Luke 14:1-24: The Party that Wasn't a Party

The Introduction

Invitation to Dondi’s inauguration… I have arrived… I think about my humble beginnings - now an invitation to the inauguration of the next president of the largest Christian university in the world… BUT, I can’t go…

We all like a good party. You can think about some of the most memorable parties you’ve attended. The Christmas party with the family, your best friend’s wedding, etc. The food, the conversations, the joy… Everyone loves a party.

BUT… Some parties you haven’t been able to attend because of scheduling conflicts, etc. Some parties you didn’t want to attend… (When the boys were young, numerous parties for 2 year olds…)

You have an invitation to a party - an eternal party - a party filled with joy. Will you accept the invitation?

Luke 14-15 = a series of parables.

Luke 14:1-24 - Jesus attends a party that wasn’t a party and invites people to an eternal party that many do not want to attend.

This morning, I want you to see that the party that Jesus invites us to is a party worth accepting the invitation. And, when you’ve embraced the invitation, it will change how you treat people.

This eternal celebration that awaits followers of Jesus should affect the way you live NOW. Two truths from this passage to help you live NOW for the party that’s coming.

All of your excuses for not pursuing what Jesus has for you are lame.

Jesus invited to a party but the reality it was a party that wasn’t a party.

Invited to the home of a leading Pharisee. Jesus watched closely. Pharisees waiting for an opportunity to have Jesus killed.

A man with a swollen body - Jesus heals him on the Sabbath. (We’ve already seen this kind of miracle.) Jesus again making the point that He is Lord of the Sabbath.

In response to Jesus’ miracle, Pharisees stay silent. Undoubtedly raging on the inside. Miraculous healing should have livened this party up, but that’s not the case.

Imagine Jesus looking around the room. He doesn’t like what He sees. The party is chaotic. Jesus knows the ultimate party that’s coming for all those who trust Him, yet the party He is attending is NOTHING like the party He’s going to throw.

This party is full of people looking to show off their social status - clamoring for the most important seat in the room. (Ancient culture - your importance noted by your proximity to the host of the party.) Causes Jesus to remind people that earthly honor is not what you’re after (vs. 8-11). If you fight for the most important seat, you’re going to be embarrassed when someone more important walks in the room and you have to take the worst seat because it’s the only one left. (We’ll come back to this.)

This party is empty. Just important people showing off their status - but what about inviting people to a party that you’d never invite just to bless them? What about inviting people that could never repay you? (We’ll come back to this too… This is the kind of party that Jesus throws…)

Jesus sizes up the room and sees that this is the party that wasn’t a party. There was no real joy at this party of the religious elite. Jesus tells a parable about the kind of party that is a party - a party that many will choose not to attend and give excuses for not attending.

Jesus compares the eternal Kingdom to a man throwing a large banquet - many invited. In ancient days - two invitations sent out to a feast. First to let know the general time of the party - second to let know it’s time to come. Parties a big deal - often lasting for days - proper plans had to be made.

The man has everything ready and sends out the second invitation to people who knew the party was coming, but when it’s time to join the party - excuses. (vs. 18) (This story specifically pointed to Jewish people who chose to reject Jesus as Messiah.)

Invited to the party of all parties and lame excuses for not attending:

Bought a field without seeing it - Would you buy a house sight unseen?

Bought five oxen - man bought oxen without seeing them/trying them. Like buying a used car without test driving.

Just got married - What woman doesn’t like to attend a party?

The point: the invitation to His own kinsman but many choose to reject the invitation.

The Master will not have a joyous party that no one will attend… “Go get the poor, maimed, blind, and lame… (vs. 21). The kind of people that Jesus didn’t see at the Pharisee’s party. The servant: “There’s still more room...” “Go into the highways and hedges...” Jesus’ own people will reject, but at Jesus’ party, there won’t be a lack of people. He’s bringing in people from every walk of life, every nationality, etc. to join in the eternal celebration. (This is who you are… blind, lame, etc.)

Jesus gives an invitation to all of us to attend a better kind of celebration than any celebration this world might offer us. Will you embrace the invitation or give excuses for why you cannot join the great feast that awaits all who trust Christ as Lord (Revelation 19)?

This story isn’t just about a future party - it’s about NOW. Story pointing us to a celebration/life of joy to pursue now WITH God’s people as we await the day that Jesus will bring us home to enjoy an eternal feast with Him.

What excuses are making NOW for not pursuing what Jesus has for you. Any excuse you give for not pursuing a joyous relationship with Jesus is lame. Some day you will stand before God and make these excuses and NONE of these excuses will be valid:

The excuse of you didn’t have time…

The excuse of religion… (Didn’t I? Matt. 7 and previous passage)

The excuse of church hurt… (You can’t trust people…)

The excuse of “I like Jesus, but I don’t like His church...”

The excuse of you didn’t know/understand the Gospel… (can’t say that if you attend a church like ours…)

Why do we make excuses? You make excuses because what you really want is the party that isn’t a party. Living for your own desires isn’t a party - it’s a road to destruction.

You think you’re self-sufficient - you’ve got life figured out, and what you don’t see is that you are poor, blind, lame… You’re need help… The help of Jesus.

How long will you make excuses? Will today be the day you quit making excuses and embrace the invitation to the eternal celebration that Jesus invites you to attend?

When you see that what Jesus invites you to is greater than any invitation you will receive in this world and you embrace HIS invitation, it frees you to live in humility. You’re not worried about status and being seen anymore because you know your status in Christ (vs. 10-11).

The celebration starts NOW… As you live in community with the body of Christ.

All of your excuses for not extending grace to others are petty.

For the follower of Jesus: you’ve accepted the invitation to feast, but you aren’t inviting people to attend the feast with you?

Story is NOT only an indictment on the Pharisees for not embracing the invitation of the Messiah to be in His Kingdom, also an indictment against Pharisees and religious leader for creating a religion that excluded people based on social status.

vs. 12-14 - When you throw a party - invite those who can’t repay you NOT your rich friends. That’s not the way culture works. When we invite someone to our home, we typically expect an invitation in return.

BUT - people who are changed by grace extend invitations without expectation of being repaid because you have accepted an invitation into God’s Kingdom that you cannot repay. You cannot repay Jesus for what He’s done for you - so treat people in the way that Jesus has treated you.

We have a way of discouraging people from accepting the invitation because of the way we treat others, or because our lives don’t look any different from those who are living for this world.

BUT… we’re on our way to the greatest party. We extend grace because we want people - people that the world has rejected - (compassion of Jesus…) People that the world tends to reject need to know that they can be a part of an eternal celebration. An invitation is for them too.

Consider those around you who are hurting and seemingly hopeless. What’s your excuse for not extending grace? Don’t have time? Don’t have resources? Don’t have enough skill to be able to help? Lack in training? What excuse are you giving? Your excuses that you give for not extending the grace that has been extended to you reveals something about your heart.

Are you stingy? It could be that you’re just not generous. You hold on instead of give away. God has been generous to you. Who are you to not be generous towards others? You become generous by being generous. You start the habit and watch it develop as you discipline yourself for generosity.

Are you judgmental? Always looking down on people because you see fault more than you see need. You see a need to condemn more than you an opportunity for grace.

Are you too important? You aren’t generous and hospitable because your heart is full of pride. You’re like the Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus’ day - always trying to prove your somebody instead of knowing that you are somebody in Christ. Because you’re always trying to be somebody, your consumed with yourself instead of being consumed with God’s call on your life to extend grace.

vs. 25-35 - This invitation is SO valuable to receive and to give that you’re willing to give up everything to have it - Hate = less than. Jesus is more important than family, friends, etc. I’m willing to count the costs…

What if the today was the day that you stopped giving God excuses and started giving God your, “Yes!” If you are not a follower of Jesus, what if you said “Yes” to God today by turning from your sins and turning to the One who died the death you deserve and rose from the dead for you. If you are a follower of Jesus, what if you didn’t God give excuses this week for not extending grace to others? What if you said, “Yes” instead? This week, there will be an opportunity to invest in someone who is hurting. Will you give an excuse, or will you give God your yes? If you are a follower of Jesus, your excuses are sinful. Repent of giving God excuses and ask him to help you give Him your “Yes.”