The document discusses the characteristics of a faithful servant based on Luke 12:35-48. It identifies three key characteristics: 1) serving consistently rather than haphazardly, 2) handling time, talents, and treasures in a trustworthy manner for God's kingdom, and 3) not indulging the flesh. It notes that faithful servants can expect eternal rewards for their service, while unfaithful servants will be punished. The conclusion exhorts readers to always be ready for Jesus' return and find confidence in pleasing God through obedience, not rewards.

1. A Godly Servant
Luke 12:35-48

2. Characteristics of a faithful servant…..
1. Serve consistently rather than haphazardly.
As humans, we will never be perfect this side of
heaven. However, time after time, faithful servants
demonstrate willingness to do the Master’s will. Their
commitment to working for Him doesn’t evaporate
when obedience is inconvenient, uncomfortable, or
costly.
• If Christ were to return tonight, do you think He
would be pleased with how you are currently serving
Him? Why or why not?
• If you suspect He would not be pleased, what do
you think is hindering your obedience?
If you want to follow God there are many ways, If you
don’t want to follow Him there are many reasons.

3. 2. Handle their time, talents, and treasure in a
trustworthy manner.
Everything that a believer has belongs to the Lord.
Like a faithful servant, we each should try to use
possessions, gifts, and other resources in ways that
honor God and expand His kingdom.
• In verse 42, the faithful servant oversees his
fellow workers and cares for their practical needs.
• According to 1 John 4:7-8, what connection is
there between a person’s relationship with God and
his or her treatment of others?
Evaluate your interactions over the last 24 hours.
Would you pass the test that 1 John 4 describes?
• Galatians 6:9

4. 3. Don’t indulge the flesh.
God wants His people to enjoy life and His blessings. 1
Timothy 6:17 says we are to “fix [our] hope on . . .
God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.”
Our pleasure can honor the Father, as a joyful Christian
is a wonderful advertisement for the gospel. However,
any pleasure we seek must be one that God permits.
• What behaviors indicate that the unrighteous
servant is not exercising self-control (Luke 12:45)? The
wicked servant begins to hope that the master won’t
return at all. As a result, he gives himself over to his
passions. Beating the other servants represents
tormenting the faithful followers of Christ.

5. • Sometimes a blessing becomes sinful when we
overindulge in it. For instance, there’s nothing wrong
with enjoying a delicious meal. But eating to excess is
gluttony (Prov. 23:21). Can you identify an area of
your life—a hobby, pastime, or even a task—that
tends to get out of control in this way?
4. Can expect specific consequences based on the
quality of their service.
Although God often rewards our faithfulness here on
earth, He doesn’t want us to count on temporal
rewards for our good deeds. Such a focus can make us
prideful and rob us of the simple joy of obedience.
However, Jesus did encourage His followers to work
for and anticipate eternal rewards for faithful service.

6. • Colossians 3:23,
• Faithful servants (Luke 12:48; Matt. 25:21, 29)
Luke 12:26 says that the immoral slave is assigned
a place with the unbelievers, this word is better
translated as the unfaithful. These are people who
had head knowledge of God’s Word but failed to
apply it properly and therefore missed out on
transformation and blessing.
• Think of at least one specific action you could
take to improve your application of the spiritual
revelation God has granted to you.

7. Note: Luke 12 and Matthew 25 may seem
to indicate that salvation is somehow
dependent on good deeds. But these
passages must be read in light of the
many other scriptures that indicate
salvation is by grace through faith, not by
works (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:28; 5:1).

8. Conclusion:
At all times, faithful servants of God should
be ready for the Lord’s return. Others may
not recognize our work or honor us for
serving. But if we genuinely seek to do the
Lord’s will, we can confidently expect
heavenly rewards for our obedience.

9. Heavenly Father,
thank You for calling me to Your
service.
Give me a humble heart that will
delight in pleasing You.
Help me be increasingly sensitive to
Your voice so that I may be a more
faithful servant.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.