Podcasts about great banquet

In Luke 14, Jesus tells the Parable of the Great Banquet. In this parable we have the Nature of God behind the gift of this important banquet revealed to us. The Nature of God is to gather the broken to Himself that they might be made whole again. The Nature of God is to provide precisely what every soul needs to be raised up from the condition the fall of man left us in. As Jesus said when He instituted the Lord's Supper, "It is with fervent desire that I have longed to eat this Passover with you." In this parable we see the weight of importance God puts upon this heavenly meal. The banquet is the Eucharist. Our God avails Himself to be present among us. He invites us to come and receive life. Our response, "Lord, we come. Here we are. Heal us, redeem us, and have mercy upon us."

Today's Scripture passages are Psalm 52 | Psalm 70 | Psalm 86 | 1 Samuel 23 | Luke 14.Read by Ekemini Uwan.Get in The Word with Truth's Table is a production of InterVarsity Press. For 75 years, IVP has published and created thoughtful Christian books for the university, church, and the world. Our Bible reading plan is adapted from Bible Study Together, and the Bible version is the New English Translation, used by permission.SPECIAL OFFER | As a listener of this podcast, use the code IVPWORD40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode at ivpress.com.Additional Credits:Song production: Seaux ChillSong lyrics written by: Seaux Chill, Ekemini Uwan, and Christina EdmondsonPodcast art: Kate LillardPhotography: Shelly EveBible consultant: JM SmithSound engineering: Podastery StudiosCreative producers: Ekemini Uwan and Christina EdmondsonAssistant producer: Christine Pelliccio MeloExecutive producer: Helen LeeTo reach the IVP podcast team, please use this form.Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

What if the thing you're pursuing most is the very thing keeping you from true satisfaction?Near the end of his life, Johnny Cash recorded a song that reflected on success, regret, and the emptiness that can come from chasing everything the world promises. Thousands of years earlier, Jesus told a story with the exact same warning.In Luke 14, Jesus describes a great banquet prepared by a generous host. The invitation is free. Everything is ready. Yet one by one, people turn it down because they have something "more important" to do.A new purchase.A growing career.A relationship.A busy life.The shocking truth of this parable is that the greatest danger isn't always bad things, it's good things that slowly take God's place in our hearts.If you've ever achieved something you thought would make you happy, only to find yourself wanting more, this message is for you.

This week, Zach Calvert continues our series, "The Storyteller," by exploring Jesus' Parable of the Great Banquet in Luke 14. Through this powerful story, Zach reminds us that everyone is invited to God's table, challenges us to consider the ways we can place God on the back-burner, and encourages us to invite others into the life-changing hope of the Gospel. Join us as we discover the open invitation Jesus extends to all.

Why do people make excuses when God invites them to receive His gifts? In this sermon on Luke 14:15–24, Pastor Tyrel Bramwell explores Jesus' parable of the Great Banquet and the tragic reality that many value earthly blessings more than the heavenly bread Christ freely gives. From farms and careers to family pressures and personal desires, our excuses often reveal deeper idols of the heart. Yet God continues to call sinners to His feast of grace, where forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life are freely given through Christ. This sermon examines the tension between the “now” and the “not yet” of God's kingdom, the danger of treating God's gifts as optional, and the overflowing mercy of the Savior who fills His banquet hall with the poor, crippled, blind, and lame—including us. Come and hear the invitation of the King who desires to bless you with His bread both now and forever.

Invited To Life - The Call Of Jesus (Luke 13-16)

Invited To Life - The Call Of Jesus (Luke 13-16)

Elder Jim Sellers www.NorthwestOrlando.com

Luke 14:15-24; Isaiah 25:6-8 The Parable of the Great Banquet is Jesus opening the doors to everyone. After being invited to dinner by a group of Pharisees, Jesus answers their question on who's in and who's out in his new kingdom. Drawing from Isaiah's messianic banquet prophecy 700 years earlier, Jesus redeclares God's desire for everyone to be included. That means you too! By Tom Powell

When Jesus tells the Parable of the Great Banquet he is sitting at a table, at a Sabbath-day banquet, hosted by a prominent Pharisee. It's in that context that he warns the Pharisees, the people who assume because of their religious performance, or because of their wealth and status, that their place in the Kingdom is certain. But in the parable, when the wealthy, influential, and powerful are invited to the king's banquet, they all turn down the invitation, busy with other endeavors. The king doesn't live their house empty, though. The king goes in search of the downcast, overlooked, sick, and poor, and invites them to come to the feast. And they do. The way to the kingdom is not marked by increasing wealth, growing possessions, or expanding influence. It's marked by an intentional and active downward descent, where we empty and humble ourselves for the sake of one another, just like Jesus did. Because in the kingdom, the way up is down.

You are invited to the banquet! Listen as Jesus teaches about the privilege it is to be invited to God's banquet and that there is nothing in our lives that is more important.

You are invited to the banquet! Listen as Jesus teaches about the privilege it is to be invited to God's banquet and that there is nothing in our lives that is more important.

Hope Presbyterian Church is a new church in New Braunfels, TX, seeking to take the good news of Jesus Christ to this historic and growing city. We meet every Sunday at 10 at New Braunfels Christian Academy, 995 Mission Hills Drive, New Braunfels 78130. Come join us!

The parable of the Great BanquetSeries: Guest Preacher Preacher: Rev. Alec StewartLord's Day MorningDate: 24th May 2026Passage: Luke 14:15-24

Main Text: Matthew 22:1–14 (ESV) 1 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.” ' 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.' 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”Preaching Point: We must respond appropriately to God's gracious invitation to his Son's banquet, or risk being excluded from his eschatological celebration.Teaching Points:Don't Neglect God's Invitation (vv. 1-7)Prepare to Stand Before God (vv. 8-13)Call Everyone, Warn Everyone (v. 14)Application Questions:Write down one observation or application that you found helpful from this week's sermon. Why did it stand out to you?Read Isaiah 65:12–15 and Hebrews 2:1–4. How do these passages show you that "neglect" is not a neutral middle ground but its own form of rejection? What "farms" and "businesses" (Matthew 22:5), work, hobbies, kids' activities, side projects, domestic activities, etc., are most likely to steal your attention from God's eschatological banquet? What is one specific, concrete step you can take this week to put them in their proper place?Read Revelation 19:6–8, Isaiah 61:10–11, and Matthew 22:8–13. What do these passages teach you about the significance of coming to God's eschatological banquet with the appropriate attire? What does the speechless man in Matthew 22:11–12 expose about the danger of someone coming to God's eschatological banquet on their own terms?Read Philippians 3:8–11 and Galatians 3:26–27. How does being clothed in Christ, rather than in your own moral performance, religious activity, or theological knowledge qualify you for the wedding banquet?Read Ezekiel 33:1–9 and Acts 20:25–27. Salvation is God's sovereign choice, but God's sovereignty does not remove human responsibility. That means not only is each person responsible to respond to God's invitation, but each believer is also responsible to call everyone and warn everyone concerning salvation and judgment. How does Ezekiel's warning to the watchman and Paul's confident "I am innocent of the blood of all" (Acts 20:26) sharpen your sense of personal accountability for those who do not yet know Christ?

In Luke 14:12-24, Jesus teaches true hospitality and humility at a Pharisee's dinner. Instead of inviting people who can repay you, invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind — you will be rewarded at the resurrection. The Parable of the Great Banquet shows many reject God's invitation with lame excuses, so the invitation goes to outsiders. Jesus warns that the originally invited (Israel) will miss the kingdom while others fill the house. Key: Serve without expecting repayment, and examine your heart for eternity.

The parables of Jesus are wonderful!  We will walk through a parable train together (12 in all...) to better understand what Jesus is saying to the world and to all of us, "The one who has ears, let 'em hear."  

We have been given an invitation to God's great banquet. Have we accepted or have we made excuses? In the same moment, we have the invitation in hand to give to others. Who are we giving those invitations to?

Preaching Point: We must respond appropriately to God's gracious invitation to his Son's banquet, or risk being excluded from his eschatological celebration. Text: Matthew 22:1–14 (ESV) 1 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.” ' 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.' 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

A feast is set, the table is full, and the invitation is personal. Then the unthinkable happens: the people who said “yes” start backing out with excuses that sound responsible but reveal something deeper. We open Luke 14:12–24 and let Jesus challenge the way we think about God, hospitality, and what it really means to be “invited” into the Kingdom of God.We talk about why Jesus pushes against hosting that's built on payback, status, and social safety, and why gospel-centered hospitality runs toward people who cannot repay. From a story about Ronald Reagan going far beyond what a soldier expected, to a coronation invitation stamped with “all excuses put aside,” the point keeps sharpening: when the King calls, the stakes are higher than our schedules and our pride.The parable's turning line is simple and stunning: “still there is room.” We explore why the servant has to “compel” people from the highways and hedges to come in, because shame makes the broken assume the invitation can't be real. And we linger on the thief on the cross, whose only reason for belonging is this: “The man on the middle cross said I can come.”If you've ever thought you're too far gone, or if you've been living on delays and excuses, come listen. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review telling us what excuse you're ready to put down.

Mother's Day - Ps Az Hamilton "Parables Wk 9: The Parable of the Great Banquet"

In this powerful message, Sara Davis explores the Parable of the Great Banquet, reminding us that the Kingdom of God is not a theology lecture, but the greatest party of all time. Through the lens of Luke 14, we dive into the "relentless, room-making, street-searching love" of Jesus.Sara challenges us to consider what "snacks" or "distractions" we are filling up on—possessions, productivity, or people—that ruin our appetite for the true feast. Whether you are feeling "meh," burnt out by the city's pace, or disqualified by an inner critic, there is a seat reserved for you. Discover how to swap frenzy for feasting and embrace the invitation to sit at the only table that truly satisfies.Main Text: Luke 14:15-24

Join Zach, Zoe, and Izzy for an eye-opening exploration of the Parable of the Great Banquet in Luke 14, unpacking what it means to accept God's invitation, why people say no to Him without even realising it, and how we're called to extend radical generosity and hospitality to those on the margins. This episode kicks off a brand new parable series, diving into Jesus' powerful story about a master who prepares a lavish feast, sends out invitations, and watches as everyone makes excuses to avoid coming. Discover what it reveals about our own priorities, the cost of following Jesus, and the incredible truth that God's invitation is open to absolutely everyone. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 01:46 What Are Parables? Understanding Jesus' Teaching Style 03:47 The Boy Who Cried Wolf: Parables in Modern Culture 05:30 Reading Luke 14:12-24: The Parable of the Great Banquet 08:39 Invite Those Who Cannot Repay You: Radical Generosity 12:24 Jesus at a Dinner Party: A Controversial Teaching 13:45 Blessed Is Everyone Who Eats in the Kingdom of God 16:07 The Master and the Invitation: God's Open Arms 16:45 The Foolish Excuses: When People Say No to God 21:38 Your Excuses Reveal Your Priorities 28:30 Go to the Streets and Country Lanes: The Second Invitation 30:29 The Gentiles and the Unexpected Guests 32:54 Everyone Is Invited: The Gospel for All Nations 35:25 We Are the Servants: Extending the Invitation 36:56 Living with Costly Generosity: Practical Application 39:18 Isaiah 25: The Feast of Rich Food and Closing Thoughts FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thewayuk/ FOLLOW US ON TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewayuk/ Want to know more? Find a church that has things happening for young people. Visit https://achurchnearyou.com/youth/ [In partnership with CofE Digital Projects]

This week, Pastor Rob Curington examines the Parable of the Great Banquet as Jesus shows how the Father makes a gracious offer of salvation.

Luke 14:15-24

When you get home and glance at your kitchen, are you more likely to see the dishes out and dirty, or the ones that are put away? I tend toward the former and struggle with a scarcity lens, seeing what has not been done or what is lacking. In this week's parable, Jesus offers us a new lens, one of abundance. God never reaches His limit in love, compassion, and welcome. Join us as we study the parable of The Great Banquet. (Luke 14:16-24)

Luke 14:15-35In this powerful passage, Jesus shares the Parable of the Great Banquet and calls His followers to count the cost of true discipleship. Many are invited—but not all are willing. Are you ready to put Christ above everything else?

Read OnlineJesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. Luke 5:27–29Levi's life changed in an instant. He encountered the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and in response to Jesus' simple yet profound invitation—“Follow me”—Levi left everything behind and followed Him. This radical decision offers an inspiring witness as we begin our Lenten journeys.Christ's call is often twofold. Even those baptized as infants must eventually hear and respond to that call for themselves. There comes a moment after the age of reason when those raised in the faith must choose whether to embrace the call to follow Jesus. For those who did not encounter Christ in their youth or who might have strayed from Him, the call is ever-present, continuously offered by God. Like Levi, once that invitation is heard and internalized, it demands a response—a radical choice to follow Him. And with that choice, life is never the same.When Levi accepted Jesus' invitation, his life underwent a complete transformation. He “left everything behind.” While his career as a tax collector was financially lucrative, it likely left him spiritually empty. Tax collectors were viewed with disdain by their fellow Jews because they worked for the Roman oppressors and often took more than what was owed for their own profit. This position, though offering wealth, created a life of moral compromise, guilt, and isolation. It was into this interior emptiness that Jesus entered. Levi, touched by an intuitive grace, recognized that abandoning everything and following Christ was the answer to his deepest longings.Have you heard Christ's call in your own life? Have you abandoned everything that stands in the way of fully following Him? This question is especially significant for those who were raised in the faith. While being baptized as a child and growing up in the Church is a great gift, it does not automatically mean that we have internalized the faith or personally responded to Jesus' invitation. Have you truly heard Jesus call you? Have you left behind everything that hinders your complete “Yes” to Him?Levi's transformation didn't stop with his “Yes.” He wanted to share his newfound joy and faith with others. Levi hosted a “great banquet” for Jesus in his home, inviting a large group of tax collectors and others to meet the One who had changed his life. His encounter with Christ was so profound and life-giving that he couldn't keep it to himself—he wanted others, especially those whom he knew were also spiritually empty, to encounter the same transformative love.If you have responded to Jesus' call and given your life to Him, your heart will naturally burn with a desire to share that joy with others. As you look at your family, friends, and acquaintances, do you see the same restlessness or emptiness that once filled your heart? How might God be calling you to invite them to encounter Christ? Perhaps, like Levi, you are called to “host a banquet” in your own way, sharing the Good News with those who need it the most.Reflect today on Levi's conversion and see your own life in his story. Recognize the restlessness within your heart and listen for Jesus' call. Identify Him as the answer to your deepest desires. Say “Yes” to His invitation, abandoning everything that competes with His will, and share the treasure of your faith with others. Embracing this twofold path is one of the best ways to ensure a truly fruitful Lent. My inviting Lord, You call to me each day, yet I often fail to listen. Help me to hear Your voice more clearly this Lent and to respond with all my heart. I choose to leave behind all that stands in the way of following You, and I pray that You will use me to invite others to Your heavenly banquet. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: © José Luiz Bernardes RibeiroSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

In this opening teaching of the Tell Me Something Good series, Leah exploresJesus' parable of the Great Banquet and what it reveals about the heart of God's Kin-Dom.

This week we look at Luke 14:15-24. In these verses Jesus tells the parable of the great banquet, exposing how spiritual complacency, misplaced priorities, and comfortable assumptions can cause people to miss God's gracious invitation to His kingdom.If you have any questions about this podcast or would like to share a testimony or prayer request, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at the following email: churchoffice@unitedassembly.org

This week, we celebrate the launch of our third Church. Join us as we learn that the Master wants a full house.

The Great Banquet exposes our excuses and our comfort zones—then calls us to welcome the “outsiders” the way Jesus does, instead of treating church like a quick stop with our usual people. The good news is that God isn't passive about you: He's urgent, pursuing, and making room at His table for anyone willing to come with a humble heart. The post The Great Banquet appeared first on Ottawa Church of Christ.

In this talk, Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the Parable of the Great Banquet from Luke 14, explaining the spiritual meaning behind God's invitation to salvation and union with Christ. Fr. Matthias discusses how this invitation represents both a general call to live a holy life and a specific call to use one's God-given talents in service. He addresses common excuses people offer for not responding to God's call, such as personal obligations or discomfort, and challenges listeners to evaluate their true priorities. Drawing on scripture, including Isaiah's readiness to serve and teachings on discipleship, Fr. Matthias emphasizes the importance of commitment, sacrifice, and intentional living in responding to God's calling. He encourages a personal and wholehearted “send me” attitude to participate fully in the spiritual life and service within the church community. Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

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In this message from the Storyteller series, Jesus' parable of The Great Banquet reminds us that God's invitation is both gracious and wide—but it must be received, not assumed. This teaching challenges us to examine how we respond to God's call today. The table is set. The invitation has been sent. The question is not whether God is willing—but whether we will come.

Message from Sam Sawyer on December 28, 2025

Many of us have been invited somewhere before, maybe to a birthday party, an event or simply over someone's home for dinner.  In the Gospel Reading today we hear a Parable about people who were invited to a Great Banquet, but they gave excuses and didn't attend.  Click here to read itDid you know you have an invitation to a Great Banquet EVERY WEEK?Listen...

Thank you for listening! Resurrection Oakland Church is a community of people seeking to love our neighbors and our city as Jesus has loved us.

This message is shared with permission from Dustin Smith and Hope UC Nashville church in TN.  "In today's message, we confront the distractions that keep us from God's invitation and uncover the profound beauty of His calling in our lives. Join us as we learn how to align our hearts and priorities with the kingdom work unfolding around us."Major Takeaways:God's invitation is urgent, requiring us to overcome life's distractions and self-centered pursuits to fully embrace His presence.Prioritizing divine callings over personal ambitions helps align our lives with God's greater purpose.Embracing community shifts focus from individual excuses to a unified journey, allowing us to participate in God's work together.Connect with their ministry go to www.hopeucnashville.com Join us for service live every Sunday at 10am at 5600 Route 34 | Oswego, IL 60543. You can expect passionate worship and a deep love for God's Word. Connect with us at our website www.revivechurch.life

Pastor Seth Troutt kicks off the new sermon series, "Jesus Stories," with an insightful exploration of the parables from the Gospel of Luke.In this first installment, Pastor Seth shares his personal story of experiencing unexpected generosity, drawing parallels with the parable of the great banquet, where Jesus illustrates the kingdom of God as a feast open to all.Through this message, viewers are invited to reflect on the profound generosity of God and our role in extending hospitality to others.Join us as we delve into the transformative stories Jesus told and discover how they invite us to live out radical generosity and grace in our daily lives.00:00 - Introduction05:00 - Big Idea: Jesus wants his house full of all kinds of people.10:50 - Hospitality doesn't expect short-term returns.15:54 - Humans are “good excuse”  factories.22:16 - Jesus doesn't ask us to do what he hasn't already done himself.27:34 - You must say “Yes” to the invitation to taste the feast.32:18 - Christmas at Ironwood**HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZFACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ironwoodchurchaz/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/ironwood.church/WEBSITE https://www.ironwoodchurch.org/

Epic StorytellerThe Great Banquet | Luke 14:15-24Jeremy Olimb // Lead Pastor

No More Excuses: Accepting God's Invitation to the Eternal Banquet In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the Great Banquet, . . . where invited guests offer excuses . . . work, property, and relationships . . . to avoid attending the feast. Their refusal represents how worldly concerns can distract us from God's invitation to eternal life. The master then opens his banquet to the poor and outcast, symbolizing God's inclusive call to all who are willing to respond. The Homily connects this Gospel to St. Paul's teaching on the Body of Christ: every member has a unique gift meant to serve and build the unity of the Church, not for personal pride or division. When we neglect our role or elevate worldly pursuits . . . success, possessions, or relationships . . . above God, we disrupt both community and communion with Him. We are reminded that at every Mass, we are invited to the Lord's banquet. The question is whether we will accept His invitation to eternal life or let passing concerns keep us away. The faithful are urged to use their gifts in love, serve one another, and prioritize the eternal over the temporary. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: No More Excuses: Accepting God's Invitation to the Eternal Banquet ---------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Restored mural painting by the Italian Renaissance Artist Leonardo da Vinci, dated to c. 1495–1498. The painting represents the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles, as it is told in the Gospel of John. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Luke 14: 15-24 First Reading: Romans 12: 5-16

This episode is part 34 in a study of the gospel of Luke. Jesus talked about the Great Banquet. It will include some surprising people, while some people opt out. Jesus also talks about the cost of discipleship. https://thebiblestudypodcast.com/luke-14-the-great-banquet/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com    Do you want to be healed? Why this question?  Well Jesus sees the heart… we know why he asks because the man starts giving excuses… RATHER THAN:Do you want to be healed - YES!!!     The mans problems went beyond physical - they were mindsets. His body was handicapped, but worse his mind was. His excuses we're his real limitations.      WHEN FACED WITH A NEW REALITY/THE TRUTH IT PEOPLE HAVE THREE CHOICES WITH IN THIS NEW INFORMATION IN (COGNITIVE DISSONANCE)  bAccept the truth - Change Distort the truth - Excuses  Deny the truth completely - so you do not have to change your whole identity (the pharisees)        Self Mastery What is it?    THIS IS THE WORLDS DEFINITION - AND THEY ARE NOT WRONG…  They have self mastery   Self-Mastery focuses on internal control and external projection, emphasizing the discipline to align your actions, habits, and demeanor with your goals, even in private moments where no one is watching.   BIBLICALLY WHAT IS IT?  Jesus said I came to do only what my father has told me to do.  John 6:38: "For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me".  John 5:30: "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me".  John 4:34: "Jesus said unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work"     **THE ULTIMATE DISCIPLINE OR YOU COULD SAY DISCIPLESHIP IS DOING THE WILL OF THE FATHER AND NOT THE WILL OF THE FLESH.     No Excuses   Luke 14:18 (NIV): (Part of the Parable of the Great Banquet, illustrating guests making excuses) "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'"     Prov.22:13 The sluggard says, “There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the public square!”     We are prone to excuses: Prov. 23:7  New King James Version For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.   The original KJV says “as a man thinkers so is he” **The story line behind this verse: A man invites you to dinner pretending to be generous… but in his heart he is watching every bit tallying up how much it will cost him. HIS ACTIONS DO NOT REPRESENT HIS HEART.      *A Key to understanding people is this:    -  Let me ask you a few questions: **YOUR LAST RELATIONSHIP… WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT? ***YOUR LAST JOB… WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT? ***YOUR LAST SCHOOL… WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?    Here is what psychologist tell us: The longer it takes for someone to find themselves as the problem, the less self mastery they have. When people immediately throw themselves under the bus- it shows great insight into who they really are.   The man gets healed, Jesus confronts his sin… and he runs to the pharisees…'its not my fault - its his fault! 

What is the heart of God's great banquet? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Luke 14:15–24 to show that the feast is not just food but fellowship with Jesus himself.