Luke 17:7-10

Introduction: If you’ve been SERVING our Lord for any length of time in and thru your local Church, being faithful to your mission field (wherever that’s at – job, home, school, etc.), you know from personal experience it’s not always easy. But as one man (Bro. Phil Phillips) used to tell me, “Its not easy Bro. Randy, serving the Lord, but it’s always Rewarding!” To which I would always respond, “Amen. Brother. Amen!” In the school of SERVANTHOOD, Jesus told His disciples and tells us today, there are two (2) major exams that must be passed.

1. When you actively and faithfully SERVE our Lord, it will not always be CONVENIENT! (Luke 17:7, 8)

“7But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?”

• Jesus is the one that Calls us to SERVE Him!

* Moses lacked capability (Exo 1, 2, 3)
* Moses lacked credibility (Exo 2:11)
* Moses lacked communication fluency (Exo 4:10, 11)

•The Holy Spirit is the One that equips us to SERVE! (1 Cor 2:5; Acts 1:8; 1 Thess 5:24)

Paul wrote,
“1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

2. When you actively and faithfully SERVE our Lord, you will not always be CONGRATULATED! (Luke 17:9)

“9Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not”

• Don’t expect accolades here on earth! (1 Cor 1:26-31)

Paul wrote,

“26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

3. When you SERVE our Lord and get to heaven, then you will be CROWNED & COMMENDED! (Luke 17:10)

Jesus said in the parable of the talents,

{This Olivet discourse was written primarily to the Jews with end-time prophetic implications; however, this principle can be applied to the Christian as well at the Judgment Seat of Christ}

“21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”