Community: The Ones That Return

Intro: if you could be anyone in the Bible who would you choose? David, the giant killer, Samson, the strongest man, Solomon, the wisest man, Peter, Paul, John giving the revelation. Today, I will tell you who I want to be, I want to be the one that returns. A lot of people get touched by the Lord, a lot of people get blessed by God, but just keep on moving through life. I want to be the one that returns, to give Him praise, I want to thank the Lord who has done great things for me. Others may move on, others may not come back to praise, but as for me and my house, we are going to thank the Lord.

Community: The Ones That Return

Luke 17:11-19

background: you know the story, 10 lepers come to Jesus to be healed. He sends them on their way to show themselves to the priest, and on the way they were miraculously healed. But something happens, nine of them just move on in life, while one returns to praise Jesus, bow down, and say thank you. I want to be the one who returns.

Here is the story of the ones who return

1. The ones that return realize that Jesus has done something for them that no one else could do. This leper realized that the power of Jesus was the only power that could cleanse his leprosy. Today, I realize that only Jesus can wash away my sins. Only Jesus can give me a new life. It wasn’t the Scribes and Pharisees, it wasn’t at a Synagogue meeting, it was an encounter with the Lord. Jesus can do what no other power can do. I just want to thank you Lord. V.15

2. The ones that return just can’t hold their praise and worship in. V.15b Praising God in a loud voice. I don’t know if this person was a loud person by nature. I don’t know if they were usually the boisterous type. But on this day, nothing could hold back his praise. The ones that return are those that nothing can keep back their praise. The reason we come to church is because we can’t hold back the praise. What Jesus did for us is so great, we have to tell somebody.

3. The ones that return are humbled by Jesus–v.16 he threw himself down and thanked Him. I want to throw myself down at the feet of Jesus. I don’t ever want to take for granted all He has done for me. Others may keep on the path of life, but I want to stop and thank you Jesus.

Pride keeps you from throwing yourself down at His feet. I don’t care who sees me, I only care that I get the chance to be at His feet.

4. The ones that return are those who realize nobody loves me like Jesus. v.16b he was a Samaritan. I want to be the one that returns because Jesus loves the ones that nobody else can love. Samaritans were hated by the Jews, in this world so many are hated, passed by, but Jesus loves me this I know, because He loved me when no one else could.

5. Where are the nine v.17–the ones that return don’t go with the flow. The ones that return say, don’t take Jesus for granted. The ones that return have eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that receives what the Spirit of the Lord is doing in their life.

6. Only this foreigner has returned? V.18–evidently, some of the lepers cleansed were Jews. Maybe they said, since we are Jews we deserved our healing. Maybe they said, we are children of Abraham so we should be blessed. But this one said, I don’t deserve all He has done for me. It took a miracle to hang the world in space, it took a miracle to hang the stars in place, but when He saved my soul, cleansed and made me whole, it took a miracle of love and grace. I want to return and say, Jesus you didn’t have to do it, but I am so thankful that you touched me.

Close: this Thanksgiving, be the ones that return. Be the ones that say, Lord, I want to shout out praise to you. You have done great things for me.

Thank you Lord for saving my soul,

thank you Lord for making me whole

thank you Lord for giving to me

thy great salvation so rich and free.