Sermon 71 in Series Luke 17:1-10

[1] And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! [2] It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. [3] Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, [4] and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

[5] The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” [6] And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

[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.’”

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions 1. What are the sorts of enticements to sin that Jesus is talking about at the beginning of this passage? How can they involve doctrine or practice? 2. What warning does Jesus give? What effect should such warnings have on Christian readers? 3. Why is accountability so important within a church? What does it look like to hold others accountable with gentleness and humility? 4. What does Jesus say here about forgiveness? How is this both difficult and crucial in our relationships? 5. How does the progression of this passage appear to link forgiving others with faith? How do Jesus’ words encourage us to pray more often and expectantly? 6. How does this passage highlight our identity as “slaves of Christ”? What are some implications of vv. 7-10 for us

References: Matthew 18:1-22 (corporate reading); Romans 14:13; 16:17; 1 John 2:10; Titus 1:1; Matthew 5:29-30; Hebrews 12:6; Proverbs 13:24; Galatians 6:1; Matthew 7:5; 6:12; 21:21; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; Romans 4:19-21; James 1:5-8; Matthew 6:10; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1; Romans 1:1; 11:35; Luke 12:37; John 13:5.

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