Emory Baptist Church

Introduction

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 17:1.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Prioritizing Others.”

 

In 2002, California pastor and author, Rick Warren, wrote his best-selling work, “Purpose Driven Life.”  It was written as a forty-day devotional.  If you’ve never read it, I highly encourage it.

 

The very first sentence of Day 1 says, “It’s not about you.”  Wow!  You know what?  He’s right.

 

Turn to your right and say to your neighbor, “It’s not about you.”  Turn to the neighbor on your left and say, “It’s not about you.”  Look this way and say about yourself, “It’s not about me.”

 

We’re continuing our study of Luke’s gospel this morning, and today’s message is about this profound truth.  Following Jesus is a call to prioritize others above or before self.

 

17:1-10 points out three specific ways we can prioritize others.  Consider others sacrificially.  Forgive others completely, and serve others dutifully.

 

 

1. Consider others sacrificially, Luke 17:1-2.

1 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

 

Verse 1 tells us that Jesus is talking to us.  He’s talking to disciples, followers, believers, Christians.

 

1 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!

 

He then said that it is impossible to avoid offending everyone.  However, do your best not to offend or be a stumbling block to younger Christians. That’s who is in sight when He said “little ones” at the end of verse 2.

 

2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

 

If you do offend younger Christians or cause them to stumble or sin, it would be better for you to die than to have to answer to God for that.  That’s what it means to have a millstone or cinder block tied around your neck and thrown into the sea.

 

In Jesus’ day, just like our day, there were controversial issues.  We have even seen some in our study such as healing on the Sabbath.

 

 

We have controversial issues today.  Sometimes, we call them “gray areas.”  Is it ok for a Christian to drink alcohol?  Is it ok for a Christian to gamble?

 

There were also controversial issues in Paul’s day.  A well-known one was eating meat sacrificed to idols.

 

Was it ok for Christians to eat meat that from an animal that was sacrificed to a pagan idol?  Paul gives us some counsel in Romans 15:1-3, and it mirrors Jesus’ counsel here in Luke 17.

 

1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”

 

Paul’s counsel was to not please ourselves, but please our neighbor first like Jesus.  In other words, consider others sacrificially.  Sacrifice your liberty for your neighbor’s good.

 

 

2. Forgive others completely, Luke 17:3-4.

3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” 

 

The second way we can prioritize others is by forgiving them completely when they hurt us.  Look at verse 3.

 

3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

 

The family titles here are our spiritual family.  If our brother or sister sins against us, rebuke them and forgive them when they repent.

 

Did you read that?  Jesus gives us the responsibility to call out the behavior of spiritual family members. 

 

When that family member repents, we are to forgive regardless of the hurt. We are even to forgive again and again and again.

4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” 

 

However, if they sin an eighth time, we don’t have to forgive.  No, that is not what Jesus said or meant.

 

When He said forgive seven times in a day, He used seven as the perfect number.  It means completely.  Don’t hold any of your forgiveness back.

 

Again, we can turn to the Paul in his letter to the Ephesian Christians and find similar instruction.  See Ephesians 4:32.

 

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

 

Paul also calls us to forgive our spiritual family, but notice our standard.  Our standard is not others, but God. 

 

Forgive as God forgave you.  Forgive others completely.

 

 

3. Serve others dutifully, Luke 17:7-10.

7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”

 

Verses 7-10 encourage us to prioritize others by serving them dutifully or because that’s our duty.  Notice the rhetorical question in verse 7.

 

7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?

The implied answer is no one.  No one would invite a servant in from the field to sit down and eat.

 

You would tell your servant to come in and prepare the meal. When you had finished eating, they could eat. 

 

You wouldn’t thank your servant for doing his or her job.  That’s simply their job.

 

In a similar way, we are servants of God.  Therefore, our duty is to serve Him by serving others.

 

For a third time, Jesus is our example.  Remember Hebrews 12:2.

 

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Jesus endured the cross for His Father and for us.  It was His duty, and He did well.

 

It is our duty to serve God by serving others.  We shouldn’t need an “attaboy” for doing what were supposed to do.

 

 

Key

5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”  6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

 

You might be saying right now, “Bro. Richard, This is so hard.”  You’re in good company. 

 

Look at verse 5.  The disciples thought the same thing, and said to the Lord, this is so hard we need more faith. 

 

Jesus said you don’t more faith.  You just need the faith of the mustard seed.

 

This is not the only time Jesus said this.  See Matthew 17:20, 21:21, and Mark 11:23.

 

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

 

21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.

 

23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

 

If we are going to prioritize others as followers of Jesus, the key is not more faith but refocusing the object of our faith.  Your faith must be in the mountain mover rather than the mountain.  You faith must be in the mover of the tree rather than the mulberry tree.

 

Everything Jesus said for us to do in today’s text, He said that He is object of our faith.  He is the source of action.  He is the reason for our behavior.

 

How do consider others sacrificially?  Like Jesus considered us sacrificially.

 

How do we forgive others completely?  Like Jesus forgave us completely.

 

How do we serve others dutifully?  Like Jesus served us dutifully by going to the cross.

 

 

Conclusion

Scott Drew is the head men’s basketball coach at Baylor University.  Several years ago, he received a lot of national attention because of his team’s success and their mantra.

 

Their mantra was “Choose J.O.Y.”  Notice that choose is an active verb.  It takes intentionality. 

 

JOY is both an object and a result.  He encouraged his players to choose JOY.  That acronym stands for Jesus, Others, You…J. O. Y.  Their success as a team was based on their choosing JOY.

 

I would say the same about us.  When we choose JOY in that order, we can consider others and forgive others and serve others even when its hard.

 

And you know what we’ll receive in return?  Our result will be joy.

 

Today, have you chosen Jesus?  Today, will prioritize others.  Following Jesus is not about you!

 

Money Can’t Save You!

Luke 16:19-31

Sunday, November 9, 2025, 10:30 AM

Emory BC

 

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ 27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

 

 

 

Introduction

If you have your Bibles, take them, and find Luke 16:19.  I want to share a message entitled, “Money Can’t Save You!”

 

Here in Luke 16, money has been a common topic.  In Luke 16:1-13, Jesus told us the parable of the unjust steward.  Jesus commended his shrewdness or wisdom in spending money on others and planning for the future.

 

In Luke 16:14-18, Jesus addressed the Pharisees.  Dr. Luke called them “lovers of money,” and Jesus condemned their unrighteousness.

 

Today’s text includes another parable.  However, some don’t think it is a parable but a real-life story about a rich man and Lazarus.

 

I do believe this is a parable, and it is another parable that is unique to Luke.  Contrary to what you may have been taught, it is not a parable that is primarily about end-times or even heaven and hell.

 

The main idea of this parable is about money.  The truth is that money can’t save you, and it doesn’t matter how much we are talking about. Elon Musk will not go to heaven because of his new worth.

 

Today’s parable revolves around three scenes, and the main character is a certain rich man.  The first scene is about life on earth.  The second scene is about after-life on earth.  The final scene is about eternal choices.

 

 

1. Life on Earth, Luke 16:19-21

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

 

The parable begins in verse 19 with a certain rich man.  He doesn’t have a name although this parable is sometimes known as the parable of Dives and Lazarus.  Dives is the Latin word for rich.

 

The certain beggar named Lazarus is introduced in verse 20.  While still being a parable, this is the only parable that Jesus used a proper name.

 

As for life on earth, these two men were complete opposites. Verses 19-21 speak to that. 

 

One was rich.  The other was a poor beggar. On wore purple and fine linen undergarments.  The other wore sores. One lived sumptuously or luxuriously every day.  The other was laid at his gate every day. One ate like a king.  The other desired the table scraps.  One certainly felt the hands of his servants.  The other felt the tongues of the wild dogs who licked his sores.

 

In the minds of the Pharisees gathered around, they knew exactly why these men were like this.  The rich mad had honored God with life and wealth, and now God was blessing him.  The poor man was suffering from some sin and rebellion and disobedience.

 

Therefore, when Jesus uttered what was next, their worlds were turned upside down.  Jesus said they both died, but the rich man went to Hades, and the beggar went to Abraham’s bosom.  Their gasps were audible!

 

 

 

2. After Life on Earth, Luke 16:22-26

22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

 

Verse 22 says that both men died.  Shockingly to the Pharisees, the beggar was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom.  This was Jewish idiom that meant the presence of God.

 

BTW…We are told that the beggar died, but we aren’t told that he was buried.  He probably wasn’t.  He was probably was thrown into the city trash dump.

 

However, the rich man was buried, and probably had a funeral.  It would have been very well attended and very elaborate going on and on about his wealth.

 

Verse 23 is where the story turns.  The one who was thought to have God’s favor on his life was now in Hades and in torments. 

 

BTW…It is commonly thought that before Jesus returns, Sheol is the place of the dead, and Sheol has two compartments.  One is upper, and the other is lower.

 

The upper compartment is Abraham’s bosom or Paradise.  It most certainly is the presence of God.

 

The lower compartment is Hades or hell.  It most certainly is the absence of God.

 

There will be an eternal heaven and an eternal hell.  These are not them.

 

Verse 24 says that the rich man looked up and asked Abraham to send Lazarus to comfort him with a drip of water. Verse 25 says his request was denied. 

 

In verse 26, Abraham makes it clear that there is not a going back in forth between Abraham’s bosom and Hades.  The great gulf or chasm is fixed.  In other words, it is permanent.

 

Here we see the main point of this parable.  The majority of this first century audience was shocked and dismayed to hear about this rich man in Hades, but money can not and will not save you.

 

It matters not what your bottom line is.  When it comes to after life on earth, the only thing that matters is what have you done with Jesus? 

 

Have you received Him as Lord and Savior or rejected Him?  Only Jesus can save and will save!

 

A secondary point of this parable is that proof or evidence of our salvation is demonstrated in how we treat others.  This rich man didn’t go to Hades because of how he treated Lazarus. 

 

How he treated Lazarus was evidence of this man’s rejection of Christ.  Conversely, Lazarus had been helped by God, and he went to Abraham’s bosom not because he was poor, but because he recognized his need and called on the Lord to save.

 

Just to be clear, there will be many rich people in heaven and many poor people in hell.  There will also be many rich people in hell and many poor people in heaven.

 

The key is not your wealth.  The key is what you do with Jesus, which takes us to our final scene.

 

 

3. Eternal Choices, Luke 16:

27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

 

In verse 27, the rich man in Hades turns his attention to his lost brothers.  He asked Abraham to send someone to warn them about this place of torment.

 

Again, Abraham denied his request.  They should have read their Bibles and listened to the prophets.

 

The rich man made one last request.  He requested that Abraham send someone who had risen from the dead. 

 

For the third time, the rich man’s request is denied.  If they didn’t read their Bibles and didn’t listen to their prophets, they wouldn’t be persuaded by the miraculous.

 

 

Conclusion

If you haven’t already, you have a choice to make.  Where will you spend eternity?

 

Your choices are with God or apart from God.  With God will mean receiving God’s Son, Jesus, as Lord and Savior.

 

If you do nothing, it will be as if you rejected Jesus.  There will be no second chances, and your eternity will be one of torment and torment and torment.

 

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 16:14.  I want to share with you a message entitled, “God’s Way is Better Yours!”

 

We return to Luke 16 and our study of Luke’s gospel. If you were here last Sunday, you remember that were at the beginning of Luke 16 and the parable of the unjust steward.

 

That parable was addressed to Jesus’ disciples and encouraged us how to use money that God gives us in this life. Like the unjust steward, we should act wisely and responsibly by generously spending our money on others and planning for the future.

 

Some commentators believe today’s text is out of place.  However, it is the mention of money here in verse 14 that ties it to last week’s parable.

 

Before we read the text together, look at verse 16, and notice the phrase “kingdom of God.”

 

We have seen this previously in Luke’s gospel, and it has multiple meanings.  It can refer to heaven. It can refer to life on earth during Jesus’ millennial reign. 

 

It can refer to Jesus Himself.  It can refer to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

 

It can refer to the way Jesus’ followers live out their lives on earth honoring Him.  In verse 17, it seems to refer to both the gospel of Jesus Christ and how we as His followers are to live out our lives on earth honoring Him.

 

 

1. God’s Kingdom values the internal more than external, Luke 16:14-15.

14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. 15 And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 

 

Even though Jesus was previously addressing His disciples, the Pharisees heard the parable of the unjust steward.  Do you remember who these people were?

 

The Pharisees were male Jewish religious leaders who were experts in the Old Testament Law. They were assumed to understand it and how to apply it. 

 

They gave every outward appearance of being devoted followers of the God of Israel. However, their hearts indicated otherwise.

 

Jesus said they were lovers of money. Is that bad? Actually, it was. 

 

If you remember from last Sunday, I reminded you of 1 Timothy 6:10. Paul didn’t tell Timothy that money was bad. However, he did say the love of it was the root of all evil.

 

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

 

Because the Pharisees loved money, they didn’t like what Jesus had to say last week. Specifically, you can’t serve God and money. 

 

Consequently, they derided Him. They literally turned up their noses at Him.  Your translation may say they ridiculed Him.

 

Jesus responded to them in verse 15 by pointing out that God knew their hearts, and their hearts didn’t value what God valued. They thought money was an indication of God’s favor and blessing.

 

They were more concerned about their outward appearance than the condition of their heart. Jesus said that was an abomination in the sight of God.

 

The Bible is consistent. God and His kingdom have always valued the internal more than the external. 

 

Do you remember Saul and David? Israel demanded that God give them a king.  Do you remember why chose Saul? See 1 Samuel 8:4-5 and 9:1-3.

 

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, 5 and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 

 

Turn to 9:1. There was one candidate that caught their eye more than the others.

 

9:1 There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. 2 And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.

 

If you know anything about Saul’s reign, you know it didn’t end well. In this, God let Israel have their way.

 

Do you remember when Goliath was taunting Israel? They almost overlooked David for the same reasons. See 1 Samuel 16:1-13.

 

1 Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have [a]provided Myself a king among his sons.”  2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”  But the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.”  4 So Samuel did what the Lord said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come peaceably?”  5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Sanctify[b] yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice.  6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!”  7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have [c]refused him. For[d] the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  8 So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.”  And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not [e]sit down till he comes here.” 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with [f]bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

 

Brothers and sisters, more than your physical appearance and worldly success, how are fruits of the Spirit growing?  See Galatians 5:22-23

 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

 

 

2. God’s Kingdom will endure, Luke 16:16-17.

16 “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail. 

 

In verse 16, Jesus said the law and the prophets were until John. This is John the Baptist, and he was the last Old Testament prophet.

 

However, the Biblical record didn’t end with him because he was also the forerunner for Jesus. That means he announced Jesus and pointed others to Jesus as the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophesied about.

 

Since John arrived, the kingdom of God was preached. That is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and there were plenty who were excited about it.

 

However, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the Old Testament offered one way to be saved and the New Testament offered another. That is NOT true.

 

Sometimes we  think that only Jews were saved in the Old Testament. That is not true.  There were plenty of Gentiles who followed and were worshipers of Yahweh.

 

Sometimes, we think that people in the Old Testament were saved by keeping the Old Testament Law. No one was perfect then, and no one is perfect now.

 

Turn to Romans 10:13. This is a verse that we often use in personal evangelism.

 

13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

 

We believe that Paul is talking about Jesus.  Call on Jesus, and you will be saved.

 

However, notice something unique about this verse.  Paul is actually quoting the Old Testament.

 

Did you know that? See Joel 2:32.

 

32 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.  For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, Among the remnant whom the Lord calls.

 

In Joel 2:32, they were to call on Yahweh to be saved. Yahweh in the Old and Jesus in the New…we are talking about the same God and the same way to be saved.

 

God’s Kingdom endures. It doesn’t change, and it won’t fade away. 

 

It is here today and will be here tomorrow. That is illustrated in His word enduring. 

 

Not even the smallest Hebrew marking will change or fade away. The jot or tittle will endure illustrating the same is true for God’s Kingdom.

 

 

3. God’s Kingdom and plan are always best for us, Luke 16:18.

18 “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.

 

Our text ends this morning on what you might think is an odd subject. Jesus spoke on divorce and remarriage.

 

However, in reality, He was continuing to expose the evil of the Pharisees. They believed that Old Testament only prohibited divorce and remarriage for women.

 

In other words, when they did it, it wasn’t adultery.  Jesus had something to say about that.

 

BTW…This is not Jesus’ comprehensive position on divorce and remarriage.  However, it is certainly representative.

 

God’s plan for you is to get married and stay married. You might think your life would be better if you weren’t married to your spouse, but God’s plan is better.

 

Here is one more thing before we leave here.  I don’t think the Bible teaches that if you commit adultery that you are living in the perpetual sin of adultery. 

 

Why not? Would the solution be divorce? Absolutely not. 

 

If you’re married now, God’s plan is for your to stay married. If you plan to get married, God’s plan is for your to find your spouse for a lifetime.

 

 

Conclusion

As we think about God’s Kingdom and plan this morning, consider these two invitations.

 

God has a plan to save you, and its better than your plan.  Will you call on Jesus today to save you?

 

God’s plan is for you to be connected one, single, local church, and commit your lives to it. Will you join EBC today and make that commitment?

 

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 16:1.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “God’s Money in the Devil’s World.”

 

We are studying the gospel of Luke here at EBC on  Sunday mornings.  Please don’t think today’s sermon is some special occasion for a special audience.  It is simply the next text as we left off from last Sunday at the end of Luke 15.

 

Again, we are going to see another one of Jesus’ parables.  While some parables can be found in other gospels, today’s is unique to Luke.

 

Also, it is hard parable to understand.  Most commentators agree that it is the most difficult to understand in Luke’s gospel.  Therefore, today, I am going to do the best I can in teaching it to you.

 

Here is what I think is the best understanding and main point of this text.  For followers of Christ, we are to be as responsible as we can be with God’s Money in the Devil’s World specially with generosity to others and planning for the future.

 

Here is one more think before we look at this text.  One of the reason today’s parable is so difficult is because Jesus use a bad example to teach us a good lesson. 

 

However, that is not new for us.  Think about the lesson, “Don’t drink and drive.”  That is a good lesson from a bad example.  Hopefully, remember this, that Jesus can use a bad example to teach a good lesson, will help us today.

 

 

1. The Parable of the Unjust Steward, Luke 16:1-7

1 He also said to His disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2 So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’  3 “Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’  5 “So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’

 

Before we get to verse 1, look at verse 8.  In that verse you find the phrase “unjust steward.”  This is how the parable gets its traditional name.

 

Notice in verse 1 that Jesus was speaking to His disciples.  Therefore, this parable is meant for followers of Christ and to reveal mysteries about the way God’s wants us to live.

 

The parable begins with a certain rich man who had a steward.  We don’t use that word often, but other translations use the word “manager.

 

This manager was in charge of the rich man’s wealth. We might think along the lines of a financial planner.

 

Some people who knew the rich man and his manager brought an accusation to the rich man that his manager was not doing a good job.  In fact, the accusation was that he was wasting his goods.

 

This is the reason he was called an unjust steward.  Other translations say unrighteous manager of dishonest manager.

 

As a result, look at verse 2. The rich man called him in and made him give an account of his behavior. 

 

Consequently, the rich man had one thing to say to the unjust steward.  YOU’RE FIRED!

 

However, because of the rest of the parable, it seems that the unjust steward had a little time with the rich man’s business before he gone completely.  The text indicates he went to some of the rich man’s business partners.

 

Why did he did this?  He realized an awful reality. He no longer had a job.

 

Therefore, he thought through several options.  First, he thought manual labor, but knew that wasn’t for him.

 

Second, he thought about becoming a beggar.  However, he was too proud for that.

 

Verse 4 said another idea came to him.  He would go to the rich man’s business partners and make friends with them by doing something favorable to them so that they might remember him when he was jobless.

 

In verses 5-7, we have to examples.  First, the unjust steward told this man to only payback to the rich man half of the olive oil he owed him. 

 

Second, the unjust steward went to another man who owed the rich man wheat.  He was told to only pay back 80% of what he originally owed.

 

One of the difficulties of this parable is to figure out how the unjust steward got away with this.  I would say that the difference in what was paid back was either his commission or interest.

 

Regardless, these two business partners now the viewed the unjust steward as favorable.  He decreased their bill but yet the rich man wasn’t out anything.  He gained nothing, and he lost nothing.

 

 

2. The Point of the Unjust Steward, Luke 16:8a

8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.

 

In verse 8, the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. However, this verse is full of questions.

 

Is the master the rich man in the parable or Jesus?  I would say the rich man.

 

What made the manager unjust?  Remember why he was fired?  He was wasting the rich man’s wealth.

 

What had he done that was shrewd that deserved commendation?  Maybe, we should try to understand the word shrewd.

 

As I have referenced others translations this morning in trying to understand this parable, consider the King James Version.  Instead of shrewd, it uses the word wise.

 

I would say the master commended the steward for dealing wisely.  How so?

 

He planned for the future by treating benefiting the rich man’s business partners?  How was this wise?

 

Look back at verse 4.  By giving them a break, they might remember him when he was out of job and needed a place to live.

 

Do you remember what I told you was the main point of this parable?  As followers of Christ with God’s money in the Devil’s world, we should be responsible with our resources specially by being generous to others and planning for the future.

 

That is what the unjust steward did.  He cut their bill being generous, and the was planning for the future by endearing them to him.

 

At the end of verse 8, Jesus said we can learn a lesson from lost people. They are often more responsible with their money in planning for the future than Christians are.

 

 

3. Our Practices because of the Unjust Steward, Luke 16:9-13

9 “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. 10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?  13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

 

So what should we take away from this parable?  What should be our application or practices?

 

First, look at verse 9.  Use God’s money in the Devil’s World being generous to others so that you may be rewarded in heaven.

 

Make friends for yourself.  In other words, spend you money on others rather than self.

 

When you fail or literally the money fails and is no longer good, they, being your friends that you have evangelized and discipled, will welcome to you in heaven. 

 

Don’t bribe people, but spend your more generously on others with a spiritual goal in mind.  When we do this, we are investing in eternity.

 

Second, look at verses 10-12.  Use God’s money in the Devil’s World responsibly so that God will give you more.

 

God will give me more money?  Not necessarily, but maybe.

 

These verses seem to indicate God will give more responsibility to those who are faithful in using the resources they have responsibly like being generous to others and planning for the future.

 

Finally, if ever you think you must choose between money and God, choose God.  You can’t serve both.  They are mutually exclusive.

Our Faithful Father Who is Waiting on You!

Luke 15:11-24

Sunday, October 19, 2025, 10:30 AM

Emory BC

 

11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.  17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’  20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.  25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’  28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’  31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’

 

 

Introduction

If I were a betting man, I would bet that Luke 15 is one of your most cherished chapters in all of the Bible.  I understand why.

 

Last week, Bro. Ronnie preached to you the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin.  Today, I am going to remind you of the parable of the lost son.

 

Remember that parables are earthly stories with spiritual or heavenly meanings.  BTW…Charles Dickens is on record as saying that the parable of the prodigal son is “the finest short story ever written.”

 

In short, Luke 15 illustrates the act of salvation.  The parables of the lost sheep and lost coin teach us that God seeks to save those who are lost. 

 

The parable of the lost son teaches us that God can’t make that decision for us.  We must respond to God’s initiative.

 

In today’s story, we are going to see three main characters.  A father has two sons.  Obviously, one is older, and one is younger.

 

As it relates to symbols, traditionally, the father is a picture of God.  The prodigal symbolizes the lost or the unsaved, especially those referenced back in 15:1-2.

 

1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”

 

The older brother pictures the self-righteous leadership of the Jewish People.  These were the Pharisees and scribes.

 

1. The Younger Rebellious Son, Luke 15:11-19

11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.  17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ 

 

Here you have a Jewish family consisting of a father and two sons.  The younger son was probably around 17 years  of age or so.

 

In verse 12, he decided in his own mind that he is old enough and wise enough to take the world on by himself.  Therefore, he asked for his inheritance early, before his father died.

 

12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.

 

BTW…This was unheard of.  He was essentially saying to his father, “You are dead to me.  Give me my inheritance.”

 

What did the father do?  The father obliged and gave him his part.  According to the OT, that would have been 1/3 of the estate leaving 2/3 for the older son.

 

In verse 13, the text seems to indicate that this younger son liquidated whatever was his and left town.  However, he not only left town, he left the country.  He went into a country that probably was Gentile. 

 

13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.

 

We aren’t told exactly what he did with his money.  However, we are told that he “wasted his possessions with prodigal or wasteful living.” 

 

15:30 tells us that this “prodigal living” definitely included harlots or prostitutes.  I would guess it also included drunkenness and gambling.

 

30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

 

Verse 14 says he spent it all, and his problems only got bigger as a severe famine swept the land.  Not only was he broke, but now he was hungry, yet no prospect of eating.

 

14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.

 

So he got a job, but not just any job.  He got a job feeding pigs, and his boss was a Gentile. 

 

Remember this young boy was Jewish.  His family saw pigs as the scum of the earth.  He had hit rock bottom.

 

It got so bad that he was not only feeding the pigs, but he also began to eat the pigs’ food.  Hitting rock bottom may describe some of you this morning.

 

However, look at 15:17.  The younger, rebellious son came to his senses.  The light bulb came on. 

 

Implied in this verse is the idea of repentance.  Repentance means to turn around or change behavior.

 

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

 

He realized that it didn’t have to be this way.  He didn’t have to live at rock bottom.  He didn’t have to eat pigs’ food.

 

Verses 18-19 tell us about his plan.  He had been humbled, and that humility was demonstrated in his planned speech.

 

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ 

 

BTW…When we sin, every sin is first and foremost sin against God.  It may also be sin against our neighbor.

 

 

2. The Faithful, Waiting Father, Luke 15:20-24

20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. 

 

Its in verse 20 and following that our attention turns to the faithful, waiting father.  However, to be candid, this story is more about the faithful, waiting father than anyone else.

 

20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

 

We talk about the prodigal son and the lost son.  However, count the number of times the word “father” is in this parable…12.

 

The main character of this parable is the father.  The secondary  characters are the sons.

 

In verse 20, when the son had gotten home, his father didn’t even let him finished his rehearsed repentance speech.  His father just embraced him and brought out the best robe for him, and killed the best calf for him, and gave him the best shoes because his son was lost, but now he was found. 

 

20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

 

Also in verse 20, we see that all this time, his father had been waiting for him.  We aren’t told how long it was.  Maybe it was days or weeks or months. 

 

20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

 

Regardless, every day that the son was gone, his father had gone to the top of the hill and looked down in the valley and said, “Maybe today my son will be home.” 

 

In the son’s own mind, he thought his actions deserved that of being a slave and he was prepared for that.  However, his father restored him to being a son.

 

He was a son worthy of honor and praise and celebration.  For he was lost, but now he was found.

 

For those rebellious sons and daughters, there is a faithful, heavenly father waiting on you.  For those who think you have to get cleaned up before you come to Jesus, come to Him first.  Then, He will clean you up.

 

 

3. The Self-Righteous Older Brother, Luke 15:25-32

25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’  28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’  31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’

 

This father had two sons. Now, we encounter the second.  He was the self-righteous, older brother.

 

Verse 25 says he was out doing his thing. He was out being faithful at work, but he heard all of the commotion.

 

25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

 

Verse 26 says he asked a servant what was going on.  The rebellious, younger son had come home safe and sound.

 

26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

 

This was reason to celebrate, right?  Verse 28 says the older brother was ANGRY!

 

28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.

 

How could dad take him back and not ask where he’d been and where was his money and what had he been doing?  How could dad take him back and even celebrate?

 

He was so mad that he wouldn’t even go in the house.  However, the father went to him.

 

Verse 28 says the father pleaded with him to welcome back his brother.  All he could do was share his resume and claim what he deserved.

 

28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.

 

You know what the older brother was guilty of?  We hear a lot about it today.  The Republicans charge the Democrats with it.  The older generations describe the younger generations this way.

 

The older brother felt he was entitled!  He felt he had earned his father’s favor and approval.

 

BTW…If this parable is about salvation, you can never earn God’s favor, and you cannot work for your salvation.

 

In verses 31 and 32, the faithful father assured the older brother of his love for him.  However, he also assured him of his love for his son that was lost and was now found.

 

31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’

 

 

Conclusion

This story doesn’t end like we think it should.  We don’t know what the older brother did.

 

However, in one regard, you can decide how this story ends by identifying with a brother.  Do you identify with the rebellious, younger brother?

 

If so, I invite you to come home today.  God isn’t going to ask where have you been.  He isn’t going to ask what have you been doing.  He isn’t going to ask why did you go. 

 

He is only going to embrace you and kiss you and say, “You’re home.  I love you!”  English Baptist Pastor Charles Spurgeon said, “Slow are the steps of repentance, but swift are the feet of forgiveness.”

 

If you identify with the self-righteous, older brother, my invitation for you is to get over yourself, and also to come to the father.  In the same way the faithful, waiting father forgives disobedience and rebellion, He also forgives self-righteous arrogance and pride.

 

Helmut Thielicke, “In our lives, we may have squandered what we would.  Perhaps we have squandered and mismanaged our marriage.  We may have squandered away our good reputation.  We may have ruined our bodies or our imaginations.  Perhaps our thinking has been corroded by envy and the heat of harmful passions.  Perhaps we have dragged the faith of our childhood in the gutter and become nihilists and cynics.  All this maybe true.  But right here comes the great surprise. God has not given me up.  He still counts me his child.  He tells me that he cannot forget me.  When anybody has done as much for me as my Father in heaven has done, when he sacrifices his best beloved for me, he simply cannot forget me.  And therefore, I can come home to him.  God pays no regard to what I have lost. He thinks only of what I am…his unhappy child, standing there at his door again.”

 

Please take your Bible and find Luke 14:25.  I want to share with you a message entitled, “Count the Cost.”

 

In Luke 14, we have been looking at what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  That word means a learner or student.

 

It is not a special class of Christians or a more mature group of Christians.  It is used in the NT synonymously with Christian, and it is found three times in today’s text: 26, 27, and 33.

 

What have we seen and heard in the recent Sundays?  First, a disciple of Jesus does the right thing even in the face of criticism.  Jesus did that when He healed the man with dropsy on the Sabbath at the home of a Pharisee.

 

Second, a disciple of Jesus demonstrates humility when we consider others more important than ourselves.  Jesus told us that whoever humbles himself will be exalted, and whomever exalts himself with be humbled. That is true on earth and in heaven.

 

Third, a disciple of Jesus decides that the only way to heaven is through a saving relationship with Jesus.  That happens when we RSVP for the supper in heaven.

 

Today, we are concluding Luke 14.  If you are going to be disciple of Jesus, you must count the cost of following Him, and followers of Jesus will devote everything of their lives and in their lives to Him.

 

Again, notice the phrase “My disciple” in today’s text: 26, 27, and 33.  Also, notice the phrase “count the cost” in verse 28.

 

Let’s stand for the reading of God’s word.  Follow along in your Bible or on the screens behind me.

 

 

Exposition

We begin in verse 25.  Great multitudes went with Jesus.  It is really important to remember where Jesus was headed.

 

He was on His way to Jerusalem.  See Luke 13:22.

 

22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

 

Why is this so important to remember?  What was going to happen in Jerusalem? 

 

Jesus was going to die on the cross.  He headed to death without fear and following God’s plan.

 

First, if you are going to be a follower of Jesus, it will cost your family.  Look at verse 26.  He said if anyone comes to Him and doesn’t hate family, he can’t be my disciple. 

 

For those of you who don’t know, let me be clear.  Jesus is not telling us we have to disobey explicit Bible commands to follow Him.

 

The 5^th commandment in Exodus 21 and then repeated in Ephesians 6:1 are crystal clear.

 

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

 

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

 

This word and idea for hate is different than ours.  It means to love less by comparison.  If you are follower of Jesus, you are to love your parents less than you love Jesus.

 

The Bible uses this language in a similar way elsewhere.  See Malachi 1:2-3.

 

2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord.  “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?”  Says the Lord.  “Yet Jacob I have loved; 3 But Esau I have hated, And laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness.”

 

For followers of Jesus, your loyalty has to be to Jesus first.  Family comes second. 

 

We have even seen this idea earlier in Luke. See Luke 12:51-53.

 

51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Second, if you are going to be a follower of Jesus, it will cost you personally and maybe even painfully.  Look at verse 27.

 

Jesus said you must bear your cross.  What did He mean?

 

The cross was the vilest means of execution.  It would be akin to our electric chair or firing squad. 

 

Rome made their criminals sentenced to die by crucifixion carry the cross beam through town.  Why?  It was a deterrent to crime, but it was also meant to demonstrate guilt of the criminal.

 

For followers of Jesus, the cross was a means to death.  Jesus was going to die. 

 

Therefore, you and I would have to die…not physically but to ourselves and being the one in control.  Now, Jesus would be in control.

 

Third, if you are going to be a follower of Jesus, it will cost you entirely.  Look at verse 33.

 

Followers of Jesus must forsake all, and the implication is every part of your life.  When I baptized Dilan, he wasn’t holding his wallet out of the water.  He wasn’t holding his wedding ring out of the water.

 

If you’re going to be a follower of Jesus, you must not hold anything back.  That includes your marriage and your job and your kids and your checkbook and your hobbies and your language and your recreation.

 

 

Illustration

To illustrate Jesus’ point of counting the cost, He told two parables. They are in verses 28-32.

 

The first is the parable of the tower.  The point is simply this.  If you are going to be build a tower and finish building a tower, you better make sure you know what all is involved money wise so that you don’t run out of money and look like an idiot.

 

The second parable is about having to go to war.  If you only have 10,000 troops to fight 20,000 troops, you probably should consider making peace.

 

The point of this parable is not that we can negotiate with Jesus.  The point is that Jesus requires total surrender of His followers.

 

 

Conclusion

Our text concludes with an invitation to hear and act in verse 34.  It also concludes with a reminder about salt.

 

In the first century, salt was used to season, to preserve, and to fertilize. However, if it has become contaminated by another element such as gypsum, the effectiveness of the salt has significantly decreased.

 

Jesus said it would have lost its flavor.  Consequently, it was no good for the land or even pile of waste.  It just needed to be thrown out.

 

In other words, if you claim to be a follower of Jesus, your life ought to look like it.  Otherwise, of what use are you?  Will you be thrown out?

 

 

Please take your Bibles and turn to Luke 14:15. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Have You RSVP’d for the Supper?”

 

We are still with Jesus on the Sabbath and in the house of a Pharisee.  Remember that Jesus was the guest preacher at the local synagogue and had been invited to lunch after worship.

 

However, Jesus wasn’t invited because they wanted to get to know Him better.  He was invited for them to trap Him.

 

Also invited was a man who was retaining fluid and he was swollen all over.  This was due to a diseased heart or diseased kidney or diseased liver.

 

Because it was the right thing to do, Jesus healed him even on the Sabbath.  However, this did not sit well with the Pharisees because it violated their interpretation and application of the OT Law.

 

Last week, Jesus made a point about a humility and generosity by telling a parable.  His point was that followers of Christ not only do the right thing in the face of criticism, but they also demonstrate humility by considering the needs of others more important than their own.

 

Today, we are going to see and hear Jesus tell another parable.  He used these earthly stories with spiritual meanings to reveal mysteries, conceal realities, and fulfill prophecies depending on the makeup of His audience.

 

You’ve probably received an RSVP in the mail.  They typically are related to an invitation to an event.

 

RSVP is actually French and means respond if you please or please respond.  For Texans, you might get away with respond soon very pronto.

 

In other words, the host wants to know if you’re coming.  They want to know either way so that they can plan accordingly for space and or food.

 

What supper are we talking about?  It is the one here in Luke 14.  Jesus calls it a great supper as He tells another parable.

 

 

Exposition

Again, we are at a Pharisee’s house, and it seems to be the midday meal.  Jesus had someone sitting next to Him who seems to be one of His followers.

 

How do we know?  Look what he said.  Blessed or happy is the he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

 

We haven’t seen that term in a while, but it is what chapter 13 is all about.  In this instance, it most likely is a reference to heaven.  In other words, he was saying that being saved and having a home in heaven is the decision that will make you the happiest in life.

 

In response to this man’s declaration, Jesus told the parable of the great supper.  It begins in verse 16.

A certain man was hosting a great supper and invited a lot of people.  On the actual day of the event, he sent another invitation saying, “Y’all come.” 

 

This was common practice to send two invitations.  The first would be akin to our save the date invitations.  Those are then followed up with a more formal invitation. 

 

When this man’s second invitation went out, all those who were invited made up excuses as to why they couldn’t come.  Jesus shared with us three.

 

First, his excuse was that he had to look at a piece of property he already purchased.  Why couldn’t that wait?  Wouldn’t it still be there?  Did he buy it sight unseen?

 

Second, his excuse was similar.  Could the testing not wait?  Could the oxen not be tested later?

 

Third, his excuse was that he need to stay home with his newly married wife.  More than likely, no first-century Jewish male would have said this.

 

All of these excuses were flimsy.  They were ridiculous.

 

Because the host was insulted, he told his servant to invite others.  These folks would be thankful because they were they outcasts of society.  They probably hadn’t been to a supper like this before.

 

However, there was still more room and more food for more people.  The servant was then directed to go outside of the city and invite more. 

 

In verse 24, Jesus made a shocking statement to the man from verse 15.  He indicated that the supper would be His and none of those initially invited would now be welcome.

 

 

Identification

Now, let’s try to identify some of the characters and objects in the parable.  First, the certain man hosting the great supper is God the Father.

 

The great supper is heaven and eternal life.  The first invitation was the OT prophets.  The second invitation delivered by the man’s servant was Jesus Christ. 

 

The initial invitation went to the nation of Israel and specifically their leaders such as these Pharisees.  The poor, maimed, lame, and blind were probably also Jews but the lower segment of society.

 

Those outside the city on the highways and hedges were the Gentiles.  That is us.

 

 

Invitation

The point of this parable is that God is inviting us to be saved and an eternity at His great supper in heaven.  We can accept by the invitation by accepting His Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior.  However, if you don’t accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, you are rejecting His invitation to be saved.

 

I don’t want to take this for granted, but a follower of Jesus does the right thing, demonstrates humility, and decides to receive the invitation to heaven.  It doesn’t happen automatically.  It has to be a conscious decision.

 

However, just like this parable, there will be those who reject. They will even make similar, ridiculous excuses.  Here are the most prevalent.

 

First, I’m too bad.  You don’t know what I’ve done. God can’t forgive me.

 

False.  God can and will if you confess and repent.  Jesus Christ died on the cross for murderers, adulterers, liars, thieves, and self-righteous religious hypocrites.  He did on the cross for you. 

 

Second, I’m too good or I don’t need to be saved.  False.

 

You may be relatively good compared to your neighbor.  However, you’re not perfect, and perfection is the standard.

 

You can’t be saved by authenticity, generosity, genealogy, ingenuity, or morality.  You can only be saved through Jesus Christ and inviting Him to be your Lord and Savior.

 

Third, your beliefs are no good.  Look at all of the hypocrites.

 

If men are your standard, you will never be satisfied.  If Jesus is your standard, you’ll never be disappointed.

 

Today, my invitation is for every man and every woman.  It is for every boy and every girl.  Listen to Psalm 34:8.

 

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

 

Will you come to Him today and taste and see?  RSVP now.

Please take your Bibles and find Luke 14:7. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Descending into Greatness.” 

 

That sermon title ought to surprise you and cause you to think twice.  In our country and in your culture, you don’t go down to be great.  You go up.

 

If you want to be great, you go up at work in sales and in revenue.  If you want to be great in school, you go up in GPA and test scores.  If you want to be great in sports, you go up in wins and points per game.

 

However, Jesus said if you want to go up to greatness in the kingdom of heaven, you have to go down.  Jesus advocated descending into greatness.

 

I wish I was smart enough to come up with that title on my own.  However, Bill Hybels wrote the book in 1993.

 

In our verse by verse and chapter by study of Luke’s gospel, we have come to 14:7.  In reality, it is a continuation from last Sunday.  Today’s text is the same story on the same day in the same house with many of the same characters.

 

Jesus told a parable.  A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly or spiritual meaning.

 

Jesus used parables to reveal mysteries to those who had received Him.  He used parables to conceal realities from those who had rejected Him, and He used parables to fulfill prophecies for both.

 

Remember from last week that it is the Sabbath.  Jesus was the guest preacher at the synagogue, and was customarily invited to a local house for lunch after the morning worship.

 

The local house belonged to some Pharisees who were Jewish religious leaders.  However, they had not invited Him to get to know Him better or show hospitality.

 

They invited Him to trap Him.  Not only did they invite Jesus, but they had also invited a man whose body was significant swollen. He was retaining fluid in his arms and legs and abdomen from an illness with his heart or liver or kidneys.

 

The Pharisees wanted to see if Jesus would heal this man, and He did.  It was that healing that put Jesus more at odds with Him.  However, it wasn’t because He had dishonored or broken Sabbath law.  He had just gone against their man-made convictions or unbiblical applications.

 

Today’s text continues on the same day and at the same house and with the same people. We will see an observation, an illustration, and an application.

 

 

1. An Observation of a Problem, Luke 14:7

7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them.

 

Jesus is the He of verse 7, and I have already told you what a parable is and why Jesus used them.  The parable to follow was addressed to those who were invited.

 

Who was that?  Go back to 14:3.

 

3 And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

 

Those in attendance for lunch included Jesus, the man who sick, lawyers, and Pharisees.  Again, the Pharisees were Jewish religious leaders and experts in the Old Testament Law.

 

What was the problem that Jesus observed?  They were scurrying to get the best places to sit at lunch.

 

In this day, that would have been those places seated closest to the guest of honor.  In our day, it would be the places closest to the food or at the front.

 

 

2. An Illustration with a Parable, Luke 14:8-10

8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.

 

In this instance, Jesus used this parable to reveal mysteries.  He told this parable to make a point.

 

The parable begins in verse 8 and is at wedding feast.  The instruction is not to sit at the best places so that someone better doesn’t come and need you to move.  That would be humiliating.

 

Instead, choose the worst place to sit.  If you do that, then you might be asked to move up to a better place.  If this happens, you won’t be humiliated.  You will be honored as those around you think highly of you.

 

 

3. An Application for the People/Us, Luke 14:11-14

11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

 

What was Jesus’ point?  Look at verse 11. 

 

Whoever exalts himself with be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.  In the language of the NT, this verse is in the theological passive.

 

In other words, if you promote yourself, God will humble you.  If you humble yourself, God will lift you up.  Even though the word God is not present, God is implied.

 

Jesus then goes one step further and not only promotes humility but also generosity. Look at verse 12-14.

 

Again, He spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees. When you have a dinner, don’t only invite those who will simply return the favor like your friends and family and neighbors.

 

Instead, invite those who have no means at all to repay.  Invite the outcasts of society and culture.  Invite the poor and crippled and lame and blind.

 

In return, you will be blessed.  This act will also demonstrate your salvation, and you will be rewarded in heaven.

 

 

Conclusion

So last week, we saw that a disciple of Jesus does the right thing even in the face of criticism.  Today, a disciple of Jesus will demonstrate humility by considering others more important than him or herself.

 

Turn to Philippians 2:5.

 

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

 

What mind are we talking about?  See Philippians 2:3-4.

 

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

How did Jesus model this for us?  See Philippians 2:6-11.

 

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

In other words, Jesus demonstrated humility by considering our needs more important than His needs.  Specifically, He died on the cross because we needed a Savior.

 

What might this look like our lives?  First, think about home.  What would happen if spouses thought each other’s needs were more important than your own and acted in the same manner?  Marriage would be saved and thrive.

 

What would happen if children thought their parents’ needs were more important than their own?  It might mean rest and recovery for parents to better serve their children.

 

What would happen at school and work if students demonstrated humility by thinking the needs of others’ needs were more important than your own or your coworkers were more important than you?  I would suggest learning and production would increase. 

 

What would happen if church members demonstrated humility by thinking others’ needs were more important than your own?  I know what would happen.  Our prayer room ministry schedule would be full, we would have more nursery volunteers than we need, and we might not have to borrow funds to build a FLC.

 

If you want to be great brothers and sister, go down.  Jesus will lift you up.