Series: Things Jesus Wants Us To Know

Part 16 - What You Need To Know About Our Liberty To Serve The Lord

INTRO: Well, it is good to be back home. I enjoyed my trip and worshiping last Sunday morning at New Haven Baptist in Oneida. We were planning on Sunday evening, but, my dad's first cousin fell and hit her head (hard). She is back home, would you remember her (Sharon Stanfill) in prayer. She is s great lady and loves the Lord, may God bless her. I am thankful for Bro. Mike and Bro. Jason who filled in last week. Also, for all of you who came.

Okay, back to our series. We are ready for chapter 16. I am not going to deal with it today, but rather start in chapter 17. I intend to do this, I have just been wrestling with the first 18 verses. One of the reasons for working through the book of Luke is it forces me to deal with several subjects that I might not do. It is so easy to only preach what you like and are comfortable preaching about. This way I deal with some subjects I might pass over. Okay, why not do chapter 16? Like I said, I have worked on the first 18 verses and am struggling somewhat with the teaching presented. I will get it later.

Today I want to look at the first 19 verses of Chapter 17. We have just celebrated 231 years of declaring our independence for England as a nation. This does not mean freedom just happened. There was a time of great struggle for our freedom. Likewise, the freedom God has given us through His Son's redemptive work has not and is not easily applied. All actions He took were done at a great cost. I am so glad He did aren't you? We have that freedom before us that we can apply to our lives. Isn’t the freedom of the Lord fantastic?

Let us look into the scripture…

Luke 17:1 - 6

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

²It 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.

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

⁴And 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.

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

⁶And 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.

Okay, lets start. Jesus said…

Offenses (stumbling blocks) will happen

Why?

Human nature

Sinful nature

Satan's influence

Our numerous weaknesses

Selfishness

Greed

Hatred

Jealousy

Self-righteousness

Other sinful attitudes

Okay, we get it… Offenses (stumbling blocks) will happen, but it is not an excuse to live unchecked…

You don't want to be the bring of bad views, do(s), or news for that matter

Great warning - "woe"

Great danger - millstone

Great responsibility - "little ones"

Children - are we protecting our children?

Things that can hurt them physically? (easy right)

Things that can hut them spiritually? (not as easy - right?)

Young converts - we bear great responsibility to them for protection and guidance

He then gives advice and guides them to not neglect to

Be careful - "take heed"

We should not be haphazard about our life and actions

Be introspective - "to yourselves"

It is easy to find others failings and shortcomings

Be ready - "If any brother…"

You know what, most people are not really ready to forgive

Be willing - "rebuke…"

Not as a fault finder

Not as one better than the "rebukee"

But as one who wants to help and forgive

Be forgiving - "forgive"

This is the whole idea of Christ message here - forgiveness can and should be ours to have and forgive

Share discussion with Hulon on trip to get Greg. Does it make sense to hang on to "unforgiveness" when we can have freedom from the problems "unforgiveness" brings?

Be generous in your forgiveness - "seven times in a day"

If you are wronged, spit on, and so on

If you are cut off in traffic 7x in a day…?

Idea - is to show mercy and patience

Be asking - "Lord increase our faith"

According to Jesus…

If we have a little faith it will grow

I say if we have a little faith it will show

If we just believe…

He will help us/you

He will encourage us/you

He will strengthen us/you

He will guide us/you

He will use us/you (to help and forgive others)

Let us now read…

Luke 17:7 - 10

⁷But 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?

⁸And 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?

⁹Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

¹⁰So 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.

And as we look at verses7-10 we see we need to…

Be serving -

Work hard for all your endeavors

Expect no special rewards

Plan to serve and honor the One who deserves our honor and praise - vs 8

Don't worry about nor expect special notice - just serve well

And last, let us read…

Luke 17:11 - 19

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

¹²And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

¹³And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

¹⁴And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

¹⁵And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

¹⁶And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

¹⁷And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

¹⁸There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

¹⁹And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

And then we see in 11-19

Be thankful

Show it

Show it

Tell it

Tell it

Say it (thanks)

Say it

Know it - "thy faith hath made thee whole"

Do you know Jesus in a relationship of forgiveness?

Have you asked Him for forgiveness?

Do you desire forgiveness?

Do you want the freedom forgiveness brings?

Call on Him and He will answer!

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 070807am