Unyime Akpan - April 21, 2024 Lessons from a Dinner Table - Forgiveness and Salvation -The Pathway to True Greatness - Luke 7:36-50
Great miracle, physical healing of a centurion servant
Luke 7:1-10
Greater miracle, physical resurrection of a widow's son
Luke 7:11-17
John the Baptist the greatest person that ever lived
Luke 7:18-33
Greatest miracle, salvation of a sinful woman
Luke 7:36-50
Luke 7:28; 33-34
John 3:3.16
Based on Luke’s Gospel how many dinner ‘invitations’ did Jesus have and with whom?
3 Times in Pharisees’ homes (Luke 7, 11, 14) Teaching Moments
Matthew’s home (Luke 5) Teaching Moment
Mary & Martha’s home (Luke 10) Teaching Moment
Last Supper in the Upper room (Luke 22) Teaching Moment
Peter’s house with mother-in-law home (Luke 4)
Invitation to Dinner
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. Luke 7:36
Who was Simon?
Why did he invite Jesus to dinner?
Everyone Sins –Face It!
Sin wears many faces
With whom do you identify in the story?
Everyone falls short of God’s perfect mark
All, no exclusion; All have F in life
Romans 3:23 is still true
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
It is God’s assessment, and we need to agree with God
All are guilty
Call sin what it is, no hang ups
God’s Business is Forgiveness –Seek It!
Simon
Unaware of his need; Uninterested in forgiveness
Blind to himself; Blind to Jesus; Blind to the woman
Woman
Understood her condition; knew she was a sinner
Knew Jesus was a great savior
These two truth compelled her to seek forgiveness
Our greatest need is forgiveness
God’s greatest gift is to grant it
We must seek it, the prostitute did just that
God’s Word is True –Believe It!
How did the sinful woman know her sins were forgiven, and she was saved?
Jesus told her; A simple promise; When Jesus spoke, she believed him
Your sins are forgiven; Your faith has saved you: go in peace
She did not depend on her feelings or look at others to confirm it
How does a person know his/her sins are forgiven and he/she is saved?
Do you realise you are a sinner and are repentant?
Do you believe that Jesus died and rose for you?
Then you are forgiven and saved because God’s words tell you so
Acts 10:43
Acts 10:42-43
Jesus’ Fellowship is Available –Invite It!
Simon invited Jesus to dine as a guest but not as a friend?
Wanted Jesus’ company but not companionship
Why is Salvation the greatest miracle and the greatest gift?
What need does salvation meet? Sin –the greatest need
How much does salvation cost? Jesus Life –the greatest cost
How long does salvation last? Forever (Eternal Life)
Who can receive Salvation and enter the kingdom of God? Everyone
Jesus said, “Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Are your sins forgiven? Are you saved?
If No, you can experience true greatness by receiving forgiveness and salvation from the Saviour
If Yes, You are already great, you have the greatest gift ever given
Grow in greatness by obeying Matthew 5:19
