Shining His Light: Discipleship and Forgiveness

Devotional

Day 1: Vigilance in Our Actions

As disciples of Jesus, we must be vigilant not to cause others to stumble in their faith. Jesus warns that it is better to have a millstone tied around one's neck and be thrown into the sea than to cause a new believer to stumble. This highlights the seriousness of our actions and the impact they can have on others. We must examine our own lives for stumbling blocks like pride, greed, dishonesty, anger, and unforgiveness, and strive to remove them. [12:32]

Romans 14:13 (ESV): "Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother."

Reflection: What personal stumbling blocks do you need to address to ensure you are not causing others to stumble in their faith?

Day 2: The Courage to Forgive

Jesus commands us to forgive those who sin against us, even if they do so repeatedly. This requires immense faith and strength, as forgiveness is not always easy. It involves courage, humility, affection, prayer, and purpose. By forgiving others, we reflect the love and grace of Jesus, who forgave us even while we were still sinners. This act of forgiveness can restore relationships and bring healing to our hearts. [16:39]

Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

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: The Power of Faith

Faith is a powerful force that enables us to trust God and accomplish incredible things. Jesus uses the example of a mustard seed to illustrate that even a small amount of faith can move a mulberry tree with deep roots. This teaches us that our faith, no matter how small, can have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of others. It is through faith that we can forgive, serve, and live out our calling as disciples. [26:53]

Matthew 17:20 (ESV): "He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to exercise more faith? How can you take a step of faith in that area today?

Day 4: Humble Service

Jesus teaches that we are unworthy servants who have only done our duty. This means that we should not expect extra credit or accolades for our obedience. Our salvation is by God's grace and mercy, not by our works. This perspective keeps us humble and focused on serving God and others without seeking recognition or reward. It reminds us that our ultimate purpose is to glorify God in all that we do. [32:38]

Luke 17:10 (ESV): "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.’"

Reflection: In what ways can you serve others this week without seeking recognition or reward? How can you remind yourself that your ultimate purpose is to glorify God?

Day 5: Reflecting Jesus' Beauty

Just as the Northern Lights reflect the beauty of a solar explosion, our lives should reflect the beauty of Jesus. In a world that seems increasingly dark, we have the opportunity to shine His light and make an impact. This involves living out the teachings of Jesus, forgiving others, serving faithfully, and not causing others to stumble. By doing so, we can bring the beauty of Jesus into the lives of those around us. [37:13]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: How can you reflect the beauty of Jesus in your daily interactions this week? What specific actions can you take to shine His light in a dark world?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church. It is a beautiful day to worship the Lord, and I am grateful for your presence here today. Last night, we witnessed the Northern Lights, a stunning display of nature's beauty caused by a solar explosion days ago. This phenomenon reminds us of the gospel's enduring impact—something that happened thousands of years ago continues to resonate and reflect beauty in our lives today. As Christians, we are called to reflect the beauty of Jesus in a world that seems increasingly dark. This is our opportunity to shine His light.

Today, we turn to Luke 17, where Jesus teaches us about discipleship. There are three key points to consider: disciples do not cause others to stumble, they forgive offenses, and they do not expect extra credit for doing their duty.

First, Jesus warns that offenses will inevitably come, but woe to those through whom they come. It is better to have a millstone tied around one's neck and be thrown into the sea than to cause a new believer to stumble. We all have our own stumbling blocks, such as pride, greed, dishonesty, anger, and unforgiveness. These are personal struggles that we must overcome, but we must also be careful not to place stumbling blocks in the paths of others.

Second, Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiveness. If a brother or sister sins against you and repents, you must forgive them—even if they sin against you seven times in one day. This is a challenging command, and the disciples rightly ask Jesus to increase their faith. Forgiveness requires courage, humility, affection, prayer, and purpose. It is not about seeking revenge or justice but about restoring relationships and reflecting the love of Jesus.

Third, Jesus teaches that disciples should not expect extra credit for doing what they are supposed to do. We are unworthy servants who have only done our duty. This is illustrated in the parable of the servant who, after working all day in the field, is still expected to prepare the master's meal. We should not expect accolades or rewards for our obedience; instead, we should recognize that it is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved, not by our works.

In conclusion, our faith in Jesus enables us to trust God and do incredible things, both above ground and in our hearts where sin is rooted. Faith provides us with everything we need, including the strength to forgive and maintain good relationships. As disciples, we must not cause others to stumble, we must forgive offenses, and we must not seek extra credit for our obedience. Let us pray for the strength and faith to live out these teachings in our daily lives.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Discipleship and Stumbling Blocks: As disciples of Jesus, we must be vigilant not to cause others to stumble in their faith. Jesus warns that it is better to have a millstone tied around one's neck and be thrown into the sea than to cause a new believer to stumble. This highlights the seriousness of our actions and the impact they can have on others. We must examine our own lives for stumbling blocks like pride, greed, dishonesty, anger, and unforgiveness, and strive to remove them. [12:32]
2. The Power of Forgiveness: Jesus commands us to forgive those who sin against us, even if they do so repeatedly. This requires immense faith and strength, as forgiveness is not always easy. It involves courage, humility, affection, prayer, and purpose. By forgiving others, we reflect the love and grace of Jesus, who forgave us even while we were still sinners. This act of forgiveness can restore relationships and bring healing to our hearts. [16:39]
3. Faith and Its Impact: Faith is a powerful force that enables us to trust God and accomplish incredible things. Jesus uses the example of a mustard seed to illustrate that even a small amount of faith can move a mulberry tree with deep roots. This teaches us that our faith, no matter how small, can have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of others. It is through faith that we can forgive, serve, and live out our calling as disciples. [26:53]
4. Unworthy Servants: Jesus teaches that we are unworthy servants who have only done our duty. This means that we should not expect extra credit or accolades for our obedience. Our salvation is by God's grace and mercy, not by our works. This perspective keeps us humble and focused on serving God and others without seeking recognition or reward. It reminds us that our ultimate purpose is to glorify God in all that we do. [32:38]
5. Reflecting the Beauty of Jesus: Just as the Northern Lights reflect the beauty of a solar explosion, our lives should reflect the beauty of Jesus. In a world that seems increasingly dark, we have the opportunity to shine His light and make an impact. This involves living out the teachings of Jesus, forgiving others, serving faithfully, and not causing others to stumble. By doing so, we can bring the beauty of Jesus into the lives of those around us. [37:13]
### [37:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:17] - The Northern Lights and the Gospel
[02:42] - Introduction to Luke 17
[04:14] - Offenses and Stumbling Blocks
[12:32] - Woe to Those Who Cause Stumbling
[16:39] - The Command to Forgive
[26:53] - The Power of Faith
[32:38] - Unworthy Servants
[37:13] - Reflecting the Beauty of Jesus
[40:07] - Closing Remarks

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 17:1-10 —
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Observation Questions

What are the three key points about discipleship that Jesus teaches in Luke 17:1-10? [02:42]
According to Jesus, what is better than causing a new believer to stumble? [04:14]
How many times does Jesus say we should forgive someone who sins against us in one day? [16:39]
What is the servant's response supposed to be after doing everything they were told to do? [32:38]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus emphasize the severity of causing others to stumble in their faith? How does this reflect on our personal actions and their impact on others? [12:32]
What does Jesus mean when He says that even a small amount of faith, like a mustard seed, can move a mulberry tree? How does this relate to the challenges of forgiveness? [26:53]
How does the parable of the unworthy servant challenge our expectations of recognition and reward for our obedience? [32:38]
In what ways does reflecting the beauty of Jesus in our lives serve as a testimony to others, especially in a world that seems increasingly dark? [37:13]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life. Are there any stumbling blocks you might be placing in the paths of others, intentionally or unintentionally? How can you work to remove these? [12:32]
Think of a person who has wronged you multiple times. How can you find the strength and faith to forgive them repeatedly, as Jesus commands? [16:39]
Jesus teaches that we should not expect extra credit for doing our duty. How can you cultivate a heart of humble service in your daily life without seeking recognition? [32:38]
Identify a specific area in your life where you need to exercise more faith. How can you trust God more in this area, believing that even a small amount of faith can make a significant impact? [26:53]
Consider a relationship in your life that needs healing. What steps can you take to courageously, humbly, and prayerfully address the issues and work towards restoration? [19:36]
How can you actively reflect the beauty of Jesus in your interactions with others this week? Think of one specific action you can take to shine His light in a dark situation. [37:13]
In what ways can you remind yourself daily that you are an unworthy servant, saved by grace, and how can this perspective influence your actions and attitudes towards serving others? [32:38]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Without faith, you will never believe that God loves you so much. Without faith, you will never believe that you're forgiven seven times a day for the same sin that you commit seven times a day. And probably for many of us, it's more than seven, if we're honest, right? Yeah, some days it's at least eight. Maybe on a good day, it's six, right? See, faith provides us with everything that we need. Faith, you don't need more than faith. Faith provides us with everything that we need. Everything we need, even the ability to forgive the person who offends you or who sinned against you." [28:52]( | | )

2. "The Northern Lights, they allow, they're an impact of something that happened days ago on us. The Christian life is something that happened years ago. And the Spirit came and lives in us. And you too can be impactful. You can only see the Northern Lights when it's dark outside. We live in a world that seems like it's getting increasingly darker, right? You know what that means? More time to show the beauty of Jesus. Shine the light and may it be beautiful. Instead of just blinding." [37:13]( | | )

3. "Something a long way away is making an impact today. Something, something that happened a couple of days ago is making an impact in the skies tonight. Isn't that the story in a somewhat version of the gospel? Something that happened a while ago. Something that happened a couple of thousand years ago. It's still resonating, still making its impact, still having reflective beauty in the world today through you and through you, how, how you reflect and then causing people to go, wow. Causing people to go, ah, and isn't that beautiful?" [01:17]( | | )

4. "The answer is not rules, but it is love. John says, the one who loves his brother or sister is the light. There is no cause for stumbling in him. Love. Love. There is no cause for stumbling. Love. Are you patient with your brother or sister, the new person who comes to faith? Are you kind to them? Do you honor them? Are you not self-seeking, but are you seeking out their best for their spiritual growth? Love, not law. This is where Jesus is going." [15:15]( | | )

5. "Faith enables us to trust God. Hebrews 11, 6 says, and without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. It starts there. It starts with placing your faith in Jesus Christ." [27:54]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Disciples, number one, don't cause people to stumble. Disciples, they forgive offenses. And disciples, they don't take extra credit. They don't take extra credit." [29:16]( | | )

2. "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, servant of Jesus Christ, people who follow the Lord, when you have done everything that God has told you to do, your response needs to be, we are unworthy servants. We have only done our duty. Wow. Jesus tells the same story when he tells the parable of the lost son, right? Lost son goes off, wanders around. He goes to the pig farm, comes back, and woo-hoo, everything's all great. But this, the other son, I've done everything you've ever asked, God, can't I sit at the table and have a big meal? He's a good Christian. He's lived his life great, and he wants to accolades for having done well, and we are unworthy servants." [33:16]( | | )

3. "Forgive. Forgive. Hold on to those relationships. Be in right relationship with others. Verse 10. So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, servant of Jesus Christ, people who follow the Lord, when you have done everything that God has told you to do, your response needs to be, we are unworthy servants. We have only done our duty." [32:38]( | | )

4. "Discipleship, church, as followers of Jesus, don't cause people to stumble. You have your own stumbling blocks. Don't try to put some in front of others. Forgive others. Don't do your offenses. Be courageous, but be kind and humble and gentle and be prayerful and be prepared to do it continually. And don't expect extra credit. Doing what God tells you to do doesn't mean you get extra credit for doing what God tells you to." [36:30]( | | )

5. "See, faith provides us with everything that we need. Faith, you don't need more than faith. Faith provides us with everything that we need. Everything we need, even the ability to forgive the person who offends you or who sinned against you. My God, Paul says, will meet all of your needs. And if your need is a strength to forgive that person, God is there. If your need is a strength to have a good relationship with your person, God is there. God will provide for your needs according to his riches and his glory and how big or how deep are his riches and how wide is his glory. He will always be there for you. Faith." [29:16]( | | )

6. "Jesus said to his disciples, things that cause people to stumble are bound to come around, but woe to anybody through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. So watch yourself. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them. And if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times a day and seven times come back and say to you, I repent, you must forgive them." [04:14]( | | )

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