Jesus Can Work it Out!
Here is our text of Luke 17 we find ten men who have lerposy. Leprosy, is a slowly progressive disease that is characterized by sores, scabs and white shinning. Those who had this illness were forced to leave their jobs, hobbies, and their families to live on the outskirts of town. Regardless to how good of a person they were, who would be hurt or left alone, they had to leave home and wonder alone or with other lepers.
My brothers and sisters, this is a text and situation that his home with everyone, because at one point or another in our lives we all have lived as lepers. We all have done some things or had some physical condition that made us lepers (or out casts. Just like the men in our text people have thrown in the towel on many of us and wanted to have nothing to do with us. Even in some families, people have been forced to live on the outside because of the choices they have made. Oh, but I stopped by here this morning to let you know that God is in the business of bringing people from where they are to where they need to be!
Yes, these men had to live apart from family and friends, but the text says in verse 11 and 12 "Now it happened as Jesus went to Jerusalem that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as he entered a certain village, there met him ten men who were lepers." This leads me to my first point:
1. Jesus has a habit of being where you are whenever you need him!
My brothers and sisters, it just so happened that while these ten men were in a city near Samaria and Galilee, Jesus decided to take the long way and runs into these men. I want to let somebody know today, you may think you have wondered so far away that no one can reach you, but take courage my friend Jesus has a habit of stopping by just when you think its all over.
What are you talking about Rev.?
You remember Jairus don't you? Just when he thought it was over for his daughter he met Jesus. You know how the story goes, on his way home he heard the news that his daughter was dead, but he kept on walking with Jesus. Again while he was on his way home a woman with an issue of blood was blessed with a healing because Jesus was passing by. Story goes on to say that when they arrived at Jairus' house mourners had already showed up and began to laugh when Jesus said the girl would rise again. But Jesus goes in and takes the girl by the hand and says, "Talitha Cumi" which means: "Little girl its time to get up." And yes, the girl arose.
I don't know about you but I'm glad I serve a God who will show up and when he gets there he can breath life into a dead situation.
When Jesus shows up:
"All things work together for good to them who love God and are the called according to his purpose."
When he shows up:
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord."
This is the reason why the lepers cried with a loud voice in verse 13, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" Because of who I am, I can't get close to you. Because of the law and man's phobia's I can't come close to you. So, I will cry out for mercy, because I know what ever ails me through your mercy you will heal me!
Is there anybody here who knows when you call on the Lord he will answer?
In verse 13 these men's prayed a short and powerful prayer, when they asked for the Lord's mercy. Then, in verse 14 when Jesus looked at these men he did two things:
1. He answered their prayer.
2. He worked it out.
What are you talking about Rev. Stanley?
He had mercy on them when he looked at them and he worked it out when he told them to go.
Somebody has been wondering how you are going to make it; you've been wondering how youo are going to get through: when God says go, just GO!
Psalm 34:19 says, "Many are the affictions of the righteous, but God delievers him out of them all."
Philippians 4:19 says, "My God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in Glory."
Philippians 4:13 says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Psalm 27:1 says, "The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear."
Psalm 23:6 says, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."
The bible records in Luke 17:14 that when these men began to walk in the same air Jesus spoke into something miraculous happened. They were healed! Lockyer said, "Jesus used his breath (the air) to be the vehicle of their healing."
Is there anybody here who knows Jesus has a prescription to fix whatever you are going through? I'm reminded of what Jesus said in John 15:3, "You are clean through the words I speak unto you."
Finally, as they were walking, the Samaritan leper looks down and realizes he has been healed and stops and gives God the praise. I don't know about you, but when I think of the goodness of Jesus and all he has done for me, I have to praise God!
I don't know what this leper said, but I am sure he began to praise God for what just happend to him. Is there anybody here who can give God the glory?
God is:
My way out of no way
The lilly of the valley
Bright in the morning star
Alpha and Omega
Everlasting Father
Horn of my salvation
Bread of Life
King of Kings
Lord of Lords
Lion in the tribe of Judah
My All in All
Have you tried him?