A Perspective on Duty
Almighty God,
our heavenly Father because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have
given us Your Son that believing in Him we might have everlasting life.
Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we might remain steadfast in this
faith to the end and firmly come to life everlasting. Hear our prayer for
Jesus’ sake. Amen
Daughter Lydia’s violin instructor in high school
would often say, “We are all students.”
Rightly applied to our Christian walk – we are all servants. WE are to each
humbly walk before God and our neighbor forging and sectoring our brother
gently. For in the final analysis we are to remind ourselves – we are only
servants – Simply doing our duty.
This morning, a perspective on duty.
We walk by faith, not by sight in the peace of
Christ’s forgiveness.
From our Old Testament lesson for this week the
prophet reminds us that we are surrounded by “destruction and violence” (Habakkuk 1:3) because the law is
paralyzed and “justice never goes forth.”
(Habakkuk 1:4)
In fact, the Law cannot rescue us from our enemies; it
is our fiercest enemy of all. Therefore,
not by sight, experience, or feelings, nor by works but “the righteous shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)
We continue to live in a broken world outside of Eden;
thus, the Savior teaches, “Temptations to
sin are sure to come.” V.1 But as often as we sin, the LORD rebukes us,
turns us to repentance, and forgives us.
We pray that He would thus “increase our faith.” V. 5 And indeed, He does! Though we are His “unworthy servants,” V. 10 He prepares the Supper for us, dresses us properly, and gives us His body and blood to eat and to drink.
1.
We are unworthy servants.
A.
Have we sometimes
caused offence?
1. Jesus warns, “Temptations
to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come.” Woe to the one who brings such scandals. What
are scandals? Whatever causes one to waver.
2. Cain asked the LORD, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9) The LORD never answered
Cain for he knew the answer and so do you. Of course, you are your brother’s
keeper. You are called simply to bear anon another’s burdens in love according
to the law of Christ.
B.
Have we
sometimes refused to deal lovingly with a fallen brother or sister?
1
The Savior
instructs us saying, “Watch out for yourself. If your brother sins, rebuke Him.
If He repents, forgive.
a.
What is
repentance? It’s a change of mind. Show with new actions.
b.
What is
forgiveness? It is no longer holding that sin against them.
2
Christians are in
danger of offending by treating others self-righteously by judging them.
Instead,
Christians are to rebuke an erring brother, speak directly concerning his sin,
and forgive – period, end of story. FULL STOP! As often as he has indicated, he
has repented.
Transition:
An inventory of our lives indicates we have all fallen short of the LORD’s
clear expectations. Faith therefore must cling to the sure promises of God.
2. Faith makes
it possible.
A.
We only need
to exercise the faith we have.
1. The disciples reply, “Strengthen our faith.” Turn to the right source for an increase of faith. The amount of faith is not the focus. Exercises the faith you already have. Works always flow from faith.
2. Jesus replied, “If
you have faith as a mustard seed you can say to this Mulberry tree be brought
up and be thrown into the sea and it will listen to you.” Of course, such
is an impossible task, only made possible in Christ.
B.
As servants,
we shouldn’t expect praise for only doing our duty.
1. Jesus asks a question expecting a negative response.
“Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?” Of course not!
2. The Savior explains, “So you also, when you have done everything you we commanded say, ‘We
are unworthy slaves. WE have only done out of duty that which was our duty.”
Again, deserving has nothing to do with it. We are
only fulfilling what we are obligated to do.
Passive Sentences – 1%
Readability –74%
Reading Level –5.6
No comments:
Post a Comment