Increasing Unworthy Service - A parable Of Faith

Welcome and Introduction

Opening Remarks by Adam Nicholson

• Adam Nicholson introduces himself as the summer intern, not Pastor Joel Worries.

• Announcement of a quick informational meeting for teenagers and parents attending the RIS convention after the service.

Call to Worship

Psalm 100: A Call to Worship

• The congregation is encouraged to worship God joyfully, emphasizing that worship is a service to Him.

• Adam reminds attendees that they are present not just for socializing but specifically to worship God.

Prayer and Reflection

Silent Prayer

• A moment of silent prayer is initiated, focusing on acknowledging God's creation and love for His people.

Invocation

• The prayer acknowledges God's role as creator and caretaker, expressing gratitude for His steadfast love.

Worship Structure

Expression of Trust

• The congregation stands for a prayer that emphasizes reliance on God's strength in worship.

Reading from Scripture

• A reading from Psalm 1 highlights the importance of meditating on God's law.

God's Law

Understanding Our Misery

• Reference to Lord's Day 2 of the catechism discusses how we come to know our sinfulness through God's law.

Reading Responsively

• The congregation participates in a responsive reading of God's commandments found in Exodus.

The Ten Commandments

Summary of Commandments

• Key commandments are recited, emphasizing their significance in guiding moral behavior:

• No other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3).

• Prohibition against idolatry (Exodus 20:4).

• Importance of honoring parents (Exodus 20:12).

Purpose of the Law

Striving for Grace

• Discussion on why believers continue to read the law despite its impossibility to keep perfectly; it encourages striving for grace through prayer.

Salvation Through Christ

Ephesians Reminder

• Paul’s message about being made alive with Christ emphasizes salvation by grace rather than works.

Living According to God’s Commands

• Encouragement to live according to God’s commandments as an expression of gratitude for salvation.

Congregational Hymn and Prayer

Singing Praise

• Congregation sings hymn #497 "More Love To Thee, O Christ," reflecting on living purposefully for Christ.

Prayer Requests

• Mentioning specific individuals like Abby Martin and Jack DeVries during congregational prayers.

Closing Reflections

• Emphasis on God’s goodness throughout life experiences, particularly during challenging times.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Acknowledgment of God's Preservation

• The speaker expresses gratitude for the preservation provided by God, highlighting everyday gifts like air conditioning and refrigeration.

• Thanks are given for the cool water and other means through which lives have been preserved recently.

• Acknowledgment of God's faithfulness in maintaining the United States throughout its history of conflict and blessings.

Religious Freedom and National Concerns

• The speaker appreciates that Christians in the U.S. can gather without fear of persecution from the government.

• Recognition is made that while the nation has imperfections, it is still under God's control amidst corruption and sin.

Call for Revival

• A prayer for revival in America, asking for eyes to be opened to the gospel and a turning away from wickedness.

• Leaders are urged to prioritize their eternal destinies over political policies, seeking boldness in representing Christ.

Intercessions for Political Leaders

Prayer for Christian Leaders

• A plea for Christian leaders to remain steadfast in their faith without compromising the gospel.

• Requesting conviction upon non-Christian political leaders regarding their need for peace with God.

Support for Churches

• Encouragement is given to churches across America not to become complacent due to religious freedom.

• The URC and NAPARC denominations are called upon to be bold witnesses, engaging actively in good works.

Community Needs and Personal Requests

Congregational Support

• Gratitude expressed for new life within the church community, specifically mentioning Ren Primrose Martin's safe delivery.

• A call to support the Martins as they care for little Ren with love.

Upcoming Events

• Blessings requested on Gabby Zylinga and Tyler Simpson’s wedding preparations amid last-minute planning stress.

Health Concerns Within the Community

Specific Health Prayers

• Prayer offered for Jack DeVries ahead of his surgery, asking God’s providence during this time.

• Continued prayers requested for Maggie Baker during her cancer treatments, seeking relief from pain.

Healing Requests

• Intercession made on behalf of Tim Cavanaugh regarding his health issues post-surgery.

• Thankfulness expressed towards healing seen within the Rodriguez family, particularly Aspen and Anika's recovery journey.

Offering and Preparation for Worship

Divine Hope Seminary Offering

• Mentioned upcoming offering dedicated to Divine Hope Seminary alongside thanks given to its ministers.

Anticipation of Sermon

• Prayerful request that attendees may hunger more deeply after God's word as they prepare their hearts through worship.

Introduction to Scripture: Luke 17

Contextual Background

• Introduction provided about Jesus' final journey into Jerusalem where he teaches about His kingdom before His crucifixion.

Teaching on Kingdom Living

• Emphasis placed on Jesus’ love towards sinners while also noting that entry into His kingdom requires a certain way of living.

Structure of Luke 17

• Overview shared about how Luke structures chapter 17 around themes of faith through parables aimed at teaching disciples about true kingdom living.

The Seriousness of Sin and the Call to Forgiveness

Understanding Our Duty as Servants

• The passage emphasizes humility, stating that after fulfilling our duties, we should recognize ourselves as unworthy servants who have only done what was required.

• A historical reference is made to Catholic missionaries in 1600s Japan, highlighting the persecution faced by Christians during this time.

The Cycle of Apostasy and Forgiveness

• A man wanting to embrace Christianity struggles with fear of persecution, leading him to repeatedly deny his faith when caught by authorities.

• This cycle of determination, fear, apostasy, and forgiveness raises a critical question about whether such a person deserves forgiveness from the missionaries.

Reflecting on Personal Sinfulness

• The speaker challenges the congregation to consider their own capacity for forgiveness towards someone who repeatedly sins.

• It is highlighted that everyone has sinned and continues to do so; thus, we must reflect on our own shortcomings before judging others.

Jesus' Warning About Temptation

• Jesus warns about incoming sin and temptations that are inevitable in life. He uses strong language emphasizing that stumbling blocks will come.

• The certainty of temptation is likened to an unavoidable storm; it serves as a warning for believers to prepare themselves spiritually.

Responsibility Towards Others

• Believers are commanded to pay attention not just to themselves but also to others around them. This collective responsibility underscores the importance of community in faith.

• Rebuking sin among fellow believers is necessary but should be aimed at fostering forgiveness rather than condemnation.

The Challenge of Forgiveness

• The difficulty of forgiving those who wrong us repeatedly is acknowledged. However, believers are called to forgive without hesitation or doubt regarding sincerity.

• Drawing from scripture, it’s emphasized that just as God forgives us endlessly through Christ's sacrifice, we too must extend that same grace towards others.

Forgiveness and Faith: A Call to Action

The Importance of Forgiveness

• God promises forgiveness upon confession of sins, emphasizing the necessity for believers to forgive others as they have been forgiven in Christ.

• The command to forgive is rooted in how the Lord has forgiven us, highlighting a reciprocal relationship between divine and human forgiveness.

• Rebuking sin in others is framed as an act of love, essential for guiding neighbors away from stumbling blocks and towards upright living.

Living Upright Through Love

• The alternative to rebuke is allowing others to stumble; thus, love must motivate all forms of correction within relationships.

• Believers are encouraged to let Christ's love guide their actions, reinforcing that forgiveness stems from understanding one's own forgiveness through Christ.

Seeking Increased Faith

• The disciples recognize their need for supernatural help in living out Jesus' teachings and cry out for increased faith.

• Their plea emphasizes reliance on prayer rather than self-sufficiency when facing challenges related to obedience and forgiveness.

Understanding Faith

• Faith is defined as assurance and conviction; it involves turning to God in prayer even when one feels unable or unwilling to forgive.

• Trusting God means acknowledging personal limitations while seeking His strength to fulfill commands that seem impossible.

Assurance of Salvation

• Comfort can be found in the Canons of Dort regarding election; unmistakable fruits such as true faith, fear of God, sorrow for sin, and hunger for righteousness mark salvation.

• Even if one feels devoid of these traits at times, continued engagement with grace means there’s no need for fear about salvation status.

Practical Application of Faith

• Jesus uses parables to illustrate expectations from believers; service should be understood as a duty rather than a privilege after fulfilling responsibilities.

• The analogy highlights that servants do not expect rewards beyond their duties—reinforcing humility and commitment within the Christian life.

Understanding the Role of Servants in Faith

The Concept of Thanking a Servant

• Discusses the absurdity of thanking a servant for their duties, comparing it to treating pets as equals at the dinner table.

• Questions why children say thank you, emphasizing that it should stem from genuine appreciation rather than parental pressure.

Expectations and Duties

• Highlights instances where gratitude is typically expressed, such as receiving gifts or treats, but notes that routine tasks like laundry often go unthanked.

• Argues that many acts performed by parents are expected responsibilities, similar to a servant's role in fulfilling orders without expectation of thanks.

The Shift in Perspective

• Points out Jesus' pronoun shift in scripture, indicating that disciples transition from masters to servants under God's command. This emphasizes the divine servant-master relationship.

• Stresses that believers are not chosen based on merit but serve as unworthy servants simply fulfilling their duty to God.

Avoiding Self-Righteousness

• Warns against adopting an attitude similar to the older brother in the prodigal son story who boasts about his service and good deeds.

• Emphasizes that obeying God does not earn His favor; instead, it is merely fulfilling one's duty as a servant. This challenges notions of impressing God through actions.

Serving with Faith-Fueled Commitment

• Encourages believers to recognize their calling as unworthy servants who must serve Christ through rebuking and forgiving sin due to its seriousness.

• Shares a poignant story about a Japanese Christian seeking forgiveness from missionaries he betrayed, illustrating human limitations in forgiveness without reliance on Jesus' strength.

Conclusion: A Call to Service

• Reminds congregants they have been equipped with faith and called to serve faithfully despite being unworthy servants; this service is rooted in love for God who has redeemed them.

• Concludes with prayer asking for guidance in serving others and recognizing opportunities for forgiveness throughout the week while reinforcing humility before God’s commands.