerful excitement that we can bring to one another as we minister encouragement to each other.

Each of us can also be more like the Holy Ghost and Barnabas by ministering encouragement, exhortation, inspiration, excitement, enthusiasm to others as we come along side them with true and .

Do you want to be a “Minister of Encouragement?”

(References in Greek... John 14:16 (BYZ), John 14:26 (BYZ), John 15:26 (BYZ), John 16:7 (BYZ), 1 John 2:1 (BYZ), Acts 4:36 (BYZ), Hebrews 10:24-25 (BYZ).)
October 08, 2008          Conies In The Rocks

Proverbs 21:24-28
There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise. The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer. The conies (or rock hyraxes) are a feeble folk, yet they make their homes in the (craggy) rocks. The locusts have no king, yet they all advance in ranks (march orderly at one command). The spider takes hold with its hands, and is in Kings’ palaces.

Psalm 104:18
The high hills are for the wild goats; and the rocks (or cliffs) are a refuge for the conies (or hyraxes).
In the midst of economically troubling times, it is important to remember that our hope is not in man but in God! “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7 ) And our spiritual condition is much more important than our economic condition.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

The powerful thing about God's people is that we know how to “Flourish even in a Hostile Environment!”

Conies in the Rocks 		Isaiah 25:4-5
For you have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. You will reduce the noise of aliens, as heat in a dry place; as heat in the shadow of a cloud, the song of the terrible ones will be diminished.
Conies were made by God to be able to not only endure but flourish in the craggy rocky mountainous areas. They are great at adapting. Brer Rabbit didn't mind (according to the fable) getting thrown in the Briar Patch because as he said, “I was born and bred in a briar patch.” So too the people of God are not only able to adapt to difficult circumstances, but we were created and equipped by God to actually flourish!!

Some Examples of Those Who Flourished in a Hostile Environment:
          Joseph in Egypt
          Job in Trials
          Elisha in a Famine
          Daniel in Babylon
          Stephen Stoned Preaching
          Paul & Silas in Jail        (See Acts 16:25-26)

Are you, like Conies in the Rocks, going to not only endure but flourish and be blessed of the Lord?
October 10, 2008          General Conference 2008

I am making my plans now to attend the 2008 General Conference of the UPCI. It is gonna be awesome! I will be attending the Director’s Meeting for the Media Missions Division as we make plans for promoting the “Message of Hope” broadcast under the capable preaching ministry of Reverend Dannie Hood!
October 12, 2008          What Can God Get Out Of You?

This is a powerful question that many have never even bothered to ask. We are often concerned with what we can get from God! But how seldom we consider what God is expecting to receive from us!

Matthew 21:18-20 NKJ
Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”

Psalm 103:1 does say, “Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!”
It doesn't say “Bless my soul, O Lord” but “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

Today, the Lord spoke to us through the Gifts of the Spirit to remind us that He is desiring our Love, Devotion, Consecration, and Praise. He told us that He loves to spend intimate time with us in Worship! He told us, “I desire your worship.”

Awesome!!!
October 21, 2008          General Conference 2008

Well, General Conference was totally awesome! The only way it could have been better would be to have more. More worship, more “dancing/shouting” music, more preaching!!! Dannie Hood did a great job preaching. I am going to try to get a really good District-wide offering for “Message of Hope” from all the churches come Thanksgiving! Also, I think the Home Missions Service Friday Night was the absolute best service; although I didn't get to attend the Foreign Missions service or the Crusade. Anyway, a great time!!!

And when I returned our Assistant Pastor Matt Valdez preached a great message on Sunday! “Amazing Love!”
October 22, 2008           Oblivious to the End

Luke 17:26-29
And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will also be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating, drinking, marrying, giving in marriage, until the day Noah went into the ark. And the flood came and destroyed all. And likewise, as it was in the days of Lot, they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; but on the same day Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from the heaven and destroyed all.

Really it would be best to read the whole of Luke 17:25-36. (Jesus repeats much of this material later in his ministry in Matthew 24.) When Jesus looked for a way to describe the
days of his own return, he picked two parallel times: the days of Noah and the days of Lot. Genesis 6:5-13 should be sufficient to illustrate the kind of violent times that preceded the flood. Indeed there are many parallels between the days of Noah and what the Bible describes for the days just before His coming, and that which we are seeing all around us in modern society. The times just prior to Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction are also instructive and parallel to our own end-times.

Genesis 13:8-13 describes how Lot ended up in such a place as Sodom. It was a gradual downhill journey that really began when he chose what looked good over what was good. He chose the “well watered plains” and “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” We, too, are in danger (in our society) of gradually accepting moral degradation in order to gain what we hope will be some sort of prosperity! Even politically, many today are preparing (at least in their minds) to make that awful trade. The exchange seems to be “moral truth” v. “political expediency.” “… as it was in the days of Noah,…” (v. 26) and “…as it was in the days of Lot, …” (v. 28).

But I noticed something else, in this passage. It wasn't really the overarching violence or moral depravity that Jesus seems determined in pointing out. He has another point about those times to make. “…until the day Noah went into the ark.” (v. 27) and “… but on the same day Lot went out from Sodom,” (v. 29) illustrate for us that the people of that day were “Oblivious to the End” that there was a spiritual apathy and unawareness (did I just make up a word?) that characterized those days. They were completely “Oblivious to the End.” They were oblivious to the fact that an “End” was coming, and they were oblivious of that fact until the very “End.” May the Lord help us to be aware of where we are spiritually!!

A careful reading of John 17:11-14, should make us aware that God wants His people to both be “in this world” but “not of this world!” And according to 1 John 2:15-17, we should not love this world. Instead, according to Matthew 5:14, we should be the light of the world.

I offer these passages for further study: 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:4-6, 20; and 2 Peter 3:3-12. While the world will undoubtedly continue to be “Oblivious to the End,” God does not intend for his Church to be so. In fact,
1 Thessalonians 5:4 clearly states, “But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”

Are you “Oblivious to the End?”

October 26, 2008           Given to Prayer and the Word

Acts 6:4
“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

The Early Church was dedicated to the Apostles' Doctrine, to Unity, to Prayer. So it is no surprise that when the problem of the neglect of the Greek speaking widows came up, the Twelve decided that it was time to allow others to become part of the work. These new deacons had to be qualified, appointed, and anointed! The cool thing is that being willing to work for the Lord will often lead to greater responsibility. So we see Philip and Stephen obviously promoted to do more for God. Stephen preached the Word before becoming the first martyr. It's a good thing that he knew his Word. If you look in Acts 7, you will see him preaching from the OT. Stephen was doing what we should be doing: "dying to please the Lord."

How committed are you to freeing the hands of the ministry
so that they can dedicate to prayer and the ministry of the Word?

And how dedicated are you to the study of God's Word?
October 26, 2008           A House Not Made With Hands

Acts 7:48-50
But the Most High does not dwell in temples made by hands, as the prophet says, “Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. What house will you build me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Has not my hand made all these things?”

Stephen graduated from a worker, serving tables, to becoming a vessel used by the Spirit to see miracles performed and to preaching the Word of God. When he is confronted and then subsequently martyred,
Stephen preached a powerful message from the OT scriptures. (More on that message in the near future, the Lord willing.) That message included some words about worship.

In 7:39-41, we hear about Israel turning from worship of YHVH to calf worship. During the Canaan land era (7:42-43), we hear about Israel turning to the Tabernacle of Moloch and Remphan (Stephen quoted verses from the prophet Amos), and then hear of their subsequent removal into Babylon. In 7:44-47, Stephen turned to the positive side of
worship by describing the Tabernacle of Witness in the Wilderness (under Moses), David's desire, and Solomon's building of the Temple (btw: one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.) But in verses 48-50, Stephen makes the startling declaration that God cannot be contained in a House made by Hands, (a hand-made house). Then Stephen quotes from Isaiah 66:1-2.

I believe it is an amazing revelation to discover that God no longer wants to “dwell” (make his presence manifest) in “Houses Made By Hands,” but that he wants to “dwell” inside of us and that he wants to make his presence manifest in worship and in worshippers! This question came up (about places or locations of worship) with the woman of Samaria. In John 4:19-24, we read of her question and
His answer. He desires worship not so much in a location but from a people; the true worshippers. Our father seeks such to worship him in spirit and in truth. God's Address is Our Praise & Worship, indeed our lives, bringing Him glory!

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 tell us that we are the Temple of God (the Holy Ghost) and that the Spirit of God dwells in us! Psalm 22:3 says, “But you are holy, O you who inhabits the praises of Israel.” The MKJV translates the verse, “But You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” The Lord is one who makes his dwelling, sits down in, lives in, inhabits, is enthroned in/on the praises of God's people!

Are we ready and willing to build God a dwelling place,
“A House Not Made By Hands” with our unrestrained worship?

November 02, 2008           Don't Resist the Holy Ghost!

Acts 7:51
“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears; you do always resist the Holy Ghost. As your fathers did, so do you.”

Because of this verse, what a powerful statement we should make,
“Don't Resist the Holy Ghost!”

Yielding to the Spirit

Do you realize that the Bible states that God gives the Holy Ghost to those who obey Him? (Acts 5:32) And Hebrews 5:8-9 makes a powerful statement about our Lord “learning obedience.” I am convinced that one of the most important keys to becoming a more spiritual person is to learn obedience and submission; learning to yield to the Spirit! James 4:6-8 teaches us that “God resists the proud,” that he “gives grace to the humble.” It teaches us to 1) Submit to God,
2) Resist the Devil, and 3) Draw Near to God! Ephesians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 16:15-16; Romans 6:13; Hebrews 13:17 all teach the importance of submission! I believe that learning to yield to the Spirit is the key to learning to be used in the Spirit!!




A Stiff-Necked People

Exodus 32:9, “And the LORD said to Moses, ‘I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiff-necked people.’” (See Also … Exodus 33:3, 33:5; 34:9; Deut. 9:6, 9:13; 10:16: all of which restate the same.) Stephen in his awesome sermon (in Acts 7) makes the same case for the people who always seems to push God away.

Consider what he preached:...
          Abraham Called of God (7:2)
          Patriarchs Moved with Envy; Sold Joseph (7:9)
          Moses defended the wronged; but is thrust away (7:27)
          Again Moses sent to Deliver; but again rejected. (7:35)
          Your fathers would not obey. (7:39)
          Make us Gods. (7:40)
          Later In Canaan, …They took up idolatry. (7:43)
No wonder he climaxes his message by stating, “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears; you do always resist the Holy Ghost. As your fathers did, so do you.” Then Nehemiah 9:30 goes further to say, “Yet many years did you bear with them, and testified against them by your Spirit in your prophets. Yet they would not give ear. Therefore, you gave them into the hand of the people of the lands.” Then Isaiah 63:10 says, “But they rebelled, and grieved his Holy Spirit. Therefore, he turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.”
Don’t Resist the Holy Ghost!

I suggest you read the whole passage of chapters 3 through 4 of Hebrews (especially 3:7-4:2, 9, 11). This passage makes it very clear that Israel missed God and missed so much of His plan so often because she simply did not follow the leading of His Spirit. In fact, Israel did much more than that as Stephen preached she pushed God away, rebelled, and rejected Him! In fact the word in Acts 7:51 for resist is a very strong word. It implies not just standing against God, put pushing against him in rebellion, as in falling against an enemy. On the idea of resisting and rebelling consider the words of 2 Timothy 3:8 as well.

Resist, Grieve, Quench: Don't!

Ephesians 4:30a “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, ...”
1 Thessalonians 5:19 “Quench not the Spirit.”

Acts 7:51, Ephesians 4:30, and then 1 Thessalonians 5:19 show the terrible progression that we are capable of taking. First we resist the Holy Ghost. Then because of that fact, we grieve the Spirit. Enough resisting and then grieving results finally in our quenching the voice of the Spirit in our hearts and lives! Let us not go down that path!

1 Timothy 4:14a tells us, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you,...” and 2 Timothy 1:6b instructs us to “...stir up the gift of God,...” So instead of Resisting, Grieving, and Quenching, let us “not neglect” but rather “stir up” the the Holy Ghost in us!

Are you stirring up, listening to, submitting to, yielding to the Holy Ghost?
Are you becoming more sensitive to and responsive to the Spirit of God in your walk?

November 05, 2008          Do you Have Your
                                              Wedding Garment On?

Matthew 22:11-14 (NKJ)
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 22:1-14 tells the well known parable of the Great Supper. But verses 11-14 adds a unique portion not found
in other parallel passages. The man who entered the feast without a wedding garment was cast out by the Master.

Have you ever experienced the embarrassment of lack of preparation? Have you ever had a dream (nightmare) about the same or being naked and embarassed, or you don't know where you are going, or what you are supposed to be doing? The Frustration of Not Being Ready? Imagine the hopelessness of the man in this story, who is speechless because he does not have his Wedding Garment on!!
In the parable, first the great feast is prepared, then the First Call goes forth making the benefits of the supper available. There are two responses: “They made light of it” and “They treated the servants spitefully.” One response demonstrated Apathy. The other illustrated Angry Rebellion. Then the Master issues a Second Call. The second call demonstrates Inclusiveness; “whosoever will may come.” But the part of the story with a man who is not dressed for the occassion illustrates Exclusiveness. Apparently, there was some way those who responded had opportunity to respond to the free call of grace by acting in obedience and then preparing for the feast by dressing appropriately. But one man didn't even bother!

Is it possible we might actually miss out due to our shirking of responsibility? How did the man even get into the place without his garment? Still he is thrown out! Kind of destroys the idea of Unconditional Eternal Security (& Calvinistic Predestination) doesn't it? This man obviously thought getting an invitation and responding to it would be enough. It wasn't!!

Consider some trees!

Luke 13:7-9 tells of a tree that doesn't produce, but receives another opportunity. Matthew 21:18-20 tells of a tree that produces no figs, and then Jesus curses it and it dies. Clearly, Jesus expected to receive something from that tree!
I wonder if maybe the Lord is expecting to receive something from our tree?

Consider a change of clothes!
Jacob had to change his clothes in Genesis 35.

Joseph needed a change of clothes in Genesis 41.

Jonathan and David made a covenant of friendship and exchanged clothing in 1 Samuel 18.

Haman and then later Mordecai: “Let the royal robes be brought” in Esther 6.

Joshua, the High Priest, had filthy garments and needed a change in Zechariah 3.

Isaiah preaches about the Robe of Righteousness, the Garment of Salvation, and the Garment of Praise in Isaiah 52 and 61.

Why don't you take a look at the interesting passage; Zephaniah 1:6-8, for comparision to Matthew 22:11-14?

Let us make absolutely sure that we have our Wedding Garment on!!!!

I won't mind if I discover I have done more than what was absolutely necessary!
But I will mind if I discover I have not done enough to prepare for Eternity!!!

Do You Have Your Wedding Garment On?