MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSENChapter18

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Much will be asked of him who hasreceived much

Not all those who say, “Lord! Lord!”will enter the kingdom of heaven

Outline

Study and Analysis

Parable of the wedding feast

The narrow door

The Spirits’ Teachings

To him who already has, more willbe given (A Spirit Friend)

Christians shall be recognized bytheir deeds (Simeon)

Introduction

Place, Time and Context

• Political and Social Structure

• Hebrew Culture

The Sanhedrin

Wedding feasts

Law of MosesParables use Earthly elements

• The Audience

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Parable: The Wedding Feast

At the Kingdom of Heaven

1. King sent servants for invitation

2. Invitees refused to come3. Other servants were sent4. King tells servants to invite all5. Man not wearing proper attire6. Man ordered to be escorted

out7. Many called, but few chosen

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Parable: The Wedding Feast

Understanding and Interpretation

He then said to his servants, “The wedding feast has been fully prepared, but those who had been invited were not worthy of it. So go to the crossroads and call to the wedding feast all whom you meet.”

His servants then went into thestreets and gathered all those whom they met, both good and bad. And the wedding hall was filled with people who sat at the table.

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Parable: The Wedding Feast

Understanding and Interpretation

Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a feast – everything is joy and happiness

First invitees – an allusion to the Hebrews

The servants sent by master are the prophets – very little listened them

The invitees who made excuses symbolizes persons absorbed by earthly matters (Pharisees and Sadducees)

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Not enough to be invited. You have to be with the appropriate attire: purity of heart and follow the Law

Without charity there is no salivation

Parable: The Wedding Feast

What this parable is teaching?

1. Have we been called?2. Have we been

chosen?3. How do we get

chosen?

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Parable: The Narrow Door

Understanding and Interpretation

The door to perdition is wide because the evil passions are many, and the pathway to evil is frequented by most.

The door to salvation is narrow because those who want to go through it must make a great effort to control themselves in order to overcome their evil tendencies, and few resign themselves to doing so. It is the complement to the maxim: Many are called but few are chosen.

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Parable: The Narrow Door

Understanding and Interpretation

Enter through the narrow door, for the door to perdition is wide and the path leading to it is broad, and there are many who enter through it.

How small is the door to life! How narrow is the path that leads to it! And how few there are who find it!

VICES

HatredEnvy

RevengePride

IntolerancePower

Resentment. . .

VIRTUES

LovePatienceToleranceHumility

CompassionBenevolence

Integrity

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The Spirit – According to Spiritism

Spirits

Incarnated Disincarnated

Perispirit and

Physical Body

Perispirit

The improvement of the Spirit is the result of their own efforts;

Can not under a single corporeal existence, acquire all the moral and intellectual qualities that should lead to the goal,

He achieved by a succession of existences, in each of which takes a few steps forward on the path of progress.

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Parable: The Narrow Door

What this parable is teaching?

1. How much “fat” are we carrying?

2. Are we willing to go on a spiritual diet?

Since the Earth is a world of expiation, evil predominates on it.

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Other Teachings

To him who already has, more will be given

Pay close attention regarding what you hear, for the same measure will be used on you that you have used to measure others, and you will be given even more; for to him who already has, more will be given and regarding him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

already has

taken away

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Other Teachings

To him who already has, more will be given

1. Knowledge2. Moral3. Who takes it away?

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Much will be asked of Spiritists because they have received much; but also to those who have taken advantage of the teachings much will be given.

Spiritism has multiplied the number of those who are called. Because of the faith provides, it will also multiply the number of those who are chosen.

Much will be asked of him who has received much…

much will be given

those who are chosen.

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“Not all those who say to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the king of heaven, but only the one who has done the will of my Father who is in heaven”.

Is it enough to wear the uniform of the Lord to be a faithful servant?

Is it enough to say “I am a Christian” to follow Christ? Look for the true Christians and you will recognize their deeds. “A good tree cannot bear bad fruits nor can be a bad tree bear good fruits”

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Christians shall be recognized by their deeds.

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625. …«Look at Jesus».The Spirits’ Book

Moral Perfection

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Summary

To enter the Kingdom of Heaven

To enter the kingdom of heaven1. Go through the narrow door2. Proper attire

More appropriate attire -> more knowledge

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SummaryTo enter the Kingdom of Heaven

It is not enough to:

Just say “Lord! Lord!”

Pass along His teachings

Cast out some vices

It is necessary to follow and live ALL His teachings unconditionally

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Many called, few chosen

As Spiritists:

1. Spiritual diet

2. Proper attire

Summary

1919

Spiritist are servants as well.

Let’s inviteeveryoneto the feast

2020