PART 16 • HOW LOW WILL HE GO? • LUKE 5:27-32 Chapter 5 in Luke's gospel begins a major shift in the orderly account that Luke has been recording. From the call of Peter the fisherman, to the touching and healing of an unclean leper and forgiving the sins of a paralytic, Jesus' religious critics now ask, "How Low Will He Go?"
MESSAGE RESPONSE
1. Ask the group to debrief for those who missed the sermon on Sunday. 2. What stood out as new or fresh this time through? 3. What questions did these verses raise? 4. What truth could you share with someone else?
GOING DEEPER
1) The key verse for this week are Jesus’ words, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Glenn paraphrased it’s meaning this way, “The Lord Jesus Christ came to save those sinners who would repent and only those who know that they are sinners will (or do) repent.” What does this say about God’s sovereignty? What does it say about the Gospel?
2) Matthew the tax collector was considered the lowest of the low, lower than a fisherman, leper or paralytic and yet, Jesus called him to follow him and become an Apostle! 5:28-29 tells us How Matthew Responded. What encourages you about his response? What challenges you?
3) Verses 5:30-32 tells us the unfortunate response of those Who Will Not Respond. Why did the Pharisees respond this way? Who do the Pharisees represent today? In what ways can we behave like the Pharisees in the church today? How would you encourage a Pharisee to repent?
4) Luke records many accounts of Jesus eating and drinking with people (Luke 5, 9, 10, 11. 14, 19, 22, & 24). Read the following verses and simply ask, “What do we learn about who Jesus has come to save, who responds, who will not respond and how important hospitality is to the mission of making disciples?” a. Luke 7:33-50—Jesus is anointed at the home of Simon the Pharisee during a meal.
5) Read Luke 22:14-20—The Last Supper, Jesus eating and drinking with his disciples. Imagine who’s at this table with Jesus. From what we’ve already discussed, what new significance do you see?
6) Matthew invited his fellow outcasts to come and feast on Jesus. How will you do that this year? Who is the Lord putting on your heart to invite to your table and share Jesus with?
Key Scripture references from this week’s message Luke 5:8, 21, 27-32, Matthew 9:13, 22:17, James 4:6