Salvation has drawn near.

You can enter into an experience of salvation now through Jesus.

Because what's the essence of that banquet anyway?

It's not the food.

It's the person who's at the head of the table.

And the person at the head of the table is right here inviting you into his fellowship.

Have you ever considered the fact that when Jesus invites us to his banquet, he's offering

more than a meal. He's offering himself. I'm Dan Kruver. In this episode of

Light and Truth, John Piper opens Luke 14 to show how salvation begins with fellowship

with the one at the head of the table.

This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on Sunday evening, August 21st, 1983.

We're going to look at the parable of the Great Banquet in verses 15 to 24. But before I read it with you, I want to ask the question, to whom is he talking and what's the situation?

And therefore, we need to read verses 7 through 14. Now, he told a parable to those who were invited when he marked how

they chose the places of honor saying to them, when you are invited by anyone to a marriage feast,

do not sit down in a place of honor lest a more eminent man than you be

invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, give place to this man,

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 go up higher and 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 so much for the guests, now the host. He said also to the man who

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