Kingdom Principle: One relationship image that is important for us to maintain before a holy and righteous God is that between Master and servant. Jesus teaches us this morning that we are mere servants. We have nothing of real value to offer the Lord as if he needed us. We serve at his pleasure and serving the Lord is always for our good and his glory. 

1. The Good Master Commands without __________________________

Luke 17:7–10 (ESV) — 7 “Will any one of you (master) who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him… 8 Will he not rather say to him… 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded… 

The role of the Master is to make commands, to command what is good, and to command without exception. The role of the servant is to obey those commands without excuse or expectation. 

Q: Why is it good that the Lord command and that he expects his subjects to obey those commands absolutely?

A: God is absolutely good and therefore what he commands is always best. 

Psalm 19:1–2 (ESV) — 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 

Deuteronomy 32:4 (ESV) — 4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. 

Psalm 119:68 (ESV) — 68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. 

Disregarding God’s commands at any point leads to death and destruction. 

Genesis 3:1–5 (ESV) — 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 

1. The Good Servant Obeys without  __________________

Luke 17:10 (ESV) — 10 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.’ ” 

A good servant does all that the master commands without excuse and without expecting anything in return. 

If God’s commands are good and they lead to life, even the obeying brings about inherent blessing. More than this, the Scripture teaches us that God rewards his people for faithful service, but God is not obligated to reward us.

Acts 17:24–25 (ESV) — 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 

The blessing is the consequence of obeying not the reward for obeying. 

Psalm 1:1–3 (ESV) — 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 

Questions to Consider

• Why are God’s commands good? Why do we struggle to obey God’s commands?

• What is something God is calling you to do that you are struggling with? How might you trust him in faith to obey his command?