Luke 14:1-24 - Selflessly Following
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
What do you think about most? If you are like most people, you probably think about yourself more than anything else. The growing trend of self-focus is seen in many ways in our modern culture. According to NPD Research, the self-help industry has exploded in recent years - growing by 11% from 2013-2019. This industry began growing even more throughout the pandemic and jumped by another 20-25 percent.
Listen to a couple of the top book titles in the self-help genre:
Think and Grow Rich
You Can Heal Your Life (1)
I must admit that I - probably fortunately - haven’t actually read these books. However, the titles appear antithetical to the Scriptures so I cannot imagine these are the most doctrinally correct books in the world. When looking at the big self-help books of today, there is most certainly a common theme in them - and that theme is about you and your happiness. Be rich, be healthy and be happy.
Is that what this life is all about? Is it all about chasing wealth or health or happiness?
According to the Scriptures, this is not our goal. Our goal is to love and serve Christ. And we are to do this not selfishly - but instead we are to follow selflessly. True joy isn’t found in making much of our self - instead it is found by making much of Christ.
Prayer
Today we will see four ways that followers of Christ should act in response to being saved. The first is…
I. Followers of Christ Express Kindness (1-6)
I. Followers of Christ Express Kindness (1-6)
Like our blessed Savior, followers of Christ should be kind. Kindness is actually one of the fruits of the Spirit seen in Galatians 5:22-23. We are about to see Jesus set up by the Pharisees in these first 6 verses. They knew the kindness and compassion of Christ. And so listen to how they set Him up…
One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy.
I'm finding it interesting that Jesus continues to dine with the Pharisees who are seeking to kill Him. We see Luke even let us know that they are watching Him carefully. It is obvious that they are not inviting Him in a truly hospitable way.
We also should note that this is the Sabbath again. That has been a common theme throughout the book of Luke. Jesus has continued to challenge the legalistic guidelines of the Pharisees.
Moving forward we see that Luke uses this word, behold, again which means an important announcement is about to take place. And we are told that a man was there with dropsy.
Dropsy is an old-fashioned term for edema or swelling. We are not told why that this man had edema. It could have been from congestive heart failure, liver disease, protein malnutrition, vascular disorders, among other possible medical conditions. All we are told is that he has dropsy.
For those of you who have had swelling that has been significant, you are aware of how this limits your movements and causes great pain.
It is very likely that this man has been invited to dinner to incite Jesus to heal again on the Sabbath. We don't know for sure, but it would be consistent with their previous actions. It would be very unlikely that this man would have been friends with the religious leaders. Most religious leaders saw dropsy as a result of sin and would not have associated with such a man.
However, Jesus knew what was in the heart of man (John 2:24-25). He knew what was coming.
And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” And they could not reply to these things.
The Pharisees knew that Jesus would come through and fulfill their twisted plans. They knew that He would show kindness and compassion on this man who was suffering. And Jesus did. He asks them His first question - Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not? First off, Luke lets us know that Jesus responded to the lawyers and the Pharisees. This is an interesting choice of word isn’t it - responded? These religious leaders hadn’t actually said anything yet. However, Jesus knows the thoughts in their minds and knows of their evil intentions and responds with His question.
They are silent in response to His pressing question. They know that if they say it is not not okay to heal on the Sabbath, they will sound heartless. There is a man who is miserable right in front of them. But if that say it is okay, then they will approving of what Jesus has been doing.
Jesus then heals the man and sends him away. I think it is interesting that he sends that man away. This man is one more proof of Christ’s power and legitimacy. Perhaps He wishes to spare the man from the ire of the Pharisees.
Then Jesus asks His second question. Paraphrased - wouldn’t you help your son or ox get out of a well on the Sabbath if they should fall into it? You wouldn’t have them suffer there until dusk would you? And again the religious leaders are left speechless.
As we apply this first section to our own lives, are we selflessly following Christ by expressing kindness to others? Even when it might mean pain and suffering and persecution for ourselves?
This can be applied in many ways. It can be in sharing the Gospel even when it is uncomfortable. It can be taking up for someone who is being bullied even when it might mean you are being bullied. It can be helping someone knowing that it is going to cost you something.
May we be expressing kindness and compassion to others as we follow Christ.
Next we see that…
Scripture References: Galatians 5:22-23, John 2:24-25
II. Followers of Christ Are Selfless (7-11)
II. Followers of Christ Are Selfless (7-11)
Things are about to get even more awkward as the meal is set to start. Listen to verse 7…
Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them,
Note how observant Jesus is. He sees a problem and presses in on it. He addresses the issues that are right in front of Him. We can learn a lot from Him in this. I also find it ironic that the religious leaders had been watching Jesus - and yet they are the ones who are being watched even more closely by Christ.
After seeing this sinful tendency in the invited crowd, He tells a parable about a wedding feast. This parable is all about fighting against pride and selfishness.
Pride keeps more people out of heaven than any other sin. It is the root out of which all sins grow.
Jesus has noticed that the people are taking the places of honor at the dinner. It was a Jewish custom to have the seats of honor near the host. So, He sees people jockeying for position toward the seats of honor. Jesus is bothered by this prideful expression and tells the following parable.
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.
But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
He urges the people there to not place themselves in the seat of honor. I am sure there is a rhetorical question in the back of everyone's mind - why not? Doesn't everyone want to be honored?
Jesus then moves forward to let them know about being humbled by someone else. What if someone more important than you comes, and the host asks you to move to a lesser place and put someone else in your seat? This will bring great shame, won't it? Jesus does such a great job at helping people feel and experience what He is teaching.
He then gives them better advice. He says that one should sit in the lowest place and wait to be honored by another. If the host wants you at a higher position, you will be honored in the presence of all.
Then Jesus says that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
This parable speaks to many aspects of life. Obviously, the biggest issue with pride is that it keeps one from salvation. Humility is necessary for salvation.
However, this parable directly applies to many situations in our lives. This is a great lesson for us. We live in a ‘me first’ world. People want to be treated specially. People want to be first in everything. God is not glorified when we act like the world when it comes to entitlement.
My family was blessed to witness an example of this parable at a pastor’s conference that my family and I went to. This family put Jesus’s words into practice.
The family had many kids, and I'm sure they were hungry as it was rather a later dinner time. They had little ones and bigger kids. However, my wife and I noticed that they did not go forward to get in line for food. We sat back and watched this as well. They were a great example for us to do the same. We noticed most of the pastor’s kids jockeying for first position to be the first one to be able to get their food in the food line. They were hungry, and they wanted to get their food before anyone else. Who knows, what if the dessert would run out? They wanted to make sure they got it, right?
However, this other family sat talking and enjoying their time. We could tell that this wasn’t just a one time thing. This was something that these wonderful parents had trained in their children. Put others first. Be selfless and not selfish.
What a great example of humility! God was certainly glorified. I know that my wife and I glorified God very much for what He was doing in their family. And this was certainly a time of growth and sanctification for our children as well.
Friends, we are not to humble ourselves so that we will be honored or exalted on earth. Although my wife and I were able to honor this pastor and his family after seeing their selflessness, they were not doing it for recognition. We might have been the only people that even noticed it! Most of the time, God will be the only one who notices your humility. But remember, He is the only one who counts!
A pastor once said, “You can’t get your reward twice!” Be content that your Heavenly Father sees what you do. His reward will be far greater than anything on earth!
Friends, we should humble ourselves and be selfless because God promises to exalt to humble. Listen to a couple of these verses:
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
Jesus commands us to be humble as He was humble as well as He walked this earth. For those who refuse to humble themselves before God, there is another side to God as well.
Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
This last verse is such a terrifying verse to me. God opposes the proud. The thought of being opposed by God is the most frightening thing I can think of. Consider Hebrews 10:31:
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
May we be humble and selfless before God. May we live our lives for God’s glory and not our own.
True followers of Christ live lives of kindness and live selflessly.
Next we see that…
Scripture References: James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6, Proverbs 16:5, James 4:6, Hebrews 10:31
III. Followers of Christ Are Generous (12-14)
III. Followers of Christ Are Generous (12-14)
Jesus is about to teach yet another parable. This time of a dinner or banquet. His teaching is going to focus on generosity now.
He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
After hitting on pride, Jesus gives another parable. This time about a banquet. Jesus encourages those around Him not to just invite those who can repay them, but instead to invite those who cannot. He tells them that God sees what they do and that they will be repaid in eternal life.
Obviously, Jesus is not saying that we should not invite our family and friends for dinner. He is mentioning the motive. We should not do so in order to get something in return.
When we invite someone who cannot pay us back, We show that our motive is not for repayment.
Jesus knew that this man who invited others did so either to pay back someone else or to place someone else in his debt. This motive is impure and will not be blessed by God.
This is a struggle in today’s world. People struggle with giving and not getting anything in return. The so called quid pro quo or reciprocal exchange is pursued in our culture from the time children are young. Children and even adults are quick to point out what is fair or not fair. And by fair, they usually mean what works out best for them!
The economy of God is different though.
Listen to some of the rules of God’s economy when it comes to generosity:
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Our world would teach that is much better to get than give. Yet, Christ teaches the very opposite. Listen to this Proverb in Proverbs 11:24-25:
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
This is a principle and not a promise. But God tells us that if we are not generous, we will suffer want - very likely financially but definitely spiritually. We saw this illustrated in the parable of the rich fool a few weeks ago.
If you recall, this parable was in Luke 12:13-21. The rich man had an abundant crop. Note he already had more than enough. He was already rich and already had many barns full of things. However, when he saw this bountiful crop - instead of being generous with it, he decided to build bigger barns. God then called the man’s number, and he was not able to enjoy his riches as his life was taken.
We can learn a lot from this Scripture. Followers of Christ are generous. They don’t keep a record of what people owe them. They hold their money and things loosely. They know that the things on this earth won’t last. Their treasure isn’t here. It is in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
How are you doing with generosity? We just finished a study in Growth Group on being good stewards of what God has given us. Part of being a good steward is being generous.
Take some time today to consider how you are faring in God’s economy. Are you investing well in eternity?
So far we have seen that followers of Christ express kindness, are selfless, and are generous. There is one more attribute Jesus teaches in this Scripture that should be seen in true followers of Christ…
Scripture References: Acts 20:35, Proverbs 11:24-25, Luke 12:13-21, Matthew 6:19-21
IV. Followers of Christ Continue in Faithfulness (15-24)
IV. Followers of Christ Continue in Faithfulness (15-24)
This final attribute of the true follower of Christ is the glue that holds the others together. The faithful follower of Christ is generous, is selfless, and expresses kindness. Faithfulness is the key attribute to living the Christian life.
However, in the middle of Jesus speaking, someone responded with the following statement:
When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!”
This guy didn’t really care much about faithfulness. He felt that he was good to go because he was a Jew.
Jesus now gives yet another parable - the final parable in this section at the Pharisee’s dinner - the Parable of the Great Banquet. This parable is told to let this man and the others know that it takes more than just being invited to be saved.
But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
Jesus responds by mentioning a great banquet in which many are invited. The first round of invitations for a great banquet in ancient times would have been more like a ‘save the date’ in modern times. The banquet would take time in order to get ready. However, the man sent out his servant to invite those to the banquet.
The man in this parable is Jesus and those who are first invited are the Jews.
They have been given the entire Old Testament. They are God’s chosen people.
But now we are introduced to the actual banquet. Now is the time to come to the feast. This likely points to the coming of the Messiah and the Kingdom of God. It also likely has an eschatological side pointing to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Revelation (Revelation 19:9).
This should be a great time of celebration. If anyone should have been faithfully awaiting the Messiah and the coming of the Kingdom of God, the Jews should have! Yet, listen to the following verses:
But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’
We are now introduced to the guests who have been invited. We see that they are not ready for the banquet. They each have excuses for why they cannot make it.
1. The first one mentions a field that he has bought and must go see. (v18)
2. The second mentions five yoke of oxen that he has purchased that he must examine. (v19)
3. The third mentions a marriage that occurred and states that he cannot come. (v20)
Are these good excuses? Jesus’s response will show that there is no good excuse to put off God’s invitation. The point of the parable is not to argue that buying land is a bad thing, or buying animals is a bad thing, or certainly not that marrying is a bad thing. The point is that nothing should take precedence over God and His Kingdom! Land and animal purchases can wait. Marriage is amazing, but why not bring your wife with you! Don’t put her first - put God first! This is another warning for us to understand the importance of being equally yoked in marriage. Marriages are so much easier when you both are running after the Savior.
Brothers and sisters - we are seek the Kingdom of God before everything else:
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
As we move forward we see God’s response to this unfaithfulness of the Jews…
So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’
The master, namely Jesus here, is angry because the people have rejected Him. This reminds us of Jesus’s wrath and judgment to come on those who reject Him.
The Jews have refused to come despite the invitation being sent ahead. This wasn’t a surprise for them. They knew it was coming. And still they reject the invitation. They have better things to do in their opinion. They have despised the grace of God. They have rejected His free gift.
The Master then tells the servant to go out and invite the poor, crippled, blind, and lame.
The poor, crippled, blind, and lame stand for those who are the least of the Jews - namely the outcasts.
Those who thought they weren’t a true part of the Jewish nation because of their poverty or their afflictions are brought into the banquet. These fringe members of society are given a first class seat at the great banquet of the Lord. And these do not refuse such a wonderful invitation. Although their own people excluded them from much, God opens the door for them to enter.
But God’s grace is not done yet. Listen to Jesus continue His parable:
And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.
Even after these invitations to the poor and afflicted in Israel, the servant says that there are even more seats left.
The master tells the servant to go out into the highways and hedges and compel people to come in his house may be filled.
Those out in the highways and hedges are the Gentiles in this parable.
Jesus tells us in this parable that the Master tells the servant to compel these people to come in - namely us as Gentiles. The word compel means to drive them to do something.
This speaks of the drawing of God in the lives of unbelievers. His drawing is powerful. Yes, we must respond to His free gift - His invitation - but He is compelling us to do so. He wants to save sinners. He wants to see lives changed.
I pray that everyone here has been saved. But if not, do not despise or reject the free grace Christ offers. He died on the cross for your sins, rose from the dead three days later, and is now at the right hand of the Father - willing and ready to save your soul.
May you repent of your sins and faithfully follow Christ.
Sadly, some do continue to reject this invitation. And Jesus says this about such persons…
For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’ ”
Those who refuse to come to Christ will suffer eternity apart from Him in a real place called hell. Instead of the blessing of feasting with the Lord, they will be in a place of eternal fire, weeping, and gnashing of teeth.
True believers are faithful to Christ. They desire Him more than all of the things of this world. He is their number one. As consider this parable, I want you to ask yourself a few questions…
How faithful are you to Christ?
Are you faithful in prayer?
Are you faithful in reading His Word?
Are you faithful in attending worship as He commands in Hebrews 10:24-25?
Christ calls us to be faithful.
Scripture References: Revelation 19:9, Matthew 6:33, Hebrews 10:24-25
Conclusion:
As we come to a close today, may we remember that joy is not found in living for ourselves. It is found by selflessly following Christ.
Christ showed us how to do this through:
His kindness and compassion toward others
His selfless service toward others even when it cost Him
His generosity by giving us eternal life
And His faithfulness in fulfilling all of His promises.
May we emulate Christ - through the power of the Holy Spirit living within us as believers - by being kind, compassionate, selfless, generous, and most of all - by being faithful unto the end.