The Thankful Leper

This is our Thanksgiving week. This Thursday is the day our nation has set aside as Thanksgiving, and surely all of us have much to be thankful for. The real thought today is to whom are we thankful? Psalm 100:1-3. Let's make some general statements concerning Thanksgiving. If you think, you will thank. We have much to be thankful for, and many to be thankful to. The greatest area of our Thanksgiving should be spiritual. the greatest one to offer our thanks to is God through his son Jesus. Many things contribute to our spiritual life: the church, the people, the pastor. For all these we should be thankful for, but our greatest area of Thanksgiving should be to God. The Bible has much to say about a thankful heart. One statement, one thought for the message this morning and for the week is our Thanksgiving should be under God for the saving of our soul. In Luke 17:11-19, such a story of a man who was saved and took time to give thanks to God.

I. No-one has Ever Called on the Lord Jesus for Help and Called in Vain

1. In verses 12-13, lepers cried out in earnest.

a. They knew their need. They were helpless and condemned. They were separated from all that was dear to them in life.

b. When we're desperate, we need the Lord.

2. No one is too bad, sinful, diseased, or in two grade a difficulty To call upon Jesus for help. Jesus will respond. 2 Corinthians 5:17

a. our Bible teaches that God is no respecter of persons. Romans 2:11

b. just a few verses to encourage you to call upon God. Psalm 50:15; 34:6, 19

3. whatever your problem may be, you are to call upon Jesus for help.

a. Personal; family, Luke 8: 41

b. financial; Matthew 6: 33

c. business: Peter, cast your net on the other side.

d. Physical; Matthew 20:29-34, blind Bartimaeus

e. moral; woman at the well

f. your soul cries out to God for saving; Romans 10:11-13; Luke 23:39-43, the thief on the cross.

II. The Lord Does Not Always Work in Everyone’s Life in the Same Way

1. In verse 14, go show yourselves unto the priest. In other words, the priest condemned you as lepers. If you believe that I can heal you go show them.

2. In 2 kings 5:14, name and before he was cleansed had to dip in Jordan 7 times.

3. The Lord is sovereign and in No2 cases does he work alike.

a. There's only one way to God, John 14:6.

b. There are many ways for Christ to become real to you. But Jesus will never force himself on you.

c. Jesus never went anywhere he was not invited. Revelation 3:20

III. Spiritual Blessings only come in the Pathway of Obedience

1. In verse 14, Jesus said go show yourselves and as they went, they were cleansed.

a. These men simply took Jesus at his word.

b. They received the blessing that God wanted to give and that they needed.

2. The blessings of God depend on US obeying the word of God.

a. God will never bless disobedience.

b. Galatians 6:7-8; proverbs 28:13

3. trust and obey is absolutely true. There is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

4. Commands of Christ that are noticeably clear in the Bible:

a. Come

1) Isaiah 1:18, Matthew 11:28

2) revelation 22:17, Luke 14:16

b. repent

1) Luke 13:3, acts 17:30, Romans 2:4

2) repent is an about face or a change of direction.

c. Confess

1) Matthew 10:32-33

2) Romans 10:9

d. be baptized

1) Matthew 28: 19

2) acts 2:38, 8:38, 10:48

5. The measure of our obedience to the Lord determines the measure of his blessings experienced and enjoyed in our lives. John 2: 5, Acts 9: 6

IV. In Gratitude to all that Jesus has Done, We Should Live in a Life of Gratitude and Service

1. In verses 15-16, it was natural to return and give thanks, yet there were nine who did not.

2. Suppose that you were a leper and the Lord cured you. Could you ever adequately express your gratitude to him for his compassion and mercy?

3. Have you ever thanked the Lord for leaving the ivory palaces is for you? 2 Corinthians 8:9

4. for coming to Bethlehem’s Manger for you?

5. For his perfect life, the trials, and temptations for you?

6. For all he endured in Gethsemane and accomplished on Calvary for you? Luke 22:44, 1 Peter 2:24

7. Paul is thankful for much:

a. redemption, 2 Corinthians 9:15

b. deliverance, Romans 7:25

c. service, 1 Timothy 1:12

d. victory, 1 Corinthians 15:57

e. fellowship, 2 Timothy 1:3

8. in closing, if you know Jesus are you obeying and enjoying all he has for you?

9. Have you ever turned back and thanked him?

10. Have you ever met him? Come and we will show you how you can be a child of God. John 1:12