In a world obsessed with self-promotion and recognition, Jesus teaches that the path to honor in God’s kingdom is the opposite of what culture tells us—humility, not pride, is the way up. When we seek the lowest place, God Himself is the one who lifts us up, and our value is found not in titles or achievements but in our willingness to serve and put others first. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less, and trusting God to honor you in His time and way. [38:50]
Luke 14:7-11 (ESV)
Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “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, 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. 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. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Reflection:
Where in your life are you tempted to seek recognition or the “best seat at the table”? How can you intentionally choose humility and serve someone else today?
The world tells us to build our self-esteem on achievements, possessions, and the approval of others, but true self-worth comes from knowing we are children of God, shaped by His hands and valued in the process, not just the finished product. God is not looking for perfect people, but for those willing to be molded, to lay down their pride and let Him work out the resistance in their hearts, making them more like Christ day by day. [01:03:38]
Jeremiah 18:1-6 (ESV)
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the Lord came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.”
Reflection:
What area of your life do you sense God is still “working out the resistance”? Are you willing to let Him shape you, even if it means letting go of pride or comfort?
Scripture promises that when we humble ourselves before God, He will lift us up in due time. Humility is not weakness, but the very path to honor, blessing, and true greatness in God’s eyes; it is the willingness to be teachable, to serve, and to let God change us from the inside out. [47:26]
James 4:10 (ESV)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Reflection:
Is there a situation where you need to humble yourself before God or others? What practical step can you take today to lay down your pride and trust God to lift you up?
Jesus, though fully God, did not cling to His rights or status but humbled Himself, taking the form of a servant and dying on the cross. Because of His humility, God exalted Him above all; we are called to follow His example, serving others and seeking God’s glory rather than our own. [01:08:35]
Philippians 2:6-11 (ESV)
Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Reflection:
How can you imitate Jesus’ humility in your relationships or service this week? Is there someone you can serve in a hidden or sacrificial way, following His example?
No matter your background, struggles, or status, you are invited to God’s table just as you are—but when you come, expect to be changed. The table is a place of transformation, where God’s grace meets us, breaks our chains, and calls us to lay down our pride, embrace humility, and become more like Christ together as a family. [01:16:09]
Romans 12:3 (ESV)
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Reflection:
Is there someone you’ve been hesitant to welcome or include at your “table” because they are different from you? How can you extend God’s invitation and grace to them this week, trusting that God is still working on both of you?
Today, we gathered to celebrate the freedom and grace that God has poured out on each of us. We began by acknowledging that every good thing in our lives—our joy, our peace, our very breath—comes from Him. We recognized that our gifts, our resources, and our acts of service are not just practical necessities for the church, but seeds sown into the Kingdom of God, impacting lives far beyond what we can see. Every act of generosity is counted in heaven as righteousness, and God honors the heart that gives sacrificially.
We continued our “Come to the Table” series by looking at Jesus’ words in Luke 14, where He challenges us to humility. The world teaches us to seek recognition, to promote ourselves, and to measure our worth by the approval of others. But Jesus flips this on its head, calling us to take the lowest seat, to humble ourselves, and to let God be the one who lifts us up. Pride is subtle and destructive—it distances us from God, blinds us to our need for Him, and causes us to measure ourselves by worldly standards rather than our identity in Christ.
Humility, on the other hand, is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. It is the freedom from pride and arrogance, the willingness to be teachable, and the openness to let God change us. We are all works in progress, clay in the hands of the Potter. God values the process of transformation, not just the finished product. He lovingly works out the resistance in our hearts, shaping us into the image of Christ.
True greatness in the Kingdom is found not in self-promotion, but in self-resignation—laying down our lives to serve others, just as Jesus did. He humbled Himself, took on the form of a servant, and was exalted by God. We are called to come to the table not as finished products, but with teachable spirits, ready to be changed. The table is open to all, regardless of background or status, and when we come, we don’t leave the same. God’s desire is for a full house, a full table, where every person is welcomed, transformed, and sent out to serve.
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