Jesus wants us to be Clean
(Matthew 8:1-4)
Introduction:
Leprosy is used in the Bible to depict sin; this disease begins as a little bright spot on one’s body. Theses spots become open sores, which spread all over the body Its victims eventually die from this disease and its complications. James says, "Then lust (a little bright spot) when it is conceived bringeth forth sin; and sin when it is finished bringest forth death. (James 1:15)
I believe that just as this man's body was plagued with leprosy, the Church is plagued with sin. It’s bringing death to our fellowship with Christ, our joy, and our influence with the world.
I for one don't believe in sinless perfection. But somewhere between that and down here where most of us live, and that life of sinless perfection that some preach, is a plain where we need to be walking if we are to enjoy the more abundant life Jesus promised. (John 10:10b) A closer look at our text will reveal three things this leper had to do before Jesus could cleanse him. But, Jesse he didn’t do anything. I believe he did. Just as the leper had to do certain things before his cleansing, I believe, there are three steps to getting rid of the sins that stealing our joy and hurting our influence.
1. He had to admit he had Leprosy.
This man could have sat there that day, pulled his rags over his sores, and reasoned this is not really leprosy I have. It’s just a little skin rash. Had he had done so, Jesus would have passed on by, and he would have died from his leprosy. Listen, there is no way to get rid of something you won’t admit you have it. Does that make sense?
Let me ask you something, whatever happened to sin? Folks, the Church has followed the world to the place, where we justify just about anything we want to do. If they do it, it may sin if we do it's something else. You don't understand, Jesse, things have changed now. Oh! What’s changed? God hasn't changed. Man hasn't changed. We are the same old sinful creatures we always were. This Book hasn't change. Sin is still sin and we will do well to call it what it is. I tell you what I believe, if it was sin in grandpa’s day it’s still sin. I don’t care who’s doing it, or if everybody doing it. We would do well to call it what it is.
Let me spell it out for you. Gossiping is still sin. It's not just sharing concerns, it’s sin. Lying is still sin. It's not just little white lies, everyone tells, it’s a sin. Allowing unclean thoughts to stay in your mind is sin. Someone has said “you can’t keep a bird from flying over your head, but you don’t have to let it build a nest in your hair.” Looking at pornography on the Internet or elsewhere is sin. I could go on until I named the sin you excuse. Folks we need to call theses things what they are, and ask God to help us rid our lives of them.
2. He had to admit he couldn't heal himself.
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You know why we don't do any better? We don’t know how. I've tried. We can turn over a new leaf every morning, and by dark we are back in the same old rut by dark.
I'm told that I'm part Indian. My ancestors must have been witch doctors. When my wife or family gets sick, I want a doctor. I want best there is, and I want them quickly. When I get sick, well that's a different story.
I like to try some home remedies first
Folks I once thought I could cure anything with Vicks Salve and aspirin, I put Vicks on an ingrown toenail one time, and it got better. I have often wondered why they didn't try it on cancer. Then one time I got Strep throat.
I learned the hard way you can't cure Strep throat with Vicks salve and aspirin. The more I doctored it, the sicker I got. It got in my joints and I could not get out bed to walk, before I finally gave in and went to the doctor.
You can't cure sin with home remedies. If man could pull himself up by his own bootstraps, if we could live better and keep the law, then The Cross was the greatest tragedy that ever happens. The death of Jesus was in vain.
Trying to get rid of sin with home remedies is like applying a band aid to something that needs major surgery. We can't straiten ourselves out no more than a leper can change his spots. The person, who tells you that he will be in church when he gets his life straightened out, will probably never darken the doors.
3. He had to admit that only Jesus could heal him.
“This was the most dreaded disease in Jesus’ day, a disease for which there was no cure.”1 He couldn't wash it off. There was no medication that could be prescribed. Only Jesus could make him well. Folks only Jesus can give power over sin. There's no other cure.
Our problem is, we want to get better in order that we can walk closer to Jesus. The need is, to get closer to Christ in order that He can make us better. Jesus not only has the power to make us clean, He wills or wants us to be clean.
Dr. Charles Stanley tells the story of the little dog that someone gave his son Andy. Andy put a collar on the little dog, and taught him to do all kinds of tricks by jerking on his lease. If he wanted the dog to sit he would pull him to floor with the lease, etc. After the dog had learned the trick, Andy took the lease off and simply gave the commands. The little dog still obeyed thinking the lease was still on.
Listen, Jesus takes satan's collar off and we no longer must obey him. We can walk in the victory that only Jesus can give. Is there sin in your life that's robbing of you of the abundant life that Jesus wants you to have? You need to call it what it is, admit you can't do anything about, and let Jesus make you clean.
Conclusion:
Real revival will coast you something. It may mean, getting on your knees and confessing to Jesus that there are things in your life that ought not be there, and asking Him to help you get rid of them. You can't be the Christian Christ want you to be, until you allow Jesus to deal with the sin your life. You can't have the abundant life He wants you to have if there is known sin your life.
Listen, are you without Christ? You can't straighten up and do better. You must come just as you are. Only His Blood can cleanse your soul and set you free. Only His power can make you what you ought to be. You need to trust Him. Ask Him to forgive your sins and make Him Lord of your life.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 37). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
