Uploaded June 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Luke 14:7-11 NASB
And He (Jesus) began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, DO NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF HONOR, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the LAST PLACE. But when you are invited, go and RECLINE AT THE LAST PLACE, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. For everyone who EXALTS HIMSELF will be humbled, and he who HUMBLES HIMSELF will be exalted.”
The last becoming first and the first becoming last is an ongoing theme throughout the teachings of Jesus Christ. He stresses the importance of living as servants above all. His teachings rebuked pride, celebrated humility, and redefined greatness and importance in His kingdom.
Matthew 6:6 NASB
“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is DONE IN SECRET WILL REWARD YOU.”
I have learned that most spiritual fruit is produced from the things we sow in the secret place. The secret place is where God raises His leaders, not the ones who self-promote but rather the one who lives only to promote Him.
What we are willing to forfeit in public will propel us supernaturally in private.
I heard the Lord say, “My lowliest followers are the giants in My Kingdom. Their petitions in private have moved more mountains than the mightiest of My prophets.”
Matthew 11:11 NASB
“Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has NOT ARISEN ANYONE greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS GREATER THAN HE.”
Don't be fooled by the smoke and mirrors of the witches masquerading as apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists.
I heard the Lord say, “They are all mere wolves. However, be warned, I am the Shepherd. And I am about to wield My staff.”
Jesus is stating that our position in Him, through salvation, makes each of us greater than even John the Baptist, who He defined as the greatest prophet of the old covenant.
Steer clear of the wolves who entice their audiences with shows using false signs and false wonders. Even sorcerers can do that. But draw close to those who serve humbly and equip powerfully. The pulpit is not a stage for entertainment but an altar for repentance. And the men or women who stand at the altar are to be God's servants, teaching, equipping, and building up His sheep.
The Lord said, “Those who pursue Me intimately in private will stand fearless for Me in public.”
Matthew 23:10-12 NASB
“Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be YOUR SERVANT. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
Matthew 20:26-28 NASB
“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be YOUR SERVANT, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be YOUR SLAVE; just as the Son of Man DID NOT come to be served, BUT TO SERVE, and to GIVE HIS LIFE as a ransom for many.”
Leadership in God's Kingdom will cost you everything, even your life.
Luke 14:33 NASB
“So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.”
This means that the life laid down is the life lived well.
Galatians 2:20-21 NASB
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.
Do not pursue the things the world pursues, the prestigious titles and positions, and the seat of honor. Instead, arrive and leave a place in the same way as a servant who seeks to honor and represent his master's heart.
The greatest titles a leader in Christ can possess are servant and child of God.
A servant never needs to fight for honor because they live in the one who is honored, living as He lives, only to serve the one He loves, His Father and His sheep.
NEW BOOK:
Check out Pastor Jonnathan's new book titled Sandy: Arise and Shine. The book shares the journey of Sandy, a tiny grain of sand living on a Hawaiian beach. Sandy believes that God made her for more than just living on the beautiful beach and yearns to discover her true purpose and identity. The story takes the reader through the trials and adversities used to transform her into something one of a kind, unique, and beautiful. It's available on Amazon, Sandy: Arise and Shine https://a.co/d/iADlieg
Luke 14:7-11 NASB
And He (Jesus) began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, DO NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF HONOR, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the LAST PLACE. But when you are invited, go and RECLINE AT THE LAST PLACE, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. For everyone who EXALTS HIMSELF will be humbled, and he who HUMBLES HIMSELF will be exalted.”
The last becoming first and the first becoming last is an ongoing theme throughout the teachings of Jesus Christ. He stresses the importance of living as servants above all. His teachings rebuked pride, celebrated humility, and redefined greatness and importance in His kingdom.
Matthew 6:6 NASB
“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is DONE IN SECRET WILL REWARD YOU.”
I have learned that most spiritual fruit is produced from the things we sow in the secret place. The secret place is where God raises His leaders, not the ones who self-promote but rather the one who lives only to promote Him.
What we are willing to forfeit in public will propel us supernaturally in private.
I heard the Lord say, “My lowliest followers are the giants in My Kingdom. Their petitions in private have moved more mountains than the mightiest of My prophets.”
Matthew 11:11 NASB
“Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has NOT ARISEN ANYONE greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS GREATER THAN HE.”
Don't be fooled by the smoke and mirrors of the witches masquerading as apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists.
I heard the Lord say, “They are all mere wolves. However, be warned, I am the Shepherd. And I am about to wield My staff.”
Jesus is stating that our position in Him, through salvation, makes each of us greater than even John the Baptist, who He defined as the greatest prophet of the old covenant.
Steer clear of the wolves who entice their audiences with shows using false signs and false wonders. Even sorcerers can do that. But draw close to those who serve humbly and equip powerfully. The pulpit is not a stage for entertainment but an altar for repentance. And the men or women who stand at the altar are to be God's servants, teaching, equipping, and building up His sheep.
The Lord said, “Those who pursue Me intimately in private will stand fearless for Me in public.”
Matthew 23:10-12 NASB
“Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be YOUR SERVANT. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
Matthew 20:26-28 NASB
“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be YOUR SERVANT, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be YOUR SLAVE; just as the Son of Man DID NOT come to be served, BUT TO SERVE, and to GIVE HIS LIFE as a ransom for many.”
Leadership in God's Kingdom will cost you everything, even your life.
Luke 14:33 NASB
“So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.”
This means that the life laid down is the life lived well.
Galatians 2:20-21 NASB
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.
Do not pursue the things the world pursues, the prestigious titles and positions, and the seat of honor. Instead, arrive and leave a place in the same way as a servant who seeks to honor and represent his master's heart.
The greatest titles a leader in Christ can possess are servant and child of God.
A servant never needs to fight for honor because they live in the one who is honored, living as He lives, only to serve the one He loves, His Father and His sheep.
NEW BOOK:
Check out Pastor Jonnathan's new book titled Sandy: Arise and Shine. The book shares the journey of Sandy, a tiny grain of sand living on a Hawaiian beach. Sandy believes that God made her for more than just living on the beautiful beach and yearns to discover her true purpose and identity. The story takes the reader through the trials and adversities used to transform her into something one of a kind, unique, and beautiful. It's available on Amazon, Sandy: Arise and Shine https://a.co/d/iADlieg
