Freedom

     The Scripture this week was Luke 17: 7-10. The question was how is this Scripture about freedom?

     This Scripture is about what the Master expects of His servants. Masters don't sit down with their servants when they come in. Masters expect their servants to serve them. They don't thank them either. So Jesus tells His disciples that when they have done everything they have been told to do they should say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty."

Now perhaps we should back up a verse or two.  The parable of Lazarus and the rich man precedes these verses. It is a cautionary tale of serving the poorest of the poor, being present to those around us. Then Jesus warns about the ones through which sin comes to children or those new to the faith. The disciples have asked Jesus to increase their faith. He tells them how little faith it takes to move mountains, faith the size of a mustard seed. Then he tells them about their role as servants and unworthy servants at that and how they should look upon the wonders of what their faith can produce.

What does this have to do with freedom? The congregation had lots of answers from knowing what you are supposed to do and doing it to being aware of our role as a servant. Brian confirmed those to be true, but I have a feeling it is more, much more.

Brian began the sermon asking have we ever wondered why news stories are about Christians who find a lot of money and turning it in is considered news. It should be the Christians who don't turn it in that is news. Then he quoted a chaplain of the Senate who said that Christianity began in Palestine as a fellowship. Then it moved to Greece and became a philosophy. Then it moved to Italy and became an institution. Then to Europe and became a culture. Then Christianity came to the United States and became an enterprise. That is a provocative description of Christianity, especially in the United States, but something about it rings too true.

Someone mentioned that we shouldn't expect a reward for what we do. Brian said we certainly should not expect anything we do to be as worthy of praise as what God has done for us. Would we be Christians if there were no rewards?

So how many of us do what we do for God without thought of anything but a relationship deepening with Him through loving and serving other people? Does that free us from trying to please? Does that free us from thinking we have been anything but unworthy servants? Does that free us to bring about His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven because we recognize our brokenness, our lack of faith, our inability to do anything worthy of the Grace that God has given us, yet we can't help but act as His Body on earth because it is the only way we can be fulfilled? He made us for Him. He is the Hound of Heaven bringing us to Him. We realize that being His Hands and His Feet completes us and allows us to rest in His love.