Luke 17:1-10

Have you ever watched Whose Line is it Anyway?, or played the funny improv game where two people can only respond to one another in questions? That sure seems to be Jesus’ most common way of answering his disciples! Here again, on our Journey through Galilee, we encounter Jesus teaching through word pictures and questions in order to get to the heart of his listeners’ questions, and to build their faith. In Luke 17:1-10, Jesus continues to gently teach his followers the weight of their leadership, their responsibility to one another, and the power of faith.

Main Points

• Temptations are sure to come. 
• What are our responsibilities to one another? 
• How are we able to fulfill these responsibilities? 
• With what posture do we meet these responsibilities?

Key Takeaways

• In our lives of faith, stumbling blocks are inevitable.
• Temptations come from the devil (Ephesians 6:10-11, James 4:7), from our own lusts within us (James 1:13-16), and from corruption through evil desires (1 Peter 1:4). 
• A common stumbling block (trap or snare) is the temptation to forget our identity in Christ.
• We can remind one another that we are not defined by our sin. Jesus has forgiven us and made us new: new creations, saints, daughters, sons, disciples…!
• There is a very strong warning here about being the vessel by which others stumble (vv. 1-3). 
• Temptations are real, and the enemy is real, therefore, we can “be on our guard” for and with one another. 
• See Acts 2 for a reminder of what Jesus’ church guards: communion with God and one another, unity, physical provision, family, prayer, worship…
• There is honor in rebuke. Our posture matters. There is a tenderness here in the Greek that we may miss in our culture today. 
• We can move in caution and kindness, rather than pride and harshness.
• When someone seeks forgiveness, recognize the vulnerability here and the beautiful invitation. 
• We go on forgiving (vv. 3-4). We hope for restoration.
• Hurt is real, so forgiveness is hard. We draw strength from God alone to do this. (Please note this does not apply the same way in abusive relationships. Please reach out if you need help. It is wrong to demand forgiveness.)
• The culture of the religious depended on condemnation and judgment. Jesus’ way is to create a culture of honor, care, helpfulness as possible, repentance, and forgiveness.
• We model what Jesus has done for us. 
• While we live by the Spirit of God, we are not the Holy Spirit.
• Jesus did not shame his followers for asking a silly demand (‘Increase our faith!’)!
• Jesus, once again, answers with an illustration (vv.5-6).
• It is not the size of our faith, but the object of our faith that matters. 
• Faith is not in ourselves, but in our Savior and the work of the Spirit. 
• We can trust, and beg Jesus to work.
• The final illustration teaches that expecting God to owe us something in our service to him is silly and self-righteous (vv. 7-10).
• Let God be God. Let it be our joy to humbly walk with him. 
• Jesus has walked in all of these ways (ways of service, ways of temptation, ways of lowliness, need, and humility). Jesus has been a humble servant. Jesus shows us the way of fellowship and joy. 

Questions for Personal Application:

• Consider this question in various ways: What is the object of your faith? Is your faith in yourself, or is your faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ? Take time to list out attributes of God (e.g. all-powerful, Creator, perfect in kindness…).
• Is there a relationship God is revealing to you that needs restoration? What does your part look like if your goal is to honor and care?

Discussion Questions for Community Groups

• One stumbling block for believers could be the temptation to forget our identity in Christ. Discuss with a group where you are tempted to forget who you are in Christ. Read any of the verses aloud together: 2 Cor 5:17, Romans 1:7, 1 Cor 1:2, 1 John 3:1, Romans 8:14, Galatians 3:26.
• Consider places that are common snares for you. Discuss with a trusted group how they might “have your back” in guarding against the lies of the enemy in this area.
• Reflect together on the ideas discussed this morning regarding our responsibility to and posture toward one another as sisters and brothers. What is something new you hadn’t considered before?

Passages Referenced

Luke 17:1-10, Ephesians 4:29-32, Galatians 6:1-2, See throughout notes.

Worship Setlist

Great Things; You Are The Lord; How Marvelous; It Was Finished Upon That Cross; Lord I Need You