Go Out Into the Highways and Hedges, and Compel Them to Come In
The sermon emphasizes the need to take the gospel to the neglected classes at home and abroad due to the increasing rejection of the gospel by people in Christian countries.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the urgency of reaching out to those who have become indifferent to the gospel, as illustrated in the parable of the great supper in Luke 14. He notes that many in Christian countries are increasingly offering excuses to avoid the invitation to Christ, prompting the Lord to seek those in the highways and hedges. Simpson highlights the dual movement of taking the gospel to both the neglected classes at home and abroad, urging believers to actively compel others to come to the feast of salvation. The sermon calls for a renewed commitment to evangelism and outreach in a world that is growing indifferent to the message of Christ.
Text
In the parable in Luke 14 of the great supper an ancient lord prepared for his friends and neighbors, there is a significant picture and object lesson of the program of Christianity in this age. In the first place, it is obvious to every thoughtful mind that the Master is hearing an increasing number of excuses from the gospel-hardened people of Christian countries. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to interest the unsaved of our own land, especially those who have been accustomed to hearing the gospel, in the things of Christ. They have asked to be excused from the feast, and the Lord is turning from them.
At the same time two remarkable alternatives indicated in the parable are becoming more and more manifest.
One is the movement to take the gospel to the slums and the neglected classes at home; the other is the movement to take the gospel to the neglected classes abroad.
Sermon Outline
- The Program of Christianity in This Age
- The Alternatives Indicated in the Parable
- Taking the Gospel to the Slums and Neglected Classes at Home
- Taking the Gospel to the Neglected Classes Abroad
Key Quotes
“The Master is hearing an increasing number of excuses from the gospel-hardened people of Christian countries.” — A.B. Simpson
“It is becoming increasingly more difficult to interest the unsaved of our own land, especially those who have been accustomed to hearing the gospel, in the things of Christ.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must be willing to take the gospel to those who are neglected and overlooked in our own communities.
- We must be willing to take the gospel to those who are living in poverty and hardship around the world.
- We must be willing to adapt our methods of evangelism to reach those who are not being reached by traditional means.