THE WEDDING GARMENT

Matt. 22:11-13

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The parable of the marriage feast is one of kingdom parables --
      "The kingdom of heaven is like..."
   B. The kingdom is like a wedding feast -- the riches of God's     
      grace.
      1. Vs. 4 -- God has made great preparation -- the king of glory
         has given a lot to make it all possible -- a rich, full, and
         glorious feast for the soul.
   C. All were invited to come to the great wedding feast.
   D. In this lesson we want to focus on the one without a wedding
      garment.

I. THE WEDDING GARMENT.
   A. Alludes to the custom of Eastern Sovereigns.
      1. The robes were provided by the king.
   B. The garment represents the true attire of those in the kingdom.
   C. Going to the marriage feast corresponds with getting into the
      kingdom.
      1. Accepting the invitation involves seeing the rewards and
         partaking of the feast.
      2. It refers to compliance with all the terms suggested by the
         master of the feast.
         a. Involves regeneration -- John 3:5
         b. Results in justification -- Rom. 5:1; 8:1
   D. The wedding garment represents the righteous, godly living of
      those in the kingdom.
      1. Righteousness is frequently represented in the Scriptures as
         a garment. Job 29;14; Isa. 59:17; 61:10; Rev. 3:14-19; 19:8

II. THE SOLEMN INSPECTION AND SCRUTINY.
   A. This inspection and scrutiny was performed by the King -- vs.  
      11.
      1. Imagine yourself at a banquet -- all the guests are         
         assembled -- all are anticipating enjoyment -- and now it is
         announced the King is approaching -- the door opens, he     
         enters and His approving eye passes from one guest to       
         another till it fixes upon one, who, in an essential        
         requirement, differs from the rest -- he is not clothed     
         properly -- The King regards him as an intruder -- he       
         disgraces himself -- he has no business there.
      2. The King of heaven scrutinizes the church now, and He will
         do so especially at the day of judgment. Rev. 2:23; Heb.
         4:13; Rev. 2:1,18; Ps. 139:7-12; Prov. 15:3
         a. The eye of Omniscience fixes upon us, and there is no
            deceiving Him.
         b. We may impose upon man, but not upon God;
            therefore, let no one attempt to deceive Him.
   B. The church, too, must be watchful for those who do not have on
      the wedding garment.
      1. We should not just blindly take in anyone -- Acts 9:26-27;
         18;27
      2. For example, churches today have taken in those who have
         been divorced without scriptural grounds.
      3. The Lord will remove our candlestick if we have fellowship
         with such.
   C. The investigation was personal.
      1. The "wedding garment" of my friend, brother, father, etc.
         will not avail for me.
      2. Though I might have had patriarchs and martyrs, etc. for my
         ancestors -- though I belong to the holiest nation, church, 
         or family, it avails me nothing if I do not have on my own
         garment.
      3. My own deeds, my own condition spiritually, will determine
         my eternal destiny.
      4. The eye of the King will fix upon me and my soul will be
         transparent before Him.

III. THE SPIRITUAL ATTIRE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL.
   A. As we mentioned, the Monarchs back then provided the wedding
      garment; thus, he was without excuse.
   B. Why don't people avail themselves of the spiritual attire?
      1. It is frequently the result of ignorance.
         a. They know not the nature of Christ's kingdom, and they
            rush in with a mind not prepared to conform to His
            laws.
      2. It is frequently the result of pride.
         a. Even as the man in the parable might think his own
            raiment superior to the prepared robe, so members will
            not part with their own humanly-devised good works.
         b. They will not (as the Jews) submit to the soul-humbling
            teaching of the gospel.
      3. It is sometimes the result of impure motives.
         a. The wedding garment is lost sight of by those who enter
            the church to promote their trade -- gain a married
            companion -- obtain honor, etc.
      4. It frequently arises from carelessness.
         a. The mind becomes occupied with the things of this
            world - cares, riches, and pleasures; thus, the wedding
            attire is not properly valued. They lose sight of        
            eternity.

IV. THE SOLEMN TRIAL.
   A. The King said -- vs. 12.
      1. His trial was public. It was before all the guests and
         attendants.
         a. So the judgment will be before "all the nations." Matt.
            25:31-32
      2. His trial was heart-rending.
         a. It was very cutting when He said, "Friend!"
            (1) An apparent friend -- a pretended friend, -- a
                professed friend, but, in reality, an enemy.
      3. The man was put to his own defense. "How camest
         thou..."
         a. What can you say in your defense? Didn't you know that
            you were required to have on a wedding garment, and
            to be without one was an insult to the King?
            (1) Did you think your conduct would be undiscovered
                and unpunished?
         b. So will it be in the last day!
            (1) How could you call yourself a Christian when you
                would not submit to my laws?
            (2) Did you imagine that I could be deceived -- that I
                would be honored with your lips when your heart
                was far from me? Matt. 7:22-23; 15:8-9
   B. The man was convicted and overwhelmed with shame.
      1. "He was speechless." The original means he was gagged,
         muzzled. The same word is translated "muzzle" in 1 Cor.
         9:9.
      2. The man stood mute; his guilty conscience stopped his
         mouth; he was exposed, confounded. He had nothing to say.
      3. So it is with all sinners in that great day.
         a. I heard of an Atheist who said if he ever were made to
            stand before God, he would tell God this or tell God
            that.
         b. Can you imagine a puny man trying to show God
            wherein He has erred. Job 42:6

V. THE DREADFUL SENTENCE. (Vs. 13)
   A. He was ordered to be bound.
      1. The angels, at the end of the world, will be commanded to
         gather out of the kingdom all things that offend. Matt.     
         13:41
   B. He was ordered to be removed from the place of enjoyment.
      "Take him away..."
      1. Think of the loss the unfaithful will sustain when condemned
         -- taken away from the King -- from the eternal kingdom --
         from the feast of immortal pleasures.
   C. "Cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and       
      gnashing of teeth."
      1. Hell is outer darkness -- outside of heaven, the land of    
         light.
      2. The human spirit, or mind, is capable of great enjoyment and
         pain.
         a. Some have experienced some of the pain.
         b. Multiply this, times ten thousand, and let the duration  
            be forever. This is what hell is like.
      3. As long as we can pray, there is hope, but in hell there is 
         no hope.

Concl.
   A. Do we have on the wedding garment?
      1. We can be thankful that it can yet be obtained.
   B. Let us not be satisfied with mere profession or formality.
      1. Let us faithfully pursue "love from a pure heart, a good
         conscience, and sincere faith." 1 Tim. 1:5
   C. Those who have on wedding garments will soon come to the
      heavenly banquet that is eternal.