LUKE 17:1-10
FORGIVING OTHERS, NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL
September 28, 2014
Todd Chapman
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.’”
Jesus continues to describe how those who authentically treasure him live.
Jesus:
- We will all be tempted to sin. Succumbing is not good.
- God will hold us accountable for causing others to sin.
- We should be lovingly encouraging one another to not sin.
An Illustration: When we are sinned against, we should always forgive, no matter how badly they hurt us.
Apostles (Us):
- Forgiving others is really hard. We will need a lot more faith to be able to forgive.
Jesus:
- Forgiving others is what those with a little, genuine faith, do.
- Living like genuine disciples of Jesus, including forgiving others, is no big deal. It’s simply how those whom have been forgiven by God live.