Luke 17:10

Luke 17:10 “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘we are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”

The last few days we have looked at the story of a servant who after a long hard day at work comes into the house and the master say’s make me some food and get me some drink and then you can eat and drink. What is the servant’s job here, obviously to do as the master says, it would be naïve to think otherwise. Here in Luke 17:10 we have the so what of the story. It’s amazing what a difference having the mindset of a servant doing his duty has on the way you do everything, as I’ve worked towards making this paradigm shift my attitudes have been changing for the better. It’s not often easy to do what’s right, but God doesn’t call us to easy he calls us to be more like him, and John 13:1-17 shows us how much of a servant we should be.

Application- When I have done those things which I was already supposed to do, I will say I have done what was my duty to do and change my mindset to that of a man serving my Lord. Also when I get thanked for something I will say my pleasure because it promotes a better mindset. J

Luke 17:9

Luke 17:9 “Does he thank that servant because he did the things commanded him? I think not.

Does he thank that servant for doing the things he commanded him… How many times do I set about doing a job I’m supposed to do, and then think that I’ll get some kind of thanks or good job buddy or a high five for doing it? I love being appreciated for the work that I do, but working for the appreciation is the wrong mindset to take, when I do that I start to be concerned with what other people think, concerned about showing off how good I am, wanting to be recognized. In servant hood the goal is not to be recognized or thanked for your work, the goal is doing a good job because that’s what you’re supposed to do. Colossians 3:17 illustrates what a proper mindset looks like, it says… And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Application-I will continue to remember to do whatever I do to the Glory of God, looking at these things as my duty and not looking for appreciation from man. 

Luke 17:8

Luke 17:8 “But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’?

At first glance you might think that the master is kind of inconsiderate, the servant has had a long day at work he comes in and the master says make me some food and get me some drink and then you can have some food and drink for yourself. Actually this is part of the servant’s duties and when put in that light it wouldn’t make sense for the master to be doing the job of a servant for a servant. The text doesn’t tell us the servant’s emotions, but you can be sure that he would have no right to be upset about having to do his regular duties and not being served.

Application-As a servant of Christ I shouldn’t expect to be treated like the master, I should act like a servant and not get upset when I get treated like one. 

Luke 17:7

Luke 17:7 “And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘come at once and sit down to eat’?

This is a rhetorical question to which the obvious answer is no master would do that, the servant’s job is to feed the master not the other way around.

Application-I shouldn’t expect and don’t really deserve kudos for doing a job I was already supposed to do.

Matthew 11:6

Matthew 11:6 “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

At first glance the meaning of this verse escaped me. But during the class yesterday the explanation given was quite illuminating, not just for the meaning of this verse, but also for its implications. Blessed is he who accepts the circumstances that he is in, realizing that there’s no line between circumstances and God’s love, and that God has a plan for where he’s at. Blessed is he who realizes that God is not inattentive, that he cares and that he’s not late, who recognizes that just because he can’t see it that God is still in control. Blessed is he who is not offended on account of Jesus. When you can’t understand why you are where you are, look back at what God has done in your life, and look outside to what he’s doing for others and the circumstances they are in.

Application-When I start to get consumed with my own pain, I will remember to look out to what’s going on with other people and look back at the things God’s blessed me with. I will also not blame God for things that hurt or that I can’t understand.

Galatians 6:8

Galatians 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Matthew 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.

Sow in the Spirit and you will reap eternal rewards, sow into the flesh and you will reap death. This verse doesn’t condone forgetting about your responsibilities in sowing to the flesh in things like learning useful skills or being responsible. What it condones is sowing in such a way here on earth that the rewards you reap will have everlasting benefits. When you die how much money will you leave behind…? All of it. I believe this verse is meant to give you the right perspective, one that reminds you that what you sow should be sown to bring eternal rewards, and if you sow selfishly to your flesh that you will invariably reap a harvest of death.

Application-I will remember as I go about making decisions that I should sow with the purpose of sowing to the Spirit, in such a way that what I do will have everlasting benefits.

Galatians 6:7

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Here we have a timeless principle, one usually associated with farming. If you sow pumpkin seeds what will you reap? If you sow green beans what will you reap? If you sow corn what will you reap? Well, if you’re not lazy, you’ll reap pumpkins, green beans and corn when harvest time comes around. It would be insane to think that pumpkin seeds would produce anything besides pumpkins. This principle doesn’t stop with farming though; it remains true in everything that you do. If you sow all your time into learning to cook you will become a better cook, not a better plumber. If you sow laziness and don’t do your homework, your homework won’t magically do itself. If you have a vision of what you want to do with your future, you can be sowing the seeds that you will need to be reaping that future when the time comes, and even if you don’t have that vision, you should still be sowing the seeds that will help you be a better person down the road.

Application-Every choice I make will be something that I reap either the benefits or the consequences of. Therefore I will keep this principle in mind as I make decisions, remembering that I can’t sow irresponsibly and expect to reap the benefits of responsibility.

Galatians 6:5

Galatians 6:5 For each one shall bear his own load.

Take responsibility for your own load; because invariably you’ll make someone else bear the load of whatever you don’t take responsibility for.

Application-I will continue to seek to know what my responsibilities are here at the ranch (and for the places I go after), and what they should be, and then I will work on consistently fulfilling those responsibilities.

Galatians 6:4

Galatians 6:4 But let each on examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not another.

When I do a job to the best of my ability often times I’m happy with the work. However if I compare the amount of time or effort it took me compared to someone else, or how well the finished product is done, I usually can find someone who did it faster, easier and better than I did. On the other hand when I only worry about doing my best and don’t worry about examining other’s work to see if they’re better than me, than it’s much easier for me to do a good job and to rejoice in my work. Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,…

Application-I will work towards examining my own work, and doing my work to the Glory of God instead of focusing on comparing myself to others to find my identity.

Galatians 6:3

Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

This verse says to not think more highly of yourself than you are, it doesn’t say to be critical of yourself for what you don’t know. I think the point of the verse isn’t self-pity so much as to not be arrogant or prideful.

Application-I won’t focus on what I know or don’t know so much as how I can use my talents to glorify God.

Acts 2:46

Acts 2:46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.

The first Christians weren’t arguing immediately about doctrine, they were meeting every day at the temple because they were so excited to learn and get together in this newfound faith of theirs. They were unified, they ate together with gladness and simplicity of heart, and they didn’t seem to be worried about much at this point. Nowadays we eat while were rushed or angry or stressed or whatever other negative emotion you can think of, rather we should look at food more like these early Christians, as a way to fellowship and glorify God. I like that they were eating together and breaking bread from house to house as an act of joy not of ritual, and that they ate with gladness and simplicity. 

Application-I will work on eating with gladness and simplicity of heart.

Acts 2:45

Acts 2:45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all as anyone had need.

Christians at this point were so caught up in their faith that they were doing radical things for other people, within days of getting saved they were selling things to help out those in need. It’s cool how their faith turned to action so quickly, but yet not without a measure of planning to the way it was acted out.

Application-I will hold my possessions and goods loosely with a willingness to share them because they ultimately come from God.

Acts 2:44

Acts 2:44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common.

The early church was interconnected to the point that they all fellowshipped together on a very regular basis, having such a love for each other that they shared everything, time, food, property possessions, etc…

Application-In showing Christ love to people I’ll make more of an effort to share what I have according to the person’s needs.