LUKE 14
7 Outlines
Luke 14:1-6
IN FRONT OF THE CRITICS
Jesus was on display in front of those who would find fault with
Him.
A CRITICAL EYE – Vs. 1
Jesus’ enemies were watching with a view to find fault.
A CLASSIC CASE – Vs. 2
In front of Jesus was a man who was in desperate need of
healing. It was a classic case of a man
in need on the Sabbath day.
A COMPELLING QUESTION – Vs. 3
Jesus questioned the legality of healing on the Sabbath. Of
course he knew the answer to the question.
A CONVINCING MIRACLE – Vs. 4
A CLEAR EXAMPLE – Vs. 5
Jesus pointed to the fact that everyone broke the Sabbath to
rescue an animal in distress. The implication is that a sick man is more
important than an animal and should be healed.
A CLOSED MOUTH – Vs. 6
Collectively, the opposition was silent.
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Luke 14:1-14
ALWAYS APPROPRIATE
Cracking jokes at the
Lord's Table (Holy Communion) is not appropriate.
Leaving a tip for a waitress
at a restaurant is appropriate.
Wearing a bathing suit
to a worship service is not appropriate.
Complimenting people who
do a good job is appropriate.
Insulting your host,
hostess, or guests at dinner is not appropriate.
There are things that are
appropriate and things that are not. In
Luke 14:1-14, our Lord shows us three things that are always appropriate.
HELP (HEALING) - Vss.
1-6
Jesus was a guest at a
dinner on the Sabbath Day.
He was being watched by
the Pharisees.
A sick man was there. To the Pharisees, no work was acceptable on
the Sabbath Day.
Jesus asked if it was
appropriate (lawful) to heal and then did.
Then Jesus pointed out
that everyone there would give help to one of his own animals on the Sabbath
Day. The implication was, if they would
help an animal on the Sabbath, why shouldn't he help an individual who is sick.
We must remember that
helping those in need is part of Christianity. Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 5:16,
Matthew 25:31-46
HUMILITY - Vss. 7-11
Instead of seeking
places of prominence, we are to seek humble places.
We are to let others
exalt us and not exalt ourselves.
HOSPITALITY - Vss. 12-14
When we show
hospitality, we are not to do it so that others will pay us back.
We are to show
hospitality so that we are a blessing to those who can really use it.
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Luke 14:1-14
LESSONS
Here are some practical lessons from our Lord's
behavior and teaching.
SERVE CONSISTENTLY - Vss. 1-6
The day of the week does not matter.
We are to serve God and relieve suffering when we can.
This is what Jesus did for the man with the dropsy.
Jesus cited the fact that an ox would be rescued on a
Sabbath day. The implication was that people are more important than oxen.
SHOW HUMILITY - Vss. 7-11
We are not to seek the spotlight, but rather we are to
act humbly.
SHARE UNSELFISHLY - Vss. 12-14
We should care enough to invite the needy to meals
instead of those who can pay us back.
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Luke 14:15-24
THE GREAT SUPPER
THE SUPPER WAS READY – Vs. 16
THE EXCUSES WERE MANY – Vss. 17-20
THE ANGER WAS JUSTIFIABLE – Vs. 21
THE RECRUITMENT WAS REMARKABLE – Vss. 21-23
THE REJECTION WAS DEFINITE – Vs. 24
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Luke 14:15-24
EXCUSES!
People make excuses every day. I'm sure you can find
some examples to share! The Jewish people,
as well as Gentiles have often made excuses for not trusting Christ. This
parable illustrates the tragedy of excuse making.
A GREAT SUPPER Vss. 15-17
GREAT STORIES Vss. 18-20 (They were stories because
they were excuses)
A GREAT SUMMONS (Invitation) Vss. 21-24
A GREAT SERVANT - Notice the obedience of the man's
servant.
He proclaimed his master's message. He is to be
imitated by all Christians, who carry the message of salvation.
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Luke 14:15-24
MISSING THE BEST
THE ANNOUNCED SUPPER - Vss. 16-17
THE ALLUSIVE GUESTS - Vss. 18-20
THE ALTERNATE ATTENDEES - Vss. 21-24
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LUKE 14:25-35
DISCIPLESHIP
In this passage gives a warning and a challenge to those who
would follow Him. Jesus is talking about
discipleship.
A disciple is a follower.
A disciple is a learner. A
disciple spends time with his teacher, either through personal contact or the
teacher’s writings, and strives to be like the teacher.
Luke
At this point, Jesus was immensely popular and was being
followed by multitudes. Not all of these
people were true believers in Jesus and thus they were not true disciples.
Jesus gives a great challenge concerning discipleship that would
have certainly thinned out the crowds!
In this teaching of discipleship we want to see:
THERE’S A PRICE TO PAY - Vss. 26-27
THERE’S A PLAN TO CONSIDER - Vss. 28-33
THERE’S A PROBLEM TO AVOID - Vss. 34-35
THERE’S A PRICE TO PAY - Vss. 26-27
Luke 14:26 - If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother,
and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also,
he cannot be my disciple.
Does the Bible tell us to hate our parents? No! Ephesians 6:2
Does the Bible tell us to hate our spouses or children? No!
Titus 2:4, Ephesians 5:25, 6:4
And what about hating brothers, sisters, and friends? John 14:34-35
And what about hating ourselves? Matthew 22:39
Jesus is speaking of a comparison here.
Jesus should be loved more than father, mother, sister, brother,
son, daughter, or self.
Everyone and everything should be loved less than I love the
Lord Jesus.
Compared to my love for the Lord Jesus, my love for others is,
by comparison, hatred.
In order to be a true disciple of Jesus, I must love Jesus
first, last, and always.
Discipleship means paying the price to love the Lord Jesus with
all our hearts, souls and minds. It is a 24/7 proposition.
It is very easy to look at others and think them not to be very
good disciples. But before we do, let’s consider
ourselves, and all the ways we don’t love Him the way we should.
Our love for the Lord Jesus should be a growing, progressive
thing. We’ll show our love for Him in
one area, making costly decisions in favor of Jesus, and then Jesus will show
you another sacrificial way that we need to express our love.
Luke 14:27 - And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come
after me, cannot be my disciple.
When Jesus bore his cross he was headed out to die!
A cross is symbolic with death.
If I love the Lord Jesus, I must die to my own selfish
ambitions, my own selfish desires, my own selfish
plans and follow Him.
We said that the aim of a disciple is to be like His master.
This is what Jesus said. Luke 6:40
If I am going to be like Jesus, I too, must be dead to myself.
If I can up my cross, I must also follow Him.
·
How often in your day to you consult with the Lord
about what He wants you to be doing? I
am
THERE’S A PLAN TO CONSIDER - Vss. 28-33
Luke
No doubt you’ve heard this parable before.
A man decides he’s going to build a watch tower above his
land. But he doesn’t take into
consideration what it will cost to finish the project.
The foundation is laid, and that’s it. There’s no more money
available, and the man becomes the laughingstock of the whole community!
To the multitude of followers Jesus is saying, “Consider the
cost of being my disciple before you commit yourself.”
Don’t lay a foundation and then fall away.
All too many people have done this.
Luke 14:31-32 - Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth
not down first, and consulteth whether he be able
with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
[32] Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth
an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
I want you to think of God as the invading King.
He certainly has us outnumbered.
When we realize that we can never win against God, that He is
our righteous judge, it is time to negotiate peace. Of course, we come to God on God’s terms, it means that we secure peace by faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Surrender to God through Christ is more than just negotiating
peace. It means that we become His
subjects. We become His servants. Peace has been secured and we are active
citizens of His Kingdom.
John
John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service.
The dumbest thing a non-Christian can do is to resist God.
The dumbest thing a Christian can do is to resist God.
Luke 14:33 - So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh
not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
A true disciple has given in.
A true disciple has laid everything at Jesus’ feet.
His relationships are surrendered to Jesus.
His reputation is surrendered to Jesus.
His job is surrendered to Jesus.
His money is surrendered to Jesus.
His family is surrendered to Jesus.
His marriage is surrendered to Jesus.
THERE’S A PRICE TO PAY - Vss. 26-27
THERE’S A PLAN TO CONSIDER - Vss. 28-33
THERE’S A PROBLEM TO AVOID - Vss. 34-35
Luke 14:34-35 - Salt is good: but if the salt have
lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? [35]
It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out.
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Jesus gives a similar warning in the Sermon on the Mount about
salt losing its saltiness.
Salt is good as a preservative against decay.
Salt is good for flavor.
Salt is good for making one thirsty.
·
As Christians we should act as a preservative against evil. We
are the ones who are to stand for righteousness.
·
As Christians we should “spice things up” with our Godly, joyful
living.
·
As Christians we should make non Christians thirsty for the
Gospel.
When we stop being salty, it means that the salt has been
diluted with impurities. Salt that is no
longer salty is useless.
If we lose our saltiness as disciples, we too, will be useless.
But if we love Jesus more than anyone else,
And if we take up our crosses and follow him,
And if we count the cost of discipleship and follow through,
We will be “salt” in a dying world.
Let’s count the cost and follow through as disciples.
THERE’S A PRICE TO PAY - Vss. 26-27
THERE’S A PLAN TO CONSIDER - Vss. 28-33
THERE’S A PROBLEM TO AVOID - Vss. 34-35