Are You Avoiding Fellowship With Jesus?
Jesus invites us to intimacy with him, but many believers avoid coming into closer fellowship with him due to worldly pursuits.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of fellowship with Jesus, likening it to a host who prepares a feast but is met with excuses from invited guests. He explains that Jesus invites everyone to partake in the gospel and experience intimacy with Him, offering rest and satisfaction. Wilkerson warns that many believers prioritize worldly commitments over their relationship with Christ, which can lead to spiritual emptiness. He encourages believers to guard their time with Jesus and view distractions as intrusions. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper commitment to fellowship with the Lord.
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How would you feel if you cooked a wonderful meal, invited guests who said they would come, and then, after everything was prepared and ready to be served, no one showed up? Most of us would feel quite rejected and disappointed. Yet, this is what happened in this parable Jesus told his disciples in Luke 14.
"Then [Jesus] said, 'A certain man gave a great supper and invited many'" (Luke14:16). The narrative goes on to show that when everything was ready, the man's servant went out to summon the people. But instead of being eager to attend the event, everyone had an excuse and declined to join in.
This parable is important because Jesus is host, the feast being spoken of is the gospel, and the table being spread is the cross. Jesus' invitation is for everyone: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
Simply put, our Lord is inviting us to intimacy with him. We have been urged to come into his presence to sup with him, to get to know him, to enjoy his company. He says, "Come and find a table spread for you. Everything is ready now and you will find full satisfaction in me."
Indeed, all our hunger -- everything to do with holiness and godliness -- is wrapped up in Jesus. "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3). The table has been spread. Dinner is ready!
Many believers find all kinds of reasons to avoid coming into closer fellowship with Jesus. They have plenty of time during the week to constantly go here and there for their family. It may be their children, business pursuits or career ambitions. The list goes on. But when it comes time for the things of the Lord, there is little time left over. This is a dangerous way to live.
As a true lover of Jesus, be protective of your time with him. Consider as an intrusion anything that robs you of precious time in Jesus' presence.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Invitation of Jesus
- A. Jesus is the host of the feast
- B. The feast is the gospel
- C. The table is the cross
- II. The Excuses of the Invited
- A. People have excuses to avoid intimacy with Jesus
- B. These excuses are often related to worldly pursuits
- III. The Danger of Avoiding Fellowship
- A. It is a dangerous way to live
- B. It can lead to a lack of intimacy with Jesus
- IV. Protecting Time with Jesus
- A. Be protective of your time with him
- B. Consider anything that robs you of precious time as an intrusion
Key Quotes
“The table has been spread. Dinner is ready!” — David Wilkerson
“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” — David Wilkerson
“Come and find a table spread for you. Everything is ready now and you will find full satisfaction in me.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Be protective of your time with Jesus and consider anything that robs you of precious time as an intrusion.
- Prioritize intimacy with Jesus above worldly pursuits.
- Recognize the danger of avoiding fellowship with Jesus and make a conscious effort to deepen your relationship with him.