There are certain days throughout the year that offer a special meaning to many of us. There are other days that stand out in our minds because of their personal significance.
Many of us cannot remember what we did last week on any given day, but we can remember exactly where they were and what they were doing thirty five years ago today. That was when President Kennedy was shot. It stands out in our minds as being significant above other days. Another day stands out in the minds of all Christians as being significant above all others, that is the day of salvation. Not the exact date necessarily, but the fact that there was a day when we accepted the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary as an atonement for our sin.
Later on this week, we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. It is more than just a day off from work; more than just a day to spend with family; more than just a college football marathon.
Thanksgiving is a day that is set aside to remember and give thanks for the goodness of God to us in the past year. If there is a sin that seems to plague both Christian and non-believer alike it is the sin of ingratitude. Simply not being thankful! This morning I would like for us to look at a passage that illustrates the
Read: Luke 17:11-19
I. Note the Condition of these Men.
A. They were lepers! UNCLEAN
1. They were aware of their condition.
2. No one had to tell them that they were sick.
3. All they had to do was to look at themselves and they could see their diseased skin.
NOTE: Trench writes, "Leprosy was nothing short of living death; a dissolution of the whole body, so that one limb after another actually decayed and fell away."
B. They were afar off.
1. The law said that they must remain at least 100 paces from others without the disease.
2. They were drawn together by their common disease.
C. They were without hope.
1. There were no known cures for their horrible disease.
2. They could do nothing to help their conditions, nor could anyone else help them.
3. Perhaps they had heard of one called Jesus who could heal the sick.
4. Perhaps this is the one thread of hope that drew them to be near the gate of the city when Jesus approached.
5. He is the only hope for any of us!
II. Note the Cure.
A. They all cried out to Jesus.
1. It says they lifted up their voices.
2. One symptom 6f the disease is an almost total loss of voice.
3. But their cry was born out of desperation.
B. They cried out in humility.
1. They were not in a position to demand anything.
2. They cried out for mercy.
C. They were commanded to go.
1. This was the provision made in the law for one who recovered from leprosy. (unlikely as it was)
2. As they went, they were cleansed from their awful disease.
3. They obeyed the Word of God by faith and their faith was rewarded!
III. Note the 'One' Who Returned.
A. He came to Jesus.
1. He returned when he saw that he had been cleansed from his disease.
2. He returned to glorify God.
3. He returned to worship God.
4. He returned to give thanks unto God.
B. Jesus came to Him.
1. He received cleansing from his disease with the other nine.
2. But, he was alone received cleansing for his soul.
3. He alone saw Jesus as God.
4. Jesus told him, '...thy faith hath made thee whole.'
5. Body - Soul - Spirit
IV. Note the Comparisons.
A. The 'One' is a picture of a repentant sinner who comes to Jesus.
1. He was lost in the crowd of lepers, he had no identity apart from being a leper.
2. Without Christ, we are lost in a crowd of sinners.
(Rom 3:23) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
3. While others were satisfied with a physical cleansing, he realized his need for more.
4. He came to Jesus in faith and gained an identity
(Eph 2:8-9) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast."
B. The 'Nine' are a picture of religion.
1. They saw Jesus only as a great teacher.
a. They called Him Jesus, Master.
b. Master = Rabbi = Great teacher.
2. They sought only for a cure for the condition that they were in.
a. Religion deals with the symptoms of sins and the condition sin brings.
b. Instead of dealing with the source and cause of the condition.
3. They were more concerned with the outside than with the inside.
4. Look at Jesus' view of religion. Cf Mt.23:25-28
C. Jesus asked, 'Where are the nine?'
1. Jesus expected all to come to Him.
2. After such a display of divine power, surely they would realize that He was the Son of God!
3. Unfortunately, they were like many today.
a. They came near Jesus, but they did not come to Him.
b. They came near enough to bring about an outward change, but not an inward conversion.
c. There is no other means of eternal life apart from Jesus.
(Acts 4:12) "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
d. An honest faith in Jesus Christ will bring salvation!
(Acts 16:31) "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
What about you this morning? Are you among the nine? Have you sometime, somewhere, came near Jesus, but not to Him? Why not come to Him by faith receiving the gift of salvation this morning?
Christian, we are saved by the blood of Christ today, but are we living lives characterized by thankfulness? Have we grown cold toward God? Come today, whatever the need.