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Pastor Rene's Bible studies
 

Luke 17:1 (NIV) Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. 2 It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, `I repent,' forgive him." 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you. 7 "Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, `Come along now and sit down to eat'? 8 Would he not rather say, `Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? 9 Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'"

The Pharisees treated with disdain the sinners who crowed Jesus (15:1,2)

The rich man treated Lazarrus similarly. (16:19-21

1. Toward unbelievers: Making acception of persons according to their status, culture, looks. Some churches will only minister to those of the same kind. Jesus our example came for every sinners rich or poor. But usually—the rich oppressed and despised the poors, so Jesus preached the gospel to the poor.
2. Toward believers: By using our tongue to criticize, slander, accuse or hurt; by having cliques and not accepting people in our group.

1 Cor 11:17-22 (19); Lord’s supper; 1 Tim 4:1,2

• Though it is impossible to put an end to what cause people to sin, IT IS POSSIBLE, BY GOD’S GRACE—NOT TO ALLOW OURSELVES TO BELONG TO THE TEMPTERS…

• LUKE 17:2; What a terrible warning to cause the least of Christ disciples to sin

1Cor 10:31-32 (Positive) Do it all for the glory of God,

• The millstone is the heavy top stone drawn by a donkey used to crush the grain
• NOTE: how these little ones are dear to thee Savior.

• Instead of striving to become the greatest in the Kingdom (V.1), in the process of attempting this hurting others instead of guarding them (V.6),

• the disciples should rather learn to forget about themselves and to focus their attention upon Christ’s little ones.
• This they will learn by becoming like little children themselves. That’s the only to become great in the kingdom (V.4)

The judgment pronounced upon the world is V.8 "Eternal fire" and V. 10 "The fire of hell".

1. Present life is not our only life. We are destined to eternity
2. Nothing (no matter how precious) should be allowed to bring the judgment of hell upon us (right eyes, hand)
3. Sin is a very destructive force. It is not to be pampered. It must be put to death.
4. By saying: "It is better to lose one member…" Jesusemphasizes how much better it is to prepare for eternity than to enjoy the sinful pleasure in this life.
5. (Also if someone is handicap in this life and believe in Jesus, something glorious is awaiting him in heaven).
6. You are not allowed to mutilate yourself. Even if you pluck your eye, you may be tempted with the other…

• The words of Jesus emphasize that disciples should constantly see to it not to make even a single one of "these little ones" he considers his own the object of scorn or disdain, or contempt

• We should rebuke the offenders, then if he repents, forgive.
• Jesus emphasizes that forgiveness has no limitations.

• It is not a question of big or small, but whatever faith, put it in practice, trusting God constantly, then you will receive the help and the strength you have been asking for in prayer. (Matt 21:22; If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.)
• You need spiritual power not to cause people to sin (to accept, love and care for people), and to forgive those who offend you

Plowing and tending sheeps.

• Should the slave expect to be served food by his master? No
• The servant is told: "when I am finished, you can eat."
• This slave does not have any zeal or enthousiasm. He does not see what he has to do… Unlike Joseph who always ended up as the manager of the household. The Lord was with him. Everything he touched was blessed…
• The slave needed to be told everything. He did not respect and love his master. He did not expect anything. He served with a fatalist spirit—He will do only what he will be told…

• Some Christians never see things that need to be done—the needs of people around them
• They do not lift up their eyes to see the harvest is white
• They are lazy—not motivated. They do not have a vision or any expectation…
• They don’t really care about people (lost or saved) welcoming or helping someone (new comers)
• Getting involved? No way, not unless they are told and they will do it grudgingly.
• When his master is eating, he’s looking with the corners of his eyes to see when he is going to finish… that I may eat…

• The master will certainly not think of serving such a cold and careless servant.

God’s children aim to do his will but with gladness of heart in the spirit of love & gratitude

• This slave was declared unworthy—because he did only what he was ordered.
• The other is called "Blessed" Our heavenly master… came here on earth as one who serves.
• "I am among you as on who serves" Luke 22:27;