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.
To have a servant's ... attitude.
To have a servant's heart.
In all incidents ... where Jesus was sharing a meal, ... He portrayed ... such an attitude.
The ultimate lesson and example ... was in the Upper Room ... when Jesus was sharing a meal with His disciples ... His closest ... of friends.
It was the Passover dinner.
And it was the custom in those times, ... due to the dusty dirt roads, ... that a servant ... washed the feet of the guests ... before the service.
That is ... the very lowest of servants ... would wash the feet.
Jesus that night .... humbled himself ... and became that servant.
He became the lowest of Servants.
And He washed the feet of ... the disciples.
In John's Gospel, Jesus shared these words: BIBLE "If I your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash each other's feet." Jesus did this as an example. Then Jesus took the bread and the cup and set another example. "Do this, in remembrance of me." END (John 13:14)
He shared with them, ... that He would humble Himself on a cross ... to die for the sins of others, Beloved ... including mine and yours.
"This is my body giving for you." "This is my blood which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:19-20) (PAUSE)
There is a story told of a king ... who loved his people dearly.
He wanted to know ... how they lived.
He wanted to know ... their struggles ... and their hardships.
Often, ... he would dress as a working man ... or as a beggar ... and go to the homes ... of the poor.
No one he visited ... thought that he was their ... king.
One day, ... he visited a very poor man ... who lived in a cellar.
The King ate the coarse food ... that this poor man ate.
He spoke cheerful, ... kind words to him.
Then he left.
Later, the king visited the old man again.
This time, the King disclosed his identity by saying, "I am your king!"
The king thought the man would surely ask for some gift or favor from him, ... yet he didn't.
"You left your palace ... and your glory ... to visit me in this dark, and dreary place.
You ate the food I ate.
You have brought gladness to my heart!
To others, ... you have given ... your rich gifts.
To me ... you have given ... yourself!"
Jesus ... The King of Kings ... humbled himself.
He gave of Himself.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul reminds us of the manner in which we should partake of the Lord's Supper.
Hear God's Word: BIBLE: "So a person who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in a way that is not worthy of it will be guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord." END (1 Corinthians 11:27)
My mother would tell you ... before you sit down to a meal, ... you need to wash.
And ... Before partaking of the Lord's Supper, ... we each need to also wash... spiritually.
Cleanse your heart.
Remove your prideful attitude.
Humble yourself before Him.
Beloved ... As you approach the Table of the Lord today ... put self ... and pride aside.
Think of Christ ... and what He did for you ... on Calvary.
Ask Him to mold you into a humble servant.
The Great theologian Martin Luther ... had visitors for dinner one day.
His puppy ... happened to be at the table, ... looking for just a morsel ... from his master hand.
The puppy watched motionless with open mouth and eyes widened in anticipation.
Martin Luther said, "Oh, if I could only pray ... the way this dog ... watches the meat!
All his thoughts are concentrated ... on the piece of meat.
Otherwise, ... he has no thought, wish or hope. (Pause)
Without Christ, ... we would have no hope.
Beloved ... Yield of yourself ... so that you will be transformed more and more ... into the image of Christ.
We are called to ... Imitate Christ.
To have a servant's heart.
To care for others before self.
To be a servant of all.
Sing
If you want to be great in God's kingdom,
learn to be a servant of all.
If you want to be great in God's kingdom,
learn to be a servant of all.
Learn to be a servant of all. (Go UP)
Learn to be a servant of all. (Go Up)
If you want to be great in God's kingdom,
learn to be a servant of all.
Amen and Amen!
I received much insight from a Sermon titled "Table Manners" By Dan Mahan and I commend it to you.
Help: I retired in November 2017 and am attempting to supplement my income by sharing on Sermoncentral. If this Message has been helpful to you, please consider a nominal gift: Send to The Rev. Jeff Smead 11725 Regent Park Drive Chardon Ohio 44024. Blessed To Be A Blessing.
Dear Reader: So I can better help you, if this Homily was not helpful and you rated it low, Please let me know what it lacked or why it was not helpful. You can search by contributor Smead. (Constructive Criticism is very helpful) and contact me there. Blessings.
