R.A. Torrey explores Jesus' first evangelistic tour in Galilee, emphasizing His mission to preach and heal, as well as the importance of faith in seeking blessings. The sermon highlights the leper's encounter with Jesus, illustrating the connection between leprosy and sin, and how imperfect faith can still lead to divine healing. Torrey discusses Jesus' compassion and willingness to heal, despite the leper's doubts, and the significance of obedience in sharing one's testimony. The message concludes with a warning about heedless gratitude that can hinder the work of Jesus, urging believers to testify appropriately and faithfully.

(See also Matthew 4:23; 8:1–4; Luke 4:42–44; 5:12–16. Read Leviticus 12) DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. Preaching and Casting Out Devils, vv. 36–39 What proof have we that Simon and the other disciples did not understand Jesus? (vv. 36, 37; compare Luke 4:42). Did the fact that all men were seeking Him prove any inducement to Jesus to go back to Capernaum? What call proved louder to Jesus than the call of popularity? For what purpose did Jesus say that He came? How far did Jesus go on His evangelistic tour? What did He do as He went? Of what institution did He make use as the basis of His activity? Is there any lesson here for us? 2. Imperfect Faith Seeking a Blessing, v. 40 Of whom was the leper a type? What are the points of similarity between leprosy and sin? To whom did this leper come for help? Why did he come to Jesus? Did it take much faith to come to Jesus for the cure of leprosy? Had Jesus cured any lepers before this? Where did the leper get in order to obtain the blessing sought? Where is the best place in all the universe to get in order to obtain blessings? When he got at Jesus’ feet what further did the leper do in order to get the blessing he desired? When we get at Jesus’ feet, what is all we need to do to get the blessings we need? (Luke 11:9–13; John 16:24.) What was the leper’s prayer? In what did the leper have remarkable faith? Why was his faith in the power of Jesus remarkable? What did the leper doubt? Ought we to doubt the Saviour’s willingness to help any more than His power to help? Are there any persons nowadays who believe that Jesus is able to help, but who put an “If” in regard to His willingness to help? If there is any “If” in regard to a blessing sought of Jesus Christ, where does it belong? (Mark 9:22, 23.) What was it that very likely made this poor leper question the willingness of Jesus to help him? What is it today that makes many an unclean man and many a foul woman question the willingness of Jesus to receive and save them? What were the characteristics of the leper’s prayer? 3. Perfect Love Granting the Blessing Sought, vv. 41, 42 Did Jesus respond to the leper’s imperfect faith? Will Jesus respond to imperfect faith today? (Heb. 13:8.) Does Jesus ever answer prayers when we put in “Ifs”? Ought we to have as much faith as this leper? Do we have? What was it moved Jesus to answer the leper’s prayer? What was the prime motive with Jesus in healing the sick—was it a desire to prove Himself the Son of God? (Matt. 14:14.) How did Jesus exert His healing power upon this leper? What was the ceremonial effect of that touch upon Jesus Himself? What was the physical effect of that touch upon the leper? Of what have we a type in Jesus making the leper clean while He made Himself unclean? (2 Cor. 5:21.) What was the moral effect of that touch upon that leper? How long had it been since that leper had felt the touch of a clean hand? Would the other teachers of his day have touched that leper if he had tried to draw near them? What were Jesus’ words? Is Jesus as ready today to say “I will” when His compassion is appealed to for help? What do these words indicate as to who Jesus was? (Gen. 1:3; Ps. 33:9; Mark 4:39; v. 41.) What was the effect of this word upon the leper? How soon did the leprosy leave? 4. Heedless Gratitude Hindering the Work, vv. 43–45 What charge did Jesus give the cleansed man? What was its purpose (43)? (7:36; Matt. 9:30; 12:16–20; Mark 3:12.) What was the cleansed man to do? What was the purpose of sending this man to the priests? Did the man obey Jesus’ orders? What was his object in blazing it abroad? In so far as there was gratitude in his action, what would have been the truer way of showing it? (John 14:21, 23.) Did the man help the work of Jesus any? If we want to help the work of Jesus, what is the best way to do it? Where would this man’s testimony have counted for most? Where is the place to testify for Jesus? Where was Jesus obliged after this to do His work? Did He have any audience out there? What did they come for? (Luke 5:15.) Who drew them? How can a crowd be drawn together soon in a desert place? CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS 1. Jesus His deity, 30, 41; humanity, 45; dislike of notoriety, 37, 38, 44 (compare Matt. 12:16–20); attracted the outcast, 40; had compassion on the outcast, drew near, took our uncleanness that we might be made clean, so clean Himself that His touch banished the uncleanness of others, 41; drew crowds wherever He went, 37, 45; the power of His word, 42; the power of His touch, 41; devils, incurable disease and sin yield to Him, 39, 42. 2. The Leper (1). What he was: unclean, outcast, friendless, incurable, getting worse, doomed, hopeless, 40. (2). What he did: heard of Jesus, believed on Jesus heartily, imperfectly, came to Jesus, humbled himself before Jesus, got at the feet of Jesus, cried to Jesus, 40. (3). What he got: sympathy, 40; a touch of the Saviour’s hand, 41; immediate and perfect cleansing, 42. (4). How he acted: disobeyed his benefactor, hindered his benefactor, hindered his own testimony, 45.