[Luke 14:15-24 KJV] “And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. [16] Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: [17] And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready”.
[18] “And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. [19] And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. [20] And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come”.
[21] “So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind”.
[22] “And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. [23] And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. [24] For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper”.
The purpose of God is that His house shall be full. God does not want an empty house. He wants a full house. The Lord does not want any empty spaces in church.
Let me say that one of the key secrets to full house is consistent and shameless invitation. Any church that will be full must make soul winning and invitation their primary focus. Bring a friend and teach your your friend how to bring a friend to church.
Many churches are however empty because;
1. Many don’t prepare the meetings with excellence:
The lord sent his servants to invite the people when the banquet was ready. We must try to prepare the meetings with skill and excellence.
2. Many are too laid back:
We take excuses and allow many people to slip through our fingers. We must arise with “Anaideia, Anagkazo, Biazo, Harpazo, and Anthistemi”. We must arise with steadfast impunity to compel the streets and lanes to come in. We must snatch some from destruction by force to snatch some. It’s time to resist devils.
3. Many of us are too high minded:
We are wasting precious time to win people who sell laces and perfumes, when the maimed and poor are waiting, we don’t mind the children who have come, we rather drive them away when we should be welcoming them. Jesus Christ said, “let the children come to me, for such is the kingdom of God”.
4. Many are waiting for the world to come in when we should be going to them to preach the kingdom, heal the sick and cast out devils:
The world will not come and knock on our door, we should be knocking on their doors.
5. Many don’t honour nor believe in our own brand:
We may belong to the same industry but we sell and serve different brands. You cannot sell a product you dont believe in. We must honour and believe in our own brand.
6. Many don’t give it their all:
Until we give ourselves wholly to it, the churches will not be filled. We must give ourselves wholly to the work of ministry.
7. Many lack the systems and structures that foster increase:
Every church must have enabling systems and structures that fosters growth. Every church, according to Acts 6, must put in place systems and structures that allow the pastors to give themselves continually to prayer and the study of the word. This will translate to growth.
8. Many churches lack prayerful studious men in the pulpits:
Many pulpits are just reproducing the same shabby errors and narrow Bible knowledge.
9. Many of the missionaries are too arrogant:
Remmeber, God resist the proud and gives grace to the humble. I pray that God shall raise more humble men and women. May the Lord help us to be submitted to authority set over us. Pride and the quest for fame are key traps of the minister.
I pray that the Lord will give us grace to increase. May your churches never be empty again. May the Almighty God cause the wind of the Holy Ghost to blow in our direction. May men and women from far and near fill our churches in the name of Jesus Christ. Be blessed;
I love you!
Noah Simpe Bediako
