The Parables of Feasts

Introduction

Illustration about Pride before the Fall or Humiliating moments

Segway to Message:

In God’s Spiritual Kingdom we don’t want to set ourselves up for humiliation. We want to honor and exalt Jesus.

1) OUR POSTURE AT THE TABLE…

Luke 14:7-11

CONTEXT: Jesus is eating the Sabbath meal at the home of a Pharisee. A man with edema (swelling) came and Jesus healed on the Sabbath, at the dinner.

Jesus notices their seating arrangements

Parable about Humility and Exaltation

Our pride keeps us from being honored by God. Too often we position ourselves in a place of influence only to be humbled because we are not yet worthy of such a place.

If we are to be honored by God, then we must humble ourselves, rely upon His Word instead of our own culture, experiences, or opinions, and live in submission to Him.

1 Peter 5:6-7

Our posture in fellowship with the Lord is one of humility to Him.

When we deem ourselves worthy, we are humbled, but when we deem God as worthy, our position is in His hands.

2) OUR PLATFORM WITH THE TABLE…

Luke 14:12-14

CONTEXT: Jesus not only addresses the attendees at the dinner, but He addresses the host as well. For it would seem that the host had sought to exalt himself in a few ways given to us:

He invited Jesus with the purpose of watching Him carefully,

The presence of the man with dropsy (risk of ceremonial compromise),

and the silence of the Pharisees to Jesus’ question.

Jesus addresses the man who, as host of the dinner, has a platform and influence among those in attendance.

Jesus expressed that if you are only about your personal ROI (Return on Investment), then you are benefited temporally but not eternally.

Jesus encourages the host and the people in attendance to use their influence to make an impact in the lives of those who cannot scratch their backs in return.

He says their repayment will be eternal.

Seek to have Godly influence among those who are marginal in our lives. Be aware of the people you encounter but may not be closest to you.

Everyone has a place at the Table. Use your influence for eternal promotion and you will have eternal reward. Don’t worry about your ROI.

3) THE PRIORITY OF THE TABLE…

Luke 14:15-24

CONTEXT: Wanting to break up the awkwardness and ease the tension, someone at the table pulls a religious redirect...Messianic Banquet of Isaiah 25:6-9

Jesus brings His point about God’s Kingdom to a clear conclusion.

A man holds a great feast and invites many. Then he sends the servants out to declare the banquet is prepared and it is time to attend.

There are plenty of excuses to go around, but Jesus uses these three:

Property

Work

Family

These three are the basic elements of life and primary excuses as to why people neglect the eternal purposes of God.

Jesus emphasizes that there are no good excuses to be excused from being a part of the fellowship of His table.

We are guilty of diminishing the priority of God’s table (fellowship). We have lots of good excuses, but none of those excuses are good enough.

We must value God’s Kingdom above all!

Property, work, and family are not bad things. They are gifts to us from God for the purpose of promoting His Kingdom and building His Kingdom, but if we ever prioritize them above God’s Kingdom, then we miss out on the blessings, the fellowship, and the closeness of God’s Table.

Closing, Application, Challenge

CLOSING: In our desire to be a part of God’s Kingdom, we must have a posture of humility, knowing that God is the head of the table and our place is wherever He puts us. We must not think more highly than we ought to. In our posture of humility, we must realize that God has given us a platform to influence others. We must use our platform to let everyone know there is a place for anyone and everyone at God’s table. As we humble ourselves before God, seek to use the influence He gives us to invite others to His table, we must keep Him the priority and focus of our lives. Good things will draw our attention, but we must not settle for good when the Greatness of God is before us.

APPLICATION: Make God the greatest priority of your life. He deserves all of our attention, hopes, dreams, and so much more.

Spend time with Him daily in close fellowship through His Word. Prioritize time with Him above anything else. Adopt the mindset that if you don’t have quality time with God each day then that day was an epic fail.

As you go throughout your day, use every platform you have as an opportunity to invite others to the table. He has a place for everyone, even those who you don’t know that well, but yet they are still in your life. God has them there for a reason. God has you there for a reason.

CHALLENGE: If you do not currently hold a place at God’s table, He wants to have a saving relationship with you. If your life has been parking at all other places where you hope your soul will be fed and satisfied, yet you always end up hungry, thirsty, and hopeless, I have great news for you…There is room at God’s table, where the bread of life is broken for you and the new covenant of love, forgiveness, and grace is found in living water of Jesus Christ who satisfies your soul, and makes you new in Himself. Come to God’s table.