Mind Your Manners (Be A Servant To All)

Have you ever dined at a fancy restaurant ... or at someone's home ... and felt a little ... uncomfortable?

President Calvin Coolidge ... invited some friends from Vermont ... to dine with him ... at the White House.

They were extremely ... nervous.

And were concerned ... about the correct table manners.... that were required ... at a state dinner.

They did not want to make ... any mistakes.

So.... They decided to do everything ... their host did.

All went well ... until coffee ... was served.

Coolidge poured his coffee into the saucer.

His guests ... did the same.

The President added sugar ... and cream.

So, ... the visitors ... did the same.

Then Coolidge leaned over ... and placed his saucer on the floor .... for the ... cat. (Pause)

Some places ... make us more uncomfortable ... than others. (Pause)

My mother was diligent ... when teaching us ... table manners.

Do any of these sayings ... bring back memories?

Chew with your mouth closed.

Elbows off the table.

Say: ... "Please and thank you".

Let the quests fill their plates ... first.

Do not reach across the table. Ask for the food to be passed.

My mother was emphatic .... that the three of us, ... my sister, brother and I, ... would have perfect ... table manners.

In the past, ... servants would feed the dinner guests in the dining area ... of the house.

After the guests were all served ... and had finished the meal, ...... the servants would go into the kitchen ... and eat their meal.

Servants ... are required to always put others ... first.

Jesus knew a lot about ... having a heart of ... a servant.

Have you ever noticed ... that many of Jesus' encounters with people ... revolved around food?

We as Anglicans ... have defiantly kept up that tradition.

We enjoy our food, ... and we enjoy our ... fellowship!

Breaking Bread together ... offers a wonderful time of fellowship ... a time to truly get to know ... one another.

Building relationships ... and forming bonds ... are what Jesus often did ... during the sharing ... of meals.

He shared a dinner ... with Zacchaeus the hated tax collector.

He shared meals with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, ... who were like family ... to him.

Jesus fed the 5,000 ... on a grassy hill.

His first miracle ... was at a wedding ... in Cana.

He broke bread ... with two disciples ... he met ... on the Road to Emmaus.

He shared a meal ... with some hungry fishermen ... on the shore.

Remember the story.... when Peter and the disciples were fishing.

Jesus was on shore, ... preparing ... breakfast.

I love a good breakfast.

They shared a breakfast ... that morning ... that was prepared by ... The King of Kings.

Beloved ... Jesus came.... to be a not just a servant ... but a servant of all.

In the Gospel text today ... Jesus speaks of one who is invited to a dinner. (Luke 14:7-14)

And presumably ... the esteemed, leaders of the community, ... the "religious leaders" ... were all there.

Each seeking to sit at a place of greater honor. (Pause)

Jesus was not uncomfortable ... sharing a meal ... or sharing fellowship ... with anyone.

In fact, ... he was often criticized ... for the people whom he ate with.

Beloved ... The truth is ... all need ... the Bread of Life.

Jesus states, if you want to be exalted, ... then live like a ... servant."

Think of others first ... always!

That is the manner in which you should live.

Be a Servant of ... all!

Many of Jesus' parables also ... involved food.

Many of His teachings and the meals He shared ... reflected good manners.

Make sure the wedding guests ... do not go thirsty.

Serve the fated calf ... in celebration.

Do not pick the best seat at the table .... for yourself.

Do not invite just your friends to dinner, ... but invite the poor, crippled, lame, and the blind.

Get up and feed those who come at midnight.

Those who come to you ... when you are not prepared.

Do not send your guest home .... hungry.

Give them their full amount of food, ... even if it's a ...multitude.

I want you to note what our Lord does when He is feeding the multitude, Hear God's Word: BIBLE" Then He divided the food and gave it to his disciples and they gave it to the people." END (Matthew 15:36)

Everyone was seated ... and then they passed the food!

My mother would like that verse! ..... Be seated then eat together.

Many of Jesus' lessons revolve around putting aside pride ... and humbling oneself.