Lesson for 5/1

Hey all, the Sunday School lesson for tomorrow comes from Luke 17:1-10. Its titled "Increased Faith" Verse 1 begins with Jesus talking to His disciples, He says "There will always be offenses and temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the one who does the tempting!" 2 "It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a milestone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. 3 "So watch yourselves! If another believer sins against you, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive." Very powerful set of verses so far! Jesus expresses the weight of us knowing better, and causing those that may be less fortunate or who knows less, to fall into sin. So far it also expresses how we should rebuke, or correct each other as believers in love; and forgive! Verse 4, "Even if a person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive." After reading this, I look at society and the world today; when wronged, people often adapt the notion of revenge or getting even. As believers, some of us even struggle in this area as well. Verse 5-6, the apostles said to the Lord. "Show us how to increase our faith." The Lord answered,, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!" - If you recall in our previous lessons, we spoke about simple faith being powerful faith! As Jesus said in this verse..It doesn't always require an impossible amount a faith to witness miracles and draw closer to God; small faith! The lesson goes on with verse 7 “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? 8 No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ 9 And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. 10 In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty."  - As I reflect on this, I think of a similar analogy of how an employee is on a job and getting paid to do that job, but expects recognition or a raise for something they are already supposed to be doing. Jesus is telling US that we should consider ourselves unworthy servants who have simply done our duty. When we attend church, Bible study, or do good deeds - we shouldn't expect a handout or a blessing from God; this is what we are SUPPOSED to do as believers. Its amazing when we praise God and He showers us with blessings; but the expectation for praising Him should not be for what we can get out of it, but its all for His Glory, and its what He expects of us. Understanding this and forgiving others as God forgives us will help us Increase Our Faith!

Thanks for reading, God bless!