Gospel Reading Luke 14 1 7 14 14

Gospel Reading Luke 14: 1, 7 -14

14: 1 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:

8“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.

9 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.

10 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.

11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. ”

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, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.

13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,

14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. ”

Watch Where You Sit Luke 14: 1, 7 -14

Story about Focus • Jews focused on Position • Jesus focused on Role • Jews focused on taking care of their friends and those who could take care of them • Jesus focused on taking care of those who needed taking care of!

Difference • Position- Where do you fall in the order of things – Often determines your level of privilege • That is why people care! • Role – What do you do – Not what you are allowed to do – That is position

Position often has nothing to do with your gifts! Role should have everything to do with your gifts!

Gifts are granted by God. . . Shouldn’t our role also have some input from God?

Be Careful. . . • Being good at what you do doesn’t make you a good leader of that function • “Time in grade” doesn’t make you better at what you do if you are not doing what you are called to do” – Same thing with education! – Same thing with money! – Same thing with “Title”

Jesus was saying Don’t assume that someone is a better person because they have those things!

Jesus was also saying don’t assume we are better people, with higher position ( or deserve a higher position) because we have those things!

Position usually causes trouble • • Causes jealousy Causes resentment Causes arrogance Causes rifts and conflict – Usually splits between the “Haves” and “Have Nots”

If we get hung up in position, it affects • Who we serve • Where we serve • How we serve that should be determined by Gifts NOT Position!

Some of the least desired roles. . . (“Scut Jobs”) • Get delegated to a few at the “bottom” • Often are the most important, if not the most glamorous • If shared they get done more quickly • If they are honored, they get done well

Credit • When it doesn’t matter who gets the credit things get done • Same with blame – Just fix mistakes, learn from them and move on Credit is typically about scrambling for POSITION! Let Others give you the credit!

Those being served usually don’t care by what position they are being served as long as they are served well!

Leadership is a Role, Role NOT a Position • Not everyone is a leader • Followers are equally important • Someone has to lead

Leadership in the Church • Does not have to be the Pastor! – Many are not gifted with leadership • Even though we try to force them to be – Doing so has caused many problems for congregations • If it is to be the Pastor – Make sure they have leadership as their prime gift – Make sure you are ready to follow! – What are you going to take off their plate

Leadership in the Church • If not the Pastor then who? – Make sure they have leadership as their prime gift

Leadership in the church is about catching a good case of Christ’s vision for this congregation, then infecting the congregation with it and rallying the resources to it’s accomplishment!

What is Christ’s Vision?

A good part of it is Ministering to those in the second part of today’s passage!

To whom? • • • The poor The crippled The lame The blind Those who are in need – Those who cannot repay you

To whom? NOT • Your relatives • Those who do not need it – They should provide the resources • To someone for the purpose of influencing them to better your position • Those who can fill your seats! At least not for those reasons!

Fill your role well and serve and you will be given the only title that matters by the only One who can give it!

God will greet you with “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant!”