January 24, 2016
Morning Service

Luke 17:1-19

 

            In chapter 15 of Luke, Jesus spoke concerning the lost, and gave 3 illustrations to teach His point, of saving the lost.  The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the Prodigal Son.  In chapter 16, Jesus used parables to teach us the importance of using the monies that God has allowed us to use while here in this life.  His illustrations were, the unjust servant, and the Rich Man, and the Poor Man.  After these two subjects, here in chapter 17 He teaches on offences, forgiveness, and faithfulness.  Let’s see what He has for us:

Luk 17:1-19  Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come:

·         What should this do for me?  Knowing that offences are going to happen. 

1.       It should help me be ready, and to know how God expects me to react.  And how am I going to know how to react?  By studying God’s Word.

but woe unto him, through whom they come! 

·         This would encourage us to work at not committing offences.  We will find as we continue in this chapter that prayer is the answer.  James said, “you have not because you ask not.”

NOTICE THE WARNING:

(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. 

·         These little ones, consist of anyone with less ability, and intelligence than you have.  It would include, children, people that are mentally challenged, people that have gentle traits, etc.

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

·         Enough said.  We have no choice but to forgive, and we shouldn’t try to find ways around these instructions, but ways to do them.

(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. 

·         Very clear.  We should have no problem understanding this, but maybe doing it.

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

·         And what they are asking is, “Lord, help us be able to do this.”  They are crying out for help.

(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. 

·         This Scripture always showed me just how much faith I have. 

·         But this is not to our failure, but to encourage us to attain all the faith we can.

·         Paul tells us, in Rom. 10:17;  “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”  So we increase our faith, by studying the Word of God.

·         A Scripture that goes hand in hand with this one is, Heb. 11:6; “without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that comes to God, must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

(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. 

·         Does this not really help us to know what is expected of our actions, as we live for Christ?  No matter how important your responsibilities in the church, or life, we should not let it go to our heads, and think that we are more than what we are.  WE ARE UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS.

(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.

·         In this illustration the Lord showed us that thankfulness, goes hand in hand with faithfulness.

·         9 people did not return, and give the Lord thanks for their healing, only one did.  This one showed faithfulness, to come back, and give thanks, and praise the Lord.  It was the right thing to do.   And he was a stranger!!  He turned back, and with a loud voice!!!

Let’s put this in perspective for today.

Listen to this verse in the O.T.; 

Deu 8:10-14  When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.  (11)  Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:  (12)  Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;  (13)  And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;  (14)  Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

            This is the same principle of the 10 lepers.  9 of them forgot their pitiful situation before their healing, and only one came back, with a loud voice,  and gave God the glory for his healing.

So many people have been delivered from a life of destruction, a life of turmoil, stress, bad health, etc.  Then once God helps them get back on their feet, they forget God.  There is no faithfulness toward Him in their daily life.  No faithfulness to the Assembly, where we praise, and thank God for His goodness to us.  No giving to the work of God, of our monies, or our talents. 

So many forget God, and start accumulating the things of this world.  Just things. 

And then many wonder why their troubles return.      Listen again from the O.T.;

Deu 8:5  Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.

In the N.T.;

Heb 12:5-13  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  (6)  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  (7)  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  (8)  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.  (9)  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?  (10)  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.  (11)  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.  (12)  Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;  (13)  And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, HELP US TO SEE, AND TO LIVE, THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE TRUTHS.  AMEN.