Unfinished Service to Christ
Jeremy Bell
Luke 17:7-10
October 4, 2020
Sermon Audio & Video
Luke 17:7–10 [7] “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 recline at table’? [8] Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will 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 you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (ESV)
I. Disciples of Christ are Servants to Christ
“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.” — 1 Cor. 6:19-20
II. Our Service to Christ is Not Yet Finished
“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 recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’ (verses 7-8)?”
“While souls are perishing for lack of knowledge, let none of us want to be away from the earth; so long as men need us to tell them the way of salvation, let us gladly continue at our work; let us serve God, my brothers and sisters, while we have opportunity.” — CH Spurgeon
III. Christ’s Servants aren’t Looking for Honor, but to Honor Him
“Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” – v.9-10
“Give me one pure and holy passion, give us one magnificent obsession, give me one glorious ambition for my life, to know and follow hard after you.” — Mark Altrogge
“See, brothers and sisters, our position as believers; we are here as servants. It is not yet the time for feasting. Whatever work we have done, even if it is getting towards the evening of our life’s day, we must not think of sitting down and expecting our Master to wait upon us. No, we must go on with our service and reckon it to be our highest privilege, still, to gird ourselves and wait on Him. This is not the place of resting or of feasting; this is the day of our holy servitude. Let us work on, plowing while we have strength for it, and when the sun goes down at eventide, then waiting, like servants, at the table of their Lord.” — CH Spurgeon
Questions For Discussion/Application:
- Re-read the text, Luke 17:7-10. What initial observations and insights do you have from reading this text?
- As Christians, we are Christ’s servants. What does mean to adopt a mindset of that of a servant?
- In what ways is Christ our example in the area of servanthood? What scriptures can you point to that show Christ’s servant-heart?
- Jesus says “when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ” How would you describe the attitude Jesus here is exhorting us as believers to adopt?
- Who is someone you admire and respect for how they model what Jesus is talking about here? What aspect of their example do you most respect?
- How can an inordinate desire for the approval of others hinder us from adopting Jesus’ mindset? How can you be personally vulnerable to at times living for the approval of others?
- What kind of prayers does this passage stir you to want to pray for yourself?
- Consider taking time to pray that God would help all of us to press forward in humble, Christ-like service for the good of others and the glory of God.