GRATITUDE Lepers Luke 17:11-19

The Challenge… Lepers

"We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty…" "The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed…" Lepers

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. Lepers

 Destination- death  Galilee- Jews  Samaria- Samaritans Lepers

As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" Lepers

10 Lepers- Jews and Samaritans Why? Lepers

When you really lose it all- when you have nothing- you have no room left for prejudice Lepers

When believers lose it all for the sake of the cross, racism and prejudice die I’ve been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me…- Paul, Galatians 2 Lepers

They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" Leprosy= pain PhysicalMental Emotional(their fault) Lepers

Lepers

"Have pity…" What they need is obvious Lepers

How much faith did it take? Lepers

When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." Verify healing???? Lepers

Crisis of faith- what we do at that moment reveals what we really believe about God Lepers

Faith doesn't always make sense  Build a boat  Blood on doorposts  River at flood stage  Marry Mary Lepers

If I have to understand everything in advance, I'm not acting in faith (If it goes against God's Word, I'm not acting in faith) Lepers

Decision time for the lepers Lepers

Right through center of town… Lepers

And as they went, they were cleansed.  Twisted bodies become new!  Limbs grow back!  Hobbling becomes dancing!  Moaning becomes shouting! Lepers

 Hug  Full bellies  Work  Be a normal person- accepted and loved Lepers

Go to priests to get certified- free to re-enter society What's the first thing you do? Lepers

See family? Eat a meal? Hug someone you love? Get a bath and clean clothes? Lepers

That which is good is often the enemy of what is best Lepers

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him- and he was a Samaritan. Lepers

How many were healed? Lepers

How many came back? Lepers

How many were healed? How many came back? Who was he? Lepers

If God’s people don’t praise Him… God will be glorified Lepers

Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Lepers

When God blesses us, he waits for us to recognize and praise him for it He's grieved when his people take his blessings for granted- because they miss another blessing Lepers

The purpose of blessing isn't the blessing The purpose is a closer relationship with the Blesser Lepers

If I walk off and don't return thanks and praise, I miss the whole point of the blessing Lepers

Quick LifeCheck: What has God blessed me with? Have I praised him for it? DO I praise him for it? Lepers

Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." Well= sozo- restoration and salvation Lepers

The difference between asking God for something and recognizing him as the source is eternal Lepers

How we experience life is tied to perspective 9 Lepers- “Sure, I’m healed, but I can’t find a good job- that’s not fair. And why did I have to get leprosy in the first place? My kids have a new dad, and now I'm really ticked off!" Lepers

Life is perspective. It’s not what happens to us, it’s how we handle what happens to us Lepers

The leper couldn’t control whether or not he got leprosy. But he could decide whether or not to become bitter and self-centered Lepers

It is indicative of our human condition that we expect blessings- believing we deserve them- and blame God for trials and hardships Lepers

Matthew Henry, after being robbed: "Let me be thankful...  first because I was never robbed before.  second, because although they took my wallet they did not take my life.  third, because although they took my all, it was not much.  fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed" Lepers

Seeds of discouragement Lepers

An attitude of gratefulness:  Pleases God- closer relationship  Remembers all he has done- strengthens our faith Lepers

An attitude of gratefulness:  Recognizes God as the Source- kills pride  Moves us into worship- deeper connection daily  Gives great joy and is a witness to the reality of our faith Lepers

How?  Gratitude challenge  Ask God to help see through His eyes  Start with God's holiness in comparison to our nature- kills entitlement Lepers