Luke 14:15-24 – The Field of Dreams Fallacy

Intro: Ever see the movie “Field of Dreams.” The most famous ln n movie, “if u build it, they will cm.”

· Ray, a farmer, was prompted by “a voice” to destroy his corn field and build a baseball field in the middle of no-where. All because of “the voice” (rpt quote).

· Won’t cover all the details of the movie, but church has adopted this mentality (rpt quote)/Title

· “Philosophy” the L has called us 2? Buildings/programs to bring ppl in? (qt 2ndtitle slide).

I. Luke 14:15-20 – Rejecting an Invitation

· v15 – what the man who spoke up “heard” was contents of vv1-14 (vv1-11, picking a lower place to be honored; and vv12-14…re-rd). Commentary on 13:28-30, those who reject J/the Kingdom!

o This parable. What J speaking of is not just any banquet, but the “so-called eschatological banquet.” The Wedding Feast between the bride-groom (J) and His bride (the church).

o Prob, some who assume they will be there will not.

· v16 – “Certain man” (not anyone in particular as this is a parable), prep great feast…banquets in this day tk a lot of prep (great insight from my commentary). Still do 2day (Beth’s many prep).

o Slave/Master relationship (doulos=us as followers of L=Master).

· v17 – re-rd. Ppl didn’t have watches, and prep took an indefinite period of time. The “elite” ppl would often send a 2nd invitation when everything was ready. Guests could hv bn waiting 4 this.

· v18 –Re-rd. “but they all alike” (apo mias=in one accord or all at once). 1st of 3 excuses/“must” go see a field (he had inevitably seen b4 he bought).

o Contrast earthly focus 2 J’s healing on sabbath (vv2-4)/Mt 6:19-21, 24. His etrnl dest?

· v19 – 2nd excuse just as pathetic (re-rd). Who buys w/o a test-drive? We can’t relate to new oxen, bt ever get a new toy/can’t wait 2 try out? Pre-occupation w/ material. Both excuses put gods 1st.

· v20 – 3rd appears more valid (re-rd). See Deut 24:5. Sounds valid…right? How many of you have been married? Do that “on a whim?” In J’s day, betrothal (at least a year), then marriage.

o This excuse is just as weak as the first 2. Presumably an initial invitation w/ “yes.”

o Now comes time to attend and all of a sudden, weak excuses. Ppl gv “lip-svc” 2 “friendship” w/ man who havng banquet. Sm w/ Jews & Messiah, sm w/ ChRINO’s 2day

Ø We will receive many rejections 2 the L’s invitation into His Kigdm. (u mst invite anyway!)

II. Luke 14:21-24 – Receiving Eternal Life

· v21a – Servant comes back to report to his master, and master becomes angry. Anger at ppl nt keeping their word (Matt 5:37). But Parable has surface/dpr meaning. Dpr meaning=Isa 29:13.

· v21b – Whom did J implore his host to invite in v13? Exactly whom the Master is instructing the servant. Where to go? Street=Broadway, and Alley=back streets (where homeless live).

o Q from this verse? For whom is the Kingdom then? (Lk 10:25-37)? USS Gabby Giffords.

· v22 – Servant’s reply (re-rd). What v. say about our evangelism efforts (see last 4 wrds of v22).

o Not much room in Jungle, but new place…plenty of room. When we run out, 2/3 svcs.

o Even if HP “runs out of room,” will the Kingdom ever run out? What u do about it?

· v23 – Servant instructed…re-rd. Scour the countryside. Keep’em coming! If the Kingdom won’t run out of rm, we mst never grow satisfied? “mk come n” nt compulsion but insistent hospitality.

o Saw vv15-20, don’t b surprised by rejection, don’t b disheartened either, bt cont 2 invite!

o What should our reaction be when we see lost found? (15:3-7=lost sheep, 8-10=lost coin)

o Rejoice, but never be satisfied, still many, many more to be found. What can happen w/ HP in this space (what size is “the right size”)?

o When we “reach the right size,” we useless/die! When we stop evangelizing HP dies!

· v24 – Stark warning to those who reject the invitation into the Kingdom (2 the “banquet”).

Ø We must invite all whom the Lord instructs us to invite into His Kingdom. (U accepted?)

MI: We’ll be the welcoming church God requires us to be when we go into His world and invite others into His Kingdom.

o We must go out to invite in. We must go out for them to come in…(Rom 10:14-15).

o The way we go out will determine if they ever come in.