The Ten Lepers
Todd Atkinson teaches that true healing and worship come through obedient faith and a grateful heart that responds to God's mercy with wholehearted praise.
This sermon focuses on the story of the ten lepers in Luke chapter 17, highlighting the importance of responding to God's mercy with gratitude and worship. It emphasizes the transformation that occurs when we move from a place of distance to intimacy with Jesus, showcasing the power of faith and appropriate responses to God's love and kindness.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Context and Condition of the Ten Lepers
- Leprosy as a devastating, isolating disease
- The lepers' approach to Jesus with faith and respect
- The significance of their call for mercy
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II. The Command and the Healing
- Jesus instructs them to show themselves to the priests
- Healing occurs as they obey without seeing evidence first
- The power of obedient faith
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III. The Response of the One Samaritan
- He returns praising God loudly and humbly
- His worship includes surrender and thanksgiving
- The significance of his background as a Samaritan
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IV. The Question of the Missing Nine
- Jesus grieves the lack of gratitude from the others
- The danger of entitlement and spiritual complacency
- The call to respond to God's gifts with thankfulness
Key Quotes
“Jesus, Master, have mercy upon us.” — Todd Atkinson
“As they went, they were healed.” — Todd Atkinson
“When mercy is shown to me, what does my response to mercy look like? Is it minor or is it mega?” — Todd Atkinson
Application Points
- Obey God's instructions even when you don't yet see the outcome.
- Respond to God's blessings with loud and heartfelt thanksgiving.
- Guard against entitlement by cultivating a spirit of gratitude.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the lepers have to show themselves to the priests?
According to Jewish law, priests verified if a person was healed from leprosy to prevent the spread of the disease.
What does the Samaritan's response teach us?
It shows that true faith leads to gratitude, worship, and humility, regardless of one's background.
Why were the other nine lepers criticized?
They were criticized for their lack of thankfulness and entitlement despite receiving healing.
How does obedience relate to healing in this story?
The lepers were healed as they obeyed Jesus' command, demonstrating trust in His word even before seeing results.
What is the main application of this sermon?
Listeners are encouraged to respond to God's mercy with obedient faith and heartfelt gratitude.