November 24th, 2002, Sunday Morning
      Thanksgiving Week

      "One Returned"
      Forgetting to thank GOD for answered prayers and blessings

      OPENING: Luke 17:11-19, KJV
      		 Thanksgiving Week 2002
    • INTRODUCTION: On a former occasion, Matthew and Mark related that a single leper had been cleansed by the Lord Jesus (Matthew 8:2-3 and Mark 1:40-41). But now Jesus encounters 10 lepers by Himself. The object of this story is to show the incredible ingratitude that characterized the Jewish people toward God during those days.
      How many second chances or answered prayers has God given you that you didn't thank Him for? Thanksgiving should be a recurring event--not just once a year.

    • WE HAVE AN EARNEST REQUEST FOR HELP IN A VERY TRAGIC SITUATION

      • Jesus' ultimate destination is Jerusalem (Luke 9:51) but for the purpose of His ministry, He stops at various towns along the way, teaching (Luke 13:22). Here, His current trip is between Galilee and Samaria

        • This will be His last trip in this area (this matters to those who wish miracles and cures that only He can give)

      • He is entering an unknown village as part of His ministry

        • He is approached at the gate by 10 lepers

          • Leviticus 13:46: BACKGROUND: LIFESTYLE OF A LEPER (for the rest of the person's life):

            • They are to keep a great distance between themselves and all others in the town and live outside the town
            • 100% isolation from everyone else, no contact, no family/children/work
            • No invites to birthdays or Thanksgivings ... no one who can help or cure them
            • The world pities but wants nothing to do with them
            • In short, from the day they become a leper, the enjoyment of life is over and all they can look forward to is death
            • (Now combine that fact that one of the lepers is a Samaritan--a person hated by the rest of the world even before becoming a leper!)

      • While keeping their required great distance, they make a simple request of Jesus

        • Luke 17:13: Rather than simply calling Jesus by His name, the lepers give honor to His name by calling for him with "Master" (also known as "Chief"--a person in command; having authority; leader)

          • ASIDE: Mark 4:37-39: Jesus' disciples called Him "Master" when they were terrified the storm was going to drown their boat and kill them all

        • Luke 17:13: They follow simply with, "have mercy on us."

          • Mercy is getting what you don't deserve ... so why would they call for mercy? Because as far as the lepers are concerned, life is over. There is no more hope for them.

      • Jesus responds to their request with a simple command

        • Luke 17:14: "Go shew yourselves unto the priests."

        • Jesus' command is in accordance with Leviticus 14:2--the process of verifying leprosy was gone. Since they still had leprosy, the lepers follow Jesus' command because they trust Him that a change is forthcoming in their life

      • Luke 17:14: "And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed." The Lord heard their request and the miracle took place enroute to the priest

      • APPLICATION

        • Ten men were healed by the grace of God from one of the most miserable conditions in the world
        • The lepers asked for mercy not lightly but with meaning and sincerity--a good request to make to the Lord
        • Our Lord is compassionate and caring--He answers our prayers IN HIS WAY AND TIME
        • The lepers were given a second chance; they can now return to their families, children, work and enjoy life
        • Matthew 7:7: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:"

    • THE PROPER RESPONSE TO THE GRACE OF GOD IS ALWAYS THAT OF GRATITUDE (THANKS)

      • KEY: One of the men immediately turns around and returns to Jesus

        • Luke 17:15: As he is turning back, the man loudly glorifies GOD--shouts that could be heard by many others a good distance away

      • He fell at Jesus' feet and gave Him thanks. The man was humble, overwhelmed and thankful ... but why thankful?

        • For him, life had no hope--now there's hope
        • Life had no purpose until death--suddenly he has purpose again
        • Mercy is given and not earned--Jesus could have ignored him
        • This was their last chance--Jesus was not returning to this unknown town
        • He could be involved with people again--never to live and sleep outside the town

      • STORY TWIST: The man was a Samaritan!

        • Here is a man who has suffered prejudices his entire life for his ethnicity and on top is this horrible disease that isolates him from everyone for the rest of his life

        • However, this man shows no bitterness or resentment

      • Here is a man who overflows with nothing but gratefulness to the Lord Jesus

      • APPLICATION:

        • 1 Thessolonians 5:18: "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
        • Colossians 3:17: Once again, whatever you do in this world, do it in the name of Jesus and give thanks to the Father through Jesus, the Son

    • KEY POINT OF THIS STORY: WHERE ARE THE OTHER NINE WHO WERE CURED?

      • The other nine, Jews, did not return to Jesus to thank Him for giving them their life back

        • None were glorifying God for this dramatic miracle

        • None were falling at His feet for a gift that only a few in the world have ever had the privilege to experience (being cured of incurable leprosy)

          • Not one "thank you" for allowing them to hold their wife or children again
          • Not one "thank you" for allowing them to re-enter life's arena for a second chance that few will ever get

      • Sometimes miracles of God are used to show the sinfulness of men's heart

        • You can have your physical health restored but it is your heart that has to be changed (i.e., your soul saved) by the grace of GOD

        • These men, by their actions, demonstrated they believed they were entitled to this blessing

        • Note how the nine Jewish men, of God's chosen people Israel, were ungrateful because they believed themselves entitled to this blessing (selfish) while the outcast of the world and not one of God's chosen of Israel, a Samaritan, was the grateful one

      • Jesus makes a powerful statement to the Samaritan

        • Luke 17:19: He tells the man not only to stand and go his way but that "thy faith hath made thee whole." In other words, his gratitude and belief in Jesus and God has just saved his soul.

      • The other nine were just healed physically but only to delay death for a time until they eventually will still have the same ending as if they were still lepers: eternity in hell

      • APPLICATION:

        • The best and majority of us are far too much like the nine cured lepers
        • We are always more prone to pray than to praise ... to ask rather than thank
        • When blessings come, we run for joy and forget to give God the glory and praise


      CLOSER
    • Prayer for a deeper sense of your sinfulness and guilt and how just undeserving of God's blessing you (and we all) truly are

      • 2 Timothy 3:1-2: ASIDE: Being unthankful is specifically listed as a sign of the "end times"

    • What blessings did you get this week?

      • Did you lose your job, earnestly pray for one, and then get it?
      • Were you deathly ill, pray for recovery, and become well?
      • Did you have strife or lose your children, pray, and they return to you?

    • The ultimate question is: has your faith made you well--not just physically but spiritually? Your faith is real if you glorify God and give thanks in all aspects in life

    • What really counts in this life is the gift of eternal salvation with eternal forgiveness (being saved)

    • Thanksgiving (giving thanks) to GOD should be recurring every day--not just once a year. Thank God for salvation and answered prayers always. Live life like the cured Samaritan.