The Great Banquet
God invites everyone to join His family, and expects us to do the same.
KEY VERSES
Luke 14:15-224 (NASB)
15 Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, 17 and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ 18 But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ 20 Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21“So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ 23 Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ ”
UNDERSTANDING
Read Revelation 19:7-9. What was the man in verse 15 referring to? What assumption did he make?
People often live as if there is no God, and then die as if there is. Put that statement in your own words. Give an example of what it looks like when someone lives that way. Why do many people live like that?
In the world of the New Testament, an invitation for an event would go out well in advance, and a second invitation would be extended to those who accepted the first. Rejecting this second invitation would have been incredibly rude. What types of excuses did the guests in verses 18-20 offer?
Were these good excuses? What would be a comparable excuse in the 21st century? Regardless of the quality of the reasons, why did these guests (and us today) so often let good things keep us from the best things?
Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Pastor Jeff said, “Things that are legitimate in their rightful place can be wrong if they hinder us from getting right with God.” Where do you struggle with that in your own life, letting something legitimate in its rightful place get in the way of knowing God, obeying Him, and/or telling people about Him?
Considering the context of this parable, who were the people who rejected the invitation? Read Luke 4:18-19. Who were the second group of people?
Who was Jesus referring to in His third invite? Why would this invitation have been such a surprising invitation?
In verse 23, the master told the slave to compel the extra guests to come to the dinner. Why did he use the word “compel”?
Hospitality isn’t simply preparing a meal or bringing someone some freshly baked cookies. Hospitality happens when we invite people into spaces where there is the opportunity to consider the invitation that God has given. How does the gospel of Jesus Christ shape the way we extend hospitality?
APPLICATION
Pastor Jeff made the following three points of application in this week’s message: Every excuse for not pursuing God is lame. God invites everyone to join His family. God expects us to invite everyone to join His family. What from these three points stands out to you personally today? Explain.
Pastor Jeff said, “May God enable us to leave behind our complacent excuses, taste His grace at His banqueting table, and bring others to the table with us.” If you were going to fully embrace those three truths, what would change in your life?
What is the role of hospitality in this group? Is this a place where the poor, crippled, and lame can come and find acceptance? Explain.
WANT TO DIVE DEEPER?
Joining a group is a great way to know people and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. Take a look at available groups to get plugged in to and find the group that is right for you.
GIVING
Everything that happens at LCC is because of your generous gifts. When you give to God through LCC, you're helping reach thousands with the Gospel each week and are making a difference for the Lowcountry and around the world.