What’s a Believer to Do? Following Jesus in an Age of Tragedy “Serve the Master” (Billy Russell 09/08/19)

2019-09-18

What’s a Believer to Do? Following Jesus in an Age of Tragedy “Serve the Master” (Lk.17:5-10) The disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith (Lk.17:5). What a needed request for all of us in this day of tragedy! Jesus tells a story to teach how faith grows. Do you want your faith to increase? Jesus says our faith increases as we serve the Master and His purposes. Will you serve Him? Forgiveness challenges our faith to grow (17:4)- Forgiveness is the context for the request for greater faith...

What’s a Believer to Do?
Following Jesus in an Age of Tragedy
“Serve the Master” (Lk.17:5-10)

The disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith (Lk.17:5). What a needed request for all of us in this day of tragedy! Jesus tells a story to teach how faith grows. Do you want your faith to increase? Jesus says our faith increases as we serve the Master and His purposes. Will you serve Him?

Forgiveness challenges our faith to grow (17:4)-
Forgiveness is the context for the request for greater faith (17:5).
The ability/opportunity to forgive becomes a case study model.
Forgiving others takes faith.
Faith (trust) that God has forgiven me, so I can forgive you.

Faith growth begins by confessing our desperate need for it (17:5)-
The disciples conceptualize this as a “forgiveness challenge.”
They seem to wonder if such forgiveness is even possible.
Hear their exclamation as a confession/request: “Increase our faith!”

Even small faith can do great things according to Jesus (17:6).
Jesus affirms: small faith can accomplish more than we think possible.
Jesus teaches: small faith can do great things: “If you have faith (and
you do) you could...” (Stein). Practice small faith (Garland)!
Jesus illustrates by a small seed: it germinates/grows like faith does.
it becomes vital/vigorous (Gideon)!

Faith grows from humbly serving the Master (17:7-10).
Jesus tells a parable to help them conceptualize a growing faith.
Jesus teaches: our faith grows as we serve the Master!
no faith growth when we expect the Master to serve us.
Stop expecting God to serve you like some cosmic genie.
We are His slaves (douloi) merely doing our duty in His Kingdom.
“Service demands all we can bring to it.” (France)
This mindset and lifestyle grows faith even in an age of tragedy.
How will you humbly, obediently serve the Master?
Your faith will grow as you serve the Lord & His kingdom’s purposes!
Jesus invites us to obedience- do what the Master says!

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