Don't Just Say Thanks, Show Thanks Series

Don’t Just Say Thank You

Celebration Church, November 15, 2020

Tom Bartlett

OUTLINE

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Luke 17:11–19 (ESV)

Don’t Just Say Thanks, Show Thanks By. . .

DEALING WITH THE DISEASE OF SIN WITHIN

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” (Vs. 11-13)

• Every person has a sin issue – Leprosy in scripture is a picture of sin

• Sin separates us from God – Leprosy separated people

“For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:22–23 (ESV)

“Jesus, Master, have mercy on [me] us.” (Vs. 13)

RESPONDING OBEDIENTLY TO JESUS' WORDS

“When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.” (Vs. 14)

• Obedience activates faith - “As they went they were cleansed”

• We must do what we “can do”, God will do what we “cannot do”

“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” – Oswald Chamber

ACCEPTING THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS

Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Vs. 15-18)

• Speak up no matter the cost! - Leprosy typically affected the voice - “one of them. . . turned back, praising God”

• Praise God even if you’re the only one! – “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?”

LIVING-OUT A NEW JOURNEY OF POWERFUL FAITH

And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Vs. 19)

• Let faith guide your life – “Rise and go your way”

• See nothing as impossible - “faith has made you well”

MANUSCRIPT

Good morning. It’s so good to be here in Wilkes again among this wonderful congregation. My family and I have such fond memories of you and the work we did together here. I’m so proud of pastor Bryan and the team and the desire to see this church change the culture of Wilkes County, a county that has a lot of spiritual-ness and churchiness to it, but so much sadness, loss and depression due to in my opinion the religious nature of the county. More about that in a moment.

I can remember years ago while working for Towne Carpets in Clearwater FL, I was a bible college student and working during the day selling carpet remnants. One day, a guy pulled over in front of the building I worked in which was a converted gas station with big roll up doors. He had a flat tire on his pickup truck. It was a little slow at work, so I went out to help him. He had a spare tire but no tools. I got tools to help him and got almost finished when I had to step back in the store. As I was helping him, I felt good about that fact. I love to help others. I can’t recall all the details, but I bet I felt sure he was thankful too. I mean think about it, you’re stuck, no tools and someone has the tools and does most of the work. Well, I stepped in and as I was headed back out to see his progress, I watched him as he finished up, threw my tools in the back of his truck and take off! ALL THE WARM FEELINGS WENT RIGHT OUT THE WINDOW!