This Week’s Experience – 6/21/2020

Message notes

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:

When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor.  What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?   The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’  Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

“Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

-Luke 14:7-11

After Jesus had finished speaking, one of the guests said, “The greatest blessing of all is to be at the banquet in God’s kingdom!”

Jesus replied to the man by telling a story: “A man once gave a great banquet and invited a lot of guests. When the banquet was ready, he sent a servant to tell the guests, “Everything is ready! Please come.”  One guest after another started making excuses. The first one said, “I bought some land, and I’ve got to look it over. Please excuse me.”

Another guest said, “I bought five teams of oxen, and I need to try them out. Please excuse me.” Still another guest said, “I have recently gotten married, and I can’t be there.”

The servant told his master what happened, and the master became so angry that he said, “Go as fast as you can to every street and alley in town! Bring in everyone who is poor or crippled or blind or lame.”

When the servant returned, he said, “Master, I’ve done what you told me, and there is still plenty of room for more people.” His master then told him, “Go out along the back roads and fence rows and make people come in, so that my house will be full. For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.”

Large crowds began following Jesus. He turned to them and said, “You cannot be my disciple unless you hate father and mother, wife and children, your brothers and sisters—yes, even your very own life.

-Luke 14:15-26

1. I might miss the party if I fail to recognize the of the .

2. I might miss the party if I feel that I’m .

3. I might miss the party if I refuse to admit that I am indeed .

Also, if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple either.

-Luke 14:27

What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world, but loses his soul?

-Mark 8:36

LIFE APPLICATION
To discuss during the week with your family or Life Group

1. What do you like about eating with others? Why do you think Jesus used this as a metaphor for eternal life?

2. What surprises you about this story Jesus is telling? Who got included? Who potentially was missing out?

3. Gilbert talked about 3 ways in which we might miss the party. Which one are you most in danger of?

4. What is your next step as a result of this message?