SERVING GOD: BEYOND DUTY TO DELIGHT

Tags: pvl

( Luke 17:7-10 )
A Message by Rev. Dr. Vincent Leoh on 2 & 3 December 2000

PARABLE OF THE UNWORTHY SERVANTS

The parable was designed to guard against the subtle peril of satisfaction in service, and the expectation that service shall be recognized with reward. In the four verses forming the parable Jesus impressed upon His own the arduous and unceasing nature of the service required of them, and the spirit in which such service should be rendered.

I. GIVE YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE (cf. Romans 12:1)

1. God Owns Everything
We are His by right of Creation, by Redemption and by the Surrender of our lives to Him. We belong to Him He demands our all and at all times, in all matters.

2. God Owes Nothing
The servant is always a debtor of service; the master is never a debtor of reward. Do your duty, and when you have done it, however laborious and painful it may be, remember that you have only done your duty.

While rewards are promised us, we do not labor for the Master simply to receive His recompense. As slaves, we serve Him, because we are His and because we love Him.

Our interpretation of the parable concludes with reference to when the servants will be served. When He returns, those who have served out of love, and not for reward, will be part of His banquet of joy. (Lk.12:37).

II. GIVE YOUR EXTRA SERVICE

1. Serve Him First; Serve Him Before Ourselves.
Not only will we want to work all day, serve Him first, but we will also look for new ways of expressing the gratitude of simply belonging to Him (Jn 15:15).

2. The Service of the Kingdom is Very Exacting
It involves not only hard toil in the field during the day, but extra duties in the evening, when the tired laborer would gladly rest. The faithful servant will perform these added tasks without a murmur.

“Afterward” (:8) – Rest and refreshment are not denied, but they follow labor, and are all the sweeter from the sense of having faithfully performed every duty.

III. GIVE YOUR FILIAR SERVICE
I cannot say “I am an unworthy servant” until I am a redeemed man; and when a redeemed man, I am no longer a mere servant, but a son, working for love, and not simply from a sense of duty. The parable rebuked those who choose the position of servants instead of accepting hat of sons – in other words, those who obey God for the sake of reward instead of from a spirit of filial love.

Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

1. Misery of sin.
2. Are you worthy to be called God’s son/daughter?
3. The other brother (:29,30). Two complaints -

• “Do I serve thee” (:29).
• “Never gave me”.

SONS & SERVANTS: THE DIFFERENCE

1. Sons build the house, servants simply serve in the house (Servants do not initiate things).
2. Sons hold the Father’s heart and the success of the Father’s work as their own.
3. Sons are always family oriented; servants are always issue or ministry oriented.
4. Sons use the language of family; servants or hirelings use individual terminology because they are ministry, not family oriented.
5. Sons honour headship and cover the nakedness of their father; servants trade in exposing nakedness.
6. Sons honour naturally the chain of command; servants continually question the chain of command.
7. Sons want to share their lives with their father, down to the third generation.
8. Sons bond new people to the family and the father, servants bond new people to themselves.
9. Sons focus on the welfare of the people, servants focus on appearance.
10. Sons share their inner conversations; servants tell you only what they want you to know.
11. Sons are secure and can handle correction, discipline and change. Servants place the fault on someone else.
12. Sons have puppy feet, you can see their potential. Servants come into the house fully grown. You can’t add to them, they’re going to add to you.

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15)