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Review. Jesus sometimes used parables to teach non-disciplesThe Two Debtors" to teach a PhariseeThe Good Samaritan" to teach a lawyerThe Rich Fool" to teach a greedy listenerThe Barren Fig Tree" to teach about calamitiesIn this parable we will see Him again teaching lessons to non-disciples
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1. The Parable of the Lowly Place Luke 14:7-11
2. Review Jesus sometimes used parables to teach non-disciples
“The Two Debtors” to teach a Pharisee
“The Good Samaritan” to teach a lawyer
“The Rich Fool” to teach a greedy listener
“The Barren Fig Tree” to teach about calamities
In this parable we will see Him again teaching lessons to non-disciples
3. The setting Luke 14:1-2
Jesus invited to dine at home of a ruler of the Pharisees
They watch Him closely
A man with dropsy (a swelling of tissue caused by excess water retention) is also invited
Perhaps a setup to see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath
4. The setting Luke 14:3-6
Jesus asks a question
Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?
They WOULD not answer
Jesus then healed the man and asked a new question
Which of you would not help a work animal in danger of injury on the Sabbath?
The COULD not answer
5. The best places Lk 14:7
Jesus noted that everyone wanted to be at the “best places” at the table
The best spot was at the incline of each couch
The worst spot was at the foot of each couch
6. The parable Luke 14:8-10
A wedding feast ( a common social event)
Don’t choose best place
You may be asked to move to lower place for someone more important
Shamed in front of all the guests
Choose lowest place
You may be asked to move up
Honored in front of all the guests
7. The fundamental truth Luke 14:11
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
The same lesson is taught in many places
Lk 18:14, Mt 23:6-12, Ps 18:27, Pr 18:12, 29:23, Jms 4:6, 1 Pet 5:5
Remember the story is a parable
Not advice on etiquette
The truth is the spiritual lesson taught by the parable
8. The lessons of the parable The danger of pride
Prov 16:18, 29:23
The danger is not just social embarrassment as in the parable
Pride will ruin our relationship with God
Prov 8:13
Mark 7:21-23
1 Jn 2:15-17
Pride caused the Pharisees to use the man with dropsy
Pride kept them from answering Jesus’ question
9. The lessons of the parable The importance of humility
The Lord blesses the humble
Ps 25:9; Prov 3:34
Humility is a sign of wisdom
Prov 11:2
Humility precedes honor
Prov 18:12, 22:4
Jesus displayed humility by being willing to discuss the healing both before and after the healing
10. Applying the lessons Are we willing to discuss spiritual issues?
Or like the Pharisees, are our minds already made up and closed?
Can we humbly ask others for their opinions and ideas before expressing our own?
God expects true humilty
Col 3:12; 1 Pet 5:6; Phil 2:3
Even when dealing with those who oppose us
Titus 3:2; 2 Tim 2:24-25
11. Conclusion The parable was simple
An unbeliever could hear it and accept it as a rebuke on social etiquette
A believer will hear and understand the true lesson
Pride has no place in our lives
All need to learn and practice humility
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”