Image by: Visual Bible Alive

Introduction

A. People ask “If God really exists why do we suffer so much in life?”

B. There are many answers.

C. A possible explanation is that God has a great purpose in man’s sufferings. He use sufferings to bring the sufferer to know his saving power.

D. Luke’s narrative of Jesus healing the 10 Lepers is a classic example. Lets see.

1. Deadly problems that only Jesus could fix, (Luke 17:11-12)

A. Lepers were ritually unclean and lived separately from the community, (Leviticus 14:36)

B. Leprosy: There was no cure (Hansen’s disease???)

C. In OT history only 2 people were cured – (1) Meriam (2) Naman

D. Every one has 2 types of deadly problems.

I. Physical problems: Sickness, debt etc.

II. The sin problem: Separates us from God – Romans 3:23, death penalty is a must – Romans 6:23, brought sickness into the world – John 5:1-18.

E. Only Jesus is capable of fixing these because,

I. Watch the video illustration

II. Jesus has been there done that, (Hebrews 4:15)

III. Christianity is about the living God not a religion or a philosophy.

IV. Jesus has the authority to heal you and forgive your sin, (Mark 2:1-12)

V. Come unto Him today!

2. Jesus’ concern for Social outcasts

A. He didn’t chase them away

B. Neither He sought for a route of escape

C. The social out casts of our day

I. Superstitious beliefs: In villages of Sri Lanka if a man dies while his wife is pregnant, the child to be born is believed to be cursed and outcaste.

II. Traditional beliefs: The caste system still exists in some villages of India

III. Drug addicts, porn stars, prostitutes, criminals, homosexuals, physically and mentally despaired, HIV patients, beggars you name it…

D. If He has compassion for the porn star will He not care for you? The world rejects. God doesn’t.

3. Asking Jesus for mercy, (17:13)

A. Jesus’ popularity as a miracle worker

B. Probably these Lepers had heard of Him.

C. They recognized Jesus’ authority and sought after His mercy

D. Admit your need and trust God to touch you

I. People accept they have a physical need but too many deny that they have a spiritual need.

II. Such people also can receive God’s favor – but they will miss the most important thing in life, salvation for the soul.

III. But unto those who accept He will grant freedom, (John 3:18)

IV. Jesus was on His way an important destination. But He took time to help the Lepers.

V. God is a loving God who cares for those who come unto Him.

4. Obedience is faith in action, (Luke 17:14)

A. Jesus didn’t heal these Lepers the usual way, (Luke 5:12-16)

B. They were told to go and appear before the priests instead.

C. They were healed while they were on their way.

D. Faith is trusting and obeying God even if you don’t have any visible, physical evidence supporting your decision.

E. Faith means enduring the test of time (some times God heals instantly some times He takes longer)

F. Trust God for His word – Peter walked on water he trusted Jesus for His word, (Romans 10:17)

5. Miracles should be escorts of salvation, (Luke 17:15-19)

A. 9 lepers never returned. Why? 9 suggestions.

I. The 1st Leper wasn’t sure whether the cure was real

II. The 2nd Leper waited to see if it would last

III. The 3rd Leper said He would visit Jesus later

IV. The 4th Leper decided he never had leprosy

V. The 5th Leper assumed he would have gotten well any way

VI. The 6th Leper glorified the priests

VII. The 7th Leper said, “well Jesus didn’t really do anything”

VIII. The 8th Leper said, “any Rabbi could have done it”,

IX. The 9th Leper said “I was already much improved”

X. They were obedient to a point, but they failed in the end.

XI. What are your excuses for receiving the benefits of Christianity and rejecting the savior, (Read the illustration)

B. “…your faith has made you well…”? What does this mean?

I. Literally means “saved”

II. Three primary meanings (1) Physical healing and even an exorcism (2) Saving of one’s physical life (3) Eternal salvation

III. This Leper’s “salvation” went beyond the cleansing of his leprosy to the cleansing of his sin.

IV. Commit your life unto the Lord Jesus Christ in gratitude to what He will do for you this evening and He will give you the gift of eternal life.

6. Conclusion

A. Alter call

B. Sinners prayer