So Watch Yourselves [1 of 2]

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Introduction to Bible Reading

Title comes from vs 3. Take Heed to Yourselves - alternative title “Check yo’ self before you wreck yo’ self”

If someone was to tell you I have the most wonderful story. Why would you not want to know all of it instead just 1/3? - Dylan Moore

Luke 17 runs together together and such a way that it is going to be hard to stop. This why church is set right before lunch because you know I will be forced to stop at some point.

Luke 17 KJV 1900

1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. 5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. 6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. 7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. 11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. 20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. 22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. 23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. 24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. 25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. 26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

In Luke 17:11 “11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.” Luke reminds us that Jesus and his disciples are still on the journey to Jerusalem.

Luke 17:11 KJV 1900

11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

Much of the journey narrative (9:51–19:44) consists of teaching given to the disciples.

Today we look four units of teaching (17:1–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–10),

They are followed brief exemplary story of 10 lepers (vs. 11-19)

Luke 17:1–6 (KJV 1900)

Luke 17:1–6 KJV 1900

1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. 5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. 6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Sermon Introduction

Hold on as “we’ve a long way to go and a short time to get there.”

We have a contrast between the classic, manifestly obvious bad conduct of the Pharisees and what Jesus wants out of His disciples.

Do not make the Gospel difficult to understand?

Offenses are going to come

Luke 17:1 “1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!”

Luke 17:1 KJV 1900

1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

Do not let the offenses come from you

Luke 17:1 “1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!”

Luke 17:1 KJV 1900

1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

“Don't lead My sheep, don't lead the sheep that I'm entrusting into your care, don't lead the little ones whose faith that I've given you to cultivate, don't lead them into temptation by your teaching and your behavior.

Jesus clearly has in His mind the Pharisees, who by their teaching and their lives are doing what?

They’re leading the little ones astray.

They’re claiming to be godly men while in fact they are lovers of money.

They claim to love God while in fact they love mammon more than anything else.

Little ones we know from Matthew 18 aren’t just young people. It is young believes. So thankful we have some in our church. Over the last few weeks we have seen Austin, Hayden, and Kinsley come to Christ.

Matthew 18 KJV 1900

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. 10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

How you treat other believers is a very important thing to God.

We have heard of Pharisees causing stumbling

Luke 7:22- 23 “22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”

Luke 7:22–23 KJV 1900

22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

In their message that Jesus is not the Messiah

In their hypocrisy

In their perversion of Scripture

In their disdain for the people.

They caused people to be offended by the work of Christ.

The Pharisees were just heaping up stumbling blocks in front of everybody they could who was moving in the direction of Christ.

Warning to us all

Paul to Timothy 1 Tim 4:16 “16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

1 Timothy 4:16 KJV 1900

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Half brother of Jesus James 3:1 “1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”

James 3:1 KJV 1900

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Story of watching a person write in the margins of their Bible. Sobering.

Have you ever thought that what you chose to do and say and how you live could actually lead someone astray, eternally astray?

The seriousness of the matter [slide]

Luke 17:2 “2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”

Luke 17:2 KJV 1900

2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

We make a big deal about teaching the “little ones” around here.

Many volunteers, background checks, training and time are designated for it each week.

We always sharing a next step for people to get involved in helping kids know, love, and serve Jesus.

I never explain the program that is offered for those who want to keep the little ones from knowing the truth about God.

This does not only apply to children.

Pat attention to what you are doing

Luke 17:3 “3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”

Luke 17:3 KJV 1900

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

It's the disciples looking out for one another's souls.

Pay attention to yourselves. Pay attention to one another's souls.

Transitional Statement: Now two very difficult areas will be covered. From experience we know they are hard but we will see from the disciples response they know they are hard.

Be willing to lovingly, rebuke and forgive often.

Rebuke Him

Luke 17:3 “3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”

Luke 17:3 KJV 1900

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

We don't lead people into sin. We lead them out of it.  And that starts with rebuke.

Luke gives a principle, "If your brother sins, rebuke him."  Matthew gives the process.

Process

If your brother sins you go to him. 

If he repents, you gain your brother.  It's over. 

If he doesn't repent, you take two or three with you so that you can confront his sin again and confirm his response. 

If he still doesn't repent, you tell the church and the whole church goes to call that person back.

We don't sit by and watch some sinner go off into a pattern of sin without caring.

Call to repentance

The question always comes up: Is it necessary for someone to repent to be forgiven?

This kind of sin is the kind of sin that reaches a level where it is regular, where it becomes a pattern, where it becomes a direction. As seen in Matthew 18

From the heart you may forgive, but there will never be restoration and reconciliation until there is repentance.

Discernment needed

There are a whole multitude of sins that love just blankets, hides, doesn't bring up, doesn't confront. 1 Peter 4:8 “8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4:8 KJV 1900

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

There are just some things that are done that you just forgive.  You cover them.  Covering another's transgression is the essence of forgiveness.

There are times people fall into sin and it is not a pattern. Galatians 6:1 “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.”

Galatians 6:1 KJV 1900

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.

There are some patterns of sin and directional sins and sinful choices that must be dealt with openly with a rebuke.

Forgive him

Luke 17:3-4 “3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

Luke 17:3–4 KJV 1900

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Admittedly very difficult

Luke 17:5 “5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.”

Luke 17:5 KJV 1900

5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

Disciples knew where the real issue of Christian obedience is found. Faith.

By trusting God, you can do these things and He can do these things in you.

Transitional Statement: This should be always be our request when we are faced with a command of Christ we do not think is possible. Increase our faith.

Faith Enabled Devotion

Luke 17:6 “6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.”

Luke 17:6 KJV 1900

6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

We may often hear about “faith that moves mountains” that comes from the parallel passage. But how often have you literally needed to move a mountain? Maybe traffic but not mountain. But you will in life be faced with the need to forgive that seems impossible.

Without a doubt lack of faith will cause us to be unable to do what God has called us to do.

Jesus answers a question in short order when the disciples asked why they could not cast out demons. Matthew 17:20 “20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

Matthew 17:20 KJV 1900

20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

We must ask at times what the disciples asked “Why could we not _________?” Fill in the blank. - for them caste out demons for us in this passage; forgive.

It is faith that you need in order to receive God's grace and power to do these things.

The needed faith is on full display in Eph 2:8-9 “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 1900

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Paul is emphasizing faith enabled, faith dependent discipleship and devotion.

We will see this next time in the story of the 10 Lepers

Nothing shall be impossible unto you?

Obviously this is in regards to living out what God has called you to do.

Faith can cause you to walk on water if Jesus calls upon you to walk on water. If he hasn’t I would recommend taking bridge.

Encouragement by Jesus

The crucial issue in accomplishing great things is not the quantity of our faith, but the power of God.

When they have done all they are commanded to do, they are still radically dependent on grace. v.7-10

By many of by few

We should have the faith of Jonathan in 1 Samuel 14:6 “6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.”

1 Samuel 14:6 KJV 1900

6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.

A small amount of faith is sufficient because the focus is not on our faith but its object.

Our faith makes a difference not because it is so great but because God is so great.

Faith is not abstract

Faith isn’t abstract; we put our faith in the promises of God

Faith is not adrenaline. Faith is not warm feelings.

Faith is Hebrews 11:1 “1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1 KJV 1900

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is looking to God’s promises and acting upon them.

Back to Jonathan. What promise did he act upon? Possibly Leviticus 26:8 which is section of Scripture about the blessings of obedience. “8 And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.”

Leviticus 26:8 KJV 1900

8 And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

God told me to forgive in Luke 17. Which means I can forgive. I will believe his Words are true and my emotions are

Luke 17 KJV 1900

1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. 5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. 6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. 7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. 11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. 20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. 22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. 23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. 24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. 25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. 26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

So how do you live the Christian life?

Is it by dependence or devotion? Yes. Faith dependent devotion.

It doesn't justify you, it does not contribute to your justification, but it is the product of and the expression of God's work in you.

It is the Lord’s work through you. Phil 2:12-13 “12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” [Heads bowed]

Philippians 2:12–13 KJV 1900

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Conclusion

(1) So when the disciples say, “How can we do this? You’re telling us that we can lead people astray by our lives and by our lips and You’re telling us to forgive in places that it's hard, how can we do this?”

You may be thinking right now, “I just don't think I can forgive in the situation that I'm in.” And Jesus is saying to you, “Do you trust Me? Do you really want to do and be what God has called you to do and be? Ask Me. Ask and it will be given to you. Trust Me.”

Do you have a mountain that needs moving today?

Claim the promises of God for your life.

(2) Could you take a moment and consider the question we first saw in this chapter? Are you an offense to unbelievers of new believers?