Context:
1. Jesus was invited on the Sabbath to dine with a high ranking official for the Pharisees.
2. Jesus tells them a parable about sitting in places of honor and not doing so but rather choosing a lower place. Jesus tells this parable because he saw how the invited guests were looking to sit in places of honor and Jesus tells them not to do that – because it doesn’t reflect a heart of humility and shame could very well be brought upon them if they are invited to a wedding feast and they sit in a place of honor and they are asked to move to a lower sitting area. How embarrassing!
3. Leaders have influence by default. Jesus is pointing out some flaws in the way they live their lives and that is influencing others. (Consider the presidency / athletes + musicians.)
4. Jesus was trying to teach them and us that the way to honor is humility. (Phil. 2:4-8)
Luke 14:12-14
a. Why do we treat people a certain way?
b. Consider those who are outcasts in society
c. Consider what you were told while in the oilfield concerning those with disabilities.
d. What reward is there is we are only doing good things for those we love or will benefit from?
e. Why are we blessed when we do things for others who can’t repay us?
Luke 12:15
a. The response of the one who invited Jesus shows that the Pharisees still don’t get the message and agenda of Jesus – which is God loves you and God is pouring out his heart of grace towards you.
b. The Pharisees completely ignores Jesus’ lesson on doing good for those who cannot repay you and says – blessed are those who will eat bread in the kingdom… (Will eat = future tense).
c. Consider Ephesians 1:3 – We are not working for a blessing; we are already blessed and those blessing continue when we live life the way God calls us to live.
Luke 12:16-24
1. So, the Pharisees don’t get the picture – they are too caught up in themselves and their jockeying for power. If life was one Star Wars movie, they would be the SITH!
2. So Jesus tells this parable of a man simply inviting many to his banquet and those he invited found excuses to not come:
a. I bought a field and must see it – why? Did you honestly just purchase land without even looking at it?
b. I just purchased (5) oxen and need to examine them – again did you not examine them before hand?
c. I just got married – why not invite your wife!
d. Consider being an introvert.
e. We come up with excuses as to why we don’t live life the way God wants us to live.
3. Consider this parable with John 3:16
a. God is all – inclusive!
b. Jesus does what we cannot do (lives perfect, dies for us) … we cannot repay God for the consequences of our sins but God, in his love and mercy, does for us what we cannot do. He doesn’t ask that try to live in such a manner that shows that we are in his debt but rather he asks us to live a lifestyle that shows we are thankful for his gift of salvation.
4. When we do things for those who cannot repay us – we are making an eternal investment and making an impact for the kingdom of God! (Matthew 6:19).
5. There are no second-class citizens in the Kingdom of God.
6. In the kingdom of God there is no poverty! In the kingdom of God there is no need!
a. Acts 4:37: this is answering Jesus’ model prayer – let your kingdom come, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. The disciples were bringing heaven down. (I shared this in a church once and the response was…wow!)
7. God’s heart is that everyone is included in his kingdom and no one is excluded due to loss (poverty, limb, mobility, sight).
8. God calls us to be Generous:
a. Time.
b. Talent.
c. Treasure.
