Luke 14:7-14 Social Advice: Sit Lower To Climb Higher!

Delivery Time: 30 minutes

When you’re invited to the Party, don’t sit at the Head of the Table and make room for everyone. Choosing humility over a crowded ego is the new black.


Section 1. Welcome and Announcements

Good morning, everyone! It’s such a joy to see all of you here today, gathered together in the love and grace of our Lord. We come with hearts open, ready to learn more about His Word and how it transforms our lives. Whether you’re here for the first time or you’ve been part of this church family for years, we’re blessed to worship with you.

Here are a few important announcements:

Upcoming Events and Community Updates

– Church Picnic: Next Sunday afternoon! Bring your family and friends for a time of fellowship and fun.
– Bible Study Series: Starting this Wednesday at 7 PM, focusing on “Living Out the Beatitudes.”
– Food Drive: We’re collecting non-perishable items through the end of the month—let’s bless those in our community who need a hand.
– Compassion Ministries: If you’re interested in serving our neighborhood, please see Pastor Sarah after service.

We’re glad you’re here, and we pray that today’s message encourages and strengthens your walk with Christ.


Section 2. Call to Worship

Let’s turn our hearts and minds to God as we prepare to worship Him.

Call to Worship (Scripture)

Leader: Come, all who are thirsty, come to the water.
Congregation: Let us draw near with hearts full of hope and gratitude.
Leader: Jesus invites us to be humble and to serve one another in love.
Congregation: May our worship today reflect His grace and humility.

Responsive Reading:
Leader: Let us lift our voices and praise the Lord!
All: For His mercy endures forever!

Or sing together:
“We Are Standing on the Promises,” a song of hope and faith.


Section 3. Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of this new day and for the opportunity to come together as Your children. As we focus on Your Word today, open our hearts to Your truth and help us to learn how to walk in humility and love like Jesus. Fill us with Your Spirit so that our worship is genuine and our lives reflect Your grace. Bless each person here, and may this time bring us closer to You. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.


Section 4. Praise and Worship

Let’s begin our time of praise and worship. We’re so grateful for our worship team who leads us in lifting our hearts to God. Today, we’ll sing both modern and traditional songs that remind us of God’s greatness and His love for us.

Songs of Praise

– “Amazing Grace” — remembering the depth of God’s mercy.
– “Open the Eyes of My Heart” — inviting the Holy Spirit to fill us anew.
– “How Great Is Our God” — rejoicing in His unmatched power and majesty.

Let’s lift our voices together in adoration and thankfulness to our Savior.


Section 5. Scripture Reading

Today, I want to introduce you to a powerful passage from Luke 14:7-14. In these verses, Jesus teaches about humility and the heart of true greatness. He uses a practical example of a banquet, where He advises us to choose the lower seat and practice true humility. Jesus reminds us that in God’s kingdom, the greatest are those who serve others with love and grace.

Now, let’s read Luke 14:7-14

Jesus at a Pharisee’s House

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

When He noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, He told them this parable:
“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.
If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person 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 the other guests.
11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves 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 sisters, your 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.”

This teaching invites us to examine our hearts—to consider how we approach service and humility in our daily lives. It’s a reminder that God’s blessings come to those who serve others selflessly.


Section 6. Pastoral Prayer or Intercessory Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts. Thank You for calling us to a life of humility, reflection, and service. Lord, help us to put others before ourselves, just as Jesus did. We pray for those who are hurting, lonely, or in need of Your love—may we be instruments of Your peace and kindness in our communities.

As we seek to follow Your example, hear our prayers for healing, hope, and grace. May Your Spirit guide us to serve with joy and humility. We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Congregational Prayer Response:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”


Section 7. Offering

As we come to our time of offering, remember that giving is more than just a financial act; it’s an act of worship and trust in God’s provision. Every gift we give helps to spread the Gospel, serve those in need, and build up our church community. Let’s give cheerfully and generously, knowing that God delights in a joyful giver.

Prayer of Thanks

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the many blessings You’ve poured into our lives. As we give today, we do so joyfully, trusting that You will use these offerings for Your glory. May our gifts be a reflection of our love for You and our desire to serve others. Bless what is given and multiply it for Your kingdom’s work. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.


Section 8. Special Music

Now, as we prepare to hear from God’s Word, we’re grateful for this special moment of music. This song is a heartfelt expression of our worship and surrender to God’s grace. Let’s listen with open hearts and let His presence fill this space.


Bring This Sermon to Life: The Full Teaching and Tools

To dive deeper into today’s message and explore practical ways to live humbly and serve others, please access the full sermon and additional resources on our church website or app. You’ll find powerful insights, scripture reflections, and tools to help you grow in your discipleship every day.

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Free Bible Study: “What is Jesus’s Best-Kept Secret at a Banquet? Find Out How It Can Change Your Life Today!”


Imagine walking into a beautiful banquet hall. The room is filled with prideful guests eyeing the best seats, competing for status, each trying to outshine the other. Jesus watches this scene unfold and gently, but firmly, he shifts the story. Instead of climbing the ladder of social esteem, He invites us to take the lower seat—to serve—and in doing so, discover a joy and humility that no earthly status can match.

Years later, a young woman named Maria sat quietly in her small church pew, listening to that same story. She’d spent her life chasing after titles and applause, only to find emptiness. But through that message, she realized that true greatness isn’t about the spotlight; it’s about humility and serving others. Her life was forever changed—not because of success, but because she discovered Jesus’s secret to happiness: serving with love from a heart rooted in humility.

What if I told you that this timeless wisdom is available to you today? That the real secret to happiness, purpose, and spiritual growth isn’t found in climbing higher in the world but in lowering yourself to lift others? I want to invite you to join a community of learners and followers who are discovering these life-changing truths.


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Prayer of Blessing

May Jesus pour His grace upon you and your family during this special time in our lives.


10. Outline (Paid Content)

The full, detailed outline walks you through every step of Jesus’s teaching on humility and service, including practical applications for your daily life—available now as part of the full sermon package.


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