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The eating of bread mentioned in previous verse imports the enjoyment of eternal goods, both for necessity and delight, in heaven. But our Lord here takes that man off, and us in him, from a general admiration of their happiness in heaven, to a particular application of the means conducing to that happiness, even the receiving the grace of the gospel. They that would eat bread, or enjoy fellowship with God in heaven, must first eat bread, or partake of the gospel-provision here on earth.

I. THE WAY TO ENJOY THE ETERNAL, GOOD THINGS IN THE KINGDOM OF GLORY IS TO CLOSE WITH THE SPIRITUAL GOOD THINGS IN THE KINGDOM OF GRACE.

1. "Eating bread" implies most intimate and immediate union with God.

2. It denotes the abundant supply of all wants.

3. The full and familiar enjoyment of good company.

4. Complete satisfaction in the fruition of all contents and delights.

II. WHAT ARE THOSE SPIRITUAL GOOD THINGS WHICH WE ARE TO CLOSE WITH IN THE KINGDOM OF GRACE?

1. Spiritual privileges provided for us in the grace of the gospel (Isaiah 55:1; Zechariah 13:1). Reconciliation, adoption, remission, sanctification, vocation, salvation. This gospel provision is the plank after the shipwreck, or the ark in the midst of the deluge. No other way of escaping destruction or obtaining salvation.

2. Spiritual ordinances for the conveying of spiritual privileges, and ensuring them. Preaching. Sacraments.

3. Spiritual graces for the improvement of spiritual ordinances (Galatians 5:22). These are the clusters of grapes to make us in love with the Holy Land, notwithstanding oppositions. This fruit grows nowhere but in Christ's garden. The Vine which bears it is Himself.

4. Spiritual duties for the expression of spiritual graces. Praying; hearing; exhorting one another, etc.

III. HOW ARE WE TO CLOSE WITH THESE SPIRITUAL GOOD THINGS

1. We are to receive them by faith, embracing the grace of the gospel (John 1:12).

2. We are to walk as we have received Christ (Colossians 2:6); leading a holy life by virtue drawn from Him through our union with Him; giving the world a proof in our holy life of the virtue in Christ's death for rectifying our crooked nature.

IV. WHY WE MUST CLOSE WITH SPIRITUAL GOOD THINGS, IF WE WOULD ENJOY ETERNAL. Because the one is part of the other. Saints in heaven and saints upon earth make up but one family. Grace is the beginning of glory; some compare it to the golden chain in Homer, the top of which was fastened to the chair of Jupiter. Grace will reach glory, and it must precede glory.

Use 1. This informs us —

(1) That it is good for man now to draw near to God (Psalm 73:28). It tends to his everlasting happiness.

(2) See their vanity who draw back from God, or bid God depart from them when He comes near them in the means of grace vouchsafed to them (Psalm 73:27; Job 21:14). Sin divides between God and the soul.

Use 2. Yet this doth not make, but many may partake of gospel mercies in the kingdom of grace, and yet never come to glory. Those who have slighted their privileges and advantages will receive the greater condemnation.

Use 3. Would you come into the kingdom of glory?

(1) Come into the kingdom of grace.

(2) Live as under the laws of this kingdom of grace.

(a)  Perform allegiance to God, yielding yourself to Him.

(b)  Expect protection from God, and draw nigh to Him (James 4:8).

(c)  Pray that the territories of the kingdom of grace may be enlarged more and more upon the face of the earth.

(d)  Prepare for the translation of the kingdom of grace into the kingdom of glory (1 Corinthians 15:24, 28).

(John Crump.)

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KJV: Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

WEB: But he said to him, "A certain man made a great supper, and he invited many people.