September 7, 2010
Do you have an emergency exit?
Luke 14:7-24
Jarid Ghaffari
Central Truth
When you are content to be whom God made you to be, you will become more than you could imagine yourself to be.
Key Verse | Luke 14:11
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11)
Luke 14:7-24
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
The Parable of the Great Banquet
12 He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers 1 14:12 Or your brothers and sisters or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
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 2 14:17 Or bondservant; also verses 21 (twice), 22, 23 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, 3 14:24 The Greek word for you here is plural none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”
Dive Deeper | Luke 14:7-24
When I hear friends talk about visits to New York City—the big buildings, the food, the late-night attractions—I smile, but inside I am reminded of the lifestyle I lived and the sin that entangled my life while in that city. This verse means so much to me as it reminds me of the pride and sin that marked my life even after leaving NY and coming to Dallas.
I wrote a Journey entry for Watermark on February 24, 2010. In that entry, because of my insecurity and desire to make myself look great in the world’s eyes, I lied and said I was part of the New York City Fire Department, when in reality I was simply a volunteer outside of NYC. An unhealthy desire to be praised by man and a lack of self worth in my life made me feel like I wasn’t good enough. Sadly, I created self-worth through lies. I sought to exalt myself my way. I used sinful strategies to gain relationships and to feel important.
God loved me enough to expose me and remind me who He really is, and that my worth is found in His love for me, not in my work, appearance, or accomplishments. He used an acquaintance in NY to reveal the truth about me and expose my lies. At first, I tried to protect myself through more lies and excuses, but eventually God put me on my face. I had to humble myself and trust myself to God's perfect plan.
I have heard it said before, “It is our job to humble ourselves and God’s job is to exalt us. If we TRY to do God's job, He WILL do ours.” By His grace and the everyday reminders in His Word and people, I and others who love me are holding me accountable. I no longer trust in broken strategies and my way, but rather God’s way.
I am grateful to be an ex-volunteer firefighter who is being rescued daily from the skyscrapers of pride and insecurity.
Discussion Questions
1. What are your skyscrapers that are keeping you from humbling yourself? And what is your emergency exit to escape from them?
2. What exaggerations, outright lies, or broken strategies need to be exposed in your life? Do you have friends or acquaintances that love you enough to expose them?
3. Have you asked God to expose you and lead you out of the smoke and into a life of freedom?
4. Have you read and applied James 5:16 with trusted friends in your life who are pursuing Christ? It sounds uncomfortable and awkward, but I know from experience that it will change your life.
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What does Jesus say about people who exalt themselves (verse 11)?
2. What type of guests did Jesus tell the people to invite (verses 13-14)? Have you ever done anything for someone so they would “owe” you later?
3. What is something you can do this week for someone who cannot or will not pay you back?