Embracing Humility and Service in Christ's Love

Today’s reflection centers on the call to humility, hospitality, and sacrificial love, as modeled by Jesus in Luke 14. The story of Jesus at the Pharisee’s banquet challenges our natural human tendency to seek places of honor and recognition. Instead, Jesus invites us to take the lower seat, to humble ourselves, and to open our tables and our lives to those who cannot repay us—the poor, the marginalized, the forgotten. This is not just a lesson in etiquette, but a radical reorientation of our hearts toward God’s kingdom values.

The ministry of Epworth Children’s Home, with its long history of caring for vulnerable children and families, embodies this call. From its beginnings as an orphanage in 1896 to its current work in foster care, prevention services, and family support, Epworth stands as a living witness to the gospel’s demand that we care for “the least of these.” The work is not easy; it is often messy and requires deep commitment, but it is precisely in these places of need that Christ is most present.

Jesus’ teaching reminds us that true blessing is not found in earthly reward or recognition, but in the quiet, often unseen acts of service and love. Sometimes, we may never see the fruit of our labor in this life. Yet, the promise remains: those who humble themselves and serve others will be honored in God’s kingdom. The invitation is to trust God with the results, to say yes to the call to serve, and to believe that even the smallest act of kindness can change a life—ours included.

As a community, we are called to be both generous and courageous, to open our hearts and homes, to support ministries like Epworth, and to walk alongside those in need. In doing so, we reflect the heart of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve. May we be a people who do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God, trusting that God’s grace is always enough.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Humility is the posture of the kingdom. Jesus’ parable at the banquet exposes our desire for recognition and status, calling us instead to take the lower seat and trust God to honor us in His time. True greatness is found not in self-promotion, but in quiet faithfulness and humility before God and others. [40:41]
• 2. Radical hospitality means inviting those who cannot repay us. Jesus challenges us to open our tables and our lives to the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten—not for what we might receive in return, but because this is the heart of God. Our faith is most authentic when it is lived out in sacrificial love for those on the margins. [43:25]
• 3. Serving others is often messy and costly, but it is where Christ is most present. The work of caring for vulnerable children and families, as seen in the ministry of Epworth, is not glamorous and rarely easy. Yet, it is in these difficult, complicated places that we encounter the living Christ and participate in His redemptive work. [48:35]
• 4. The blessing of service may not be seen in this life. Jesus promises that those who serve the least will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. Sometimes, we may never see the results of our kindness or sacrifice, but we trust that God sees, remembers, and will honor every act of love in His kingdom. [50:00]
• 5. Our faith must manifest in concrete acts of love and justice. Belief in God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit is not merely intellectual assent, but a call to action—to serve, to love, and to walk humbly. The kingdom of God comes on earth as we embody the example of Jesus in our daily lives, especially in our care for the vulnerable. [53:06]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [24:37] - Introduction and Personal Story
• [26:29] - Reading from Luke 14
• [28:19] - History of Epworth Children’s Home
• [29:15] - Evolution of Epworth’s Mission
• [31:50] - Prevention and Foster Care Services
• [33:48] - The Role of the Church in Caring for Children
• [36:39] - Testimony: “I Did My Best and God Did the Rest”
• [39:10] - Jesus at the Banquet: Seeking Honor
• [40:41] - The Temptation of Comparison
• [42:37] - The Lie of “More” and the Call to Humility
• [43:25] - True Religion: Caring for the Least
• [44:54] - The Beauty and Challenge of Serving Children
• [47:32] - The Blessing of Inviting the Marginalized
• [50:00] - The Unseen Rewards of Service
• [52:01] - A Call to Serve and Trust God
• [53:06] - Affirmation of Faith
• [55:11] - Pastoral Prayer and Blessing
• [59:44] - Offering and Closing
• [67:55] - Final Prayer and Sending Forth
• [71:40] - Benediction and Farewell

Bible Reading

Luke 14:7-14 (ESV) — 7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them,
8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him,
9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.
10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.
11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
12 He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid.
13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus in Luke 14, who does he say we should invite to our tables and why?
2. What is the main problem Jesus sees with people choosing the best seats at the banquet?
3. In the sermon, what examples were given of people or groups who are often overlooked or forgotten in our communities? ([43:25])
4. What does Jesus promise to those who serve and invite those who cannot repay them?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus uses the image of a banquet to teach about humility and hospitality? What does this setting reveal about our human nature?
2. The sermon mentioned that serving others, especially the vulnerable, is often “messy and costly.” Why might God call us into these difficult places instead of just easy or comfortable service? ([48:35])
3. The preacher said, “Sometimes, we may never see the results of our kindness or sacrifice, but we trust that God sees, remembers, and will honor every act of love in His kingdom.” How does this perspective challenge or encourage your motivation to serve? ([50:00])
4. The ministry of Epworth Children’s Home was described as a living witness to the gospel’s call to care for “the least of these.” How does this connect to Jesus’ teaching in Luke 14? ([29:15])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to “take the lower seat” and not seek recognition. In what areas of your life do you find yourself wanting to be noticed or honored? How could you practice humility this week? ([40:41])
2. Jesus calls us to invite those who cannot repay us. Who in your life or community might fit this description? What is one practical way you could extend hospitality to them in the next month? ([43:25])
3. The preacher said, “Serving others is often messy and costly, but it is where Christ is most present.” Can you share a time when serving someone was difficult or inconvenient, but you sensed God’s presence in it? ([48:35])
4. Sometimes, we may never see the fruit of our service. How do you stay motivated to serve when there is no visible reward or recognition? ([50:00])
5. The sermon highlighted the work of Epworth Children’s Home and the need for foster parents and support for vulnerable children. What is one way you or your group could support children or families in need in your community? ([31:50])
6. The preacher quoted Micah 6:8: “Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” Which of these three do you find most challenging, and why? What is one step you can take to grow in that area this week? ([01:11:40])
7. The sermon ended with a call to trust God with the results of our service. Is there an area where you need to let go of control and trust God more as you serve others? What would it look like to do that? ([52:01])