Were It Not for Grace Luke 17:11-19 Intro: A) In this familiar story we see leprosy as a NT Synonym of Sin (3 things we know about Leprosy) 1) It is a terrible disease Cover the body with sores and decay Cause one's breath to be unbearable Many would completely cover their face because of the shame to be seen 2) It caused separation It would separate a husband from a wife or a wife from a husband It would separate a Mother or Father from their children It would keep one from being able to operate in a normal society 3) For them, it was incurable! A person who discovered they had leprosy they would know it was a death sentence! B) These lepers called out to Jesus Christ for help 1) He tells them to go to their priest 2) As they make their way they all discover that they are healed! 3) One leper comes back to Jesus to thank him and to worship and praise Him 4) Jesus asked the startling question "where are the other 9? C) There is a dark side to this miracle 1) We see the wonderful miracle of 9 lepers which God wonderfully healed 2) But the sad point is, of the 10 which were healed Only one comes back to Jesus 3) Jesus is bothered enough to ask WHERE ARE THE 9??? D) Leprosy is a symbol in the flesh of sin in the Soul
1) It should remind us of Just how serious it is for us to allow sin to come into our lives and into our heart 2) Being healed would be close akin to what Jesus does for us when he forgives us and makes us whole! 3) Saddest point of it all is that there are people. possibly in this congregation which are not living as though they are thankful for God forgiving them of their sin and making them whole! E) Our text reminds us of our day in America 1) Our heritage revealed a thankfulness to God Lincoln in 1789 called for a national day of Thanksgiving 98% of the Colonist identified themselves as Christians (exception was about 2000 Jews) Founders like Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Roger Sherman and John Witherspoon called themselves orthodox Christians 2) Today, unthankful infidels try to. Rewrite our history Change our pledge of allegiance Take In God We Trust off of our currency Remove the Ten Commandments Refute Thanksgiving Day was ever meant to be thankful to God! F) Thankfulness is not a new problem 1) Let s look at an ancient group that were blessed But were thankless I. A Tragic Congregation (vs. 11-13) Luke 17:11-13 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. A) Their condition was leprosy (vs.12) Still leprosy colonies in India Often happens in unclean and over-crowded environments
Leprosy is consistently a picture of sin in the Bible 1) Their problem was deeper than skin Leviticus 13:3 And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean. Sin is more than a surface problem as well 2) Their problem spreads Leviticus 13:44-45 He is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague is in his head. And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. Amazing that sin is never satisfied to stay still B) Their cry was for mercy (vs. 13) Luke 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 1) Their leprosy had isolated them Away from spouse, children and families How often we have seen sin do the same thing 2) Their leprosy had doomed them All they had to look forward to was death 3) They cried out in faith Perhaps heard about the woman that had issues with her blood Perhaps of Jairus daughter being raised Perhaps his healing in the synagogue on the Sabbath Or even the Maniac of Gadara They believed the Master Chief Commander had the power to heal them 3) Their problem defiles Story of Achan, sin affected more than just Achan Story of David, sin haunted him II. A Tremendous Compassion Luke 14:14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
Under their law they received nothing but a death sentence A) The perception of Jesus 1) He saw their outward condition But he knew the need of their heart 2) Jesus knows what we need. We think, money, wealth, or things Jesus knows you need Him B) The plan of Jesus 1) Go and show yourself to the priest Jesus knew a priest would have to pronounce absolution over them He also knew the religious community who rejected Him would see more evidence of who He was! 2) Good things happen when you obey Jesus Some of you are wondering why life is so messed up! You thought you knew more than Jesus C) The power of Jesus! 1) As soon as they turned in obedience They were healed! (vs.14). as they went, they were healed 2) This meant reconciliation for these lepers! III. Wife, children, friends all could be restored! 3) How much truer is it for us at salvation? A Thankful Convert (Ten were healed, but only one returned) Luke 17:15-16 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. A) His realization (2 things) 1) He realized as a Samaritan he didn t need to go to the temple He would be rejected anyways (no absolution for him) He knew Jesus was his high priest B) His rejoicing 1) He falls at the feet of Jesus! 2) He is so THANKFUL!!!! C) Adrian Rogers has a great sermon on where the other 9 are 1) One was at home I m going to be the best husband and father 2) One went back to his friends If you follow Jesus, you ll lose your friends 3) One went to working on his boat
I appreciate what Jesus has done for me, but I can t follow Him yet I m at the stage in my life if I don t make money now, I will miss my opportunity 4) One went to Delilah s Disco He was living it up I m so busy making up for lost time, one day I will follow Jesus 5) 5, 6, and 7 lepers went to the colony relief shelter They felt they must give back to the community They did good at the altar of what was best! 6) The 8 th was spotted at the Samaritan Spa He made a commitment to himself that he would never let his body get in the condition it was again! I believe Jesus understands it s important to take care of yourself! A) If you ve been saved, you need to be right at the foot of Jesus and thankful too! 1) Sadly, one of the scariest virtues of the human race is gratitude Alexander Whyte the great Scottish preacher had a parishioner who complained about everything, just so negative! Finally, Pastor Whyte with hat in hand bid her good-bye He quoted Psalm 103:2 as she left his church Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. B) UNGRATEFULNESS is flourishing throughout our culture 1) But let it not be a part of your life! We of all people should be a grateful people!!!! 7) The 9 th was difficult to find.. He didn t want to be singled out as one that once was a leper He was scared to go thank Jesus because perhaps Jesus would expect me to follow Him! 8) The 10 th, the Samaritan was at the feet of Jesus He was full of joy! Conclusion: