Pictures of Faith • Luke 17

from Luke 17:

"Be alert. If you see your friend going wrong, correct him. 

If he responds, forgive him. 

Even if it's personal against you and 

repeated seven times through the day, 

and seven times he says, 

'I'm sorry, I won't do it again,' forgive him."

The apostles came up and 

said to the Master, "Give us more faith."

But the Master said, "You don't need more faith. 

There is not 'more' or 'less' faith." 

(vs. 3-6)

"Does the servant get special thanks

for doing what's expected of him? 

It's the same with you. 

When you've done everything expected of you, 

be matter-of-fact and say, 

'The work is done. 

What we were told to do, we did.' " 

(vs. 9-10)

One of them, when he realized that he was healed, 

turned around and came back, 

shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. 

He kneeled at Jesus' feet, so grateful. 

He couldn't thank him enough...

(vs. 15-16)

"Your faith has healed and saved you." 

(vs. 19)

"If you grasp and cling to life on your terms, 

you'll lose it, but if you let that life go, 

you'll get life on God's terms."

 (vs. 33)

•

Jesus just told the disciples to do something very difficult.
Forgive, again and again.
Even when it seems that the person will never change.
Even when it's personal.

They just didn't see how they could do that.
More faith is what they thought they needed.
They just needed to obey.

Jesus illustrated His point
with a story about a servant
who was expected to do his job,
even when it was hard —
without any thanks.

Faith obeys.

Does gratitude to God
reveal our faith in Him?

Did the leper who returned to
give thanks to Jesus
received salvation as well as healing?

Was this because his faith was revealed
in his gratitude?

Faith gives thanks.

Only God and what He has for us will last.
Anything else, everything else we
try to hold on to — insist on keeping —
will be burned.

If we let go of our wants, our control,
God can give us all that He has for us.

Faith lets go of what we think we need
and grasps onto God.

Faith lets go and accepts from Him.