His Faith was Complete
—Luke 17:12-19, the tenth leper
The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:12-19, will help us examine our faith. It is a story about a number of people who had faith in Jesus...
- Some had so little faith, they may as well have had none.
- Some had much stronger faith but lacked an important element.
- One had a complete and living faith —an example to us.
1 The people of the village
- Weren't there to meet Jesus, but going about their daily affairs.
- Would be aware that Jesus was entering their town.
- Variety of opinions about him, some more informed than others.
- Some would be "believers" of a sort but no commitment.
- Their faith not mentioned because it doesn't count. May as well have had no faith at all. "He who is not with me is against me" (Luke 11:23 see 9:50).
2 Nine of the ten lepers
- Came as near as they could to Jesus, being lepers.
- Believed that he could cure them.
- Acted on what Jesus told them to do.
- But their faith not complete —it lacked thankfulness.
- They took what they wanted but they too lacked commitment.
- Jesus gave them a new life, but they neglected to "return".
3 The one who came back
- "Your faith has made you whole" v.19.
- But it also made him return to give glory to God v.18.
- As a foreigner he did not view the blessing as his right.
(A) The elements of his faith:
- 1. Believed he could be healed.
- 2. Came to Jesus and asked to be healed.
- 3. Did what Jesus told him.
- 4. Returned to give thanks and glory.
(B) The Analogy
- 1. His problem, leprosy, is a likeness of the .problem of sin
- 2. Jesus "carried our diseases" (Isaiah 53:4 see Matthew 8:16-17) in healings like this leper’s.
- 3. Jesus bore our sins by his death on the cross (Isaiah 53:5)
(C) A faith like the one leper had:
- 1. Believe Jesus can save you.
- 2. Come to Jesus and ask to be saved.
- 3. Do what he tells you.
- 4. Glorify God in your new life.
(D) Who will you be like?
- 1. The villagers who maybe believed but never acted.
- 2. The ten lepers who came to Jesus and did what he said.
- 3. The one whose faith was complete, who not only took, but also returned.
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