Inviting All to the Table of Grace

Nov 26, 2023

Devotional

Day 1: The Table Is a Place for Breaking Down Walls

God calls us to break down the walls of judgment and comfort that keep us from inviting those who are different from us to the table. It’s easy to stay in our Christian bubble, but Jesus noticed and welcomed those who were outcasts, like Levi the tax collector, and calls us to do the same. When we examine our own hearts, we may find hidden barriers—prejudices, fears, or assumptions—that prevent us from reaching out to people who don’t look, think, or act like us. The gospel is for everyone, and we are most effective for God’s kingdom when we intentionally notice, welcome, and love those who seem far from Him, just as Jesus did. [07:40]

Ephesians 2:14 (ESV)
“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”

Reflection: What is one “wall” of judgment or comfort you recognize in your life that keeps you from inviting someone different from you to your table, and how can you take a step to break it down this week?

Day 2: The Table Is a Place for Building Relationships

Building relationships with those who are far from God starts with genuine interest in their stories, not with preaching or judgment. When we sit at the table with people who are different from us, we are called to listen, show compassion, and value them as individuals made in God’s image. Sharing a meal is disarming and creates space for honest conversation, where people feel seen and cared for rather than targeted or pressured. Our conversations should be full of grace and seasoned with salt, reflecting Christ’s love and wisdom as we build trust and friendship that can last into eternity. [23:47]

Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV)
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can invite to a meal or coffee this week, simply to listen to their story and show them genuine care without any agenda?

Day 3: The Table Is a Place to Introduce People to Jesus

The ultimate purpose of inviting others to the table is to introduce them to Jesus, the one who brings hope, healing, and salvation. Like Levi, who left everything to follow Jesus and then hosted a banquet for his friends to meet Him, we are called to share our own stories of transformation and point others to the Savior. Jesus came not for the righteous, but for those who know they are sick and in need of a doctor. Our testimony, shared in humility and love, can be the bridge that leads someone from brokenness to new life in Christ. [28:53]

Luke 5:30-32 (ESV)
“And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.’”

Reflection: What part of your story could you share with someone far from God to help them see how Jesus has brought hope and healing to your life?

Day 4: Jesus Welcomes and Heals the Outcast

Jesus not only notices those who are rejected and hurting, but He is willing to reach out and touch them, offering both physical and spiritual healing. The story of the man with leprosy shows that no one is too far gone for Jesus’ compassion—He is willing to make us clean, to restore us, and to transfer His righteousness to us. Whether our need is obvious or hidden, Jesus invites us to come to Him for healing, wholeness, and acceptance, reminding us that we are never beyond His reach or love. [37:51]

Luke 5:12-15 (ESV)
“While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately the leprosy left him. And he charged him to tell no one, but ‘go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.’ But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities.”

Reflection: Is there an area of brokenness or shame in your life where you need to let Jesus touch and heal you today? Will you bring it to Him in prayer?

Day 5: The Table Points Us to the Ultimate Feast

Every invitation to the table here on earth is a foretaste of the ultimate table—the marriage supper of the Lamb—where all who trust in Jesus will belong, be welcomed, and celebrate together forever. No matter our past, our struggles, or our differences, Jesus offers us a seat at His table, covering us with His grace and making us part of His family. As we remember His sacrifice and look forward to that day, we are called to extend the same invitation to others, so that they too may experience belonging, forgiveness, and eternal joy in God’s presence. [49:28]

Revelation 19:6-9 (ESV)
“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure’—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true words of God.’”

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally invite to experience the love and welcome of Jesus—either at your table or in your church community—so they too might one day celebrate at the ultimate table?

Sermon Summary

The invitation to the table is a powerful image of God’s heart for people—especially those who feel far from Him. It’s easy to stay in our comfort zones, surrounded by those who look, think, and act like us. But Jesus models something radically different. He notices the outcast, the overlooked, and the despised—like Levi the tax collector—and extends a simple, life-changing invitation: “Follow me.” Levi’s response is immediate and total; he leaves everything behind to follow Jesus, showing us that the call of Christ is worth more than anything the world can offer.

We are challenged to examine the “walls” we’ve built—walls of judgment, fear, or indifference—that keep us from inviting others to our table. The table is not just a place for those who are already “in,” but a place for breaking down barriers and building relationships with people who are different from us, whether in belief, background, or lifestyle. Jesus didn’t shy away from those considered unclean or unworthy; He sat with them, listened to their stories, and loved them without condition.

Building relationships is at the heart of this calling. It’s not about overwhelming people with Bible verses or religious jargon, but about genuinely caring, listening, and sharing life. Meals are disarming; they create space for honest conversation and mutual respect. As we share our tables, we also share our stories—how Jesus met us in our brokenness and offered us hope and healing.

Ultimately, the table is a place to introduce people to Jesus, the Great Physician who heals not just physical ailments but the deep wounds of the soul. No one is too far gone, too broken, or too different to be welcomed. The church is called to reflect the diversity and grace of heaven, where every tribe, tongue, and nation gathers around the throne. Our invitation is not just to a meal, but to a relationship with the Savior who makes all things new.

Key Takeaways

1. Noticing the Overlooked: Jesus noticed Levi, a man despised by society, and called him by name. In our fast-paced lives, we often miss those whom God has placed right in front of us. Slowing down to truly see people—especially those different from us—opens the door for God’s love to reach them through us. [05:58]
2. Breaking Down Walls: The table is a place to dismantle the walls of judgment, fear, and prejudice that separate us from others. When we recognize our own tendencies to exclude or judge, we can repent and intentionally create space for those who feel far from God, trusting that the Holy Spirit can work in anyone’s heart. [08:26]
3. Building Relationships, Not Just Arguments: Evangelism is most effective in the context of genuine relationship. Rather than leading with arguments or doctrine, we are called to listen, empathize, and share life. Grace-filled conversations, seasoned with compassion, create fertile ground for the gospel to take root. [23:47]
4. The Power of Testimony: Our stories of how Jesus met us in our brokenness are powerful tools for introducing others to Him. When we vulnerably share our struggles and how Christ has brought healing, we connect with others’ pain and point them to the hope found in Jesus alone. [30:01]
5. No One Is Too Far Gone: The story of the leper reminds us that Jesus is willing to touch and heal even those considered untouchable. His grace is not limited by our past, our failures, or our “uncleanness.” The invitation to the table—and to the family of God—is open to all who are willing to come. [37:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:29] - The Challenge of Inviting the Different
[01:48] - Jesus Calls Peter and the Fishermen
[03:08] - Healing the Leper and the Paralytic
[04:35] - Jesus Notices Levi
[07:14] - Why Levi Left Everything
[08:26] - The Table: Breaking Down Walls
[12:25] - Unity in Diversity: A Picture of Heaven
[15:37] - Levi’s Banquet: Inviting the Outcasts
[17:34] - The Table: Building Relationships
[20:01] - The Power of Meals and Conversation
[23:47] - Grace-Filled Conversations
[27:36] - The Pharisees’ Complaint
[28:53] - The Table: Introducing People to Jesus
[35:53] - Jesus Heals the Leper: No One Is Too Far
[44:38] - Homework: Who Will You Invite?
[47:41] - Communion Invitation
[49:28] - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
[52:59] - Communion and Closing Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Tables, Not Walls"

Bible Reading

- Luke 5:27-32 (Jesus calls Levi and eats with tax collectors and sinners)
- Ephesians 2:14 (“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”)
- Luke 5:12-15 (Jesus heals the man with leprosy)

Observation Questions

In Luke 5:27-28, what was Levi’s response when Jesus called him? What does this show about Levi’s priorities?
According to Ephesians 2:14, what did Jesus do to the “dividing wall of hostility”? What does this mean in the context of the early church?
In the story of the leper in Luke 5:12-15, what did Jesus do that was unexpected, and how did the people react?
The sermon described the table as a place for breaking down walls and building relationships. What are some examples from the sermon of people Jesus noticed or invited that others would have overlooked? [[04:35]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Levi was willing to leave everything behind to follow Jesus? What might have been going on in his heart or life? [[07:14]]
The sermon talked about “walls” we build—like judgment, fear, or indifference. What are some modern examples of these walls, and why do they keep us from inviting others to our table? [[08:26]]
Jesus chose to eat with tax collectors and sinners, even though it upset the religious leaders. What does this teach us about the kind of people Jesus wants at his table? [[27:36]]
When Jesus touched the leper, he broke a cultural and religious taboo. What does this act say about the way Jesus views people who are considered “untouchable” or “too far gone”? [[37:51]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to notice people who are different from us and far from God. Who in your daily life might God be asking you to notice or invite to your table? What would it look like to slow down and truly see them? [[05:58]]
Are there any “walls” in your life—like judgment, fear, or indifference—that keep you from building relationships with people who are different from you? What is one specific wall you feel God is asking you to break down? [[08:26]]
Think about your own table—whether at home, work, or in your community. When was the last time you shared a meal or coffee with someone who doesn’t share your beliefs or background? What made it easy or hard? [[17:34]]
The sermon said that evangelism is most effective in the context of genuine relationship, not arguments or religious jargon. How can you make your conversations with non-believers more grace-filled and compassionate? [[23:47]]
The power of testimony was highlighted—sharing how Jesus met you in your brokenness. Is there a part of your story you feel led to share with someone who is struggling? What holds you back from being vulnerable? [[30:01]]
Jesus welcomed and healed those considered “untouchable.” Is there someone in your life or community you’ve written off as “too far gone”? What would it look like to extend an invitation to them? [[37:51]]
The sermon ended with a vision of the church reflecting the diversity and grace of heaven. What is one practical step you can take this week to help your table—and our church—look more like that vision? [[12:25]]

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for inviting us to His table, and ask for courage and compassion to invite others, especially those who feel far from Him. Pray for open eyes to notice the overlooked, and for hearts willing to break down walls and build genuine relationships.

Sermon Clips

“It's easy to be in community with other believers, it's easy to be in community with people that think like me and look like me and act like me but when was the last time you invited someone to your table that was different from you and was far from God because we can live in this Christian bubble.”

“The word saw is that he noticed Levi in the tax booth now Tax Collectors back in the day was hated by Jewish Society like Tax Collectors were collecting taxes for Rome they were like the Roman IRS anybody love the IRS today right no one loves the anybody ever sent the IRS an email thank you for the way you calculated the way that I owe taxes this year right nobody does that and tax collectors would not only collect the taxes that would do but they they would also charge a little overage so they would actually extort money so so I want you to get this idea Levi is not loved by the culture and Jesus pays attention to him so much so that this man decides to leave everything wealth lifestyle.”

“Everything that he's ever accumulated at this point to follow Jesus just by the simple words of follow me and I was thinking about how do we notice people today if you're like me any fast walkers in the house anybody you could be honest in church today it's 11:00 right you're busy you're going through life you're going from one appointment to the next your calendar is busy you don't have time and for me it's not that I don't notice people I don't slow down to see sometimes whose God is play who God is placing right in front of me.”

“I want you to notice them without judging them because many time we look at the culture and we go oh man it's getting darker out here but thank God for the lighting church but can I I just say we're not supposed to to to keep the gift of God we're not supposed to keep the gospel we're supposed to share the good news out there can I get an amen somebody we're not supposed to keep this gift to ourselves we're supposed to share it out there without judgment.”

“When we look at our invitation to people to sit at a table it's to offer them only God something that only God can provide that he actually provided for us but what's the first step with engaging people is is we have to take down these walls that we put up sometimes that wall is Judgment I'm looking at this person I know they're far from God but man the way they look I don't know if I can invite them to my table.”

“Are there walls in my life that subconsciously that I put up that keep people from me and connected them to their need for Jesus where there's walls in my life that's causing me to miss opportunities to connect people with Jesus the tax Booth was a wall but what are our walls today maybe sometimes our walls are it's like I I I want to sit at the table and yeah I hear you Pastor to invite somebody that that doesn't look like me doesn't think like me but but but does that mean I have to sit at a table with an atheist I don't have anything in common with an atheist I mean they don't believe in God why would I spend time across the table with somebody that doesn't believe in God you know why because God also wants to save atheists and he wants them to come to the knowledge of Truth.”

“Maybe God is asking you know that that person at your job that's confused about their gender would you have lunch with them I don't know you know if I if I sit with somebody that's confused about that gender am I affirming their lifestyle and I would say to you you're you're not sitting there affirming their lifestyle but but you can't affirm that they've been made in the image of God and the Holy Spirit can work through somebody's heart and the Holy Spirit can save somebody that is gender confused the Holy Spirit can't save somebody that's an atheist so I go in with this mindset not with a lens of judgment I go the Holy Spirit you have the power to save this person just like you saved me because can I just be honest there were some of us in this room that were far from God the last place that you were going to come on a Sunday morning was in church but now you're here praise God.”

“Would I bring that person to my table and give them an opportunity to sit with me or am I too well to do that I can only invite those that are like me that are at my social status if you know what I'm saying and you say to yourself is the is the gospel good for everybody or only good for certain people it can sound challenging and I get convicted as well it's like who am I inviting at the table that is far from Jesus I have to look at my walls and say are there walls of judgment where I'll look at a person cast judgment and move on.”

“If you have walls of judgment today if there's walls up for people in society that God wants to save through you you are limiting your Effectiveness for the kingdom of God and you're saying God why don't you use me you go God says I'm trying maybe there's somebody at your job says God says I want you to bring them to the table the church itself is this opportunity to break down walls why because Jesus broke down the same walls.”

“What you see right now in the seats and in all of our camp es is a picture of heaven where every tribe and every tongue and every nation will be gathered around the Throne of God and to be honest there will be based on your invitation or there will be people that you may notice today that are in bad shape that will surprise you that they made it to Heaven you'll be looking at them like you made it the last time I saw you you were kind of messed up yeah but somebody invited me to their table invited me into a relationship with God so I want to say to you even today you are not too far from God that he cannot reach you.”

“When you have somebody that is far from God that is not the time for you to say well let me let me give you all the 50,000 verses that I've memorized since I became a Christian they're over there saying man, I just came to eat and they bombarded me with the Bible not to say that this is not relevant but you go from noticing them to now being interested in their story well why do you think that way oh you had trauma, I I was abused oh okay okay this Parts in the Bible where it says Jesus was moved with compassion.”

“They begin to Value the fact that now you have this relationship with them and as you you eat and as you prepare meals it's disarming eating lowers your guard as you take every bite of the meal that's prepared it takes it's like the next bite you're okay tell me more tell me more tell me more and when you think about meals that you cook how many people like to cook in the house and C cook here right and so when you're preparing your meal let's just say it's a meal that's like your specialty it's your go-to I don't know what it is maybe for for you it's lasagna maybe it's strugging off maybe for me it's oxtails can I get a Amen on the oxtail somebody.”

“There's conversations that we had at that table we've talked about Jesus at that table we talked about life like how was school today at that table that table is where we ate and now that my kids are older we talk about life at that table and I was thinking about the relationships and the power Dynamic of having somebody sit across the table from you it is so disarming when I don't feel judged at this table all I'm doing is having a meal with somebody that values me and values my company.”

“When I have conversations now my my the idea is that my conversations are seasoned with salt and full of grace I know how to engage the person that does not believe in Jesus before I invite them to the table and and I look at our Christmas invites and I think about evangelism today and don't get me wrong I believe in the gospel going out I believe the church is called to share the gospel but but I believe that more than the power of an invite the power of relationship is so awesome.”

“Relational why because these are relationship ship that will last into eternity beyond the meal that we have imagine someone walking away from your table saying wow I thought Christians were weird I thought he was going to pound Jesus on me but they just noticed me and heard my story without judgment what if we just did that maybe it's even today you might have somebody that it's new to the church you're sitting in your same spot but you notice somebody different sitting in that spot hey I noticed you're new what's your story you want to go to the grill you want to go to the generous Cafe just have a cup of coffee let this not end with just the series let this be something that it becomes something that the church embodies.”

“Jesus answered them it is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick I have not come to call the righteous but Sinners to repentance last point if you are taking note is this the table is a place to introduce people to Jesus and and here's Levi Levi is inviting people because he wants to introduce them to Jesus and so let's say this is your table at your house or maybe it's the the lunch table at your job or maybe you invite somebody at your job that you're like Lord I wish they would finally fire that person and God's like they're not F they's not going to be fired because I need you to share the gospel with them so stop complaining who's at the table with you Jesus and after you hear their story you testify to your story.”

“Can I introduce you to a savior that's willing to make you clean like he did the leper you think Levi didn't realize he was sick sometimes it's not the physical sickness sometimes it's it's the heart that needed to be changed whatever this whatever made Levi decide to go into the tax collecting business and to to to be viewed as a traitor to Jew something in his heart was off so it doesn't necessarily mean that that all of our external world is going right you have wealthy people just as much as the unwealthy that still need Jesus so maybe it's the business guy that has put all of his chips in the fact that his business is successful he needs Jesus just as much as a person that doesn't have a house to to sleep in so I introduced him you introduced him to Jesus why he's Jehovah Rafa if you're hungry he's the bread of life right if you need forgiveness he's the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world that saves our soul if you need Deliverance he's the deliverer of our soul if you need Redemption he's a redeemer if you need restoration he can restore all the years that the Locust had eaten he's a God that does all things so it doesn't matter what you bring to the table God is willing to make you clean so that's why we invite people.”

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