March 19, 2006
"Let's Throw a Party"
"People Matter to God"—Part 1
Luke 14:12-23
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
—Luke 15:2
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, "Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and 'sinners.'"
—Luke 7:34
How to prepare for a party:
1. The party must be planned.
"A certain man was preparing a great banquet"...
—Luke 14:16a
2. Invitations must be sent in advance.
"A certain man...invited many guests."
—Luke 14:16b
3. Preparations must be made.
When all was ready...
—Luke 14:17 (NLT)
4. Reminders must be given.
"...he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to come."
—Luke 14:17 (NLT)
You will get some excuses.
- Go and see.
- Take a test drive.
- Family obligations.
Many will respond with a positive answer.
(He)...sent out many invitations.
—Luke 14:16 (NLT)
5. More invitations are given when some decline.
"Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind." After the servant had done this, he reported, "There is still room for more." So his master said, "Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full."
—Luke 14:21-23 (NLT)
Urge: implore, make, plead, or compel.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
—2 Corinthians 5:20
...if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way.
—1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT)
Question: If God is the Host, who are you in this parable?
___ A servant
___ An invited guest who made excuses
___ An invited guest who enjoyed the party
Lifework: God is planning a party and you have been invited. How have you responded to His invitation?
___ Accepted His invitation
___ Rejected His invitation
___ Currently making excuses
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
—Isaiah 55:6
At Grace Church we are going to throw an Easter party. How will you participate?
___ Help plan the party
___ Be a party host
___ Deliver invitations
___ Call with a reminder
___ Pray (10 for Him)
Party Preparations!
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
- What is the best party you have ever attended, or, What is the best party you have every thrown? How so? What party do you wish you were invited to but were not? How did you handle it?
- How do you feel when someone declines your invitation to dinner and you have an inclination that you have just been given an excuse because they really didn't want to come? Why?
Digging Deeper: Read Luke 14:12-23
- Do you think the man in verse 15 understood Jesus' teaching and blessing in verses 12-14? Why or why not? To what does the great banquet refer?
- Who are the invited guests? Why did they refuse to come once the meal was ready? What did the refusal of these invited guests prove?
- How does the dinner party host respond to the invitees that made excuses? What does this response say about God's response to those who refuse His invitation?
- Who is invited to the banquet after the excuse-makers decline? On what basis are these guests invited?
- Who are the servants in this parable? What is their role in preparing for the dinner party?
Applying It To My Life
- If God invited you to a dinner party as His special guest, what would you do? Have you accepted or excused His invitation?
- What would have convinced you that the servants of this host were really offering you an invitation to what normally would have been an exclusive dinner party?
- From your experience, why do people say no to God's invitation? What can you do to help people overcome their hesitation? Who will you invite to our Easter party?