Leprosy Healed - Ten Men

Wholeness is better than Healing

This teaching shows the difference between healing and wholeness.

Healing is recovering from an illness.

· Where sickness could come back, thus needing healing again.

· Most people are in a cycle of sickness and recovery.

· But there is something better than healing!

Wholeness is not getting sick in the first place.

· Wholeness is where God wants you to be.

· wholeness can be brought about through a lifestyle of thankfulness to God

This teaching also stresses the importance of humility and gratitude for God’s mercy of healing.

Luke 17:11 NLT

11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria.

Background: Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem for the last time

Our loving Savior made several stops on the way to the Cross in order to:

· teach people by revealing His Word and

· reach people by healing their bodies

if you were on death row, many people would you want to help?

A tale of two cities – Good and evil

Galilee –

· was one of Jesus’s hometowns –

· which made it a very special place

Samaria –

· different people – half breeds,

· different worship – set up their own religious capital, but claimed to serve the same God

· different attitude – were looked down upon by the Jews – even despised

· different place – Jews would walk completely around the entire area of Samaria just to avoid any contact whatsoever.

Why would Jesus, the King of the Jews, have any dealings with the Samaritans?

· Because He loves them!

· love builds a bridge, not a wall

Luke 17:12–13 NLT

12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

Healing can come to you

· The sick could not come to Jesus, but Jesus’ healing could to come to them!

Luke 17:14 NLT

14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

· Jesus healed with a command of words

· although Jesus did not directly say that they were healed, it was implied.

· There was no reason for a sick person to go show himself to the priest

“as they went” – healing can be progressive

· sometimes healing is immediate = miracle

· sometimes healing is progressive

cleansed – g2511

· purified, free from guilt of sin

Luke 17:15 NLT

15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!”

when he saw –

· how many people take the time to look around at the great things God has done for them?

One came back shouting!

· a thankful person is a vocal person

· God is still waiting for His praise from millions!

Healed – G2390

· made whole, cured

· to free from errors and sins,

· to bring about one’s salvation.

Praise activates healing!

Luke 17:16 NLT

16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

thanking – eucharist

· 2168 εὐχαριστέω [eucharisteo/yoo·khar·is·teh·o/] [1]

· to be grateful, to give thanks

Luke 17:17 NLT

17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?

didn’t I heal 10?

· same G2511 as cleansed

· yes, He did! –

· in fact, Jesus has healed MANY people, for almost 2,000 years!

The nine = all about mine

· the nine represent those who forget God after their miracle, = selfishness

· like a jailhouse religion that forgets God upon release

· where are the nine? living their lives however they choose, with no consideration for a merciful God.

· the nine were able to return to their families, but God wanted them to return to Him first.

God should not have to ask to be thanked!

Where is His glory?

· Why is it that only 10% of those who have received mercy from God, appreciate what God has done for them enough that they would return to give God praise?

· Have you given God thanks for what He has done for you?

Obviously, God is not ok with thankfulness, disrespect, and ungratefulness.

· No one likes being used as a vending machine, including God.

· Every loving parent who provides, appreciates appreciation, including our loving, heavenly Father.

· God is more than weddings, funerals, Christmas, Easter. God wants a relationship with you.

Luke 17:18 NLT

18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

glory = ^1391 = DOXA

honor, worship, dignity, exalt, kingly majesty

“not everyone who receives mercy from God responds to his mercy appropriately[2]

end time revival - the outsiders will shout the church down!

Luke 17:19 NLT

19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

healed = 4982 ἐκσῴζω, σῴζω [sozo /sode·zo/][3] God’s kind of life

· saved, made whole, kept safe and sound, restored to health.

· To deliver from the penalties after a mess, Yannick judgment

Nine were cleansed with MAN’s kind of life, but only one was healed with GOD’s kind of life!

· you can be physically healed yet remain spiritually lost

· which do YOU want?

· What made the difference between being cleansed and healed? Thankfulness!

widespread unthankfulness is a sign of the end times

· Regardless of what God has done for you,

· Let’s not be part of the unthankful majority, but be sure to give God the praise that He is due.

Always Give God Praise!