Embodying Mercy: A Journey of Gratitude and Faith

Today’s gathering was a celebration of community, gratitude, and the radical mercy of Jesus. As we move through the rhythms of church life—announcements, prayer requests, and upcoming events—we are reminded that our fellowship is not just about programs or traditions, but about people: those present, those absent, those recovering, and those in need of prayer. We hold space for both joy and sorrow, recognizing God’s faithfulness in answered prayers and his presence in ongoing struggles.

Turning to the Gospel of Luke, we find ourselves walking with Jesus and his disciples on the road to Jerusalem. This journey is not just a physical one, but a spiritual pilgrimage toward the cross. Along the way, Jesus encounters ten men with leprosy—outcasts, separated from society and worship, defined by their affliction and their exclusion. They call out not for pity, but for mercy: an active, restorative intervention. Jesus responds, instructing them to show themselves to the priests, honoring the customs of the day, but also inviting them into a deeper act of faith.

The heart of the story is not just the healing, but the response. Only one, a Samaritan—an outsider among outsiders—returns to give thanks. Jesus highlights this, not to shame the others, but to reveal the nature of true faith. The Samaritan’s gratitude is not just a polite gesture; it is a recognition of the source of his healing and a declaration of faith that transcends boundaries of ethnicity, religion, and social status.

This encounter challenges us to examine our own hearts and our community. Are we more concerned with rules and boundaries than with mercy and restoration? Do we recognize the faith of those on the margins, or do we cling to our own sense of belonging? Jesus’ ministry consistently elevates the outsider, reminding us that the kingdom of God is not about enforcing religious conformity, but about embodying the mercy and grace of Christ. Our calling is to be a people who welcome, who heal, and who give thanks—not just in word, but in action.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Mercy is More Than Pity The lepers did not ask Jesus merely to feel sorry for them; they sought mercy—an active intervention that restores and transforms. Mercy moves beyond emotion into action, calling us to be agents of restoration in a world that often settles for sympathy without engagement. True Christlikeness is found in the willingness to step into the pain of others and offer tangible hope. [49:49]
• 2. Faith Flourishes on the Margins The Samaritan, doubly an outsider, is the one who returns to give thanks. His faith is not shaped by religious privilege or social acceptance, but by a deep recognition of grace received. Often, those on the margins see God’s hand most clearly, reminding us that faith is not the property of the “insiders,” but a gift that flourishes wherever hearts are open. [53:36]
• 3. The Danger of Institutional Religion The story exposes how religious systems can become barriers rather than bridges to God’s mercy. The lepers were excluded from worship and community by the very laws meant to protect holiness. We must be vigilant that our own structures and traditions do not become obstacles to grace, but instead serve as conduits for God’s inclusive love. [54:36]
• 4. Jesus Prioritizes People Over Policy Jesus honors the customs of the day, but his ultimate concern is the restoration of individuals. He does not allow cultural or religious boundaries to dictate the reach of his compassion. Our calling is to follow his example, putting people before policies, and relationships before rules, especially when the two come into conflict. [55:17]
• 5. Gratitude is the Gateway to Wholeness The Samaritan’s return to thank Jesus is more than good manners; it is the completion of his healing. Gratitude acknowledges the source of our restoration and opens us to deeper relationship with God. In a world quick to move on from blessing, cultivating a spirit of thankfulness is itself an act of faith that leads to greater wholeness. [52:38]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [29:36] - Weekend Reflections & Announcements
• [30:21] - Bridal Luncheon Invitation
• [31:12] - Men’s Breakfast & Harvest Mission Sunday
• [32:29] - Community Potluck and Invitations
• [33:10] - Church Secretary Transition
• [34:06] - Prayer Requests and Community Updates
• [35:08] - Upcoming Film Screening
• [35:43] - Opportunities for Worship Involvement
• [37:20] - Celebrating Presence and Fellowship
• [38:17] - Opening Prayer
• [41:35] - Introduction to Today’s Scripture
• [43:31] - Jesus’ Journey and the Ten Lepers
• [46:04] - The Outcasts’ Encounter with Jesus
• [48:47] - Mercy vs. Pity
• [50:52] - The Grateful Samaritan
• [54:36] - Faith Beyond Boundaries
• [56:56] - Questions for Our Community
• [57:28] - Closing Prayer
• [60:41] - Closing Hymn and Benediction

Bible Reading

Luke 17:11-19 (ESV) — 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance
13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.
15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;
16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?
18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Observation Questions

1. What did the ten men with leprosy ask Jesus for, and how did Jesus respond to their request? ([48:47])
2. What was unique about the one man who returned to thank Jesus, and how did Jesus highlight this? ([51:17])
3. According to the sermon, what was the difference between “pity” and “mercy” in this story? ([49:49])
4. What role did the priests play in the healing and restoration of the lepers, according to the cultural context shared in the sermon? ([47:42])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think only one of the ten healed men returned to thank Jesus, and why was it significant that he was a Samaritan? ([51:17])
2. The sermon says that mercy is more than just feeling sorry for someone—it’s about action. How does this change the way we think about helping others? ([49:49])
3. The lepers were excluded from worship and community by religious laws. What does this story reveal about the dangers of letting rules or traditions become barriers to God’s grace? ([54:36])
4. Jesus told the healed Samaritan, “Your faith has made you well.” What does this suggest about the relationship between faith, gratitude, and wholeness? ([52:38])

Application Questions

1. The lepers asked Jesus for mercy, not just pity. Is there someone in your life right now who needs more than your sympathy—someone who needs you to take action? What could that look like this week? ([49:49])
2. The only one who returned to thank Jesus was a Samaritan, an outsider. Have you ever experienced God’s grace most clearly during a time when you felt like an outsider? How did that shape your faith? ([53:36])
3. The sermon warns that religious systems can sometimes keep people out instead of welcoming them in. Are there ways our church (or you personally) might unintentionally make it hard for people to experience God’s mercy? What could we do differently? ([54:36])
4. Jesus put people before policies and relationships before rules. Can you think of a time when you had to choose between following a rule and showing compassion? How did you decide what to do? ([55:17])
5. The Samaritan’s gratitude was the “completion” of his healing. What are some practical ways you can practice gratitude this week, especially for things you might take for granted? ([52:38])
6. The sermon asks, “Who will we invite into our community of faith?” Is there someone on the margins—at work, in your neighborhood, or even at church—who you could reach out to or include this month? ([56:56])
7. The story challenges us to be agents of restoration, not just observers. What is one small, concrete step you can take this week to bring hope or healing to someone who feels excluded or overlooked? ([49:49])