What does it mean to serve Jesus? Is serving Jesus optional? These are important questions that we should think about daily. The Bible points out that once we receive faith and rest upon Christ for our eternal salvation, we become servants of the King. The Apostle Peter understood that and encouraged others to think the same way in the opening of his second letter: “Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” This is something that should give us pause about the seriousness of our condition outside of Christ, and how significant a change of life and priorities Jesus makes in us. The word for “servant” is the same word for “slave” – it means that we wholly belong to Jesus, and our service to Him is warranted by the great work He has done in us. Once we keep that thought front and center in our lives, we will have a genuine and living faith, a faith that seeks to do the Lord’s will, not our own. That is what it means to be “Servants of the King” (Luke 17:1-10).

I. Understanding Our Duty to the King (17:1-4)
A. Watch Yourself!
B. Forgive!

II. Understanding Our Relationship with the King (17:5-10)
A. Only By Faith
B. Only Our Duty

Questions for consideration: (1) What is the danger of assuming that we deserve the blessings Jesus gives to us? How can we practically combat that temptation? (2) In what ways have you experienced problems and temptations from the sins of others? How can you overcome that? How can you avoid doing likewise? (3) Why is it so difficult to forgive others? Why is it so important for Christians to be able to forgive others readily?