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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

04-30-11 sermon notes on Luke 17


Luke 17:11-13 NIV

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

Maybe leprosy is likened to our sin. It causes us to feel like outcast and it numbs the nerves as decay grows and we feel like we don't deserve contact from others anymore. Then Jesus comes into the picture and removes the disease and all that came with it by his mercy on us.

A lot of times in our lives we think that we can overcome something ourselves by having behavior modification while God is waiting for you to realize you can't do this on your own and you need to call out to Him to have mercy on you. He lifts up the meek and humbles the proud and strong.

If you want to study this more and the appropriate additude that follows then study Leviticus 14 tonight.

Luke 17:14 NIV

14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”And as they went, they were cleansed.

This was a difficult thing for them to do. As it is difficult for us to confess our sins to each other. But note how they didn't stand there and just question the Lord or in disobedience go somewhere else because they knew that they would not be accepted or allowed to enter near the priests. In faith, they trusted and obeyed the command of Jesus and as they did, God healed. Just like us, if they had never taken those steps of faith then they would have failed to have received the wonderful gift the Lord had planned for them. We can't just sit back saying, “once the Lord works, then I will obey”... No, first obey then see Him work. This idea is very similar to the story of Joshua leading Israelites over the Jordan that was over flowing over the banks at the time. God said to cross and they had to first step I to the water and begin crossing before the water was stopped up by God.

Luke 17:15 NIV

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.

So in a loud voice they cried out for mercy and in a loud voice thanks was given.

Luke 17:16 NIV

He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

This is a right attitude of thanks before the Lord. Do not hold back or care what others think but rather fall before him and shout out thanks for what He has and is doing in your life.

Have you ever been next to the person during worship that seems to not know they are tone deaf and just continues singing louder and louder and doesn't at all care what others around him/her think? Be like them. You have been touched by God's love. Don't hold back. Respond to that freely. Share the joy of your heart in genuine response to his love.

Luke 17:17-18 NIV

Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?"

these three questions that Christ asks show us that Christ notices both those who are genuinely thankful before Him and those who are unthankful. And He responds to our faith.

5 things about thanksgiving:

1-the nature of thankfulness is a response.

It will start with salvation from our sins. He saves us and we respond. God shows His mercy and grace and we response.

2-the importance of thanksgiving... is this really the will of God?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:17 NIV

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

3-the consequences of unthankfulness. This is mainly found in two places. NUMBERS 11 and numbers 21. Numbers 21 is actually a parallel to Christ rising up on the cross and those who look to him being saved and those who don't dying.

4- the source of thankfulness.

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

"Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you."

Our source of thankfulnes is in God.

Psalm 103:2-5 NIV

Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

5-the eternal occupation of thankfulness.

Revelation 5:13 NIV

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!"

Revelation 4:11 NIV

"You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created

and have their being."

U have an opportunity to receive and show your thankfulness. Don't miss out on that opportunity. Take each opportunity in praise and worship our God. Ask yourself, “Do I realize my need for God as my savior? Am I willing to obey Christ? In what category am I? Am I in the 9 unthankful that didn't show up or am I the one who is there and thankful?”

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