We Have Only Done Our Duty

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

We Have Only Done Our Duty

Date: Jul. 23, 2017

Passage

Luke 17:1-10 (ESV)

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.’”

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 17:10

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.’”

1. Watch yourselves (1-6)

Jesus teaches us that we are responsible for our influence on others. Furthermore, a Christian cannot be indifferent to the spiritual needs of others. He must care enough to rebuke his brother when he sins. And he must love his brother enough to forgive him--without limit. The apostles knew that it was a matter of faith. Jesus told them that they didn't need much faith--only a little!

2. The hard working servant (7-9)

When a person does his duty, he has a sense of accomplishment and inner peace. He doesn't expect any reward or praise for doing his duty. A man who works hard all day doesn't expect his boss to cook dinner for him.He doesn't even expect to be thanked. We are servants of Christ Jesus. He bought us with his blood, redeemed us from the power of sin and death, and we belong to him. Whatever we do for him, however small, is done in response to his grace. Serving Jesus is our duty and our highest joy. When we have done everything we were told to do, we can only say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty."

Prayer: Lord, I belong to you, saved by your grace of forgiveness. I am an unworthy servant; please use me in your work in any way you choose.

One Word: Rejoice to do our duty

Complacent or Victorious?

Revelation 3:1-13

Key Verse: 3:5

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

Today's Question

How is Christ exalted?

See answer and references