So, How Do You Like Being Honored? Luke 14:7-11

What form of recognition do you appreciate most? Receiving a trophy or plaque Getting a promotion or raise at work Being elected or named to a leadership position Having a news article written about you Being on TV Being invited to spend time with an important person Wowing people with your car, TV, clothes, etc. Hearing someone say, “Great job!” Something else?

Luke 14:7-11 7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: 8 “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! 10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.

Luke 14:11 NLT For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Luke 14:11 NLT For those who ________________ will be humbled, and those who ________________ will be exalted.

Luke 14:11 NLT For those who ________________ will be __________, and those who ________________ will be ____________.

Exalt : to raise (someone or something) to a higher level : to praise (someone or something) highly --Merriam-Webster

All these traits correlate with success. Pop Quiz Does this sound like someone at the top of her field? Doesn’t seek attention Prefers collaboration to competition Is quick to give credit to others on her team More interested in the end result and in the challenge of the work than in promoting herself All these traits correlate with success. From “Success Without Self-Promotion” by David Zweig

Two Kinds of Wisdom James 3:13-15 NLT James 3:17 NLT Wisdom of the World “If you don’t brag about the good you do, you will be truly wise! But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don’t brag about being wise. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom.” Wisdom from Heaven “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds, It shows no partiality and is always sincere.” James 3:13-15 NLT James 3:17 NLT

John 12:43 NLT For they loved human praise more than the praise of God. Whose applause are you trying to win?

Table Sharing A popular proverb says, “If you don’t toot your own horn, nobody will.” What do you think Jesus would have to say about that? Where do you get your sense of being important? Where do you want to get it? Can you think of a time when you did not toot your own horn (were humble) and then were honored (exalted)?