Jesus continues His healing ministry and teaches on finding the lost of this world.
Luke 14: Healing of a Man on the Sabbath
1 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully.
2 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy.
3 And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?"
4 But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away.
5 And he said to them, "Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?"
6 And they could not reply to these things.
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honour, saying to them,
8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honour, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him,
9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.
10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at table with you.
11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
The Parable of the Great Banquet
12 He said also to the man who had invited him, "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid.
13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."
15 When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!"
16 But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many.
17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'
18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.'
19 And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.'
20 And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.'
21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.'
22 And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.'
23 And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.
24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"
The Cost of Discipleship
25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them,
26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,
30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'
31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.
33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Salt Without Taste Is Worthless
34 "Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?
35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Luke 15: The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."
3 So he told them this parable:
4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.'
7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?
9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.'
10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons.
12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.
13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.
14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs 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 more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."'
20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.
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 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.'
28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,
29 but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes; you killed the fattened calf for him!'
31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
Things to think about…
1. Luke 14 all takes place at a dinner banquet at a Pharisees house that Jesus and His disciples had been invited to. It was a Sabbath day. A man with ‘dropsy’ is healed and this starts a question about ‘law’ and ‘grace’. I.E. what is legal on the Sabbath, the parables about the wedding feast and the great banquet that follows? Who should we give honour to? Should we minister and witness to our close friends or those who are more likely to respond to the gospel. This certainly challenges me. The stage production, now movie, ‘Les Miserable’ depicts the story of the struggle between two men who represent the law on one side and grace on the other. Jesus fulfils the law so that we can administer His grace.
2. Look at these words of Christ in Luke 14:25-33. Does Jesus really want us to hate our wives, fathers, sons and daughters? You certainly couldn’t invite Jesus to a dinner party without the fear of Him potentially socially embarrassing you. He goes on to say that we must count the cost and uses the analogy of someone who builds a tower or another who goes to war against a bigger army whether the desire can be achieved. If you ask anyone whether they want to go to heaven, the obvious answer is ‘yes’. But there is a cost that must be counted. Christ needs first place. As a Christian I am sure you would say that Jesus has first place in your life. How is this evident? Would others see Jesus as first place in your life if they were asked what they see as the most important thing in your life? Test the theory.
3. Luke 15 looks at things that get lost, like the coin, the sheep and the son. Look at Luke 15:7, 9. It speaks about great joy being in heaven and among the angels over people who were lost and then repent of their sin and then are found. We express great joy when it happens, but it is interesting that this is not the focus in the passage. The focus of the joy found in heaven. Do you exhibit this characteristic of ‘joy’ in your daily walk, even over your own salvation? It is a characteristic of God and a fruit of the Spirit. May we constantly have joy whenever we meet, especially when someone receives Christ as their Lord.
4. Look at this parable of the lost son in his prodigal lifestyle, Luke 15:11-32. He thinks life is better outside, so he goes into the world and finds it is not the case, then returns to his father’s house. How often do we hear of young people thinking they would be better off out from under their parents’ roof, who then go out by themselves or with a few mates, only to find it expensive and disappointing. They then return because they were far better off at home. Christ used this analogy against the Pharisees, who represented the older brother, and the younger brother is represented by the tax collectors, publicans, and prostitutes of the day. But how many of us know people who once professed faith, but who then go back out into the world and never return to our Father’s house. Can you think of anyone right now? Offer up a prayer and ask the Father to draw them back by His Spirit.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. ‘One for Israel’ have asked for our prayers. There is another court case this month against them for proclaiming Jesus as Israel’s Messiah. The message of Yeshua is seen as anti-Israel and could have profound consequences, potentially leading to the gagging of the gospel in Israel
2. New members course – 3 week course. First 2 weeks completed. See CBC’s Youtube page if you need to see them.
3. Pray for the seats still being counted after last weekend’s election.
4. Pray for peace over the Israel/Gaza, Ukraine/Russian wars.
5. New Life group starting soon in Fernvale/Lowood after membership course
6. Those that haven’t come to church for a while to return.
7. Revival over our city.
8. Finances to cover our needs
9. Pray for PlayPatch, Kids church, Creche and Kids Hope at Karalee State school.
10. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Mothers Day celebrations both on Saturday and Sunday. Well done Graham and Suzanne
2. New equipment in and working. Thankyou Nathan and Jonathan
3. More visitors on Sunday
4. The Lord’s grace over our lives and country
5. Café, music, kids church, admin, sound and technical team every week
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. 3rd and final Membership Class course 18th May after church.
2. Quarterly Members Meeting 25th May after church.
3. Ministries this week. Life groups, Kids@Church, Kids Hope - Karalee.
4. PlayPatch 1-5yos, Fridays 9:30am at church.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
6. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for May...
Q. 32. What is a change of heart called? A. Regeneration.
Bible References – Titus 3:5-7.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
