“August 31 Sunday Sermon Manuscript”

“Seeing Differently”

Luke 14:1, 7–14

Introduction – Our Sensitivity to Seats and Encounters

1. Friends, people are strangely sensitive about seats and encounters. There’s always a so-called “VIP seat.” Even when booking flights, the better seats require extra payment. We instinctively distinguish between premium seats and cheap ones, and society often tells us that such distinctions are determined by wealth or social status.

2. When a famous person rides in economy instead of business class, or drives a small car instead of a luxury one, or takes public transportation, it makes the news because it seems so unusual.

3. In today’s passage, people were also distinguishing between higher and lower seats. They thought choosing an honored seat for themselves was important. It seems that people’s hearts have not changed at all from then until now.

4. This week is the start of the new semester at UC Berkeley. Students are returning, and the campus is busy with events like “Welcome Week” and “Club Fair.” In such spaces, similar questions arise: “Where should I go to feel more special? Where can I stand out more?”

5. I once had a similar experience. Years ago, when I went to Hawaii for a Partner in Ministry event, I ran into the actor Jung Kyung-ho in the hotel lobby. At first, I didn’t recognize him, but suddenly thought, “Wait, isn’t that Jung Kyung-ho?” My heart was restless: “Should I say hi? Should I ask for a picture?” After hesitating, I decided not to bother someone who had come so far for rest, and just walked away. But honestly, I still regret it a little. “I should’ve at least taken a picture...”

6. Deep inside, we all have this desire: “I want to sit next to someone famous, I want a better seat.” The same thing was happening in the Pharisee’s house in today’s story.

The Situation – What Jesus Saw

7. “One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.” (Luke 14:1) People were watching Jesus closely, but Jesus was also watching them: “When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable.” (Luke 14:7)

Roman Dining – U-Shaped Tables and Shame

8. At that time, banquets followed the customs of Greco-Roman society. Official meals were served at U-shaped tables. The seats closest to the host inside were the most honored, and the outer seats were lower.

9. If someone sat in a higher seat and then a person of higher status entered, the host would make the first person move down. In that moment, they were publicly shamed.

10. Jesus drew on that image and said: “When you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.” (Luke 14:10)

The Core Teaching – Seats and Humility

11. And he concluded: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

12. The real question is this: “Where am I trying to place myself?” “What kind of seat am I seeking in life?”

13. In our everyday experience, we constantly hear messages like: “Climb higher. Network with more famous people.”

14. Such competition is natural even at the start of a new school year.

15. When I studied at Yonsei University’s United Graduate School of Theology, I noticed graffiti in the main library restroom. Most of it was about “Gwanaksan” — Seoul National University. It felt like words written out of bitterness by those who couldn’t attend SNU. I thought, “The world keeps instilling the idea that only the best is truly valuable. It never teaches us to be satisfied with the present.”

16. You may wrestle with similar thoughts: “Wouldn’t that class give me an advantage? Wouldn’t joining that club make me stand out?” We instinctively measure people by “name value” and judge accordingly.

17. And this doesn’t stop with school. We face the same questions when we graduate, start working, get married, and build new relationships.

18. Jesus doesn’t say all of this is foolish or wrong. Instead, he tells us to choose the lower seat—the seat unnoticed by people. He tells us to look at life differently than usual. That is the way of the kingdom of God.

Application – Narcissism and Faith

19. In life, we meet people who place themselves in high positions. Sometimes that confidence doesn’t look bad. But when someone insists on being special, setting themselves above others, I personally find it uncomfortable. Many people feel the same.

20. Such people also compare themselves easily: “I’m better than that person. I deserve more recognition. I deserve better things.” Honestly, we all have similar feelings at times.

21. I’ve had them too. But now I see such thoughts as shameful. Through life experience, I’ve realized they’re not that important. Put more gracefully, I would say, “I’ve learned to see the world differently.”

22. In today’s passage, Jesus says such a life is far from the kingdom of God.

23. Following Jesus is not about comparison or showing off, but about humbly lowering ourselves and waiting for God to lift us up.

Expanding the Guest List – A Wider Vision

24. Jesus also spoke to the host: “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:12–14)

25. We often stick with people of the same major, background, or interests. In Korea, people gather by hometown or school. In the U.S., Koreans divide by whether they were born in Korea or in America.

26. At Annual Conference, Korean pastors gather with Koreans, and pastors of other ethnic groups do the same. We’re used to spending time with those who are comfortable, familiar, and beneficial to us. I’m like that too. Most of us are.

27. But Jesus tells us to share the table with those who cannot repay us, and those who are different from us. This doesn’t mean we must suddenly change our personalities and become outgoing. It means breaking down the invisible boundaries inside us, moving beyond comfort, and extending our relationships. It means caring about those we have not cared about before.

A Word for Students and Young Adults

28. To our students and young adults beginning a new semester: you’re stepping into new classes, groups, and relationships. You may feel fear and trembling, or excitement and anticipation. You may also hope that this new beginning will open doors to growth and opportunity.

29. Some of your friends may already seem to have their future decided. I went straight into seminary, so I thought my life path was set early and simply followed the way of a pastor.

30. But life never goes exactly as planned. None of us got here without struggles. We can’t be indifferent to what others value. Sometimes our hearts swing between fear and satisfaction like a pendulum.

31. Hardships come to everyone. And many times, they catch us unprepared. We may think we’ll never compare ourselves to others, but in reality, we often weigh and measure ourselves—and sometimes feel measured by others. In those moments, we wonder: “Am I on the right path?”

32. But here’s the truth: our journey is not shaped by one single choice alone, but by living out those choices daily in step with Christ. Every stage—past, present, and future—is lived with the Lord.

33. To choose one path means giving up another. Sometimes we regret our choices deeply. But that’s not the end.

34. Life is not lived by “What if I had...” but by “This is the way I will go.”

35. As I prepared this sermon, I felt Jesus asking me: “Where is your heart set right now? How are you looking at the world, and where are you heading?”

36. I believe the same question is being asked of everyone here: “Which seat are you choosing? How far are you extending your guest list?” To follow Jesus is to ask: “How should I shape my life today?” If our relationships remain narrow, only for our own benefit, is that really following Christ?

37. And then, what are you expecting from those choices?

Application for the Church – Dinner Church and Hospitality

38. Just yesterday, our church held Dinner Church and gathered to prepare for the English service. That time was not just about sharing food. It was about hospitality, welcoming new people, and tasting the kingdom of God.

39. Since moving to Orinda, more people who are more comfortable in English than Korean have joined us. Beyond what we expected, we are already crossing the boundary of being only a “Korean church” and stepping into something new.

40. As today’s passage reminds us, our vision is reaching further and wider.

41. Someone once asked me: “Pastor, why do you keep starting new things?” I answered: “It’s not me starting them—it’s God pushing us from behind.” As I said before, we could ignore these opportunities and stay comfortable.

42. But that’s not who we are. It’s not my effort, but God’s grace, and the prayers and support of faithful members who understand that grace, that make all this possible.

43. In this grace and change, the church is not a place that invites only those who benefit us. It is a place where we create space to share life with anyone, even without reward. If we live this way, we can proclaim the gospel of Christ more effectively and powerfully.

Conclusion – Seeing Differently

44. Beloved friends, and especially students beginning a new year: Don’t simply follow the life the world demands. Learn to see differently through the eyes of Jesus.

45. This ability comes not from exalting ourselves, but from humbly lowering ourselves. Don’t seek only relationships that benefit you—widen your vision.

46. Jesus is inviting us today into a new banquet, the kingdom of God. And none of you will be left out of that feast. When you choose humility and radical hospitality, God Himself will lift you up.

47. Jesus did not come to give us tips on climbing the social ladder. He invites us to live in a completely different reality—the kingdom of God.

48. Remember this, and may you and I live not by competing with the world, but by loving in a new way that shows the true meaning of following Jesus.

49. May you hope for a different life and share the grace of God’s kingdom.