Welcome to Ontario Community Church, where we are encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ.
! I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and each week I share sermons that balance the grace and love of Jesus Christ with the truth of the Word of God.
Together, we'll explore Scripture using observation, interpretation, and application.
This helps us discover practical ways to live out our faith every single day.
Let's dive in together into God's Word.
Well, good morning, everyone.
I hope all of us are staying cool as the weather is starting to heat up and everything.
I want us to turn our Bibles to the Gospel of Luke as we just had our Scripture reading in Luke chapter 17.
What we have here is we'll be going over the unprofitable servants from verses 7 through 10 in the Gospel of Luke chapter 17.
In order for us to even begin to understand this very heavy, it's simple but yet it's heavy, parable.
I want us to turn there and start in verse 17 here where we see in the first two verses where Christ is saying to his disciples, right?
Talking about the temptations that they are sure to come, right?
Woe to the one through who they come.
It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and cast into the sea.
That's very, very harsh language we're seeing.
But it's a warning from Christ against causing these little ones to stumble.
And this is found after the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
And it's very important for us to consider the context of what is going on here.
That the rich man's sin was making an idol out of money.
And that's something that was very common back then and it is still common even now.
That there are people who they will idolize riches, fame, things that are outside of the Lord.
We have to consider this.
It goes on then into verses 3 and 4, right?
Pay attention to yourself.
If your brother sins, rebuke him.
And if he repents, forgive him.
And if he sins against you seven times in a day and turns to you seven times saying,
I repent, you must forgive him, right?
It's showing the importance of, well, rebuking and repentance, right?
Who here likes being rebuked here, right?
Nobody.
Nobody in that.
But it's showing that when there is wrong that is being done, there's the call for repentance.
There's the call for speaking to that.
Forgive as you have been forgiven, in other words.
Which then is leading us into 5 and 6 as it's kind of paving the way here where the apostles are saying to the Lord,
increase our faith.
And the Lord said, if you add faith like the grain of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree,
be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey you.
And that leads us now to this parable of the unworthy servants.
Where we start off where it's saying, will any of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in the field,
come at once and recline at the table.
It's talking about the return of servants.
It's now very commonly in scripture and the biblical culture back then.
The plowing of the field and the tending to the sheep was the most common duty that was expected from a servant.
And so it's very interesting.
We see plowing and shepherding, right?
The breaking the hard ground, the soil as it were.
And of course, shepherding would be caring for and guiding the flock.
So we see that there right away.
It's important for us to see these are a couple of things that were common for servants to have.
Leading into verse 8 then,
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?
We'll just finish this off.
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.
It's kind of a strange parable if you think about it.
Well, when we're going back to verse 8,
verse 7 and verse 8,
the servant, he is plowing, he is keeping the sheep.
This idea of reclining at a table,
you see this a few times in scripture.
When you first read it,
you think, okay,
the guy's just,
he's had a hard day at work.
He wants to sit down.
He wants to have some water.
He wants to have a break.
That's not what's being explained here.
The reclining at the table is speaking of a place of honor.
Now, when you read it on the surface,
you get one understanding,
but culturally, reclining at the table is more of the place of honor
where you are being served
rather than just simply sitting in a chair
or sitting on the couch after a hard day's work.
So that's very important for us to see.
Then, of course,
yeah, it says honor, leisure.
It's found in the gospel of Luke chapter 12.
We're not going to turn there.
12, 37 and John 13, 23.
So it's saying that there is still work that needs to be done
in the respect that you as a servant
are not being placed in a position of honor.
That's what's being said here.
Now, before the servant eats,
he must serve the master, right?
That's what we're seeing in verse 8.
Will he not rather say to him,
prepare supper for me and dress properly
and serve me while I eat and drink
and what does it say after?
Afterward, you will eat and drink.
So it's showing here.
So the master's not being neglectful.
It's just understand that there's still things
that have to be done in this respect.
And so in verse 9 then,
does he thank the servant
because he did what was commanded?
That's an interesting question.
Well, in this case,
and it's hard for us to read something like this
because we think of servants and slaves
and that kind of language back then,
it's hard for us to understand
in a modern sort of concept that happens.
Well, we don't necessarily have slaves
or servants nowadays,
or at least I hope you don't.
But it's important for us to at least understand
that back then that was more common
in the given culture.
And so what he's saying here
is that the master's not going to give extra favor
for doing what's already meant to be done.
It's kind of like a similar rendering,
a similar theme that we can see would be
if you have a job and you have your employer
and you're expected to do certain things,
well, it's nice to get a pat on the back,
but when you're doing what's already expected of you,
you should see it through to the end, right?
You should complete your job at hand.
That's kind of the only modern parallel
that we could see nowadays
because, again, we don't have servants and slaves anymore,
so it's a little hard for us to understand.
And then, of course, at verse 10,
it closes off,
so you also, when you have done all your commanded,
say we are unworthy servants,
we have done what was our duty.
That's kind of a strange one there.
Being unworthy.
And so, when it's talking about we are unworthy,
it's talking about the word unprofitable.
For those of you who remember the series I did on Philemon,
you had Onesimus,
who was someone,
his name means useless or useful.
He was once useless,
and he became useful.
It's very similar language in that,
that we are unprofitable, right?
So it's similar to what we would find in Philemon.
And so, it's the wordplay.
This parable, then,
even though it may be hard for us to understand,
is very similar when we start connecting the dots
with other parables.
For example,
the parable of the prodigal son.
You remember that story.
The one runs off,
squanders all his money,
and he comes back,
and there's a celebration.
And you had the other brother,
who was rather upset.
And I'll tell you,
I feel like I'm not the only one
who struggled with that parable, right?
We can be honest here.
Well, there's this big celebration
of this son that's returning,
but some of us identify with the other son
that's been there the entire time,
doing what he's supposed to do.
Very similar language
to what we're finding here.
These servants are doing
what they're supposed to do.
They are already within the fold,
within the protection,
within the knowing of the master.
And so, there's no need for celebration.
As hard as it is for us to understand,
and even at times,
well, agree with it,
that's what the Lord is going for in that.
The other thing is,
well, when you think of the parable of the talents,
it's, in other words,
how someone responds
to what the master,
to what God has for your life.
Are you going to do
what the Lord has called you to do,
or are you not?
That's what we have here.
And so,
this then kind of leads us
into our interpretation here.
It's only a couple of verses here
that we're seeing.
Our interpretation then,
or you know what?
Let me go here.
This is our outline.
The servant returns from the field.
The master's orders
to prepare my supper.
There's no extra thanks
for the mere duty.
And the disciples are saying,
we are unprofitable servants,
which is showing this mirroring
for what, one,
a disciple of Christ
is supposed to do.
Now, when you think about it,
I want to stop for a second.
I want you to see the parallel here.
When we're talking about,
because this is very negative language,
it's kind of like,
this is kind of sad.
It's kind of like,
okay,
saying that you're an unworthy servant
and I've only done
what I'm supposed to do.
We have to look at it
as these servants
are known by the master
and the servants are doing
what they are called to do.
And when the disciples,
then,
are saying the same thing,
it's much like how we,
when we are in,
when we are saved by grace
through faith,
there are things that we
ought to do.
Following in the footsteps
of Christ.
And so,
the first point here,
when we go into
our interpretation,
this will make more sense,
that obedience creates
no leverage.
It's not like
these servants
who are already
under the protection,
they're,
you know,
employed,
they're housed,
all these things,
it's not like they can do
something extra
that would make the master
owe them money.
Does that make sense?
And so,
in the same way,
for us being saved
by grace through faith,
we are called
to do good
in the name of Christ,
we are called
to grow in Christ,
but it's not like
we're going to have
leverage against God.
It's not like
we're going to
outperform God.
The Lord has us
covered through
the blood of the Lamb.
The Lord has us
covered.
And us,
like trees,
we are to produce
fruit,
we are to bear
good fruit,
that's part of
being in the vineyard,
being in the care
of the Lord.
So,
that first point there
when it says
obedience creates
no leverage,
even in the context
within this
parable,
even having
the mustard seed
like faith
or constantly
forgiving each other
doesn't create
leverage against God.
okay,
when you're in
the fold,
you are in,
amen?
So,
it's not like,
hey God,
I went above
and beyond
because that's
going to create
a works-based
system.
And that's not
what God is
going for.
Remember the point
when we think
of all of
Christianity
that we are
saved by grace
through faith
that whosoever
believes
shall not perish
but have
eternal life.
and yet
often at times
we still like
to go back
to the old
system
where
look at all
that I'm doing.
I want
extra things.
And what it's
saying here is
well,
you're still
a servant here.
And so,
in other words,
the things that you do
does not create
a debt
that God
can pay
because God's
already paid
the debt.
So,
you don't have
to,
you're still
called to do
things but
just understand
you're not
going to give
God a bill
when he's
already paid
it all.
The second
thing then
is that grace
empowers
our service.
This is a very
powerful thing
that the servant
again already
belongs to the
master.
So often in
scripture,
you see the
apostle Paul
saying that
he is a
slave or
a bond
servant or
he serves
the living
God.
The idea
being that
he belongs
to Christ
and that
he serves
the living
God.
Belonging
to the
Lord,
belonging
to the
master,
we are
protected,
we are
saved,
we are
secure,
and we
are called
to be
healed,
to be
transformed,
to grow,
and to be
moved to
produce fruit.
It's much
like how we
find in
Ephesians,
you are
saved by
grace through
faith,
not by
works so
that no
man may
boast.
It goes
on into
that verse
10,
we are
saved for
works.
We are
saved so
that we
can do
good for
God's
glory.
And so
whether you
are in
the field
or whether
you are
helping the
flock,
you can
see the
spirituality
in that.
When we
think of
the soil,
breaking
ground,
when we
think of
hardened
hearts and
how God
is working
through you
to change
hardened
hearts to
be soft,
or even
shepherding,
which is
ministering
to people,
showing care
and compassion
to your
neighbor,
your brothers
and sisters
in Christ,
those around
you,
those that
you interact
with.
We are
empowered
because we
can have
confidence in
the living
God,
because we
can have
full confidence
in our
salvation.
that should
be the
greatest
motivator
for us
to act,
to share
in the
gospel message
with others,
to share
in your
testimony.
How has
God worked
in your
life?
Have you
experienced
his healing
or a still
small voice?
Or maybe
just a simple
transformation,
maybe a
simple change
in how
you love
or how
you live
or how
you speak
to others.
Perhaps
it is
important for
you to
take inventory
of these
kind of
things.
The third
thing then
is humility
guards against
what church?
Entitlement.
Now,
it's very
important we
see so much
in scripture
where we
have to be
mindful.
we have
to check
our pride.
There's a
famous saying
that I like
when I first
heard it,
I've never
forgotten it.
It's you
got to check
yourself before
you wreck
yourself.
Right?
You got to
check your
pride.
In other
words,
you have to
check your
heart.
And so
when you
see here
the unprofitable
servants,
it's about
the heart.
Recognizing
that they
are serving
the master
and they
need him.
again,
that's hard
for us
nowadays to
understand.
But back
then,
that made
a lot of
sense.
In other
words,
think of
it as
without the
Lord,
we are
nothing.
We rely
on the
Lord as
the source
of life.
We rely
on the
Lord for
salvation in
Christ.
We rely
on the
Lord,
or at
least we
should to
guide us
and to
help mold
us into
who he
wants us
to be.
How much
trust do
you put
in the
Lord?
I can't
answer that
for you.
But it's a
question to
think about.
If we are
to boast,
let us
boast in
the Lord
and not
boasting
in ourselves.
so when
you see
that last
thing,
when you
see that
last verse,
we are
unworthy
servants.
They are
recognizing.
They are
humbling
themselves
before God.
That is
what you're
seeing in
this scene.
We have
only done
what is our
duty.
We have
done what
you have
called us
to do.
It's a
posture
of humility.
They are
considering
their heart
before the
Lord.
Which leads
us then,
what do we
do with
this?
It begins
to make a
lot more
sense.
Because at
first you
read it and
you're like,
okay,
these servants
are just,
they're being
very humble.
But we
start to
see,
a servant
looking towards
his master
is realizing
he is,
in this case,
is thanking
the master
for being,
remember how I
talked about
previously,
you want to
be in the
vineyard?
You want to
be in the
protection of
the Lord?
Well, you
want to be
where God
is.
You want to
serve the
living God.
You want
your life
to reflect
and to
shine the
light of
Christ so
that others
can see.
And so,
what do we
do with
this?
The first
thing is to
develop a
servant's
heart in
prayer.
There's many
of us that
know someone
who has a
hardened heart.
Don't raise
your hand,
but do we
know someone?
You may
know someone
who is
resistant to
God,
is resistant
to Scripture,
is really
resistant to,
well,
any good
thing that
comes from
the Lord.
Hopefully,
it's none
of us here.
But even
if it is,
it is important
for us as
the body of
Christ,
as the
church,
to pray
that hardened
hearts will
be softened.
Not only
should we pray
for one
another,
but we
should pray
for our
friends,
our families.
Think of
someone that
you know
who has a
hardened
heart,
and pray for
them.
And if you
realize that
you have a
hardened heart,
praise God.
let this be
a time for
you to
pray to
the Lord
and come
before Him
and ask
for that
heart
transformation.
Because God
is the God
of transformation.
So consider
some prayers
when you wake
up in the
morning.
Father,
show me
what you
have for
me today.
Or in the
evening before
you go to
bed,
the good
that I have
accomplished,
I thank
you for.
It is
yours.
I give
to you
what was
due,
what was
expected.
And I tell
you,
this is a
challenge.
This is not
an easy
thing to
preach upon,
let alone
to implement.
But how
beautiful is
it to
wake up in
the morning
and ask
God to
lead and
guide you?
What do
you want me
to do
today?
How can
I glorify
you in
the morning?
How can
I thank
you today?
Or at
the end
of the
day,
and look,
when we
think of
us today,
we may
not always
have a
perfect
day.
Let us
turn to
the Lord
in those
good,
those bad
days,
and of
course,
those ugly
days.
None of
us here
have had
an ugly
day
before.
We've
all had
ugly
days,
right?
We've
had bad
days.
You
still
give it
to the
Lord.
God,
I didn't
have a
good day
at all.
My AC
went out.
My tire
went flat.
My boss
was mean
to me.
Whatever
it is,
offer it
to the
Lord.
The second
thing,
then,
is to
serve
without
what?
The
expectation
of applause.
And Scripture
talks about
this so
much,
right?
To not
be like
the hypocrites,
for example.
There's a
famous
quote or
saying,
and if I
get it
wrong,
I apologize.
It's
basically,
character
is what
you do
when no
one is
watching.
Something to
that effect,
right?
Or
integrity.
What do
you do
when no
one is
looking?
Do you
steal the
five dollars?
when no
one's
there?
It's
five bucks?
Or do
you do
the
responsible
thing?
That's a
question.
In the
same way,
then,
even when
what you're
doing,
when you're
serving the
Lord,
or you're
giving it
all at
school,
or you're
performing
your best
at work,
whatever it
may be,
always remember
you do
your best
in excellence
for the
glory of
God,
and recognize
there will
be times
well,
how many
times have
we done
something and
not gotten
a pat on
the back
or an
applause or
an appreciation?
Please don't
raise your
hand.
But there
are times
where that
happens,
especially
like when I
think of
my own
children,
when we
think of
our own
kids,
the things
that we
do behind
the scenes
to make
life better
for our
family,
for our
friends.
things.
And so
it's a
call for
you to
consider,
just like
that first
point,
how is
your heart,
you know,
the first
point is
for you to
ask yourself,
what is your
heart posture
towards God?
Do you have
a soft
heart or
a hardened
heart?
For the
second one
is,
will I
still do
the right
thing even
when no
one is
looking?
That's a
way to
gauge your
heart.
Am I
still going
to serve
the Lord
even when
I'm not
appreciated?
Am I
still going
to do
the right
thing even
when no
one is
looking?
That's a
hard question
for sure.
Because a
lot of us,
let's be
honest,
we like
getting
appreciated.
We like
being thanked
for what
we do.
And certainly
we should
thank others.
Don't get
me wrong.
I'm not
saying don't
be appreciative
or thankful
for what
others do.
But when
you are
serving,
understand that
may not
always happen.
And so,
when we
think of
our time,
our talent,
and our
treasure,
give to
the Lord.
You are
serving him
and not
man.
And in
everything,
just know
that it
does matter
what you
do.
The final
thing then
is to
lead as
a servant
leader.
There's no
spacing there.
That's
all right.
It's to
lead as
a servant
leader.
What does
it mean
to be a
servant
leader?
Well,
first off,
it is
knowing that
you belong
to the
Lord,
right?
That you're
growing in
him and
you're
moved to
live like
him,
to love
like him,
and to
lead others
by Christ's
example.
Doesn't
Jesus Christ
give us
an example
of how we
should live
our lives?
Doesn't
scripture tell
us that
we should
forgive one
another?
Showing
compassion,
love, but
also we
have the
love side
and we
have the
truth side
because we
stand on
the truth
of God's
word and
we deal
in love.
And so
it is
through your
words,
it is
through
your
actions,
how you
speak to
people.
How do
you speak
to your
neighbor?
How do
you speak
to your
family?
How do
you do
that?
And also
in your
actions.
How are
your actions?
I mean,
I know a
lot of
us,
we know
that actions
speak louder
than words,
but the
two should
be in
alignment.
Don't be
a hypocrite
in your
words and
your actions.
they need
to be
in
alignment.
Be
an
ambassador
for
Christ.
That's
what
matters,
is that
you represent
Christ.
In
knowing the
Lord,
in
believing
in
him,
recognize
that you're
saved,
and be
transformed
by him.
Show
others
through
your words
and your
actions
that you
are a
Christian,
that you
are saved.
And whether
you are out
in a
field,
preparing
the soil
or preparing
hearts,
or whether
you are
tending
the sheep,
whether it's
literal sheep,
or it's
tending
those that
know the
Lord,
the flock,
what matters
is that you
belong to
God,
and you
serve him.
we are
certainly
saved by
grace through
faith.
We grow
and we
do good
in his
name.
That is
our
calling.
That is
our
mission.
That is
our
objective,
to be
saved,
to grow
in his
name,
and to
do good
in the
name of
Jesus
Christ.
Certainly
the
setting
and the
situation
may
change,
but God
is
constant.
Who do
you belong
to?
And who
do you
serve?
Let us
remember
then,
that God's
grace
is enough.
God
supplies us
with all
that we
need.
What a
wonderful God
that we
serve.
Without
him,
we are
nothing.
And to
bring it
all home,
I want
to challenge
you.
I want
you to
turn your
Bibles
real quick
as we
close here.
I want
you to
go to
1 Peter.
It's
not on
the screen.
1 Peter
chapter 4
verse 11.
It's
on page
1206
in the
ESV
Pew
Bible.
I'll
start with
verse 8.
Are we
all there,
church?
So I'll
start with
verse 8.
Above
all,
keep loving
one another
earnestly,
since love
covers a
multitude of
sins.
show
hospitality
to one
another
without
grumbling.
As each
has received
a gift,
use it
to serve
one another
as good
stewards
of God's
varied grace.
When we
talk about
being a
servant,
part of
that is
stewardship.
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 what?
The strength
that God
supplies,
in order
that in
everything may
be glorified
through Jesus
Christ.
To him
belong glory
and dominion
forever and
ever.
Amen.
Do you see
that there?
it helps
us with
our
understanding
of the
parable
that whoever
serves,
God will
give you
the strength
and he
will supply
with what
you need
and in
doing this
that God
may be
glorified
through
Jesus
Christ.
And so
let that
truth,
let that
remain with
you today
as we
close and
we see
how powerful
this parable
is.
May it
stir
our hearts.
May we
have a
heart of
gratitude.
May we
seek God,
grow in
him,
and do
good in
his name.
Let's pray
together.
And Father,
we thank
you for
this time,
this opportunity
for us
to go
over your
word.
What a
very
unique
and very
deep
and very
heavy
parable
that you
have here.
And although
we may not
fully understand
it here
in 2025,
as we
know,
hundreds,
thousands of
years have
passed by,
may we
recognize
that these
servants
were dedicated
to you
in service.
And although
we may not
have slaves
or servants
today,
may we
at least
recognize
that the
servants in
this parable
relied on
you,
recognizing
who they
belong to.
May we
consider that.
May we
think about
it,
that we
belong to
you,
that we
serve you.
Father,
I pray
that if
there's
anyone who
has a
hardened
heart,
that it
may be
softened
I pray
that if
there's
anyone who
has not
had a
relationship
with you,
may they
repent the
changing of
mind to
believe in
you.
I pray
that we
may together
and individually
grow in
you,
continuing to
be molded
and transformed
by you.
And I
pray that
we don't
have an
inactive
faith,
but we
have an
active
faith,
living out
the gospel,
being that
ambassador
for Christ
in what
we say
and in
what we
do.
May you
stir our
hearts much
like you
stirred the
heart of
pagan kings
to act.
May you
stir our
hearts
to be
empowered,
to be
more like
you.
It is
in Jesus'
name that
we pray,
and we
all say
together,
amen.
Thank you
for listening
for this
week's
message from
Ontario
Community
Church.
I pray
that you
are encouraged
and strengthened
in your
walk with
Christ.
For more
sermons and
resources,
visit
Ontario
Community
Church
dot org.
May God
bless you
as you
live out
his grace
and truth
every single
day.
God
Thank you.