A call to humble obedience
A detailed Account - Gospel of Luke • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 44:23
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Handout
Handout
Skandalon
Skandalon
Jesus continues with his teaching.
The rich man and Lazarus
The unrighteous (shrewd) steward
Seeking the lost
Counting the cost of discipleship
These are just a few of the things we have looked at in the last few chapters of Luke.
In our passage this morning we are looking the importance of preventing others, being a stumbling block to others faith. The necessity of forgiveness, and humble obedience.
There is a word I want to put forth now so we can have some understanding of it was we go through the passage in a few minutes.
Skandalon, it is the Greek word used for offences (v.1); the actual meaning is bent stick, or a stick that springs the trap or sets the bait. It is used for stumbling block, something that someone could trip over.
It sometimes is used for good, depending on the context such as set to trip people up when offended by the gospel (Rom9:33, 1Cor1:23, and Gal5:11)
33 just as it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”
Other examples of it being bad, false counsel (Mt16:23)
23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”)
So you can see it gives a deeper appreciation for the use of the word “offences.” We will get more into it when we look at the passage.
Our Study Passage
Our Study Passage
1 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 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.
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And 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.”
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” 6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’?
9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
What stands out to you in this passage?
Who is Jesus addressing in this passage?
Apostles, so He continues to teach the apostles with the crowd hearing it too, but it was addressed to the apostles, continuing from the teaching that started back in chapter-16.
What warning does Jesus give (v.2)?
Better not offend one of these little ones, it would be better to have millstone to be hung around his neck.
What does Jesus call for man to do regarding a sinning brother (vv.3-4)?
Rebuke him and forgive him if he repents
What do the apostles ask of Jesus (v.5)? And what was Jesus encouragement to them in reply (v.6)?
Increase our faith.
You just need the faith of a mustard seed.
After looking at (vv.7-9) what does Jesus say to them (v.10)?
You too, knowing what you have done what is required you are unprofitable servant.
Do you notice all of this has to do with obedience to not offend, forgive to serve with humility?
Guarding against stumbling
Guarding against stumbling
Temptations to sin are inevitable, but those who cause others to falter in faith, fall in sin are held accountable.
As Christians we need to be very aware of our influence, our impact, our actions when it comes to others. It has the potential to spur someone to growth or hindering someone in their spiritual journey.
It has been said that “people are going to take the bait of sin, but woe to you if you offer the hook. People are going to trip up —but woe to you if you set the stumbling block in their way.”
Be on guard when it comes to a sinning brother, be willing to rebuke and to forgive
If someone stumbles you in offence against you that brings hurt feelings or a resentment, be ready to forgive as Christ has forgiven you. Do not carry unforegiveness in your heart.
Granting grace freely
Granting grace freely
Forgiveness is offering grace to someone.
The Apostles knew that it was going to take great faith to forgive people in some circumstances, so they asked the Lord to increase their faith.
Have you even asked in prayer, Lord, help me so I do not lash out on someone? How about asking the Lord to increase your faith?
Offering grace is modeled to Jesus and commanded to us and it has a positive impact on person and on communal relations.
Unforgiveness is a burden we are not to carry, forgiveness frees you and frees others. Jesus commands to forgive continually.
I will come back in a few minutes and talk more about granting grace freely when we wrap up today.
Growing in faith
Growing in faith
Notice what the apostles asked for (v.7). Increased faith.
Suppose why here, why now ask for increased faith?
This all goes hand in hand with forgiveness, forgiveness is hard to do sometimes isn’t it?
We have Christ’s example of forgiveness and sometimes we need more faith to forgive like Christ forgave, for we are commanded to forgive.
14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Do you need to grow in faith when it comes to forgiveness at times? I know I do. It is the Father’s will that we forgive!
The faith of a mustard seed here shows it (forgiveness) is powerful and can do miraculous things.
We need to be sure how this is being used in context here, the thing that is being discussed is forgiveness.
So, again do we need increased faith to forgive?
Giving humble service
Giving humble service
This passage uses a parable about a servant to teach about obedience and humility.
Consider that the illustration Jesus used about plowing, it was hard work. We may have jobs that are physically or mentally tasking on us and by the end of the day we are exhausted. Jesus says the work you do is not done at the end of a shift, end of a job, the work for Him is continual and it is for His purpose and glory and not for money.
I read in preparation for this:
“We can’t put God into debt to us; anything we do for Him is small repayment for His work in our life.”
Jesus points out our role in serving God and others without expecting glory or reward.
Christ’s life was one of servitude and sacrifice. Jesus was an example of selflessness.
Jesus has previously called man to go beyond what is required.
41 “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
Expand on this. There was the expectation of going the mile, so be willing to go well beyond what is required.
How can you go the extra mile?
Remember this is focusing on stumbling, forgiving and serving.
Jesus went the extra mile for us. He could have just told us what to do in serving humbly, but He showed us what to do. Paul demonstrated that (by being a tent maker) Paul taught about Jesus example.
3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
Christ came to serve, not be served (ref: Lk22:22-27). - to give His life as a ransom.
Are you willing to serve by giving grace where grace is not deserved?
Are you will to serve all of the glory of God expecting no recognition here, knowing that you are storing up treasures in heaven?
Take away’s:
Be mindful
Be mindful that your words or your actions may lead someone into sin, to stumble or even to give up their faith.
Forgive without limit
Be willing to forgive as Christ has forgiven you. When you do, you reflect God’s mercy and His grace. It is freeing to you and to others too.
Faith of a mustard seed can do much
Genuine trust in God allows incredible things to happen. Your faith grows as you use it. It does not take a lot of faith for God to work, but faith can do a lot.
Serve humbly
Serve knowing you cannot earn God’s favor, to earn status with God. Serve knowing how much God has loved and served YOU! know that the privilege of obedient service has been given to you, so use it for the glory of God.
(Prayer) (Exit)
