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Luke 17:7
Verse
Context
The Power of Faith
6And the Lord answered, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.7Which of you whose servant comes in from plowing or shepherding in the field will say to him, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?8Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’?
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Which of you, having a servant - It is never supposed that the master waits on the servant - the servant is bound to wait on his master, and to do every thing for him to the uttermost of his power: nor does the former expect thanks for it, for he is bound by his agreement to act thus, because of the stipulated reward, which is considered as being equal in value to all the service that he can perform.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
say unto him by and by--The "by and by" (or rather "directly") should be joined not to the saying but the going: "Go directly." The connection here is: "But when your faith has been so increased as both to avoid and forgive offenses, and do things impossible to all but faith, be not puffed up as though you had laid the Lord under any obligations to you."
John Gill Bible Commentary
And will not rather say to him,.... Or, "will he not say to him?" it is very likely, it is more agreeable to the language of a master, and the condition of a servant, that he should say to him, make ready wherewith I may sup: by dressing the food, spreading the table, and putting the food on it; for it was the business of servants to prepare, as at the passover; see Gill on Mat 26:17 so at ordinary suppers: and gird thyself and serve me; by giving him drink, or whatsoever he called for: and as they used to wear long garments in those countries, servants girded them up about their loins, that they might be fit for service, expedite in it, and perform it more readily, and with greater ease and dispatch: till I have eaten and drunken; finished his meal: and afterward thou shalt eat and drink: the, Persic and Ethiopic versions read in the imperative, "then eat thou and drink". If he was an Hebrew servant, he ate and drank the same as his master did: for so one of the Jewish canons runs (x); "every Hebrew servant, or handmaid, their master is obliged to make them equal to himself "in food and in drink", in clothing, and in dwelling, as it is said, Deu 15:16 "because he is well with thee": wherefore, thou shalt not eat fine bread, and he eat coarse bread, nor drink old wine and he drink new wine, &c.'' And even a Canaanitish servant was to be provided with proper food and drink: they say indeed (y), "it is lawful to cause a Canaanitish servant to serve with rigour: but though the law is such, the property of mercy, and the ways of wisdom are, that a man should be merciful, and not make his yoke heavy on his servant, nor oppress him; but cause him to "eat and drink" of all sorts of food and drink; and the former wise men used to give their servants of all sorts of food that they themselves ate of;'' which was using them as they did their Hebrew servants: yea, it is added; "and they gave their beasts, and their servants, food, before they ate their own meal;'' but this was not commonly done: it does not appear to have been the practice in Christ's time; nor was it necessary. (x) Maimon. Hilch. Abadim, c. 1. sect. 9. Vid. T. Bab. Kiddushin, fol. 22. 1. (y) Maimon. ib. c. 9. sect. 8.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
17:7-10 In Greco-Roman culture, servants existed to serve their masters faithfully. Faith (17:5-6) entails obedient submission to Christ and his commands.
Luke 17:7
The Power of Faith
6And the Lord answered, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.7Which of you whose servant comes in from plowing or shepherding in the field will say to him, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?8Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’?
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Lord Break Me
By William MacDonald2.1K43:05BrokennessLUK 17:7In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being a bond servant of Jesus Christ. He uses the story of a man driving an elephant in Bombay to illustrate the qualities of a bond servant. The preacher explains that a bond servant must be willing to serve without expecting anything in return, even if it means putting others' needs above their own. They should not charge others with selfishness and should not take pride in their service. The preacher also highlights the need for brokenness among God's people and references Roy Hesson's book, "The Calvary Road," which outlines five marks of a bond servant.
We Would See Jesus
By Teresa Conlon1.1K55:52LUK 17:7JHN 12:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of allowing God to speak and move in our lives, rather than relying on our own efforts and strategies. He challenges the notion that ministry requires worldly success and recognition, stating that true ministry is found in serving others and waiting on God. The speaker then references the story of Lazarus in John chapter 11, highlighting how Jesus' powerful word brought liberation and resurrection to a man who was bound by death. He warns against living a self-directed life focused on personal gain, stating that such a life is temporary and ultimately leads to loss. Instead, he encourages listeners to surrender their lives to God and embrace a faith that is willing to go through the fire of service.
Checking Your Motives
By George Verwer96037:45MotivesMAT 6:33LUK 17:7PHP 2:3In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of integrity and commitment to truth in the preaching of the word of God. He refers to a difficult passage in Luke 17, which talks about the relationship between a servant and his master. The speaker emphasizes the significance of motivation in carrying out God's commands and warns against setting overly ambitious goals that can lead to relying on one's own efforts instead of relying on God. He also cautions against having vested interests and biases that can hinder the work of God. The speaker shares personal experiences of listening to sermons and highlights the importance of being open to receiving messages from God even through seemingly boring or unconventional sources.
Conference for Missionaries-1986 - Part 3
By William MacDonald20944:37BrokennessDiscipleshipConferenceLUK 17:7William MacDonald discusses the significance of brokenness in the Christian life, emphasizing that true discipleship involves humility, repentance, and the willingness to confess and make amends. He shares personal anecdotes and biblical examples to illustrate how God values brokenness, as it leads to genuine transformation and deeper relationships with others. MacDonald encourages the audience to embrace brokenness as a pathway to spiritual growth and to seek God's grace in their lives, ultimately calling for a readiness to say, 'Lord, break me.'
Glad Tidings Spring Convention A2
By David Ravenhill2747:15Christian LifeWorshipPrayerLUK 17:7David Ravenhill emphasizes the significance of prayer in the life of a believer, advocating for a structured approach that includes worship, the Word, wisdom, and warfare. He shares personal testimonies and biblical examples to illustrate how prayer can transform lives and communities, urging believers to engage in intelligent and heartfelt communication with God. Ravenhill highlights the necessity of worship as a precursor to effective prayer, encouraging congregants to focus on God's greatness before presenting their requests. He also discusses the importance of praying for wisdom and understanding, as well as the need for spiritual warfare in overcoming obstacles to faith. Ultimately, he calls for a revival of powerful prayer practices that align with God's will and purpose.
Ministry to the Lord
By Watchman Nee0Ministry to GodSpiritual ServiceEZK 44:15LUK 17:7ACT 13:2Watchman Nee emphasizes the distinction between ministry to the House of the Lord and true ministry to the Lord Himself. He warns that many believers may be engaged in church activities and outreach without genuinely serving God, often driven by personal inclinations rather than divine direction. Nee highlights the importance of drawing near to God in solitude and waiting for His commands, rather than rushing into service based on human needs or good intentions. He calls for a deeper commitment to ministering to God, which involves offering our lives and efforts in a way that satisfies Him first. Ultimately, true ministry is about prioritizing God's desires over our own busyness and striving.
Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
By Peter Hammond0PSA 92:1PSA 107:8PRO 11:24LUK 17:7ROM 1:18PHP 4:6COL 1:12COL 3:151TH 5:16HEB 13:15Peter Hammond preaches on the importance of being joyful, prayerful, and thankful, as exemplified by individuals like Nicolae Moldoveanu, Fanny Crosby, Helen Keller, and persecuted Christians. He emphasizes the need to express gratitude to God for His blessings, highlighting that ingratitude is a root sin that leads to futile thinking and darkened hearts. Through various examples, he illustrates how a lack of gratitude is ungodly, immature, and a sign of pride, entitlement, and unteachability.
Philemon I. 4-6
By St. John Chrysostom0LUK 17:7ROM 14:8PHP 3:13PHM 1:4JAS 2:26John Chrysostom preaches on the importance of humility and forgiveness, using the example of Paul's letter to Philemon regarding Onesimus. Chrysostom emphasizes the need for masters to show compassion and forgiveness towards their servants, not being harsh or proud, but rather humble and willing to pardon offenses. He highlights the power of love and the transformation it brings, urging listeners to imitate Christ's love and humility in their relationships. Chrysostom encourages a deep reflection on one's actions, motivations, and the genuine practice of humility, reminding believers that true humility is not for self-glorification but for the glory of God.
What Satisfies His Hunger?
By David Wilkerson0ServanthoodFaithLUK 17:7David Wilkerson emphasizes that as servants of Christ, our primary duty is to feed God with our faith, which He finds most satisfying. He explains that faith is the spiritual nourishment that pleases God, illustrated by the centurion's great faith that amazed Jesus. Wilkerson reminds us that our faith should not be consumed for our own needs but should be directed towards serving and satisfying the Lord's hunger. The sermon challenges believers to prioritize God's desires over their own. Ultimately, it calls for a deeper understanding of our role as servants in God's kingdom.
The Parables of Jesus
By Zac Poonen0MAT 7:24MAT 9:16MAT 13:24MAT 13:31MAT 13:33MAT 13:44MAT 13:47MAT 18:23MAT 20:1MAT 21:28MAT 21:33MAT 22:2MAT 24:45MAT 25:1MAT 25:14MAT 25:31MRK 4:3MRK 4:26LUK 6:39LUK 7:31LUK 7:41LUK 10:30LUK 11:5LUK 11:11LUK 12:16LUK 13:6LUK 14:7LUK 14:28LUK 14:31LUK 15:3LUK 15:8LUK 15:11LUK 16:1LUK 17:7LUK 18:1LUK 18:9LUK 19:12LUK 21:29Zac Poonen preaches on various aspects of entering God's Kingdom, emphasizing the importance of good soil for spiritual growth, the need to be properly clothed with Christ's righteousness, and the significance of building our lives on a solid foundation of obedience. He also delves into the concept of paying the price in following Christ, highlighting the effortless growth that comes from following the Spirit's laws and the necessity of valuing Jesus above all else. Poonen addresses the themes of loving God and man, the danger of legalism, the different types of backsliders, spiritual pride, watching and praying, and being faithful with God's gifts.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Which of you, having a servant - It is never supposed that the master waits on the servant - the servant is bound to wait on his master, and to do every thing for him to the uttermost of his power: nor does the former expect thanks for it, for he is bound by his agreement to act thus, because of the stipulated reward, which is considered as being equal in value to all the service that he can perform.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
say unto him by and by--The "by and by" (or rather "directly") should be joined not to the saying but the going: "Go directly." The connection here is: "But when your faith has been so increased as both to avoid and forgive offenses, and do things impossible to all but faith, be not puffed up as though you had laid the Lord under any obligations to you."
John Gill Bible Commentary
And will not rather say to him,.... Or, "will he not say to him?" it is very likely, it is more agreeable to the language of a master, and the condition of a servant, that he should say to him, make ready wherewith I may sup: by dressing the food, spreading the table, and putting the food on it; for it was the business of servants to prepare, as at the passover; see Gill on Mat 26:17 so at ordinary suppers: and gird thyself and serve me; by giving him drink, or whatsoever he called for: and as they used to wear long garments in those countries, servants girded them up about their loins, that they might be fit for service, expedite in it, and perform it more readily, and with greater ease and dispatch: till I have eaten and drunken; finished his meal: and afterward thou shalt eat and drink: the, Persic and Ethiopic versions read in the imperative, "then eat thou and drink". If he was an Hebrew servant, he ate and drank the same as his master did: for so one of the Jewish canons runs (x); "every Hebrew servant, or handmaid, their master is obliged to make them equal to himself "in food and in drink", in clothing, and in dwelling, as it is said, Deu 15:16 "because he is well with thee": wherefore, thou shalt not eat fine bread, and he eat coarse bread, nor drink old wine and he drink new wine, &c.'' And even a Canaanitish servant was to be provided with proper food and drink: they say indeed (y), "it is lawful to cause a Canaanitish servant to serve with rigour: but though the law is such, the property of mercy, and the ways of wisdom are, that a man should be merciful, and not make his yoke heavy on his servant, nor oppress him; but cause him to "eat and drink" of all sorts of food and drink; and the former wise men used to give their servants of all sorts of food that they themselves ate of;'' which was using them as they did their Hebrew servants: yea, it is added; "and they gave their beasts, and their servants, food, before they ate their own meal;'' but this was not commonly done: it does not appear to have been the practice in Christ's time; nor was it necessary. (x) Maimon. Hilch. Abadim, c. 1. sect. 9. Vid. T. Bab. Kiddushin, fol. 22. 1. (y) Maimon. ib. c. 9. sect. 8.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
17:7-10 In Greco-Roman culture, servants existed to serve their masters faithfully. Faith (17:5-6) entails obedient submission to Christ and his commands.