Embracing Forgiveness and Faith in Servanthood

 

Summary

In Luke 17, Jesus addresses His disciples with profound teachings on sin, forgiveness, faith, and servanthood. He begins by acknowledging the inevitability of offenses in this world, yet warns of severe consequences for those who lead others into sin. This highlights the gravity of influencing others negatively and the responsibility we bear in our actions and words. Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, instructing that if a brother sins and repents, even repeatedly, we must forgive him. This teaching challenges us to embody a spirit of grace and mercy, reflecting God's forgiveness towards us.

The disciples, overwhelmed by the call to forgive repeatedly, ask Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus responds by illustrating that even faith as small as a mustard seed can accomplish great things, suggesting that the issue is not the quantity of faith but the willingness to act on it. He then shares a parable about a servant who, after fulfilling his duties, is not thanked for merely doing what was expected. This parable serves as a reminder that our obedience to God is our duty, not something that earns us merit or favor. It underscores the truth that our righteousness is not our own but is found in Christ alone.

As we approach the Lord's Table, we are reminded that we bring nothing of our own merit. Our hands are empty, and it is only through Christ's sacrifice that we are made righteous. This sacrament is a celebration of His grace, a reminder of our dependence on Him, and an invitation to partake in His life and righteousness. We are called to come with humility, acknowledging our need for His cleansing and the sufficiency of His work on the cross.

Key Takeaways:

- The Weight of Influence: Jesus warns of the severe consequences for those who lead others into sin. This highlights the responsibility we have in our actions and words, reminding us to be mindful of how we influence others. Our lives should reflect Christ, encouraging others towards righteousness rather than sin. [04:13]

- The Call to Forgive: Forgiveness is not optional for the believer. Jesus teaches that if someone repents, we must forgive them, no matter how many times they sin against us. This challenges us to embody a spirit of grace and mercy, reflecting God's forgiveness towards us. [09:00]

- Faith in Action: The disciples' request for increased faith is met with Jesus' assurance that even a small amount of faith can accomplish great things. This teaches us that the issue is not the quantity of faith but our willingness to act on it, trusting in God's power and promises. [10:18]

- Duty and Obedience: The parable of the unprofitable servant reminds us that our obedience to God is our duty, not something that earns us merit. Our righteousness is not our own but is found in Christ alone, emphasizing our dependence on His grace. [13:03]

- Empty Hands at the Table: As we approach the Lord's Table, we are reminded that we bring nothing of our own merit. Our hands are empty, and it is only through Christ's sacrifice that we are made righteous. This sacrament is a celebration of His grace and an invitation to partake in His life and righteousness. [16:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:23] - Reading from Luke 17
- [01:08] - The Role of a Servant
- [01:47] - Receiving God's Word
- [02:39] - Prayer for Understanding
- [03:22] - The Inevitability of Offenses
- [04:13] - Warning Against Leading Others to Sin
- [05:10] - Modern Misinterpretations
- [06:03] - The Millstone Analogy
- [06:46] - Forgiveness and Repentance
- [08:16] - Misconceptions About Forgiveness
- [09:00] - The Necessity of Forgiveness
- [10:18] - Faith as a Mustard Seed
- [10:58] - The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant
- [13:03] - Duty and Obedience
- [16:49] - Empty Hands at the Table
- [19:28] - The Lord's Supper
- [19:32] - Invitation to the Table
- [19:36] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 17:1-10

Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus say about the inevitability of offenses and the consequences for those who lead others into sin? [03:22]
2. How does Jesus instruct His disciples to respond when a brother sins and repents, even if it happens multiple times in a day? [07:34]
3. What is the significance of the mustard seed in Jesus' response to the disciples' request for increased faith? [10:18]
4. In the parable of the unprofitable servant, what is the servant's duty, and how does this relate to our understanding of obedience to God? [13:03]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the severe consequences for those who lead others into sin, and how does this reflect on our responsibility as believers? [04:13]
2. How does the call to forgive repeatedly challenge our natural inclinations, and what does it reveal about the nature of true forgiveness? [09:00]
3. What does Jesus mean when He says that even faith as small as a mustard seed can accomplish great things, and how does this challenge our understanding of faith? [10:18]
4. How does the parable of the unprofitable servant redefine our understanding of duty and merit in the context of our relationship with God? [13:03]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when your actions or words might have influenced someone negatively. How can you be more mindful of your influence on others in the future? [04:13]
2. Is there someone in your life whom you find difficult to forgive? What steps can you take to embody a spirit of grace and mercy towards them? [09:00]
3. Consider a situation where you feel your faith is lacking. How can you take a small step of faith this week, trusting in God's power and promises? [10:18]
4. In what ways do you find yourself seeking recognition or merit for your obedience to God? How can you shift your focus to serving out of love and duty rather than seeking reward? [13:03]
5. As you approach the Lord's Table, what does it mean for you to come with "empty hands," acknowledging your dependence on Christ's sacrifice? [16:49]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of humility and gratitude for the grace and righteousness found in Christ alone? [16:49]
7. Identify one area in your life where you can practice servanthood without expecting anything in return. How can this change your perspective on duty and obedience? [13:03]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Influence
In Luke 17, Jesus warns His disciples about the severe consequences for those who lead others into sin. This teaching underscores the immense responsibility we have in our actions and words, as they can significantly impact others. Jesus emphasizes that offenses are inevitable in this world, but woe to those through whom they come. This calls us to be vigilant in our conduct, ensuring that our lives reflect Christ and encourage others towards righteousness rather than sin. Our influence should be a beacon of light, guiding others to the truth and love found in Jesus. [04:13]

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea." (Mark 9:42, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your daily interactions. How can you intentionally use your influence to encourage someone towards righteousness today?


Day 2: The Challenge of Forgiveness
Jesus teaches that forgiveness is not optional for believers. If someone sins and repents, we are called to forgive them, even if they sin against us multiple times. This teaching challenges us to embody a spirit of grace and mercy, reflecting God's forgiveness towards us. Forgiveness is a powerful act that frees both the forgiver and the forgiven, allowing relationships to heal and grow. It requires humility and a willingness to let go of grudges, trusting that God will work in the hearts of those who repent. [09:00]

"Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him." (Luke 17:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?


Day 3: Faith Beyond Measure
When the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith, He responds by saying that even faith as small as a mustard seed can accomplish great things. This teaching reveals that the issue is not the quantity of faith but our willingness to act on it, trusting in God's power and promises. Faith is not about having all the answers or being free from doubt; it's about taking steps forward, even when the path is unclear, and believing that God is with us every step of the way. [10:18]

"And the Lord said, 'If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it would obey you.'" (Luke 17:6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to step out in faith? How can you take a small step today, trusting in God's promises?


Day 4: The Heart of Servanthood
The parable of the unprofitable servant reminds us that our obedience to God is our duty, not something that earns us merit. Our righteousness is not our own but is found in Christ alone. This teaching calls us to serve God with humility, recognizing that our good works are a response to His grace, not a means to earn it. True servanthood is about aligning our will with God's and finding joy in fulfilling His purposes, knowing that our reward is in Him. [13:03]

"So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’" (Luke 17:10, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your motivations for serving God. Are there areas where you seek recognition or reward? How can you realign your heart to serve out of love and gratitude?


Day 5: Embracing Grace at the Table
As we approach the Lord's Table, we are reminded that we bring nothing of our own merit. Our hands are empty, and it is only through Christ's sacrifice that we are made righteous. This sacrament is a celebration of His grace, a reminder of our dependence on Him, and an invitation to partake in His life and righteousness. We are called to come with humility, acknowledging our need for His cleansing and the sufficiency of His work on the cross. [16:49]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: As you prepare to partake in the Lord's Supper, how can you cultivate a heart of gratitude for the grace and mercy you have received through Christ?

Quotes


Then he said to his disciples it is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him, through him they do come. It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than that he should offend one of these little ones. [00:00:18]

Take heed to yourselves, if your brother sins against you rebuke him and if he repents forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day and seven times in a day returns to you saying I repent, you shall forgive him. The Apostle said to the Lord increase our faith. [00:00:38]

What our Lord is acknowledging at this point is in this world until the Kingdom of God is fully consummated we still struggle with sin. We still struggle with offenses that we commit against God. We still have temptations with which we must wrestle. Jesus acknowledged this to His disciples that that's the way things are but having acknowledged that he then pronounces to them an oracle of doom where He says but woe unto him through whom that offense comes. [00:03:31]

This is a tremendously important point that Jesus makes here when he pronounces this ghastly oracle of judgment. It's one thing He says for you to sin, but the judgment of God will come even greater on those who tempt others to sin. In His letter to the Romans when Paul gives a list of the most egregious offenses given against God at the end of the first chapter of that book, he says knowing that God hates these things and will condemn those who do it, people not only do them, but they encourage others to do them as well. [00:04:33]

If he sins against you seven times in a day and seven times in a day returns to you saying, I repent you shall forgive him. Now there's a point here I don't want us to miss. There's a widespread misconception among Christians that the idea is that if somebody sins against us we're duty bound to give them unilateral forgiveness whether they repent or not. [00:08:04]

He said if we are sinned against we are to rebuke that person and if they repent then forgiveness is not an option. If a person offends us and says they're sorry and acknowledges their sin against us it's not only that we may forgive them we must forgive them no matter how difficult it may be. [00:08:50]

Jesus goes on to say and if that same person commits the same sin fifteen minutes later against you and comes and says I'm sorry you have to forgive him again and if he does it the third time, the fourth time, the fifth time, the sixth time, the seventh time, and he comes and repents you can't say to him no, no, no, no that's number seven too late you're done. [00:09:14]

When you have done all those things which you are commanded say we are unprofitable servants, we have done what is our duty to do. We have added nothing to the assets side of the ledger. If you have lived a life of perfect righteousness, if you have obeyed every commandment that God has ever given which you haven't but if you have Jesus is saying big deal, so what, all you've done is what you were supposed to do. [00:13:28]

Do you get it? If I live a life of perfect holiness, I've done nothing of merit. I've added nothing to the weights and measures of the Kingdom of God because I've simply done what was my duty to do, but we have millions of people in the church who still hold on to the idea that what they've accomplished in this life is what will get them into the Kingdom of God. [00:14:50]

Whereas Christianity says if your whole life has nothing, but good deeds and you have no bad deeds without the righteousness of Christ, you'll go to hell forever because there's nothing that you could possibly do to earn your way into the Kingdom of God. You can't go to the judgment seat of Christ and say I went to church every Sunday for thirty years. I was an elder. I was a minister. I was a deacon. I tithed my money. I fed the poor. I ministered to the sick. God will say well that's what you're supposed to do. [00:15:27]

The only thing I bring to the table is my shame and my guilt and my need and so when you come to the table this morning you bring nothing in your hand, Foul, I to the fountain fly, Savior, wash me or I die. All that has been done to get me into the Kingdom of God is done by Christ. He and He alone is the profitable servant. [00:17:37]

We reap the benefits of His prophet. He takes the prophet that He has achieved and He pours it into my hands and now when I stand before God I've got everything. I've got the whole world. I've got perfect righteousness in my hand, but it's His. It's not mine. I don't add a cent to the profit that is won for me by Christ. [00:18:25]

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Transcript
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