30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 17 7-10 An unprofitable Doulos of Jesus Christ 06 Bond slaves to build each other
📖 Luke 17:7-10
16Jul2020 - *Bond slaves to build each other* - _Luke 17:7-10_ - A DOULOS OF JESUS CHRIST 6 – Bible reading: _II Corinthians 5:14-15_
In this passage the Lord begins by asking His disciples to consider themselves as the masters but turns the teaching around in verse 10. _Luke 17:10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' "_ He makes them realise that they are the Doulos, His bondslaves.
We now go back to verse 7 and consider ourselves as the Doulos of Jesus Christ, who is our Master. _Luke 17:7 And which of you, having a servant ploughing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'?_
The slave has to see the master as the most important person in his life and he must see himself as the least important. When I say the least important, what I wish to express is not that we do not take care for our needs but we do not give room to our ego, our significance, our privileges and our rights
Is that how you and I are, today?
From this position of being the Doulos of Jesus, we are able to love one another and we express our love for each other by being a person who serves. _Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another_
Love for one another is established by serving, is a principle Jesus demonstrated for us. We see this in John 13, where Jesus loved His disciples and He demonstrated His love for them by washing their feet and then He gave them the teaching. The demonstration came first, teaching followed.
_John 13:14-17 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. (15) For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. (16) Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. (17) If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them._
This is how the Lord wants us to understand and reveal leadership. Let us remember that leadership, fundamentally, is not a matter of a position but leadership is about loving people. If a person does not love people, he/she cannot be a leader. Loving people leads to serving people. _Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. (26) Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. (27) And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— (28) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."_
It is the leadership of Jesus that we need to bring into the world, in each of our particular contexts. This is when we will have the opportunity to show and lead people to Christ.
Jesus emptied Himself of all of His positions but He was always the leader. _Philippians 2:5-9 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, *taking the form of a bondservant*, and coming in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (9) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,…_
We, as His Doulos, carry upon us the same understanding that Jesus had. He died for us and so our lives are no more ours. It belongs to Jesus and so we live no more for ourselves. _II Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; (15) and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again_
When we come to the place where we no longer live for ourselves, we are then at the right place to be able to live, love and serve others. _II Corinthians 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake_
We become bond slaves to others. Remember, this is not about becoming someone else’s vassal, puppet or doormat but about loving people by serving. Apostle Paul takes this understanding to the next level. _Colossians 1:24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,_
We are bond slaves to each other for the building up of each other in the body of Christ. This is because of our love for one another.
*Thought to ponder*
```The church is made up of bond slaves to one another```