Fruitfulness on the Frontline: Part 2 - 'Four Tables - Part 1'

This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

Hebrews chapter 14 verses 1 - 24

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 2 Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, ‘Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?’ 4 But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him, and sent him away. 5 Then he said to them, ‘If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?’ 6 And they could not reply to this.

7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. 8 ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’

12 He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

15 One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, ‘Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!’ 16 Then Jesus said to him, ‘Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. 17 At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, “Come; for everything is ready now.” 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my apologies.” 19 Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my apologies.” 20 Another said, “I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.” 21 So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.” 22 And the slave said, “Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.” 23 Then the master said to the slave, “Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.”’



Prayer and Reflection:

Dear Lord, we thank you that it is your desire that your house should be filled, and that you accept us even when we feel unworthy, like rather common little boys and girls coming to an amazing party. Thank you that although we really are unworthy because our sinful nature, which we know and confess, that still you invite us anyway because you love us. Help us to feel and to know your love and forgiveness, and to let our own love and gratitude for all you’ve done for us show in our lives. Loving God, by your Holy Spirit give us courage to invite other people into our lives and into this church, that they too might come to know your awesome mercy and love.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.



Questions to Consider

1. Have you ever had the experience of feeling unwelcome, or out of place? What was the situation?
2. How did you first come to EBC? Did someone invite you? Who was that?
3. When did you last invite someone (not a church-goer) to have a coffee with you? Who was it?
4. Did God come up in the conversation? If not, why not?
5. Who might you invite for a coffee? How might your faith show itself in the conversations as you get to know each other?
6. Do you think we always have to immediately declare our faith and invite people to church, or might there be steps towards that kind of invitation? If so, what are they?
7. If you were to ask your best friend why they like you, what would they say about you? Modesty aside, how might you be a blessing to people as you and they get to know each other better?