Luke 17:1-10, Things That Really Matter in the Christian's Life
I. Matters towards men (people).
1. Concerning the Offence of a Stumbling Block, vv. 1-2.
Offences: (skan-dal-id-zo) trap, snare impediment, stumbling block (any person or thing that by which one is drawn into error or sin).
Ephesians 5, 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Romans 14, 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
1 John 2, 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
2. Concerning the Need of Forgiveness, vv. 3-4.
Take heed: be attentive.
Trespass: miss the mark, sin.
Rebuke: to admonish, charge sharply, to adjudge.
Galatians 6:1, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Ephesians 4, 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
GO To Matthew 18:15-20.
v. 4: Thou shalt: That’s a command--FORGIVE.
(Charles Ryrie) If He commands us to do this to others, we can be sure that God does this for us as well, even if we come repeatedly confessing the same sin.
Matthew 18:21-22.
II. Matters towards God.
1. Concerning our Faith. Our 1st responsibility towards God, vv. 5-6.
(John R. Rice) We are commanded to have faith. Note what leads to Faith:
a. We should pray like the disciples. “Lord Increase our faith.”
b. We should find what God says in His Word about answers and then claim what God has promised: Rom. 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Faith is just simply believing God, and faith leads us to act in accordance to HIS will.
1. We can increase our faith by trying God out and proving how wonderfully He keeps His Word. So, one is commanded to have faith.
Mark 4, 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
Ps. 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Heb. 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Habakkuk 2: 4Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
2. Concerning our Service. Our second responsibility towards God, vv. 7-10.
Isa. 64, 6But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Albert Barnes
Are unprofitable servants. We have conferred no favor. We have "merited" nothing. We have not "benefited" God or laid him under "obligation.” If he rewards us, it will be matter of unmerited favor. This is true in relation to Christians in the following respects:
1. Our services are not "profitable" to God. Job 22:2; he "needs" not our aid, and His essential happiness will not be increased by our efforts.
2. The grace to do His will comes from Him only, and all the praise of that will be due to Him.
3. All that we do is what is our "duty;" we cannot lay claim to having rendered any service that will "bind" him to show us favor; and,
4. Our best services are mingled with imperfections. We come short of His glory. Romans 3:23; we do not serve him as sincerely and cheerfully and faithfully as we ought; we are far, very far from the example set us by the Saviour; and if we are saved and rewarded, it will be because God will be merciful to our unrighteousness and will remember our iniquities no more, Hebrews 8:12.