JESUS TEACHES ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

EXPLORE Jesus' teachings about humility and exaltation; EVALUATE our attitudes and behavior toward those whom God sends into our lives and our fellowships; and IDENTIFY strategies for  showing hospitality to those who enter our worship services-especially those who are unsaved or from different ethnic, socioeconomic, or religious backgrounds.

FOCAL VERSES Luke 14:7-18a, 22-24

KEEP IN MIND

"For whosoever exalted himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted" (Luke 14:11).

AT-A-GLANCE

1. The Places of Honor (Luke 14:7-11)
2. The Invitations (vv. 12-14)
3. The Parable of the Great Banquet (vv. 15-18, 22-24)

IN FOCUS STORY

After Suffragan Bishop Peabody retired, Elder Cogswell was called to be the pastor of One Apostolic Assembly. One of the first things Elder Cogswell taught was a 4-week Bible class series on the hospitality of Jesus Christ. It was a wonderful teaching and the saints were pleased with the fresh approach their pastor bought to the Bible classes. One of the activities that grew out of the series was "Coffee with the Pastor." Visitors were invited to have a cup of coffee with the pastor following service as an informal way to welcome them.

About a month later, an Asian family visited One Apostolic Assembly. After service, the pastor invited the family to join him for coffee. Since there were no other visitors that day, Elder Cogswell and the family sat in the pastor's conference room to chat. The family told him that they were grateful for the chance to meet him, but that they had not felt welcomed when the first entered and weren't sure the would return. When they entered, the members ignored them. When the usher led them to a seat, one of the members moved her coat, angrily saying that the seat was usually taken. At Altar Call, people stared at them, waiting for them to get up for baptism without realizing that the family had been saved at the Apostolic church in their previous town. Elder Cogswell apologized and asked the family to please come again.
The entire Apostolic church family suffers when any of our members are not open to welcoming people who are either from another cultural group or who don't "look save." In today's lesson, we will see how Jesus challenges us to show hospitality to all people.

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Pharisees. A Jewish religious group that strictly followed the Old Testament laws as well as their own religious traditions. They outwardly obeyed God's laws to look pious, but their hearts were filled with pride and greed. The Pharisees were admired by the people and influential in the synagogues. They believed in a bodily resurrection and eternal life, as well as in angels and demons. Both John the Baptist and Jesus often denounced the Pharisees. This religious group believed salvation came from perfect obedience to the law and was not based on forgiveness of sins. They did not accept God's message of mercy and grace. Therefore, they rejected Jesus' claim to be the Messiah.

Hospitality. The Old Testament teachings expected the Israelites to serve as hosts and practice hospitality. It was seen as godly, righteous behavior (Genesis 18:2-8). Hospitality was also encouraged among the early Christians (Titus 1:8). It was mainly focused on stranger in need or foreigners who had no community ties and needed immediate food and lodging. The poor, orphans, or widows lacked the provisions that came with inheriting land, the means to make a living, and the protection of a family. It was expected that such people's needs would be fully provided by the one taking them into his home.
In the ancient world, to share a meal with someone was a gesture of intimacy that created a bond of fellowship. Consider, for example, God's meal with the elders of Israel (Exodus 24:1-11), the Lord's Supper (Mark 14:17-26), and Peter's meal with the Gentiles (Acts 10:48-11:3). All these communicated a message of intimacy and unity. Jesus was dependent on the hospitality of others as He traveled through towns ministering (Luke 9:58, 10:38). While partaking of meals in the homes of others, Jesus united Himself to the lost as he shared meals with sinners, tax collectors, and Pharisees alike (Mark 2:15, Luke 14:1, 19:1-10).

BACKGROUND

Jesus was always in conflict with the Pharisees for their teachings and hypocrisy. In Luke 12, Jesus warned the people against false doctrine (vv. 1-3). The teachings of the empty ritualists, the Pharisees, were nothing but a sham and hypocrisy. Jesus used the parable of the rich fool to express a warning against covetousness (vv. 16-21). He wants us to seek the spiritual benefits of the Kingdom rather than the material goods of the world.
In chapter 13, Jesus taught on repentance and judging (13:1-5). This was in direct contradiction to the Pharisees' teaching that salvation comes from strict obedience to the law, not forgiveness of sins. On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus was warned by the Pharisees that Herod Antipas wanted to kill him. However, the Pharisees said this to frighten Him into leaving the area. Jesus told them to tell Herod that His life's purpose was predetermined, and no one could change it. He wept over the condition of the people in Jerusalem (vv. 31-35).
In chapter 14, Jesus was invited to a Pharisee leader's house for a meal on the Sabbath (v. 1). This was not the first time He had been invited to a Pharisee's house (7:36). On this occasion, the Pharisees and lawyers present invited Jesus to the Sabbath meal to watch if He would say or do something so they could arrest Him. A man with dropsy was present, and Jesus questioned the Pharisees about the lawfulness of healing a man on the Sabbath. There was no response, and Jesus healed him (14:2-4). This was not in violation of Sabbath laws, just the Pharisees' interpretation of them.

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. What did Jesus teach about seeking places of honor (Luke 14:10-11)?
2. In the passage, who are the two distinct groups that Jesus addresses
(vv. 7,12)?
3. Who will be invited to the great banquet in God's Kingdom (vv. 21, 23)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. Why might Jesus' message regarding hospitality and humility in these verses be difficult for some people to accept?
2. What lessons in both hospitality and humility is Jesus teaching both of the groups identified in verses 7 and 12?
3. In the In Focus story, the saints enjoyed Elder Cogswell's teaching on hospitality, yet they seem to have missed the point. What causes us to fail to apply the Scriptures in all aspects of our lives?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Two of the greatest obstacles to reaching outside our church walls are our misconceptions about others and our feelings of superiority about "those people." Whatever the reason, it is not acceptable to Christ whose Kingdom will be composed of people from "every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Revelation 5:9). Think about these points:

1. If God's Kingdom will be composed of people from every nation, race, culture, and socioeconomic group, why are some churches limited in diversity?

2. There are those who would argue that being "too hospitable" is taking down our "Apostolic doctrine and standard." How would you respond to that position?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

1. This week, evaluate what is hindering you from inviting others to your church. Pray and ask God to forgive you for letting it stop you form witnessing and welcoming others.

2. What does God want you to personally do about your beliefs and attitudes regarding those that you don't invite to church?

(Except from The Apostolic Light P.A.W.)