Why do people trust in religion because they believe it's going to get them into the kingdom of God?

They make all of those sacrifices so that someday they won't have to make any sacrifices.

They'll be in the glory of heaven. That was how the Pharisees lived, that was how the Jews lived,

but this was all a delusion because they were not headed for heaven at all.

Jesus is going to shatter their false hope with a story.

Welcome to Grace to You with John MacArthur. I'm Phil Johnson, your host.

The parables of Jesus, far from being happy heartwarming stories, these were often meant to correct

false belief and to expose self-righteousness. And as they did 2,000 years ago, the stories Jesus

told help you see what it is that you're trusting in and to know whether the things you're trusting in

are the right things. So how can you be sure you're not deceived, that you're not trusting in the

wrong spiritual foundation, that you're not mistaken about your relationship with God?

Those are critical questions that John MacArthur will help you answer today. Stay here as he

continues his compelling study of the parables titled Stories with Purpose. Follow along in Luke 14 as

John begins today's lesson. It's fascinating to study the life of Christ so

intimately and so closely. And while we see a myriad of details, there are some sort of broad and

sweeping realities that come into our view. One is that though Jesus wept, there is no statement

in the Scripture that He ever laughed. Though He told all kinds of stories that were

somber and sobering, there is no indication that He ever told a joke. And yet the text before us

today surely seemed to the listeners as if He was telling a joke. Open your Bible, Luke 14.

And I want to read verses 15 through 24. We'll look at this text. Luke 14 verses 15 through 24.

When one of those who were reclining at the table with him heard this,

he said to him, blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God.

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