Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 13 September 2020

Text: Luke 14

Subject: Parable about the Kingdom of Heaven

CONTEXT OF THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT SUPPER (Luke 14:1-24)

1. The Sabbath issue

a) Healing of a man with dropsy

b) Dropsy is a reference to pathological edema 

c) Tissue swelling

2. The Lord Jesus was in the home of one of the rulers of the Pharisees

a) He was watched 

b) Would He heal on the Sabbath?

3. A question raised by the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?

b) No response from the Pharisees

4. The Lord Jesus healed the man with a dropsy problem

a) If a donkey fell into a pit on a Sabbath would it be pulled out?

b) No response recorded!

c) The Pharisees would save their donkey

d) Why would not the man with dropsy be saved (healed)?

WISE ADVICE ABOUT ATTENDANCE AT WEDDING FEASTS (Luke 14:7-11)

1. First word of advice (Luke 14:7-11)

a) Don’t sit at the best place (the honoured seat)

b) There might be a more honourable person present

c) You might be asked to take a less honoured seat 

d) Sit in the lowest seat

e) You might be invited to sit at a more honoured place

f) Truth to be noted

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
And he who humbles himself will be exalted” Luke 14:11

2. Second word of advice (Luke 14:12-14)

a) When you give a dinner/ supper

b) The normal

i) Friends

ii) Brothers

iii) Relatives 

iv) Rich neighbours

c) They will invite you back

d) The exceptional

i) Invite the poor

ii) The maimed

iii) The lame

iv) The blind

e) You will be blessed

i) They cannot repay you

ii) You shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just (Luke 14:14)

3. Comment of one of the guests at the home of the ruler of the Pharisees

“Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God”   Luke 14:15

a) Assumption of being in the kingdom of God

b) Words of one of the Pharisees

THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT SUPPER (Luke 14:15-24)

Immediate context:

1. This was spoken in response to the remark about eating in the kingdom of heaven

2. The danger of assumption 

FEATURES OF THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT SUPPER

1. A certain man who gave a great supper

2. Invitees

a) Many were invited

b) Servants were sent out to invite the guests

3. Excuses given by the guests

a) I have bought a piece of ground

i) I must go and see it

ii) I ask you to have me excused (Luke 14:19)

b) I have married a wife

And therefore I cannot come (Luke 14:20)

4. Report of the servant to his master (Luke 14:21a)

5. Anger of the master 

a) Understandably

b) The rejection was unwise and rude

6. Command to the servant (Luke 14:21-22)

a) Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city

b) Bring in here

i) The poor

ii) The maimed

iii) The lame

iv) The blinds

c) Command executed

d) There was room for more

7. Further command (Luke 14:23)

a) Go to the highways 

b) And hedges

c) Compel them to come in

d) That the house may be filled

8. Solemn word of the master

None of the originally invited ones would taste of his supper (Luke 14:24)

LESSONS FROM THIS PARABLE

1. Assumption of being part of the Kingdom of heaven

a) Unwise

b) Dangerous

2. Invitation extended to many others

a) Real

b) To be deeply appreciated

3. The blessings of the Lord

a) To be in His kingdom

b) To partake of the blessings of the kingdom

c) Symbol of a great supper