The Best Seats

The Parable of The Best Seats - Reading Luke 14:1-11 [Study guide - to go along with the audio sermon.] A Meal at the House of a Prominent Pharisee: 1-6 * Build up a picture of the scene: When? Where? Who? What were the issues on people's minds? The legalism regards what to do on the Saturday [sabbath] had destroyed peoples' compassion for the needy and pride for their position meant that they could not or would not answer the LORD's questions. The Parable of The Best Seats: 7-11 The LORD noticed that the guests were seeking the place of honour at the wedding meal. The closer you sat to the host of VIP, the greater standing you would have in community. The LORD challenges their pride - which is the desire for self-exaltation. The Parable is similar to OT advice in the Proverbs: Proverbs 25:6-7 The key verse is: :11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. * In Kingdom of Heaven what are our priorities for giving honour? See Luke 11:2, Mark 9:35, Philippians 2:3 Consider the two greatest commands, Love GOD with all... and love your neighbour as yourself. * Think of what JESUS has done for you and the miracle HE is working out in all your fellow CHRISTians. * With all this in mind, why should humility grow in us? * Think of different ways we can slip into false humility False Humility is demeaning yourself by words or action, so that GOD or people will notice you and pity or praise you. It is a way of earning favour that bypasses total reliance on what JESUS has done for you. It can manifest itself in self-deprecation so that people will fuss over you, praise you the more and boost your self esteem. * Where should and can the CHRISTian find their sense of true value and purpose? False humility can manifest itself in a legalism about 'rules' or harsh self-treatment. See Colossians 2:16-23 False humility or self-denial, to gain favour with GOD or others, is really pride in disguise! Being Humble: See Colossians 3:12-17 Humility is not weakness - it is a servant-hearted attitude that focusses away from me, out from self - towards honouring GOD and others. For Prayer & Consideration: * Are their any ways in which you show a false humility? * What do you need to work on to grow in true humility? Concluding Thought: Gordon Keddie: Humility is a fruit of saving grace & evidence of saving faith. Coming to know the CHRIST of the Bible and the cross cannot but involve a deep awareness of being humbled before GOD.