At the beginning of this year, we introduced a theme that we will continue to revisit as a church through 2021. Our theme is “More Like Jesus” and more than a phrase, “More like Jesus” is a calling that I believe God would have us all pursue in special ways as we seek to know Christ, grow in Christ, and show Christ to others at Crystal Spring Baptist Church. As we are in between sermon series today, I thought we would revisit this theme in a special way by looking at a passage of Scripture that offers very clear instructions that will help us to, in God’s grace, look and live more like Jesus. The passage is Luke 17:1-10 and in this short passage, four important instructions are provided on a host of issues that I’m sure will bring a special challenge and encouragement to all of us who are willing to listen carefully and apply what is revealed.
I. INSTRUCTION #1: DON’T ENTERTAIN FALSE TEACHING-17:1-3a
Luke 17 marks a significant change in the context of this
gospel. In the previous passage (Luke 16), Jesus was warning the Pharisees about
the eternal implications of their failure to properly understand and believe God’s
revelation (16:14ff). Here, in verse 1 of chapter 17, Jesus returns to his
address of his disciples (and even more specifically, the apostles) (see verse
5). In this address, Jesus offers four “sayings” that instruct the disciples in
how they should follow him. The first of these sayings (in verses 1-3a) might
be summarized as “don’t entertain false teaching.”
First, Jesus admits that it is inevitable, given the fallen
nature of our world and those in it, that stumbling blocks will exist—“Now he
said to His disciples, ‘It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come,…” (17:1a).
The original language reads “it is impossible for stumbling blocks not to come.”
A “stumbling block” ought to be understood as someone who entices people to sin
or lures them to some kind of failure (Bock, Luke 9:51-24:53, 1384). In
this case, the failure is a failure of faith. “Jesus’ point is that the
presence of those who would tempt people to defect or be led astray is unavoidable”
(Bock, Luke 9:51-24:53, 1385). Such deceivers and/or distractors of the
flock of God exist and disciples ought to be aware of and their presence. To
follow Jesus well requires an awareness of those influences that would seek for
you to follow something/someone else.
To those who would lead his people astray, Jesus says “but woe
to him through whom they come! It is better for him if a millstone is hung
around his neck and he is thrown into the sea, than that he may cause one of
these little ones to sin” (17:1b-2). Jesus warns that anyone who proves to be a
false teacher that would lead God’s children astray will incur the fierce wrath
of heaven. This warning is introduced with an emphatic “but Woe!” statement that
introduces a vivid illustration of the kind of death that God would prefer for
these false teachers. Jesus says it is better to drown by having a heavy millstone
tied around the neck and being thrown into the sea than to mislead his disciples
(see also Matt 18:6 and Mk 9:42), particularly those followers who might prove
new or immature in their understanding (“little ones”).
This is not only a warning against those who would seek to
deceive Jesus’ disciples, but it is a call for diligent teaching and guidance.
If this is how serious God will deal with those who teach incorrectly, those
who seek to teach the things of God ought to take their enterprise very
seriously. This is why this first instruction toward Christ-like living is
punctuated with “be on your guard” (1:3a). Be sure to check what you are
consuming (what you read/listen to). Pay careful attention to who you watch or
look to for instruction. Be not deceived church—not every voice that claims the
name of Christ is trying to lead you down the path of Christlikeness. Be
discerning church, especially in our 21st century world that seems
to reward imposters and elevate the loud and provocative over the true and
godly.
1 John 4:1-“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but
test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have
gone out into the world.”
2 Peter 3:17-18a-“Therefore, dear friends, since you
have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by
the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the
grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”
II. INSTRUCTION
#2: DEAL WITH OFFENSES COMPLETELY AND APPROPRIATELY-17:3b-4
The next saying/instruction Jesus gives his disciples as he
encourages Christ-like living is “deal with offenses completely.” It is clear in
verses 3-4 and elsewhere in the New Testament that the disciples’ relationship
with each other is a key concern of Jesus (he desired so much that his followers
get along with one another).To this end he offers a two-fold admonition: disciples
have the responsibility to rebuke one another about sin and to forgive one
another upon repentance—“If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents,
forgive him” (17:3). The point being made here is that when one disciple does
certain things, other disciples have certain responsibilities.
The 2nd person pronoun “your” in “your brother”
seems to personalize the scope of what is in mind here. It is likely that the
presumed sin Jesus has in mind is something that the victim personally
witnessed or was the object of (Bock, Luke 9:51-24:53, 1387). In other
words, this admonition does not give one license to be a watchdog that takes it
upon himself/herself to investigate here-say and call out alleged sins and/or
offenses committed by everyone everywhere. Instead, it is far more interested
in private discussions pertaining to those things that have personally come about
in interpersonal relationships. This is why the instruction implies “known
actions” (not presumed or suspected) and limits the scope to those sins have
been committed directly in front of or against one personally.
Another check/balance against the abuse of this admonition
that would turn disciples into self-appointed investigators or crusaders who
involve themselves unnecessarily in the lives and relationships of others is the
purpose of the admonition in the first place. Disciples are to share in each
other’s commitment to pursue righteousness. This is what this call to rebuke is
all about. Disciples ought not rebuke each other (even in the relatively constrained
capacity implied in the context), unless they are seeking the righteousness of
their brother or sister. A careful rebuke does not leave someone feeling
belittled or worthless. In his comment on this passage Darrel Bock says, “Jesus
exhorts (his disciples) to rebuke a believer who sins, not because he wishes
disciples to meddle in the affairs of others, but because he wishes the community
to desire righteousness that results in accountability to one another for the
way they walk” (Bock, Luke 9:51-24:53, 1387).
The encouragement’s second half also provides balance to the
teaching—“and if he repents, forgive him” (17:3c). Disciples are not only to
rebuke; they must also be quick to forgive when repentance is present. In other
words, you ought not be so inclined to rebuke a brother or sister unless/until you
are willing to extend forgiveness to him/her when they acknowledge their error
and seek to correct it. Again, for disciples of Jesus to pursue Christ-likeness
well in the context of Christian community they must be just as inclined to forgive
as they are to point out sin. Some, to be sure, find one of these activities
easier or more natural than the other. However BOTH are necessary and integral to
be more like Jesus.
In fact, Jesus seems to hint at which of these practices is
more difficult for more people in verse 4 as he discusses the latter—forgiveness—more
than the former (rebuking). He continues by saying, “And if he sins against you
seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent’ you shall
forgive him.’…” (17:4). This is similar to Jesus’ comments in Matthew 18.
Matt 18:21-22-“Then Peter came up and said to Him, ‘Lord,
how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to
seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but
up to seventy-seven times.’”
Ultimately, Jesus’ instruction here is that God’s people
ought to be liberal in their willingness to forgive others and careful in what
they rebuke (minding their own business and approaching offenders personally for
the purpose of working together toward Christ-likeness). Are you stewing over an
offense committed against you and waiting for something to be acknowledged and dealt
with? Ask yourself, have you personally approached the person in love to let
them know what has been committed (either accidentally or on purpose) so that
it can be addressed and dealt with? Are you taking it upon yourself to
investigate presumed offenses in the lives of others everywhere and worried
about what you may or may not know about what is going on in the lives of
others. Ask yourself, don’t I have better things to think about and better ways
to spend my time? Those who seek to be more like Jesus ought to deal with
offenses completely and appropriately. Getting along with our brothers and
sisters makes us more like Christ. After all, he was able to get along with
those who neglected him, misunderstood him, and failed him. After all, he
chooses to get along with you and me!
III. INSTRUCTION #3: DARE TO ASK FOR BIG THINGS IN
FAITH-17:5-6
The next instruction Jesus gives to his disciples in this
passage is “Dare to ask for big things in faith” in verses 5-6. This
instruction is prompted by a request voiced by the apostles in verse 5—“The
apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” (17:5). How many of you can
personally identify with this kind of request? “Lord, increase my faith!” The
disciples in this request demonstrate that while they could trust in the Lord
to some degree, they longed for a greater faith capacity. Perhaps the pressures
surrounding them were growing more acute. Perhaps some of what Jesus taught
proved confusing. Perhaps all these things and more made their following Jesus
more difficult. For whatever reason, the disciples as for greater faith than
they already had (Stein, Luke, 430).
I cannot help but remember the story of the man who brought
his son to Jesus in Mark 9. Apparently, there was a spirit afflicting his son
that rendered him mute and made him convulse, foam at the mouth, and land in
the fire. Unable to help his son in his own power, the father brought him to
Jesus for healing. We pick up the story in verse 22 when the father says to
Jesus “…’But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us!’ But Jesus
said to him, ‘If you can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.’
Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, ‘I do believe; help my
unbelief!’” Ever been there? Ever been brought to the end of your capacity/power—brought
to the end of yourself with nowhere else to go but Jesus and, even there,
struggle to believe that he will/can come through? Ever say in so many words “I
still believe, want to believe, need to believe, but I’m struggling to believe
that you can do this”? I don’t mind admitting to you that I’ve been there and
said along with this father in Mark 9 “I
believe, help my unbelief” and with the apostles in Luke 17 “Lord, increase my
faith!”
Want the good news? God’s capacity to do great things is not
dependent on the amount of faith you have—just that you have faith at all. In
response to the apostles’ request Jesus says “But the Lord said, ‘If you had
faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘be
uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you’…” (17:6). Notice
how Jesus alters the request for more faith by speaking of “having faith.” “Faith’s
presence is more crucial than its quantity” (Bock, Luke 9:51-24:53, 1390).
Jesus is essentially saying that God can do a lot with a little trust.
I am convinced that the disciples here (and many of Jesus’
disciples today) convinced themselves that they cannot ask for big things
unless they have great faith. As a result, they forgo calling upon the Lord to
move mightily, waiting for their own faith (or lack thereof) to catch up with
the “size of the request.” Jesus says this is faulty thinking. In fact, if God’s
people waited for their faith in this or that situation to grow prior to asking
for God to move, requests might never be made at all! To his disciples Jesus
says, “are you struggling with your faith or find your faith lacking? Ask for big
things anyway and let me show you how I am strong even when you are weak!” To
be more like Jesus, one must dare to ask for big things in faith (even/especially
when trusting proves difficult).
IV. INSTRUCTION #4: DON’T ALWAYS ANTICIPATE AN IMMEDIATE
KICK-BACK-17:7-10
Jesus’ last instruction to his disciples in this series of
sayings is “Don’t always anticipate an immediate kick-back” and is found in
verses 7-10. His presentation of this final encouragement begins with a hypothetical
scenario posed as an illustration of what kind of heart and expectation a
disciple of Christ ought to have—“’Now which of you, having a slave plowing or
tending sheep, will say to him after he comes in from the field, ”Come
immediately and recline at the table to eat”?’…” (17:7). The rhetorical
question here would have been met with surprise and perhaps even a few laughs.
After all, the institution of servitude in the ancient world saw the servant
tending to the master’s needs well before tending to his own. Even though a day
might be filled with chores, at the end of that day, there was still a meal
that needed to be prepared and other things to be given priority before a
servant served him/herself.
This is confirmed in verse 8—“’On the contrary, will he not
say to him, “Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and
serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink”?’…” (17:8).
The force of the master’s statement here is “Go at once and prepare a meal and
then gird yourself so you can continue to serve the meal at the table” (Bock, Luke
9:51-24:53, 1393). Again, as always with a servant, the master’s wishes
come first. It is only after the master
is served that the servant can tend to himself/herself.
The illustration concludes with a question—“He (the master) does
not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he?’…”
(17:9). This question, like the ones before it is rhetorical. This time, the question
presumes a negative response—“Of course not!” No “thank you” accompanies the
activity, for the servant has only performed what he was supposed to do. While
this might sound harsh, this, no doubt, was the way things worked in the first
century world, even among those households represented by the disciples. The
house that serves as the basis of this illustration (having only one servant)
is not a household of means and the scenario that Jesus paints would have been
very familiar to his audience. Servants served out of duty to the master and didn’t
expect nor demand immediate kick-backs, congratulations, or commendations for
services rendered.
Applied to disciples and Christ-likeness, Jesus drives the
point home in verse 10—“’So you too, when you do all the things which were
commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we
ought to have done’…”. What Jesus teaches here is that obedience in the life of
a disciple is not to be accepted as a cause for merit, but as a fulfillment of
duty. Disciples are to serve faithfully, not with an eye for the pat on the
back or the kick-back, but out of humble duty for the master. What are the disciple’s
chores? What are Christ’s servants to do? The answer is provided in verse 10
when Jesus says, “all the things which were commanded you.” At the end of all
things, those disciples who faithfully carry out their duty should say “we are
but unworthy slaves, just doing what we have been asked to accomplish.” In
other words, Christ-like disciples recognize their unworthiness to command
themselves and serve out of loyalty and obedience to their Master.
Adopting this attitude helps prevent pride and protects
against fleshly disappointment. If God’s people serve for accolades/awards,
they will be tempted to judge their service against the service of others and
use their rewards to puff themselves up above those around them. Also, if disciples
serve with immediate or visible results/gains as their aim, they will
inevitably be left disappointed and depressed more often than not when
expectations are not met. In contrast to these very natural/carnal tendencies, those
who want to be more like Christ serve simply because they are called to. This
keeps them humble and satisfied as the master, not the servant or the services
rendered, takes precedence.
So What?
As we continue to pursue being more like Jesus in 2021 both
individually and as a church body, ask yourself which of these instructions
need to be followed more closely in your life. Perhaps there are a couple that
are deserving of more attention as you seek Christ-likeness. The same dangers/issues
Jesus’ apostles faced in their first-century world continue to plague the world
of Jesus’ disciples today and as we are on mission here to take the gospel to
our city and beyond, we must not entertain false teaching, we must deal with offenses
completely and appropriately, we must dare to ask for big things (even with
little faith), and we must serve out of obedience and faithfulness, not relying
on a kick-back or accolades. These are not just good habits or just helpful
advice, these are integral practices that help us grow more like Jesus in a
world that would have us look more like someone/something else.
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