Luke 14: 7-14
Humility
Give (?still thinking) as treats
Offer great treats for all who come
up to Children’s time. (Prep Adults to come up and crowd in front of the kids)
? Well, I have to say it’s really
nice to see all you up here today, but really, don’t you think you all are in
way of the kids? Why do you think that you did that? (have adults answer that
they are the most important and they should be the first to get the good
snacks)
? So you all want to be first and get
the good seats so you can get the good treats before they are all gone right?
You know that’s not always how it
works? Today Pastor Crystal is going to tell us about a time when Jesus went to
a party and a lot of important people were invited, and when they got there and
say how the seats were set up they all tried to sit in the ones that would show
how important they were. Just like the Adults ran up here to get the best
seats.
Okay kids move to the front and Adults,
move to the back and let the kids come in front. (wait for them to move)
But you know what Jesus told all
those people? He told them that they
should take the last seats, so that the host of the party could bring them to
the front and make them important, instead
of telling them to move to the back and embarrassing them. He also told them
that they when they have a party, they shouldn’t invite important people that
they wanted to impress, instead they should invite people that never get to go
to parties or are in need of the food and they will be blessed by God for having
them there. Jesus says it’s better to humble yourself and allow God to lift you
up, rather than being proud of yourself so that God must knock you down.
So this week, take the time to look
around and see who you can put in front of you in line, how you can encourage someone
else. Who you can listen to more, help and be behind to show support instead of
trying to be first and most important.
Let’s pray, Dear God, help us to not
worry about looking like the most important person. Show us ways to put other
first. Help us to do what please you and not worry about trying to impress
other. Amen
