Sermon Tone Analysis

Parable of the Feast

7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, 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 honored 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 neighbors, 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.”

What Culture contexts contribute to a better interpretation of this parable?

Does God not want us to entertain those we love?

Are we called not to seek honor?

Do we simply humble ourselves so we can be elevated or is there a different purpose?

What are ways we intentionally or unintentionally elevate ourselves?

How do we see this manifest itself in the church and how can we prevent it?

Is there a call

Pharisee and tax collector

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Is this parable condemning the practices of prayer, fasting or giving?

If not, how can they be practiced appropriately?

What was the error on the part of the Pharisee?

Why was the tax collector justified?

Are there ways we unintentionally belittle or tear-down others?

Has Christians and as a church how can we protect ourselves from those errors?

As Christians and as a church how can we protect ourselves from those errors?

-As Christians, we must seek to elevate God.

This not accomplished by elevating ourselves or belittling others, but by humbly serving Christ.

Personal Reflection

Looking at your own life do you see more aspects of a pharisee or the tax collector?

Are you seeking to humbly serve Christ?

What

How are you at engaging the hurting in society?