Early Church of Christ
The Call to a Servant Heart • The Parables of Jesus
Welcome to church! We are glad you are here this morning. We hope you have an uplifting morning with us today. We are continuing our journey through the Parables of Jesus--simples stories revealing deep truths. You can access this and past messages on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMsd480DFQtBaIZdSgNHKOA
Locations & Times
Early Church of Christ
900 Early Blvd, Early, TX 76802, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Do Motives Matter?
In a brief moment, in a single action, maybe they do, maybe they don't. However, our motives are what will determine our ultimate direction and destination. We humans aren't always that great at thinking about the big
picture as we go about our daily lives, but Jesus never takes his eye off the big picture. This is what leads Jesus to have a conversation that, frankly, most disciples skip over when listing their favorite parables and passages. ;-)
In a brief moment, in a single action, maybe they do, maybe they don't. However, our motives are what will determine our ultimate direction and destination. We humans aren't always that great at thinking about the big
picture as we go about our daily lives, but Jesus never takes his eye off the big picture. This is what leads Jesus to have a conversation that, frankly, most disciples skip over when listing their favorite parables and passages. ;-)
First, a reminder. This will come in handy as we go through this today.
How to Read the Parables (A quick review)
We're currently exploring Jesus parables--short stories revealing eternal truths--and we're using a simple method to understand them:
1. Ask: What is the context of the story?
- Textual, historical, cultural, and in the moment of its telling
2. Being careful not to over-analyze, what are the themes?
3. What did Jesus say it meant? He often tells us what the stories were meant to teach, so don't overcomplicate it.
4. Be open-minded. Why do I need this lesson as much as they did?
(“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” - Jesus, Luke 8:8, ESV)
How to Read the Parables (A quick review)
We're currently exploring Jesus parables--short stories revealing eternal truths--and we're using a simple method to understand them:
1. Ask: What is the context of the story?
- Textual, historical, cultural, and in the moment of its telling
2. Being careful not to over-analyze, what are the themes?
3. What did Jesus say it meant? He often tells us what the stories were meant to teach, so don't overcomplicate it.
4. Be open-minded. Why do I need this lesson as much as they did?
(“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” - Jesus, Luke 8:8, ESV)
Two Most Common Motives
Why do we serve the Lord and others?
• Altruistic reasons (love, kindness, honoring God, etc.)
• Selfish gain (attention, power, ego, etc.)
How do these motives shape our expectations?
Let's read our next parable.
Why do we serve the Lord and others?
• Altruistic reasons (love, kindness, honoring God, etc.)
• Selfish gain (attention, power, ego, etc.)
How do these motives shape our expectations?
Let's read our next parable.
Context of the parable:
Jesus is teaching his disciples how to live, work, learn, and serve. The cross is close, and by now the disciples have already argued over who would be "most important" in the kingdom. Jesus uses this and several other stories to get them past this selfish attitude.
Jesus is teaching his disciples how to live, work, learn, and serve. The cross is close, and by now the disciples have already argued over who would be "most important" in the kingdom. Jesus uses this and several other stories to get them past this selfish attitude.
Recalibrating
Having the wrong motives = heading in the wrong direction, so now and then we need to stop and recalibrate our motives. That means a few things:
• We need to know our "true north" (Jesus).
• We need to submit to his leading.
• We need to examine our own motives and let the Spirit adjust our attitudes.
Having the wrong motives = heading in the wrong direction, so now and then we need to stop and recalibrate our motives. That means a few things:
• We need to know our "true north" (Jesus).
• We need to submit to his leading.
• We need to examine our own motives and let the Spirit adjust our attitudes.
Luke 17:10 is a tough passage. It is just so difficult for us to hear. Our culture doesn't like it. Our egos don't like it. It's just so...so...humiliating.
And that's Jesus' point. Sometimes, whether we like it or not, Jesus has to put us back in our place. It's his universe, not ours. It's his glory, not ours. It's his kingdom, not ours. To borrow a phrase from those who work as advisors to presidents, "We serve at his discretion." That phrase is a humbling and recalibrating phrase, often used when someone gets a bit too big for their britches. We don't serve to our own glory and honor. We serve to bring honor and glory to GOD.
A few key passages to consider...
And that's Jesus' point. Sometimes, whether we like it or not, Jesus has to put us back in our place. It's his universe, not ours. It's his glory, not ours. It's his kingdom, not ours. To borrow a phrase from those who work as advisors to presidents, "We serve at his discretion." That phrase is a humbling and recalibrating phrase, often used when someone gets a bit too big for their britches. We don't serve to our own glory and honor. We serve to bring honor and glory to GOD.
A few key passages to consider...
Does God really owe us, like we did him a big favor?
Why do we serve/love/help others? To bring praise to GOD.
Check yourself. Why are you doing X? See how much Jesus says our motives matter?
The grace of Christ sets us free from many things, including serving to our own glory and pride. No longer serving in slavery to pride means freedom! We can focus on the relief and joy it brings to others, the glory it brings to God, and the doors it opens for the gospel.
Being an "unworthy servant" isn't a put-down. It's freedom. It's dying to the flesh and living to the glory of God. It's a recognition of grace. It's the kingdom recalibration that leads us home.
Being an "unworthy servant" isn't a put-down. It's freedom. It's dying to the flesh and living to the glory of God. It's a recognition of grace. It's the kingdom recalibration that leads us home.
ARE YOU READY TO LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR CHRIST TODAY?
• It all begins with putting our faith in Christ. (Romans 1:16)
• We repent (meaning we put our past sins behind us and start following Jesus). (Acts 3:19)
• Confess that Christ is Lord (Romans 10:9).
• Mark the end of our old life and the beginning of the new life in Christ through baptism. (Acts 3:38-9; 22:16; Romans 6:3-4)
• From here on, Christ calls us to a life of loving God and loving our neighbors, growing in your knowledge of his word, and being lead by his Spirit as we serve others for a bigger purpose, preparing one another for the life and reward ahead, when we will meet him face to face.
• It all begins with putting our faith in Christ. (Romans 1:16)
• We repent (meaning we put our past sins behind us and start following Jesus). (Acts 3:19)
• Confess that Christ is Lord (Romans 10:9).
• Mark the end of our old life and the beginning of the new life in Christ through baptism. (Acts 3:38-9; 22:16; Romans 6:3-4)
• From here on, Christ calls us to a life of loving God and loving our neighbors, growing in your knowledge of his word, and being lead by his Spirit as we serve others for a bigger purpose, preparing one another for the life and reward ahead, when we will meet him face to face.
Thank you for joining us today! Can we pray for you today? If so, please let us know. There will be an invitation to share at the end of the message, or you can email us at earlychurchofchrist@gmail.com.
If you would like to talk to someone about baptism, or how to become part of the Early Church of Christ family, please see our minister or one of the elders and we would love to visit with you.
If you would like to talk to someone about baptism, or how to become part of the Early Church of Christ family, please see our minister or one of the elders and we would love to visit with you.