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Scripture: Luke 17:7-10 The Parable of the Master and Servant
"Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, `Come at once and sit down at table'? 8 Will he not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink'? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'
Jesus used this parable of the dutiful servant to explain that we can never put God in our debt or make the claim that God owes us something. We must regard ourselves as God's servants, just as Jesus came "not to be served, but to serve" ( read Matthew 20:28). Service of God and of neighbor is both a voluntary free act and a sacred duty. God gladly accepts the free-will offering of our lives to him in service to him. What makes our offering pleasing to God is the love we express in the gift of self-giving. True love is sacrificial, generous, and selfless. How can we love others selflessly and unconditionally? God himself is Love (read 1 John 4:16) and he fills our hearts with the boundless love that gives what is good for the sake of others. If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us (read 1 John 4:12). God honors faithful servants who love generously, and seek to do his will. He is ever ready to work through and in us for his glory. God can never be indebted to us, He is our master, and we his servants. We have no claim on him. God does not owe us anything, even though he is creator of all that exists, and has given us his best. His love compels us to give him our best! And when we have done our best, we have simply done our duty.
(read 1 Peter 2:18-21).
Masters: the Greek word is “despotes” from which we get our English word “despot.” The master had absolute ownership and power, over his servants. His servants were not considered people with rights, but living tools, things. Peter mentions 2 kinds of Masters:
1) Good and gentle: some masters were kind, gracious, and generous. They had their servant’s best interests at heart and loved them as part of their extended family. They took care of them well. In those days the servants lived in the same home, and were well dressed, most were better off than freemen in that day.
2) Unreasonable: that word means “harsh, perverse, or crooked.” In verse 20 Peter speaks of some servants who are “harshly treated.” Some masters were harsh, unkind, unloving, and cruel. The Biblical responsibility toward masters remained the same, no matter whether they were good or evil. Their servants were to submit to them.
Servants:1 Peter teaches workers to be submissive to their employers, whether they are good or evil; whether they treat us right or wrong. When they treat us wrongly, we are to patiently endure it. We must never take it upon ourselves to get revenge. We must never lose our Christian testimony. Our duty is to serve with willing and loving hearts.
1) Act in a manner becoming a loved and respected family member, with no deceit or self serving action or motive, but only the truth.
2) Dependable and passive, not aggressive nor slothful. Put God’s Family first even if it means putting self last. Honor and respect are your character traits. Endure mistreatment without malice or vengeful thought word or deed. Return good for evil. Speak ill of no one.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:58
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"Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, `Come at once and sit down at table'?
Christ's servants, when they are to wait upon him, must free themselves from every thing that is a distraction or an encumbrance and they must not expect to be considered for release from the duty to serve God in every way all to the completeness of it. When we have prepared for duty as Christ’s servant and have made ourselves ready and committed to the act of serving Him, it is no more than what is expected from servants, and indeed Christ might require it from us, but he does not insist upon it. There is no one bound by birth or by document to do it. It is your choice
Read Philippians 2:3-5
Q.1 In Jesus’ day what was a proper relationship between a master and his servants?
Q.2 What relationships are here being described?
Q.3 Why was Jesus using this master / servant parable?
8 Will he not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink'?
Our principal care here must be to do the duty of our relationship towards our master, and leave it to our Master to give us the comfort of it, when and how he thinks fit. No servant expects his master to say to him, Go and sit down, rest and eat; it is time enough to do that when we have done our day's work. Let us be attendant to finish our work, and to do that well. There is promise in servitude, so there is promise in serving Christ, and we as his servants must do well to attain it. The Promise will be fulfilled in the fullness of God’s time.
Read Galations 1:10
Q.1 If our duty is to become a servant of God why is it that man tries so to exalt himself?
Q.2 What is the proper attitude for one who intends to serve God?
Q.3 What does one gain by becoming a servant of God?
9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'
God thanks us daily. He delivers to us the same abilities as is inherent in his character. We are created in his image, and have been given God’s best. What better thank you is there? He is both loving and generous and at the same time he administers justice with absolute fairness. Some do not deserve what God gives, some choose to refuse his gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. God knows what to expect from his servants, and he rewards them accordingly. When the day is done he gives us rest. Some take it as earned, some take it as deserved, some rejoice in it. But just as our salvation is a gift, so is God’s rest given freely to all who will accept it, but there is none worthy, no not one. Our eternal rest cannot be won by our words thoughts or deeds, It can only be attained by doing as our duty, the will of God read 2 Corinthians 4:1-5
Q.1 Does humanity experience the gifts that God has bestowed upon us?
Q.2 Do we as Gods Children realize the great goodness of His gifts?
Q.3 How does humanity recognize God’s gifts?
Q.4 Since none of us are worthy of God’s grace, how is it such that we are blessed with it?
Read Jeremiah 31:33-34
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Mat 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
1Jn 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
1Jn 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1Pe 2:18- 21 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
Jeremiah 31:33-34 "This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
"Lord, fill our hearts with love, gratitude and generosity. Make us to be faithful and zealous servants for you. May we generously pour out our lives in loving service for you and for others, just as you have so generously poured yourself out for us." Help us to remember that we live in
a world that is blessed with your continual care and concern, and in your debt we will always remain your faithful servants. . We pray now for those who need your healing touch ___________Please bring them confidence and strength to endure and bring mercy and healing to their lives, and ours as well. In Jesus name we pray AMEN."
Opening prayer
Father God we assemble here this evening to learn more about your Son Our Savior Jesus Christ. We have no capacity to learn of how he lived except we study the Bible, Your Sacred Word. We ask that you would impart to us that knowledge that you would have us know from this study. We know that throughout Jesus’ Ministry here on earth, he called on many persons for their help in his quest to spread the word of Salvation to all who would hear it. Make us worthy servants in your service Oh God that we too might be called Disciple, and live up to that calling. In Jesus name we pray Amen
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