Luke 14:15-23. The Great Banquet: Joyous & Humbling

The Great Banquet Joyous & Humbling Luke 14 November 17, 2024 Introduction to the Parable Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” 12 The Parable (1/2) The Parable of the Great Banquet When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 15 The Parable (2/2) The Parable of the Great Banquet “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” 21 The Great Banquet parable The Revelation The Implications The Call to Actions Kingdom of God is a great community and a joyful feast Humblesness As an invited guest  Before God’s timing  Because it is free  It is for the poor, lame, As a host outcast and needy The Great Banquet parable The Revelation The Implications The Call to Actions Kingdom of God is a great community and a joyful feast Humblesness As an invited guest  Before God’s timing  Because it is free  It is for the poor, lame, As a host outcast and needy Kingdom of God is a Feast Isaiah 25 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; 8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken 6 The Great Banquet parable The Revelation The Implications The Call to Actions Kingdom of God is a great community and a joyful feast Humblesness As an invited guest  Before God’s timing  Because it is free  It is for the poor, lame, As a host outcast and needy Humbleness before God’s timing Excuse 1: Just Bought a Field Excuse 2: Just Bought Five Yoke of Oxen Excuse 3: Just Got Married The first guest made an excuse, stating he had just purchased a field and needed to inspect it. Another guest claimed he had bought five yoke of oxen and was on his way to try them out. A third guest simply stated he had just married and could not attend, Humbleness before God’s timing Humbleness because it is free Humbleness because it is welcoming to everyone People you don’t expect People you expect The Great Banquet parable The Revelation The Implications The Call to Actions Kingdom of God is a great community and a joyful feast Humblesness As an invited guest  Before God’s timing  Because it is free  It is for the poor, lame, As a host outcast and needy As Invited guests Reflect on His Grace Prioritize God Embrace the downtrodden As host Expand your comfort zone Remove any hidden agenda Give but expect no return in this life “The church is the church only when it exists for others” -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer “To be a joyful Christian is to be someone whose life reflects a deep satisfaction in Christ, a delight in His goodness, and a grateful heart for all He has done.” -- Tim Keller