The Great Commission
Part 17 – Ten Lepers
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith – www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS
6:00PM Evening Service at the church –
“Seminary Students will be preaching”
May 4th – Grace Steadman
May 11th – Lori Ulman
May 18th – Lynnette Higgins
May 25th – Walker Spriggs
June 8th – Deacon Kurt Ulman
WHERE WE ARE AT
† Jesus Pays the Temple Tax
† Jesus visits Martha & Mary’s home
† The Ten Lepers
INTRODUCTION
Today we are looking at the Gospel account of ten lepers being healed.
Leprosy was a disease the Jews supposed was a punishment for a particular sin, and to mean more than other diseases, a mark of God’s displeasure.
So quick are we to judge another’s afflictions.
Sometimes we follow closer in the footsteps of Job’s three friends than we do to the compassionate footsteps of our Lord.
This is Christ’s last trip to Jerusalem, but He wastes no effort for the kingdom.
In reading the account, we see that the Lord took route through Samaria and Galilee, which was the long road.
The Lord shows us, to always get the most out of each day, to reach the most people you can for the Lord.
Today we will see how we need only trust in the name of Jesus, and how sometimes those we think least of, will be the very ones who praise God the most.
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 17:11 – 19
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"
14 When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
GOING TO JERUSALEM FOR THE LAST TIME
We see Jesus traveling the longer route, between Samaria and Galilee.
I. GO TO JESUS, CALL HIS NAME
a. Ten men with leprosy met him
i. But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29)
Levitical law prohibited the men from getting closer than 100ft from others. (Leviticus 13:21, 45-46; 14:2)
ii. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. (Proverbs 8:17)
iii. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)
b. They called on Jesus, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
They were not allowed to get close, and so they had to shout to Jesus to be heard. No doubt by this time they heard about Jesus and his miracles.
i. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)
ii. Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." (Acts 3:6)
iii. The power is in His name, Salvation is in His name, Healing is in His name, Blessings are in His name, Protection is in His name, and benefits of the Kingdom are in His name…
It is ALL in His name, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He has been given authority over heaven and earth and to Him all things submit.
We are told to call on His name…
Call on Jesus.
II. OBEY HIS COMMANDS, BE A DOER OF THE WORD
a. Jesus gives them a command, “Go show yourselves to the Priests.”
i. Jesus doesn’t say magic words, doesn’t do a song and dance, He simply commands them, and through their obedience to His Word, they showed their faith and were healed!
This command assured they would be cleansed, because only a cleansed leper was allowed to show himself to a Priest.
Not that they were cleansed when Jesus gave the command, but that IF they obeyed His command, they would be cleansed.
They moved in faith, not sight.
They obeyed his command.
They knew they were still unclean; but they believed Christ’s Word, and went away with conviction that it was true, and were immediately healed ON THE WAY.
ii. Jesus states, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15)
iii. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." (John 14:21)
iv. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. (John 14:24)
v. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. (1 John 3:21 – 22)
b. As they went they were cleansed
i. Being doers of the Word, not just hearers…and thus deceiving themselves.
III. GIVE THANKS, PRAISE GOD!
a. 1/10th returned to the Lord
The Samaritan, the foreigner, the lowest on the cultural food chain in the eyes of the Jews, was the only one of the 10 who returned to the Lord to give thanks.
b. He saw he was healed, returned and praised God with a loud voice.
Every believer should praise the Lord continually.
c. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him.
The nine who did not return were very representative of the attitude of most of Israel at the time…unthankful.
The gentile who did return was indicative of the Gentile church, which was shortly to be brought about.
Jesus says to the servant, “Rise and go, your faith has made you well”.
You see, the Samaritan humbled himself before the Lord and gave Him thanks, praising God, and was lifted up by Jesus.
Jesus lifts those up who humbles themselves to Him and praises God.
“Your faith has made you whole”.
How did he show his faith, through obedience!
CONCLUSION
The literal translation says, “…your faith has saved you.”
All of the Lepers had a measure of Faith by asking Christ for a healing.
Which they received!
However, only one, it seems by the scripture here, was given eternal life because he Glorified God.
I have witnessed healings without thanks to God…
I have seen miracles, and no Glory Given to the Lord…
I have seen many thankless actions in those who call themselves followers of Christ.
We need to humble ourselves, call on His name, praise Him and give Glory to God!
It is in the realm of thankfulness in our humility we find salvation and eternity with our Lord.
