After speaking at the Pharisee’s dinner table about humility and hospitality and then about heaven, Jesus then spoke to the ‘great crowds’ that were following him, perhaps hoping for a free bread or even and invitation to the banquet he had been speaking of. Because he was now speaking to the crowds, Jesus changed tack somewhat to present to them the demands and the costs of following him. It’s easy to see why. Jesus wasn’t interested in being popoular, and he knew that spelling out these matters the way he did, would surely turn away those who were only looking for that free feed.
Message
Outline
• The forty-sixth in this series • Consistency and inconsistency • The demands of discipleship • See how Jesus taught that a disciple…
Knows a prior claim (v.25-26)
Carries a painful cross (v.27)
Pays a pre-calculated cost (v.28-35)
The communist student Tasteless salt (v.34-35) What He wants us to be
While Jesus was still sitting at the dinner table of one of the Pharisees, he further extended the converation by responding to the comment of one of the guests who spoke of the joy that waits those who will feast in the coming Kingdom of God. To this, we find in Luke 14:15-24, that Jesus responded with a wonderful parable that is applicable on so many levels. Why do the invited not want to come? Who are the ones who aren’t invited byut do come? Who are the ones who were invited that Jesus said will miss out? The door is open. Don’t miss the invitation.
Message
Outline
• The forty-fifth in this series • The places we’ve been with Jesus • From dinner to a banquet • See the parable Jesus told that spoke of the master’s …
Unrestricted invitation (v.15-16)
Understandable anger (v.17-22)
Unmatched generosity (v.23-24)
The most expensive banquet ever A birthday cake for Agnes The open invitation!
In Luke 14:1-14, Jesus sits down at the dinner table at the invitation of a Pharisee. Luke has already made clear that when Jesus sits at a dinner table, many things happen. On this occasion, a Sabbath day, after he healed a man from his illness, he had some choice words to say to his hosts, the guests and then all who hear him. His words centre around the theme of extending hospitality (and therefore love, welcome and grace) to those who are on the outer when it comes to the social scale – the unloved and unlovely. It’s a great challenge to think and do and be like Jesus in this way.
Message
Outline
• The forty-fourth in this series • Jesus ‘doing’ and ‘teaching’ • At the dinner table • See how Luke tells us that Jesus had …
A reply for his critics (v.1-6)
A direction for the guests (v.7-11)
A challenge for his host (v.12-14)
Rosaria Butterfield Radically ordinary hospitality Thinking and doing like Jesus
As a Presbyterian church, and therefore of the Reformed tradition, we’ll be thanking God for the reminder that throughout the history of the church, men of God stood up and spoke up for the Word of God, the truths of the Scriptures, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We invite you to read this excellent article reprinted here from Ligionier Ministries written by Robert Rothwell. (See https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-reformation-day-all-about)
What is Reformation Day all about?
“On October 31, much of the culture will be focused on candy and things that go bump in the night. Protestants, however, have something far more significant to celebrate on October 31. It’s Reformation day, which commemorates what was perhaps the greatest move of God’s Spirit since the days of the Apostles. But what is the significance of Reformation Day, and how should we consider the events it commemorates?
At the time, few would have suspected that the sound of a hammer striking the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany, would soon be heard around the world and lead ultimately to the greatest transformation of Western society since the apostles first preached the Gospel throughout the Roman empire. Martin Luther’s nailing of his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door on October 31, 1517, provoked a debate that culminated finally in what we now call the Protestant Reformation.
An heir of Bishop Augustine of Hippo, Martin Luther is one of the most significant figures God has raised up since that time. This law student turned Augustinian monk became the center of a great controversy after his theses were copied and distributed throughout Europe. Initially protesting the pope’s attempt to sell salvation, Luther’s study of Scripture soon led him to oppose the church of Rome on issues including the primacy of the Bible over church tradition and the means by which we are found righteous in the sight of God.
This last issue is probably Luther’s most significant contribution to Christian theology. Though preached clearly in the New Testament and found in the writings of many of the church fathers, the medieval bishops and priests had largely forgotten the truth that our own good works can by no means merit God’s favor. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, and good works result from our faith, they are not added to it as the grounds for our right standing in the Lord’s eyes (Eph. 2:8-10). Justification, God’s declaration that we are not guilty, forgiven of sin, and righteous in His sight comes because through our faith alone the Father imputes, or reckons to our account, the perfect righteousness of Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).
Martin Luther’s rediscovery of this truth led to a whole host of other church and societal reforms and much of what we take for granted in the West would have likely been impossible had he never graced the scene. Luther’s translation of the Bible into German put the Word of God in the hands of the people, and today Scripture is available in the vernacular language of many countries, enabling lay people to study it with profit. He reformed the Latin mass by putting the liturgy in the common tongue so that non-scholars could hear and understand the preached word of God and worship the Lord with clarity. Luther lifted the unbiblical ban on marriage for the clergy and by his own teaching and example radically transformed the institution itself. He recaptured the biblical view of the priesthood of all believers, showing all people that their work had purpose and dignity because in it they can serve their Creator.
Today, Luther’s legacy lives on in the creeds and confessions of Protestant bodies worldwide. As we consider his importance this Reformation Day, let us equip ourselves to be knowledgeable proclaimers and defenders of biblical truth. May we be eager to preach the gospel of God to the world and thereby spark a new reformation of church and culture.”
The Victorian State Election to be held in November 2026 is shaping up to be a most interesting contest and one that will define the future of our State for the 4 next years.
There’s a most important event coming up that will be beneficial to all! See details below…
After responding to the criticism he faced over the healing of the woman on the Sabbath, Luke tells us that in Luke 13:22-35, Jesus was again confronted with a question, and again, the question was on something of eternal importance. Though Jesus did not answer the question directly, He went on to say much about it – and all that he said is vital to act upon. The opportunity for salvation will not be around forever, but eternal life will!
Message
Outline
• The forty-third in this series • Themes we’ve noted • A question about the Kingdom of God • See how Luke tells us that Jesus answered that …
The door to the Kingdom will be hard to find (v.22-23)
The people in the Kingdom will be diverse (v.29-30, 34-35)
The establishment of the Kingdom will be costly (v.31-33)
‘The war of the worlds’ Sinners in the hand of an angry God… An open invitation…
It’s October, and in the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, that means it’s time for General Assembly – our statewide gathering of ministers (teaching elders) and elders (ruling elders) from across our 11 presbyteries. Monday October 5th saw the commencement of the 174th General Assembly of the PCV with the installation of Rev John Wilson as the Moderator.
Like to know what was discussed? Easy. Just follow this link.
The Lortd Jesus was often in direct confrontation with the religious leaders of his day, and the event recorded in Luke 13;10-21 is a prime example of that. When Jesus healed the crippled woman on the Sabbath in the synagogue, things quickly got heated. The legalistic ruler of the synagogue got angry that jesus had healed on the Sabbath, which only caused Jesus to grow angry at the ‘fruitlessness’ of those in charge, and the extent to which their legalism caused such spiritual blindness.
Message
Outline
• The forty-second in this series • Connecting to last week’s text • The ‘fruitlessness’ of the religious leaders • See how Luke tells us about …
A significant healing (v.10-13)
A legalistic response (v.14)
A compelling challenge (v.15-21)
Fake news Three things to see The fruit of repentance
After dealing with the varied responses that came Jesus’ way in Luke chapter 12, we find that in Luke 13;1-9, Jesus was confronted with the reality of the question of tragedy and what His response to it would be. Rather than seeking to give a classic excplanation of the cause of human tragedy, or even tackle the question why some face an unexpected, swift end to their life, Jesus turned the question around to make clear the urgency of repentance. Tragedy calls upon us to remind us that life is short and eternity follows!
Message
Outline
• The forty-first in this series • That note of urgency • An imaginary press conference • See how Luke tells us that Jesus …
Asked a question to put life into perspective (v.1-5)
Told a parable to underline the need for repentance (v.6-9)
Death all around us Tragedy while God’s word was preached! D L Moody’s words…!
