"Unprofitable Servants" - 3-27-22
Introduction
In Luke 17:10, Jesus spoke of “unprofitable” servants. The word “unprofitable” itself conveys a negative meaning. However, in the context of Jesus’ teaching, unprofitable actually means something positive. Do you see yourself as an “unprofitable” servant of God?
Key Verse
“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do” (Lu. 17:10).
Lesson Summary
The parable of unprofitable servants addresses our attitude as followers of Christ. The preceding verses in Luke 17:1-6 provide a context of forgiveness. Jesus first pronounced “woe” upon offenders (vv. 1-2). But then he went on to address forgiveness as a requirement in serving the Lord (vv. 3-4). Jesus taught us to forgive our offenders, saying, “And if he [thy brother] trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (v. 4). This saying was seemingly difficult teaching for the apostles, for they said to Jesus, “Increase our faith” (v. 5). However, Jesus explained that forgiveness requires only a tiny bit of faith (v. 6). In fact, Jesus went on to explain that the key to forgiveness is having a right attitude and perspective of ourselves regarding God (vv. 7-10). How should we view ourselves? Christ’s example (his life and teachings) demonstrates that we should have an attitude of humble service toward God and others (Ph. 2:1-8). In the church, we are all servants of the Lord. The responsibility of a servant is not to please himself, but his master (Lu. 17:7-9). Clearly, our first obligation is to God and then to one another. We are not members of the church in order to be served, but rather to serve God and one another in the body of Christ (Ga. 5:13). Forgiveness demonstrates this point. An unforgiving person places himself above God and others; whereas, forgiveness fulfills the will of God toward others. Placing ourselves before God and others causes serious problems within the church. If we place too high an importance on ourselves, this lends to offense and controversy within the church fellowship (Ro. 12:3, 16). First, an overt sense of self-importance causes an individual to be offensive toward others. He will tend to mow over people who get in his way. Second, an excessive sense of self-importance causes an individual to be easily offended by others. He will tend to carry a chip on his shoulder, daring anyone to knock it off. Certainly, we cannot control the actions of others, but we are responsible for our own actions and attitude. God will deal with others and their failures; but let us examine ourselves and keep a right spirit and attitude, regardless of what others do – “Take heed to yourselves” (Lu. 17:3; Ro. 12:17-21). We should be quick to forgive those who repent and ask for our forgiveness, not because they are worthy, but simply because forgiveness is a requirement for being servants of God (Mt. 6:14-15). As servants, we are not above our Lord (Jn. 13:16), but rather beneath his authority; and we should readily carry out his words (Lu. 17:10). After all, God owes us nothing, but we owe everything to him (Lu. 7:41-42). We are eternally indebted to Jesus Christ. An old hymn says, “Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.” Being servants of our most gracious Lord and Savior, we should consider ourselves “unprofitable” and unworthy, seeing God’s just requirements, like forgiveness, as our Christian duty. Who are we to withhold forgiveness? We should see forgiveness as an essential part of serving and pleasing God.
Scripture Study
A context of forgiveness – Lu. 17:1-6
An attitude of humble service – Lu. 17:7-10; Ph. 2:1-8; Ga. 5:13
Our relationship with others – Ro. 12:3, 16-21; Mt. 6:14-15
Our relationship with God – Jn. 13:16; Lu. 17:10; 7:41-42
Conclusion
Seeing ourselves as unprofitable servants in God’s house is actually beneficial. This attitude keeps any one member from exalting himself and reminds us of our humble standing before the Lord.
Introduction
In Luke 17:10, Jesus spoke of “unprofitable” servants. The word “unprofitable” itself conveys a negative meaning. However, in the context of Jesus’ teaching, unprofitable actually means something positive. Do you see yourself as an “unprofitable” servant of God?
Key Verse
“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do” (Lu. 17:10).
Lesson Summary
The parable of unprofitable servants addresses our attitude as followers of Christ. The preceding verses in Luke 17:1-6 provide a context of forgiveness. Jesus first pronounced “woe” upon offenders (vv. 1-2). But then he went on to address forgiveness as a requirement in serving the Lord (vv. 3-4). Jesus taught us to forgive our offenders, saying, “And if he [thy brother] trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (v. 4). This saying was seemingly difficult teaching for the apostles, for they said to Jesus, “Increase our faith” (v. 5). However, Jesus explained that forgiveness requires only a tiny bit of faith (v. 6). In fact, Jesus went on to explain that the key to forgiveness is having a right attitude and perspective of ourselves regarding God (vv. 7-10). How should we view ourselves? Christ’s example (his life and teachings) demonstrates that we should have an attitude of humble service toward God and others (Ph. 2:1-8). In the church, we are all servants of the Lord. The responsibility of a servant is not to please himself, but his master (Lu. 17:7-9). Clearly, our first obligation is to God and then to one another. We are not members of the church in order to be served, but rather to serve God and one another in the body of Christ (Ga. 5:13). Forgiveness demonstrates this point. An unforgiving person places himself above God and others; whereas, forgiveness fulfills the will of God toward others. Placing ourselves before God and others causes serious problems within the church. If we place too high an importance on ourselves, this lends to offense and controversy within the church fellowship (Ro. 12:3, 16). First, an overt sense of self-importance causes an individual to be offensive toward others. He will tend to mow over people who get in his way. Second, an excessive sense of self-importance causes an individual to be easily offended by others. He will tend to carry a chip on his shoulder, daring anyone to knock it off. Certainly, we cannot control the actions of others, but we are responsible for our own actions and attitude. God will deal with others and their failures; but let us examine ourselves and keep a right spirit and attitude, regardless of what others do – “Take heed to yourselves” (Lu. 17:3; Ro. 12:17-21). We should be quick to forgive those who repent and ask for our forgiveness, not because they are worthy, but simply because forgiveness is a requirement for being servants of God (Mt. 6:14-15). As servants, we are not above our Lord (Jn. 13:16), but rather beneath his authority; and we should readily carry out his words (Lu. 17:10). After all, God owes us nothing, but we owe everything to him (Lu. 7:41-42). We are eternally indebted to Jesus Christ. An old hymn says, “Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.” Being servants of our most gracious Lord and Savior, we should consider ourselves “unprofitable” and unworthy, seeing God’s just requirements, like forgiveness, as our Christian duty. Who are we to withhold forgiveness? We should see forgiveness as an essential part of serving and pleasing God.
Scripture Study
A context of forgiveness – Lu. 17:1-6
An attitude of humble service – Lu. 17:7-10; Ph. 2:1-8; Ga. 5:13
Our relationship with others – Ro. 12:3, 16-21; Mt. 6:14-15
Our relationship with God – Jn. 13:16; Lu. 17:10; 7:41-42
Conclusion
Seeing ourselves as unprofitable servants in God’s house is actually beneficial. This attitude keeps any one member from exalting himself and reminds us of our humble standing before the Lord.
Sunday School Lessons
April 2022
ADULT - English
ADULT - English
| adult_engilsh_ss_-_april_2022.zip |
ADULT - Spanish
| adult_spanish_ss_-_april_2022.zip |
Children - English
| children_english_ss_-_april_2022.zip |
Teen - English
| teen_englishss_-_april_2022.zip |