Interlude: Jesus, Example of Humility•
A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. HUMILITY IN DEFLECTION
A. REEXAMINING
Luke 14:7-9 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, He told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.
1. PARABLE
2. PROBLEM
Psalm 75:6-7 For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south, but God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another
B. RESPECTING
Luke 14:10-11 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
1. POSITION
Philippians 2:3, A lifestyle that in lowliness of mind esteems others better than himself
2. PRINCIPLE
Proverbs 25:6-7 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
Phil 2:5-11 “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
II. HUMILITY IN SELECTION
A. RECIPROCATING
Luke 14:12 Then Jesus said to His host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors. If you do, you can expect to be repaid when they invite you back.
1. POSTURING
2. PAYMENT
B. REPAYING
Luke 14:13-14 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
1. POOR
2. POTENTIAL
Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.
It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ
III. HUMILITY IN ELECTION
A. RESPONDING
Luke 14:15-17 When one of those at the table with Him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
1. PLEASURE
Revelation 19:9 Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!
2. PROVISION
B. REJECTING (THE CALL OF GOD)
Luke 14:18-20 But at the same time they began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
1. PATHETIC (FIRST FOOL – CENTURY 21 EXCUSE)
2. PUZZLED (SECOND FOOL – LOTS OF BULL EXCUSE)
a. Bought oxen team unproven?
3. PERPLEXED (HEN-PECKED HUSBAND EXCUSE)
B. RECEVING (THE CALL OF GOD)
Luke 14:21-24 The servant came back and related these excuses to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.'”
1. PLACE
2. PROCLAMATION