Second London Confession 26.12

“As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15)

Scripture Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6–18

“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6–18)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Second London Confession 26.12 Explained

The first part of Second London Confession 26.12 reminds us of what was said in paragraphs 2 and 5 –  “all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches.” The New Testament is very clear about this. Those who are effectually called to faith in Christ and repentance by the word of God preached and by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit are to be baptized into the church where they will be taught to observe all that Christ has commanded  (see Matthew 28:18-20). The church – the local church – is everywhere present in the New Testament. Disciples of Jesus are not to walk independently but within the context of a local church community. 

Notice, our confession does leave some room for exceptions to the rule when it says, “when and where they have opportunity so to do…” It is possible that someone who has turned from their sins to trust in Jesus lives in a land where there is no church. In cases such as this, the believer ought to pray fervently that the Lord would bring others to faith in Christ so that Christian fellowship may be enjoyed. And these believers must pray that God would raise up a pastor or elder to serve the church so that the word of God may be preached and the sacraments administered. But ordinarily, believers will have an opportunity to join a true church, and this they must do in obedience to the command of Christ.  Stated negatively, if a professing believer has an opportunity to join themselves to a true church of Jesus Christ and they refuse, they live in disobedience to Christ the King. 

It is the second half of 2LCF 26.12 that contains new material. It says, “so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.” Notice a few things about this statement. 

One, we are reminded that certain privileges come along with church membership. What are these privileges? I’ll name a few. Church members enjoy the preaching of the word of God, the Lord’s Supper, the fellowship of the saints, the oversight of the elders, the accountability of the congregation. 

Two, by mentioning the privileges of church membership we are reminded that church members have responsibilities. Church members have responsibilities to the pastor and elders and church members have responsibilities towards one another. Not long ago the men of Emmaus progressed through a book called The Duties Of Christian Fellowship by John Owen. I’d recommend that book to you all. Benjamin Keach’s, The Glory Of  A True Church, also contains a chapter on the duties of church members to their pastor (chapter 4).

Three, this last portion of 2LCF 26.12 states that “all admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof…” This means that those who covenant to join a church come under the authority of that church. They are accountable to that church. They are subject to the discipline of that church. “Censures” means rebuke. In this context, “censures” refers to the disciplinary action of the church in general. 

The New Testament Scriptures have a lot to say about church discipline. The most famous passage is  Matthew 18:15-20. That passage tells church members how to handle private offenses or sins. But Matthew 18 is not the only text about church discipline. 1 Corinthians 5 is also important. It provides instructions for dealing with scandalous and unrepentant sin in the church. And the 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 passage that we read a moment ago must not be ignored. There Paul tells us how to deal with a brother or sister in Christ who is walking in a disorderly way. The church is instructed to “take note of” the disorderly person, and to “: have nothing to do with” them, that they “may be ashamed. Do not regard [them] as an enemy, but warn [them] as a brother”, the Apostle says. 

Notice that 1 Thessalonians 5:14 is listed as a proof text for this paragraph. There Paul speaks to the church in Thessalonica, saying, “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). This is a very important verse, one that will help us greatly in matters of discipline. It reminds us that distinctions are to be made between members who are idle, fainthearted, and weak. Each is to be treated differently. Those who are idle are to be admonished (warned), those who are faintheartedly encouraged (consoled), and those who are weak are to be helped (assisted). Finally, Paul commands that patience be shown to all. 

There are still other passages that instruct us about church censures. For example, Titus 1:13 reveals that there are occasions when a minister must rebuke sharply. Titus 3:10 reveals that the church must have nothing to do with a divisive person after they are warned twice. Those who wish to learn more about the variety of passages that speak to the issue of church discipline would do well to read Keach’s The Glory Of A True Church. 

The thing to notice about the last phrase of 2LCF 26.12 is the word “all” – “all admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof…” This means that the rich and those with political power or ecclesiastical authority are not exempt from church discipline.

Finally, all of this teaching is said to be “according to the rule of Christ.” And this brings us right back to the central principle of 2LCF 26.4: “The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner…” If you love Jesus you will love his church and you will endeavor to obey all that Christ has commanded regarding the church’s order and government.  

Conclusion

 Who is subject to the order and discipline of the church?

“As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15)

Second London Confession 26.11

“Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office, yet the work of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.” (Acts 11:19-21; 1 Peter 4:10, 11)

Scripture Reading: Romans 10:9-15

“…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” (Romans 10:9–15)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Second London Confession 26.11

In the Second London Confession of Faith (2LCF) paragraph 10, we confess that the work of pastors is “constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watching for [the] souls [of the members of the congregation], as they that must give an account to [Christ].” This is a nice and succinct summary of the job of pastors. Pastors must be devoted to prayer (in public and private), to the ministry of the word (in public and private), and to the shepherding of the members of the congregation. 

A follow-up question we might ask is this: is the work of preaching to be restricted only to those who hold the office of pastor or elder? This is the question behind 2LCF 26.11.

To be clear, we are not asking, may Christian husbands minister the word to their wives in private, or may Christian husbands and wives minister the word to their children in private, or may church members encourage one another with the word of God in private. The answer to these questions is, yes, of course! Every Christian has the privilege and responsibility of encouraging and exhorting others with the Word of God (see Colossians 3:16). Every Christian must be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them (1 Peter 3:15) in private conversation. This is not about the private and personal ministry of the word but the public and formal preaching and teaching ministries of the church. Hear the question again: is the work of preaching to be restricted only to those who hold the office of pastor or elder? 

Our confession was written in the 17th century. In those days, there was a diversity of opinions on this subject. The Church of England and the Presbyterians believed that only ordained men could preach. Of course, like today, some simply took it upon themselves to preach. The Congregationalists and our Particular Baptist forefathers agreed with the Presbyterians that the church needed to approve and appoint preachers and, given the importance of preaching, the bar needed to be set high – as high as the Scriptures set it! But they did expand the circle a bit when they confessed that others besides ordained pastors or elders may preach. This position, they thought, better agreed with what is written in the Holy Scriptures. I do believe that 2LCF 26.11 is spot on. 

First, we confess that preaching is primarily the job of bishops or pastors.  “Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office…”, our confession says. The word incumbent means necessary or obligatory as a duty or responsibility. Who in the church is responsible for preaching and teaching the word? Bishops or pastors are. This responsibility belongs to them by way of office. 

Now, I do not believe this means that every elder must preach. Every elder must be apt to teach, says 1 Timothy 3:2 and 2 Timothy 2:24. But some elders may give themselves more to ruling than to teaching. And some elders might teach more in private than they preach in public. Our constitution makes this distinction, and I do believe it is a distinction drawn from the Scriptures (see 1 Timothy 5:17). But it is the eldership who has the responsibility to oversee the preaching and teaching ministry of the church, and, ordinarily, it should be the pastors who preach. The office demands it. And so we confess that it is bishops or pastors who are to be instant, quick, constant, or consistent in the preaching of the word of God. 

Secondly, we confess that preaching must not be strictly confined to ordained pastors or elders. “[Y]et the work of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them…”, our confession says. Acts 11:19-21 and 1 Peter 4:10-11 are listed as proof texts. Acts 11:19-21 describes a situation in the early church where the preaching of, what appear to be, non-ordained men was blessed by the Lord. And 1 Peter 4:10 commands that if Christ has given the gift of teaching to a man it is to be used in the service of Christ and his church. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10-11). Again, though pastors and elders are to lead in teaching by way of office, and though deacons are to lead in service by way of office, we should expect that others within the congregation will have the gifts of teaching and service. The point is that these gifts must be used for the building up of the body of Christ. 

Thirdly, we confess that the preaching or pulpit ministry of the church must be very carefully guarded. We agree with our Presbyterian brothers on this point. The preaching ministry of the church is so central and vital to the health of the church; it has such a great effect on the souls of men and women, boys and girls – that great care must be taken to ensure that only men who are gifted and fitted for the work engage in it. Just as the Lord’s Table must be fenced to ensure that only those qualified to partake of the sacred meal, so too the Sacred Desk (the pulpit) must be fenced to ensure that only those gifted and fitted by Christ stand behind it discharge the ministry of the word. The question is not, is there to be a fence, but where is the fence to be placed? Historically the Presbyterians have said, it is only those who have been classically ordained who may preach. We confess,  “that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to [preach the word].”

Notice a few things about this statement. 

One, we confess that if men are to be permitted to preach the word, they must be gifted and fitted. It must be remembered that these terms were used in paragraph 9. That paragraph is about the ordination of elders. There we confess that a man must show himself to be fitted and gifted for the office of elder before being ordained to the office. When we say that a man must be gifted for the office we mean he must possess the gifts or abilities required to fulfill the duties the office requires. In brief, he must be able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2) and able to rule, manage, and oversee the church (1 Timothy 3:4-5). When we say that a man must be fitted for the office of elder we mean that he must show evidence of the grace of God in his life. He must be mature in the faith (1 Timothy 3:6). He must meet the character qualifications outlined in Scripture, especially in 1 Timothy 3, 2 Timothy 2:24, and Titus 1. He must be well thought of by outsiders. It is important to note that the same terms are used here in paragraph 11 as we consider the question, who should be permitted to preach in the church? We confess that it is not only ordained pastors who may preach but others “gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it…”

At this point, you might be wondering, then what is the difference between the qualifications that must be met to hold the office of elder and the qualifications that must be met to be licensed to preach? 

The first thing I want to say in response to that question is, not much! Should men be permitted to stand behind the pulpit of the church to preach God’s word if they do not have the gift of teaching? No. Should untrained men who hold erroneous or heretical doctrines be permitted to preach? No. Or, to use the character qualifications for overseers found in 1 Timothy 3, should a man who is not above reproach, who is not faithful to his wife, who lacks a sober-minded, who lacks self-control, who is not respectable or hospitable be permitted to preach? Should men who are drunkards, violent, and quarrelsome be permitted to preach? Should men who are known to be lovers of money be permitted to preach? Should men whose households are in disarray and whose children are openly rebellious be permitted to preach? And what about recent converts and those who have a bad reputation in the community? Should these be permitted to stand behind the sacred desk to minister God’s holy word to God’s holy people? I hope you all have enough regard for the ministry of the word that you would quickly and definitively say, no, never. What is the difference between the qualifications that must be met to hold the office of elder and the qualifications that must be met to be licensed to preach? Again I say, not much.

Then why permit non-ordained men to preach? I’ll give you three reasons. 

One, as has already been said, the Scriptures teach that non-ordained men may preach and teach in Christ’s church. Some outside of the eldership of the church may have the gift of teaching (see again Acts 11:19-21 and 1 Peter 4:10-11). If Christ has given someone the gift of teaching it should be used for the good of Christ’s church. 

Two, practically speaking, there must be a way for men to be tested and trained before being ordained to the office of pastor or elder. I am not saying that every man who is licensed to preach will someday be ordained to the office of elder. There are a number of factors that might hinder that progression. The man might not sense a call to hold the office. His life circumstances might not permit him to devote himself to the work that the office requires. Or it is possible that though he has the gift of teaching, he does not have the gifts needed to rule with spiritual authority within Christ’s church. Dear brothers and sisters, you need to understand something. Pastors and elders do not only have the responsibility to teach and to oversee the teaching ministry of the church, they also have the responsibility to rule and oversee the church with spiritual authority. What aspect of pastoral ministry do you witness the most? What do you observe me doing the most? You see and hear me preach and pray. You might be surprised to know that preaching and praying, and preparing to preach and pray, is only a part of what I do as a pastor. Though you do not see it, each week a great deal of time and energy is devoted to shepherding, overseeing, and ruling within Christ’s church. And I hope you understand that the elders of this church, though they do not presently preach often, devote a great deal of time and energy to the oversight of the church and the shepherding of God’s people. Certain gifts are required for this work, brothers and sisters. Not everyone has the gifts and graces required to hold the office of elder. I promise you this, few things will damage the church more quickly than to appoint an unqualified man to the office of elder and to give him spiritual authority within Christ’s church. A man might show that he has the gift of teaching, and it might appear that he meets the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, but the man must be tested first (see 1 Timothy 3:10). The elders of the church must not be hasty in the laying on of hands of ordination to the office of elder (see 1 Timothy 5:22). Permitting a man who appears to have the gifts and graces required to hold the office of elder to preach the word is a good and safe way for men to be tested.   

Three, practically speaking, those ordained to the office of pastor or elder could use the assistance of those to whom Christ has given the gift of teaching. It is pastors and elders who are to be constant in the preaching of the word. Ordained men should be filling the pulpits of our churches primarily. But at times the burdens of life and ministry are such that ordained men could use a break from sermon preparation so they may give their attention to other legitimate concerns and needs. 

The second thing to notice about the last phrase in 2LCF 26.11 is that it is the church who is to approve and call men to preach. “… yet the work of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to [ordained pastors] but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.” 

The phrase, “approved and called by the church”, will help us to avoid two errors. 

On the one hand, some men think that they can appoint themselves to be preachers and teachers within Christ’s church. They decide, all on their own, or maybe with a few supporters, that Christ has called, gifted, and fitted them by the Holy Spirit to be preachers of the word, and so they attempt to thrust themselves into the ministry. This, dear brothers and sisters, is more common than you might think. I could tell you several stories of men who have come to us with an unholy ambition for ministry, who are convinced that they are called to the ministry, and when they see that the elders do not agree, they depart. We confess that those called by Christ, and gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit to preach must be approved and called by the church. If Christ has truly called them inwardly, then we trust that Christ will also call them outwardly through his church as the Spirit moves upon the hearts and minds of the elders and members of the congregation. 

This pattern is seen in the Romans 10 passage that was read at the beginning of this sermon. Vrse 14 says, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14–15). Preachers are not self-appointed. They must be sent by the church. 

This is what the church of Antioch did with Paul and Barnabus. “Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers…  While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:1–3).

And this is what was done to Timothy, and so Paul exhorted him saying, “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you” (1 Timothy 4:14).

Just as men must not appoint themselves to the office of elder or deacon, neither can men appoint themsleves to be preachers and teachers of God’s word. The phrase “approved and called by the church” will keep us from falling into this error which is so common today. 

On the other hand, the phrase, “approved and called by the church” keeps us from the error of thinking that it is only the job of the pastor or the eldership of the church to appoint preachers. No, just as elders must be chosen by the church and not the elders only (see 2LCF 26.9), so too gifted brothers (this is what we call those who are approved or licensed to preach) must be approved and called by the church. 

How might this work, practically speaking? Well, it could be that the members of the church think that a man possesses the gifts and graces required to preach. Perhaps they think this because of the way he speaks or prays. They notice that he is sound in the faith. He speaks with clarity. He edifies others with the word in private conversation. They notice his humility and gentleness. They can see that he walks worthily and faithfully with the heart of a servant and that his house is in order, etc. And so some of the members bring this to the attention of the elders.  Or it could be that the elders think a man has the gifts and graces required to preach, and so they bring their opinion to the members of the congregation. If the elders and the members agree, then the man should be given an opportunity to preach in a private setting in front of the members of the church only (perhaps on a Lord’s Day evening). After hearing the sermon, the church can respond to the man in one of three ways. They can say, brother, we do not think you have the gift of teaching. Or, brother, we think you might have the gift of teaching but are not yet sure. Please preach for us again on such and such a day. Or, brother, we can see that Christ has gifted and fitted you to teach, and we wish to approve and call you to this work. Just as with the reception of new members, the excommunication of unrepentant sinners, and the appointment and removal of officers, the elders of the church and the members of the church must agree. The elders cannot use their power of authority to violate the power of liberty that the members of the church have by forcing a member, elder, or gifted brother upon them, and neither can the members use their power of liberty to violate the elders’ power of authority by forcing them to lay hands on a man to ordain him or to approve and call a man to serve the church as a preacher or gifted brother. 

The third and final thing to notice about the last phrase in 2LCF 26.11 is that those approved and called by the church to preach, may and ought to perform it. The idea here, dear brothers and sisters, is that if the Lord Jesus Christ has gifted and fitted a man to preach the word, and if this call of Christ is recognized by the man (internally) and by the church (externally), then it is only right that the gift be used. If the man or the church refuses to exercise the gift, it is the Lord Jesus Christ who is disobeyed.    

Conclusion

Are ordained pastors and elders the only ones permitted to preach the word?

We confess, “Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office, yet the work of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.” (Acts 11:19-21; 1 Peter 4:10, 11)

May the risen and ascended Christ poor out these gifts and graces upon us from on high. May he bless us with more elders and deacos. May he bless us with Gifted Brothers so that the words of God will be proclaimed in our midst and dwell richly among us, and so that workers may be sent out into the harves, for the harvest, for “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2).

Old Testament Reading: 2 Kings 5:1-19

“Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, ‘Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.’ So Naaman went in and told his lord, ‘Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.’ And the king of Syria said, ‘Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.’ So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, ‘When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.’ And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, ‘Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.’ But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, ‘Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.’ So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.’ But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, ‘Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?’ So he turned and went away in a rage. But his servants came near and said to him, ‘My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?’ So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, ‘Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.’ But he said, ‘As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.’ And he urged him to take it, but he refused. Then Naaman said, ‘If not, please let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the LORD. In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.” He said to him, ‘Go in peace.’” (2 Kings 5:1–19)

New Testament Reading: Luke 17:11-19

“On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.’ When he saw them he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ And he said to him, ‘Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.’” (Luke 17:11–19)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Introduction

This is the last Lord’s Day of the year 2024. As I began to consider our text for today, I thought, what a wonderful passage to conclude the year with. As you can see, the central theme of this text is gratitude or thankfulness. Gratitude or thankfulness must be a central feature of the Christian life. The end of a year is a wonderful time to reflect upon God’s kindness to us and to give him thanks and praise. I believe this passage will help move us to give thanks and praise to God today.

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It Is Only When Men Are Aware Of Their Need That They Will Call Out To Jesus 

The first thing we see in our text is a group of men deeply aware of their need calling out to Jesus for deliverance. 

Our text opens with the words, “On the way to Jerusalem [Jesus] was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.” By these words, we can see that Luke did not present this story to us in chronological order. If ordered chronologically, this story would have been told nearer to Luke 9:51, for it was then that Jesus and his disciples were near the border of Galilee (in the north) and Samaria (in the south) as they began their journey towards Jerusalem. In Luke 17, Jesus and his disciples are further along in the journey. Luke takes us back in time when he tells this story about the ten lepers. I trust you can see that if Luke was not driven by chronological concerns to tell this story, he must have been driven by topical or thematic concerns. 

It was somewhere near the border between the regions of Galilee and Samaria that Jesus drew near to an unnamed village when he was met by ten lepers. A leper is a person with a skin disease called leprosy. Under the Old Mosaic Covenant, a person with leprosy was to be regarded as unclean and separated from society. The disease could have a terrible effect on the body. The impact it had on a person’s way of life was devastating as the individual would be cut off from family, friends, and the broader community. These ten leperous men were likely found together because they had formed a little community to support one another in their distress. 

Luke tells us that these ten leperous men stood at a distance as they cried out to Jesus. This was required by the law of Moses. Leviticus 13 contains laws regarding leprosy. There, instructions are given to the priests of Israel to diagnose the condition. There it is commanded that those with leprosy were to be pronounced unclean. They were to be separated from society. Leviticus 13:45 says, “The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp” (Leviticus 13:45–46). Here in Luke 17, we see this law in force. These ten lepers lived in a border region, on the outskirts of town, separated from society, and when they cried out to Jesus, they stood afar off. 

And what did they say to Jesus? In Luke 17:13 we read, “and [they] lifted up their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us’” (Luke 17:13). Clearly, this was a request for healing. Their miserable condition would have been apparent to all! No doubt, it was their leading concern. Above all, they wished to be healed of their infirmity so they could return to their homes and communities. 

While it would be wrong to assume that every case of leprosy was (or is) the direct consequence of some particular sin, I do believe it is correct to view the disease of leprosy and its Old Covenant consequences as a picture of sin and its effects. Sin, when unrepented of, ravages the soul. It eats away at one’s life. It results in division among men and women. It keeps us from the worship of God. These ten lepers were deeply aware of their miserable physical condition and of Jesus’ ability to heal, and so they ”lifted up their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us’” (Luke 17:13). And as we consider this scene we should feel compelled to recognize the misery of our spiritual condition – we are sinners by nature; the wages of sin is death; sin brings division between man and man; sin separates us from God and the people of God. 

The truth is only those who recognize their sin and misery will cry out to Jesus for mercy and grace. As Christ has said elsewhere, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Luke 5:31). May the Lord grant us the ability to see and to feel our need for Jesus. May God, by his grace, enable us to see that we are desperately and incurably sick in the soul so that we might call out to him as these lepers did, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”

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Jesus Is Merciful To Those Who Call Upon His Name

The second thing we see in our text is the mercy of Jesus displayed.

In verse 14 we read, “When he saw them he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). 

When Christ said,  “Go and show yourselves to the priests”, it was strongly implied that if they did so, they would be healed. I have told you that Leviticus 13 contains laws for the Old Covenant priests regarding the diagnosis of leprosy and the pronouncement of leperous persons to be ceremonially unclean. Leviticus 14 contains laws for pronouncing lepers who had been healed of the disease to be ceremonially clean. In brief, if a leper was healed of the disease, he or she would present themselves to the priest, and the priest, after confirming that the leprosy was gone, would, through ceremonies, declare the person to be clean. In light of these Old Covenant laws, when Christ said, “Go and show yourselves to the priests”, he meant, if you go, you’ll be healed of this disease before you get there so that the priests can inspect you and pronounce you clean according to the law of Moses.

Notice, that it was not the priests of the Old Covenant who would heal these men. Jesus would heal them and the priests would simply acknowledge that they were healed and pronounce them to be ceremonially clean. Here we see the difference between Old Covenant and the New put on display. The ceremonies of the Old Covenant order could make a man ceremonially clean, but they could not cleanse the soul or make a man whole body and soul. Only God and Christ can do that through the power of the New Covenant, which is the Covenant of Grace. 

And notice that Christ decided to heal these ten men through means. Could Christ have simply said, be healed, and would they have been healed? Yes. But he required them to get up and to walk by faith promising that they would be healed on the way. Christ often works in the lives of his people like this. He often saves and sanctifies his people through means. By saying this, in no way do I mean to suggest that we contribute something to our salvation. No, we are saved by God’s grace alone through faith in Christ alone. But God works through means. Christ calls us to stand up, follow him, and walk in the means of grace that he has provided. Under the Old Covenant, there was a way for lepers to be made clean. Christ healed these men by commanding them to walk the path prescribed in Leviticus 14. And under the New Covenant, God has provided a way for sinners to be made clean. Sinners must turn from their sins and trust in Jesus. They must say with their lips, “Jesus is Lord”. These are to be baptized in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These are to join churches wherein they will be taught to observe all that Christ has commanded. It is not the act of believing that saves. It is not baptism, the church, or the Lord’s Supper that saves. Jesus saves! But this is the path that those with authentic faith in Christ will walk in obedience to the command of Christ. The point is this: Just as Jesus healed these ten lepers as they demonstrated their faith in him but going to the priest in obedience to the command of Christ and according to the Scriptures, so too Christ saves and sanctifies his people as they demonstrated their authentic faith in him by turning from their sins and walking in new obedience. 

“When he saw them he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). The same could be said of all who are saved and sanctified through faith in Christ Jesus – “And as they went they were cleansed”. Notice how merciful Jesus is to those who call upon his name. Just as he cleansed these ten lepers of their physical ailments, so too he spiritually cleanses all who come to him by faith. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

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Though Nine Were Cleansed Only One Was Thankful

The third thing we see in our text is that though nine were cleansed only one was thankful. 

In verse 15 we read, “Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’” (Luke 17:15–18).

Here is a question: Did this one man return before or after he saw the priest? Commentators differ in their opinions. Some take the words, ”Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back…” to mean that he turned back immediately after he was healed to thank Jesus before proceeding to the priest in obedience to Christ’s command. My view is that this man returned to Jesus after being pronounced clean by the priest. For one, this is what Christ commanded. “Go and show yourselves to the priests”, Christ said. I believe this is what he did. Two, verse 14 says, “And as they went they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). It does not say they were healed but cleansed. I take this to mean they were healed and then pronounced clean by the priest. It is interesting that the Greek word translated as “cleansed” in Luke 17:14 is used many times in Leviticus 13 and 14  in the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament (the Septuagint). These ten were healed by Jesus and made ceremonially clean by the priests. Three, the same “Greek word is used in verse 17 where Christ says, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17). Again, I believe this word translated as “cleansed” refers to the action of the priests. So I believe this man went to the priests (perhaps the priests of Samaria). They saw that he was healed. They declared him to be ceremonially clean. After this, he returned to Jesus to praise God and to give him thanks.

The order in which these things were done is somewhat irrelevant. The point is that this man returned to Jesus to praise God and to give him thanks. Luke tells us that “he was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:16). And when Christ responded to the man, he said aloud, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17–18). Clearly, this text is meant to rebuke the Jews for their disinterest in Christ. This text also anticipates the gospel of the kingdom of Christ spreading to all nations. You would expect the Jews to be most excited and eager to honor the Messiah who was promised to them and brought into the world through them, but by in large, the Jews were indifferent towards Jesus. Many rejected him. Some opposed him strongly. And others simply did not appreciate the significance of his person or work. 

But this Samaritan who was healed and cleaned of his leprosy could see clearly. He was truly humble and he was truly grateful for the deliverance that Christ brought to him. So he returned to Jesus and praised “God with a loud voice” (Luke 17:15). More than this, “he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks” (Luke 17:16). Those who know Christ truly – those who can see the terrible reality of their sin and their misery and the greatness of the salvation that Christ has worked for them – will feel compelled to give praise God with a loud voice, and to fall on their faces to give Christ thanks. 

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Conclusion 

The question I have for you this morning is a simple one. Are you grateful? 

If you are united to Christ by faith, you have every reason to be, for in Christ you have been cleaned of your sin and rescued from your miserable condition. In Christ, you have the sure hope of life eternal. In Christ, you are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (see Ephesians 1:3). Do you see it, brothers? Do you believe it, sisters? The Samaritan leper who was healed by Christ could see it. He understood how great this salvation was, and how great the Savior was who worked this deliverance for him, and so he returned to Jesus to give him thanks and praise. And Christ said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19). If we are united to Christ by faith we have every reason to give praise to God and thanks to Christ. Those who are mature and strong in faith will see it! Those lacking maturity may be blind to the blessings that are theirs in Christ Jesus. 

As I exhort you to be grateful to God and Christ, allow me to remind you of how terrible the sin of ingratitude is. In 2 Timothy 3: 1 Paul warns the young minister, Timothy, that  “in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people” (2 Timothy 3:1–5). These are the last days, brothers and sisters. The last days began when Christ ascended into heaven and sent forth his Holy Spirit. And notice what is mentioned at the heart of this list of sins that characterize these last days. “People will be… ungrateful”, the Apostle says. To be blessed by God and cleansed by Christ and yet to be ungrateful is a truly awful thing. May ingratitude not be named among us, brothers and sisters. But may all who are united to Christ by faith choose to give thanks in all circumstances.

And this is the last thing I wish to say to you today: thankfulness is a choice. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we find a command: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”, says the Apostle. Giving thanks is something we must choose to do. Have you ever noticed that as two people face the same circumstances, one may choose to be filled with gratitude and joy and the other discontentment and misery? Perhaps you have even been cognizant of the choice you are making in your own mind and heart. As you look out upon your circumstances you realize that you are at a crossroads. You can either choose to be thankful and joyful or ungrateful and filled with misery. As I have said, the Christian has every reason to be thankful and joyful in Christ Jesus. It’s not as if we need to fool ourselves into thinking that we are blessed or lie to ourselves to convince ourselves everything is going to be okay. No, In Christ we are blessed. In Christ our future hope is secure. We must see it, believe it, and choose to live a life marked by gratitude, thankfulness, and praise. 

May the Lord help us in the year to come. May he strengthen our faith and enable us by his grace to give praise to God and, with humble and grateful hearts, to  fell on our faces at Jesus’ feet to give him thanks.

Old Testament Reading: Zechariah 7

“In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev. Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech and their men to entreat the favor of the LORD, saying to the priests of the house of the LORD of hosts and the prophets, ‘Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?’ Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me: ‘Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves? Were not these the words that the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and prosperous, with her cities around her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?’’ And the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.’ But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the LORD of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of hosts. ‘As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate.’” (Zechariah 7)

New Testament Reading: Luke 17:1–10

“And he said to his disciples, ‘Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.’ The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ And the Lord said, ‘If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Luke 17:1–10)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Introduction

It is important to note that this passage we are considering today concludes the discourse that began in Luke 15:1. It was in Luke 15:1 that we read, “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear [Jesus]. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them’” (Luke 15:1–2). This was the setting in which all that is recorded for us in Luke 15:3-17:10 transpired. We are to picture Jesus and his apostles. On the one side, we find many tax collectors and sinners, and on the other side, we find the scribes and Pharisees – the religious elite of Israel. Hear it again: “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear [Jesus]. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them’” (Luke 15:1–2). 

In response to the grumbling of these self-righteous and judgemental religious leaders, Christ told a series of parables: the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the prodigal son. Each parable reveals the Messiah’s heart to seek and save the lost within Israel. Each of parable reveals how out of sync the scribes and Pharisees were with the heart of God and his Messiah. Christ came to seek and save the lost. He rejoiced when sinners turned from their sins and placed their faith in him. But the Pharisees grumbled and complained – they could not believe that Jesus would associate with sinners like these. 

Christ then told the parable of the dishonest manager. Each in their way, the tax collectors and sinners and the scribes and Pharisees were dishonest managers. Each in their way, these had squandered the gifts and graces entrusted to them. This parable was a call to repentance. Christ called these to “make friends for [themselves] by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9). He warned them, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Luke 16:13).

But Luke tells us in verse 14, that the “Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him” (Luke 16:14). And so Christ rebuked them for their worldly ways: He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. ‘The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void. Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery” (Luke 16:14–18).

After this, Christ told the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. In this parable, we see where love for money will lead. The rich man loved money and the earthly pleasures it brings. He closed his heart towards those in need. When he died, he suffered the torments of hell. But the poor man, Lazarus, was helped by God. When he died he was comforted by Father Abraham, for he had the faith of Abraham –that is to say, faith in the Messiah promised to Abraham..

I have reminded you of the scene of Luke 15:1 – the scribes and Pharisees on one side, and the tax collectors and sinners on the other, with Christ and his Apostles in between – and of the teaching that Christ delivered to this great multitude so that we might be well prepared to consider Christ’s concluding remarks today. 

Do Not Tempt Those Of Low Status

In Luke 17:1 we read, “And he said to his disciples…” So then, with a great multitude around him – tax collectors and sinners on one side, and scribes and Pharisees on the other – Christ turned his attention to his disciples (a disciple is a follower or learner). I take this to mean that he spoke directly to the twelve, the 70, and perhaps to others who had followed him closely for some time, as everyone else listened in.  

And what did Jesus say to his disciples? “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!” Why are temptations sure to come? Because we live in a fallen world! Temptations to sin are all around us. The Evil One will tempt people to sin. And people will tempt people to sin too. It is this second scenario that Christ refers to. “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!” Here Christ pronounces woes upon those who tempt others to sin against God. A woe is a denouncement, a statement of pity, and a warning of impending doom.  

This is not the first time Luke has told us about Christ pronouncing woes upon sinners. 

In Luke 6:24-26, after pronouncing blessings upon the poor, hungry, and mournful, and upon the faithful who are hated, excluded, and reviled on account of the Son of Man, Christ said, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:24–26)

In Luke 10:13 Christ pronounced woes upon two unbelieving communities. “Woe to you, Chorazin (Χοραζίν)! Woe to you, Bethsaida (Βηθσαϊδά)! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.” (Luke 10:13)

And in Luke 11:42-52, Christ pronounces woes upon the Pharisees. “‘But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.’ One of the lawyers answered him, ‘Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.’ And he said, ‘Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs… Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge [the key of the knowledge is the key that unlocks the door to heaven – the key of knowledge is the knowledge of salvation through faith in Jesus the Christ]. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering” (Luke 11:42–52).

So you can see that many woes have been pronounced upon the unrighteous rich, the worldly, the unbelieving, and those who would hinder others from believing that Jesus is the Messiah. Here in the text that is open before us today, Christ pronounces woes upon those who would tempt others to sin. “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!”, Christ says.  

There are many ways in which a person might tempt others to sin. For example, those who dress provocatively might tempt others to lust. Those who live a life of sin and rebellion against God might, by their words and actions, tempt others to do the same. Some people might tempt others to sin in a very direct way, saying, come and sin with me, or you do not want to follow after Jesus, do you? I’m sure you could imagine a hundred different ways that one person might tempt another person to sin. Given the context, I do believe Jesus is here warning his disciples to not tempt others to sin as the scribes and Pharisees have just done. Many tax collectors and sinners were flocking to Jesus, and the scribes and Pharisees – the shepherds of Israel –  were discouraging it. They should have urged men and women to come to the Messiah! Instead, they were hindering others from following after him. 

Jesus helps us to understand just how terrible it would be to cause someone to sin in this way when he says, “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin” (Luke 17:2).

A millstone is a large and heavy stone with a hole in the middle used to grind grain. To have a millstone hung around your neck and to be cast into the sea, would mean certain death. A person would be drug very quickly down into the abyss of the sea by that stone. Their descent would not slow until they hit the very bottom of the sea, and there they would remain forever. Christ says it would be better to die this death than to cause “one of these little ones to sin.”

What little ones, you ask? No children are mentioned in the narrative. Where did these children come from? In fact, it is a mistake to assume that “little ones” means children. The Greek word translated as “little ones” can refer to those who are small in stature or younger, but it can also be used to refer to those of small or low social status, and that is the meaning here. Who are the little ones to whom Jesus refers? They are the tax collectors, sinners, and outcasts who had drawn near to him. “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.” 

Or to use the imagery from the parable Christ just told, Lazarus represents the little ones. Can you see him there, laying at the gate of the rich man, covered in sores, wishing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table, and the rich man lived in luxury and feasted sumptuously every day? Christ teaches that it would be better for a person to have a millstone hung around his neck and be cast into the sea than to do what that rich man did in tempting the little one, Lazarus, to sin.

Why would it be better to die this terrible physical death than to do what the rich man of the parable did, and what many of the Pharisees were doing, by causing these little ones to sin? To find the answer we must consider the eternal destiny of the rich man. He died, and his soul was drug by the weight of his sin, to the depths of the abyss of Sheol. As you may know, the sea often symbolizes Sheol in the Scriptures, and so we have a comparison here between things earthy and spiritual. It would be better to die this terrible physical death in the sea than to live as the rich man did and to perish eternally in the depths of Sheol.  

The warning is very clear. We must be careful to not cause others, especially those who are weak and vulnerable within society,  to sin. Every disciple of Jesus must be careful to not cause others to sin. Every disciple of Jesus should especially be careful to not hinder someone from following after Jesus. But those with spiritual authority must be especially careful to not cause little ones to sin. How might those with spiritual authority cause little ones to sin? Two things come immediately to mind. Through false teaching, and through harsh treatment. The Pharisees were doing both. They had taken away the key of knowledge, remember? This means they had failed to preach the truth of the gospel from the Scriptures. And they were self-righteous and judgemental towards the multitudes. They looked down upon the people and were repulsed when they saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners. The Scriptures say that those with spiritual authority (those who preach and teach the word ) will be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1). This is why Christ warned his disciples, and especially his Apostles, saying, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin” (Luke 17:1–2).

Pay Attention To Yourselves

In verses 3-4, Christ teaches his disciples what they must do instead. Instead of tempting others to sin, or causing others to sin, disciples of Jesus must help one another not to sin. And when sins are committed (because they certainly will be committed), disciples of Jesus must be eager and willing to forgive. Look at verse 3: “Pay attention to yourselves!”, Christ says. In other words, be alert, ready, and on guard against sin. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him…” (Luke 17:3).   

Think of how different this attitude or approach to sin is compared to the attitude and approach of the scribes and Pharisees. “Be on guard” against sin, Christ said. But the scribes and Pharisees justified themselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him”, Christ says. To rebuke is to express strong disapproval. It’s aim is repentance and restoration. Disciples of Jesus must rebuke one another where sin is present, out of a heart of love, with the end goal being repentance and restoration. A rebuke is meant to help! But the scribes and Pharisees did not lovingly rebuke. They condemned! “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him…” This is the Christian way. Within the Christian community, disciples of Jesus are to be on guard against sin, we are to lovingly and helpfully rebuke one another where sin is present, and when there is repentance, we are to forgive one another. We are to forgive one another personally, and we are to remind one another that we are forgiven by God through faith in Christ Jesus. 

Forgiveness is to be freely extended by the disciples of Jesus. If a person repents truly and sincerely, forgiveness must be extended over and over again. In verse 4 we read, “and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him” (Luke 17:4). To forgive is to release the person of their debt. To forgive is to cover. Strictly speaking, our sin is against God and God alone. Strictly speaking, it is only God who can forgive us of our sins. This he does through Christ Jesus, for it is Christ who had paid for the sins of those who trust in him; it is Christ who has covered those sins so that God remembers them no more. But our sins against God are often also sins against other people. When someone wrongs us, we must be eager and willing to forgive them when they repent. When Christ says, “and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him” (Luke 17:4), he means that we must forgive freely. As God freely forgives you in Christ Jesus, so you must freely forgive others. Disciples of Jesus must extend forgiveness to all who repent, and it is especially important that forgiveness be extended to fellow disciples. “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him’” (Luke 17:3–4). You say it is hard to imagine a Christian sinning against another Christian seven times in one day and truly repenting seven times! Yes, this is an extreme scenario! The point is that our forgiveness must be extreme. We must not withhold forgiveness when repentance is truly expressed and displayed. How could we possibly consider repentance to be true if the brother sins against us repeatedly in one day, even seven times! Well, perhaps each sin is a different sin. Besides, this saying of Jesus is not about true repentance. It’s about radical forgiveness! Forgive freely, that is the point of the saying, ​​” and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Again, I must draw your attention to how radically different this attitude and approach to sin and forgiveness is compared to the attitude and approach of the scribes and Pharisees. They justified themselves. They were filled with self-righteous pride. They condemned sinners. They did not help them. And they were not interested in forgiving or in seeing forgiveness extended to sinners. Do not forget, that when they saw the tax collectors and sinners drawing near to Jesus, they “grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them’” (Luke 15:2). Christ taught his disciples to take a radically different approach. “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him’” (Luke 17:3–4).

It was in response to this radical teaching about sin and forgiveness that the apostles of Christ said, Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5). Increase our faith. Give us the faith to believe this teaching about sin and forgiveness and to obey it. It’s difficult to put into words, but I do think that pastors and seasoned churchmen and women will understand why the apostles responded to this teaching about sin and forgiveness by crying out to Jesus, saying, “Increase our faith.” It requires great faith to live as Christ here calls us to live. It requires great faith to rebuke sin where it is found in the church and to forgive again and again when repentance is expressed. 

Do not forget the scene! I do believe that when Christ said, “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him’”, the apostles of Christ looked out upon the great multitude that they would be called to lead, many of whom were tax collectors and sinners who had expressed repentance – Lord, help us, they said. Increase our faith so that we might minister to these according to the ethic you have prescribed. 

Christ’s response is found in verse 6. “And the Lord said, ‘If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you’” (Luke 17:6). 

To obey Christ’s teaching regarding sin and forgiveness seems impossible. Indeed, considered from a merely human perspective, it is impossible. The world does not confront sin like this or forgive like this. The world loves sin – it does not rebuke it. And worldly people do not so freely forgive. When one person wrongs another, it will result in a broken relationship and division. Worldly people will simply cut one another off when offended. This is because their hearts are hard and devoid of the love of Christ. To obey Christ’s teaching regarding sin and forgiveness seems as impossible as speaking to a mulberry tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea, and for it to live and bear fruit in that place. Trees are not easily uprooted. If uprooted they do not typically live. And they certainly do not live if planted in the sea! But Christ says, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed” – if you had just a little faith – you would be able to do this. 

This saying is clearly filled with symbolism. It is not about uprooting mulberry trees and planting them in the sea. Most fundamentally, this saying communicates that through faith in God and Christ, the apostles would be able to do that which seems impossible. By faith, the apostles would be empowered by God and Christ to lead a multitude of repentant sinners, to rebuke sin, and to forgive sin just as Christ commanded. By faith, they would be empowered to further the kingdom of Christ in this way. And I cannot help but notice that the sea is mentioned twice in this text. It would be better for those who cause these little ones to stumble to have a millstone hung around their neck and be cast into the sea. But in contrast to this, when the disciples of Jesus walk by faith, care for these little ones, help them with sin by rebuking it, and extend and pronounce forgiveness whenever true repentance is expressed, they will find life and fruitfulness springing up in people and places once characterized only by darkness and death.

Do Your Duty With Humility

All of the teaching delivered by Christ in the presence of the multitude, the scribes and Pharisees, and his disciples, beginning in 15:1, was meant to be obeyed by his disciples. Like Jesus, Christ’s disciples are to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom freely,  receive those who come to Christ, care for the weak and the needy among them, rebuke sin where it is present, and freely forgive. In this way, Christ’s kingdom will be planted, grow, and bear fruit in the most unlikely of places. And how disciples of Jesus to regard themselves as they obey Christ? This is what verses 7-10 are about. 

“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty’” (Luke 17:7–10).

How are disciples of Jesus to regard themselves as they serve Christ in this world? As unworthy servants who have only done their duty. Servants that do their duty have nothing to boast about. The master may commend his servants for their fine service, but he does not owe them thanks. When is it appropriate to say “thank you”? When a gift is given to you! But we do not give Christ a gift when we serve him faithfully. We merely do our duty. Christ will commend his faithful servants at the end of time, saying, “well done my good and faithful servant”. But he will not thank us as if we gave a gift to him or went above and beyond in some way. No, when we obey Christ and serve him in this world, we merely do what is required of us, for Christ is our master and King, and we are his servants.   

Conclusion 

May the Lord grant us the faith and humility required to live as he has called us to live in his world.  May he keep us from sin and from causing others to sin. May we be found faithful, so that on the last day we hear these words of commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21).