Sermon Central
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Jesus Is Invited By A Pharisee Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jan 4, 2016 (message contributor)
Summary: When you invite others to experience Jesus, we demonstrate our submission to Christ. How? Because when we invite others by telling them what Christ has done for us, we demonstrate to them Who it is that has changed our life.
Jesus is invited by a Pharisee
Invitations, Part 5
Introduction
- On the heels of our Advent study, we continue with our Invitations series
- It is important that you and I understand the power of an invitation
-- Whether it’s an invitation to a ballgame, to a BBQ, or even to church
-- Everything we do starts with an invitation to be a part of something else
- Inviting someone to be a part of what you’re doing says several things to them:
1) What you have going on is important
2) What you are a part of is enjoyable to you, and,
3) What you do is worth their time to check out (at least once)
- Contrast: If we won’t invite others, what does that say about what we do?
- Let’s start with a short video that demonstrates this …
http://www.sermoncentral.com/church-media-preaching-sermons/sermon-video-illustrations/church-invite-5492-detail.asp
∆ Video for Sermon Series
- Inviting someone really doesn’t have to be hard, or even complicated
-- But for them, what you invite them too can forever change their lives
- Read Luke 7:36-50
- In our passage we see several different storylines going on:
1) Jesus has been invited to a dinner party
2) A woman has come to see Jesus at this party
3) Jesus teaches a parable about forgiveness and grace, and,
4) A Pharisee’s dinner party gets shook up because God showed up
- Let’s examine this story closer to see a wonderful invitation presented to us
- Pray
∆ Point 1 – A woman comes to see Jesus at dinner
- While attending a dinner party, a well-known woman comes to see Jesus
- We know that she is well known just by the context of the narrative about her
-- In v37 we see that the town obviously knew she lived a sinful life
- The Greek word choice points to the word “unchastity”
-- Literally, she led a sinful life of sexual suggestiveness, transgression, or excess
- Additionally, she was known as a hamartōlos (one who commits sin)
-- RE: The word for sin is hamartia, archery, which means “to miss the mark”
- But, knowing her own life, she has come to a place where she wants to change
-- APP: When we come face to face with Christ, we are presented with the same
-- IMP: Will we repent of our sin, or continue to willfully disobey God?
- Her knowledge of herself leads to weeping, uncontrollable sorrow about herself
-- Why? She knew herself - and here before her is God’s son, her redeemer
-- Now, she may not have “known” Jesus … but her spirit certainly knew it
-- John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them”
-- APP: She was moved to come to Jesus; b/c He has everything that she needs
- In her condition, she brings with her a fortune in offerings (penitent heart)
-- APP: Sometimes when we don’t know what to do … we want to give as well
-- IMP: As she stood weeping (v38), her reaction was one of worship
- As she does this, the Pharisee makes a rude comment (v39)
-- “If Jesus was so smart, he would know what kind of filth this woman is”
- Can’t you just hear the condemnation and disgust in the words?
-- NOTE: This woman doesn’t need to know how bad she is; she already knows
-- She doesn’t need this man’s ridicule to confirm her life’s choices
-- But in her sin and shame, she has been drawn to the One who can heal her
- But Jesus addresses this situation with a parable for all to hear
-- Some may think this would be a bit aloof, but there is a lesson for the room
- TRANS: Let’s see what the parable displays for us
∆ Point 2 – A parable of forgiveness
- Re-read v40-43
- Jesus identifies the Pharisee, his name is Simon
-- Note: He is not talking to the Disciple Simon (aka Peter); but the Pharisee
-- If so, that would have been rude, which the Pharisee’s would’ve pounced on
-- “Oh, I see, say something He doesn’t like and He won’t even answer …”
- “Simon … let me ask you something.” “Go ahead, teacher.” (KJV: “Master”)
-- Considering the Pharisee’s position, Jesus begins to tell a story of two debtors
- The debts are both within human range and probably would be common
-- One owes 500 denarii (about a day’s wage) and the other owes just 50 denarii
-- Each of these people cannot pay what they owe to their debtor (v41)
-- Jesus then says, “… since they cannot repay, both the debts are forgiven”
-- So, tell me, which one would be more grateful to have their debt paid?
