Mealtime Messages for Opponents, Part 2

Sermon 64 in Series

Luke 14:15-24

[15] When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” [16] But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. [17] And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ [18] But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ [19] And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ [20] And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ [21] So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ [22] And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ [23] And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. [24] For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Why do you think this is Jesus’ last meal with the Pharisees? What would you point to in the text itself and in the timing of Jesus’ ministry?
2.  How do the Pharisees show us human depravity? How do they guide us in understanding our own hearts?
3.  What is both right and wrong with the exclamation in v. 15? How does Jesus’ parable show the problem?
4.  How are the invited guests who make excuses representative of Israel’s leadership? What does this imply for us in terms of readiness to receive God’s truth/call?
5.  How does the master respond to the refusal of the invitees? How are two doors opened and one door closed as we see God’s generosity and judgment?
6.  How does this parable warn us today? What is the danger in not heeding such warnings?

References: Revelation 19:1-10 (corporate reading); John 3:19-20; Luke 11:37-54; Daniel 12:2; Acts 23:8; Luke 18:11-12; Matthew 22:1-14; Esther 5:8; 6:14; Luke 1:51-53; 4:18-19; Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 13:29, 25.