Our Faithfulness to Duty Luke 17:7-10 “Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, Come, along now and sit down to eat? Would he rather say, prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, We are unworthy servants; we have only done our Duty.”

FAITHFULNESS Faith does not result in Faithfulness, it will not accomplish God’s work. It is good to have Faith to do the difficult things Like 17:1-3 “Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.” To have Faith is to do the Impossible Luke 17:4-6 “If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times come back to you and says, I repent, forgive him.” The Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our Faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. We must do the essential – We must balance the privileges and responsibilities.

Faithfulness to Duty In our reading the story emphasizes FAITHFULNESS to DUTY – no matter what demands might be. What the Bible Says: If a common servant is faithful to obey the orders of his master who does not reward – (Thank Him) How much more ought Christ disciples obey their loving master, who has promised to reward them graciously. Why? Because God is a Gracious God.

WHAT IS FAITHFULNESS? Faithfulness is a commitment to a relationship with God or fellow human beings, seen in that loyalty, devotion and service, which is a reflection of God’s own faithfulness. Scripture points to the faithfulness of Jesus Christ as an example for believers.

BEING A FAITHFUL SERVANT 1. Faithful Servant – is obedient and submissive servants. 1Samuel 15:22 “…To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” Example is Abraham Genesis 22 (Abraham Tested) 2. Faithful Servant – should not expect any special reward, since he did only what he was told to do. Luke 17:10 “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ (Abraham obeyed what God said) 3. Faithful servant cared for his master’s field, flocks and foods. (being a good steward – stewardship) This what the Word of God told us – Luke 17:7-10

ATTITUDES FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE AS FAITHFUL SERVANT 1. Doing the will of God from the heart – Ephesians 6:6 “Obey them not only to win their favor when their eyes is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 2. If you love me keep my Commandments – John 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” 3. For us who experienced the Lord (Being Born Again in Spirit) His commandments are not gravious – 1 John 5:3 “This is the love for God: to obey his commands. And His commands are not burdensome,” 4. To serve Him is a delight, not just a duty and we obey Him because we love Him. Psalm 40:8 “I desire to do your will, Oh my God; your law is within my heart.”