Luke 14:1-14

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Teaching on Sabbath Laws and Social Conduct

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The Lord taught the Pharisees the right view of Sabbath law.

  2. The Lord taught the Pharisees the right rules of social conduct.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Are you moving up in God’s kingdom?

  2. Seek service not status.

QUESTIONS

  1. Why did this leader of the Pharisees invite Jesus to dine at his home?

  2. What is dropsy?

  3. Did the Old Testament Mosaic Law forbid practicing medicine on the Sabbath?

  4. What did Deuteronomy 5:14 require on the Sabbath?

  5. When viewed as a parable, what does the wedding feast represent?

ANSWERS

  1. Probably this whole invitation was a set-up to find fault with Jesus for healing on the Sabbath.

  2. Dropsy is a condition where excess fluid is retained in the tissues, and therefore there is swelling in various parts of the body.

  3. No, it was the rabbinic tradition of Judaism that wrongly forbade this.

  4. That people and animals were to have a day of rest. But no one, including the Pharisees, would consider rescuing a person or animal as work in violation of the Sabbath.

  5. The feast represents the future Messianic banquet when the Lord returns. Humility now is the key to promotion and reward then in the kingdom.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. As believers, we are not under the Sabbath law. But God’s principle of a day of rest is still a good idea. Discuss the idea of setting aside a specific time of rest in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life.

  2. Review the rules of social conduct that the Lord taught the Pharisees. What are some practical ways that you can implement these into your life?

CHALLENGE

  1. Most people are concerned about moving up in society. We should care more about moving up in God’s kingdom. You move up in God’s kingdom by taking the lower place and humbly serving others.

KEY VERSES

  • “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” Luke 14:5

  • “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11



Luke, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsLuke 14:1-14