Faith, Gratitude, and Holistic Healing in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church family. Thank you for joining us today, whether you're here in person or watching online. Your presence is important, and we put a lot of effort into making your experience valuable. Today, we delve into Luke 17:11-19, a passage that speaks profoundly about faith, healing, and gratitude.
As Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee, He encountered ten men with leprosy. These men, ostracized and suffering, called out to Jesus from a distance, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" They acknowledged Jesus as the Master, the one with the power to heal and show mercy. Jesus responded by instructing them to go and show themselves to the priests. This command required faith because they were not healed immediately but as they went on their way. Imagine their astonishment when they realized they were healed, feeling sensations in their limbs for the first time in years.
One of the ten, a Samaritan, returned to Jesus, praising God in a loud voice and throwing himself at Jesus' feet in gratitude. Jesus noted the absence of the other nine and highlighted the faith of this foreigner, saying, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." This statement goes beyond physical healing, implying a deeper, holistic wellness—spiritual, emotional, and physical.
The story of the ten lepers teaches us several key lessons. First, it underscores the importance of faith in action. The lepers were healed as they obeyed Jesus' command to go to the priests. Second, it highlights the significance of gratitude. Only one returned to thank Jesus, showing that true faith leads to worship and thanksgiving. Third, it reminds us that Jesus' healing and salvation are available to all, regardless of social or ethnic background.
In our lives, we often face challenges that require us to step out in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain. We must remember to return to Jesus in gratitude, acknowledging His work in our lives. Worship is not just about singing songs but about living a life that continually praises God for His goodness and mercy.
As we close, let's remember to be like the one leper who returned. Let's worship God with our whole hearts, recognizing that He has made us well in every aspect of our lives. Whether we are struggling or thriving, we are well because of Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith in Action: The ten lepers were healed as they obeyed Jesus' command to go to the priests. This teaches us that faith often requires action, even when the outcome is not immediately visible. We must trust and obey God's instructions, believing that He will fulfill His promises in His timing. [57:21]
2. The Importance of Gratitude: Only one of the ten lepers returned to thank Jesus, highlighting the importance of gratitude. True faith leads to worship and thanksgiving. We should cultivate a heart of gratitude, continually acknowledging God's work in our lives and giving Him the praise He deserves. [01:06:17]
3. Holistic Wellness: Jesus' statement, "Your faith has made you well," goes beyond physical healing. It implies a holistic wellness that includes spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects. When we place our trust in Jesus and worship Him, we experience a comprehensive sense of well-being. [01:09:32]
4. Inclusivity of Jesus' Healing: The fact that the one who returned was a Samaritan underscores that Jesus' healing and salvation are available to all, regardless of social or ethnic background. This reminds us that God's love and grace are inclusive, breaking down barriers and extending to everyone. [01:08:04]
5. Worship as a Lifestyle: Worship is more than singing songs; it is a lifestyle of continually praising God for His goodness and mercy. We should express our faith through daily acts of worship, whether in quiet moments of prayer, acts of service, or giving back to God. Worship transforms our faith into a living, vibrant relationship with Jesus. [01:18:54]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[15:16] - Introduction and Online Engagement
[41:48] - Jelly Roll's Song and Its Relevance
[43:25] - The Story of the Ten Lepers
[55:42] - Mercy and Compassion
[57:21] - Faith in Action
[01:06:17] - Gratitude and Worship
[01:08:04] - Inclusivity of Jesus' Healing
[01:09:32] - Holistic Wellness
[01:18:54] - Worship as a Lifestyle
[01:20:34] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 17:11-19
#### Observation Questions
1. What did the ten lepers call out to Jesus from a distance, and how did they address Him? ([43:25])
2. What specific instruction did Jesus give to the ten lepers, and what was the result as they followed it? ([57:21])
3. How did the one leper who returned to Jesus express his gratitude, and what was Jesus' response to him? ([01:04:09])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus instructed the lepers to go show themselves to the priests instead of healing them immediately? ([57:21])
2. What does the reaction of the one leper who returned to Jesus tell us about the nature of true gratitude and worship? ([01:04:09])
3. How does Jesus' statement, "Your faith has made you well," go beyond physical healing to imply a deeper sense of wellness? ([01:09:32])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to step out in faith without knowing the outcome. How did that experience shape your trust in God? ([57:21])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of gratitude. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your daily life, especially in challenging times? ([01:06:17])
3. Jesus' healing and salvation are available to all, regardless of background. How can you demonstrate inclusivity and share God's love with people from different walks of life? ([01:08:04])
4. Worship is more than singing songs; it is a lifestyle. What are some practical ways you can incorporate worship into your daily routine? ([01:18:54])
5. The one leper who returned to Jesus experienced holistic wellness. In what areas of your life do you need to seek Jesus for deeper healing and wellness? ([01:09:32])
6. How can you ensure that your faith leads to worship and thanksgiving, rather than just seeking favors from God? ([01:03:36])
7. Think of a specific challenge you are currently facing. How can you step out in faith and trust God's timing and plan for that situation? ([59:02])
Devotional
Day 1: Faith in Action
Faith often requires us to take steps even when the outcome is not immediately visible. In Luke 17:11-19, the ten lepers were healed as they obeyed Jesus' command to go to the priests. This act of obedience, despite not being healed immediately, demonstrates the essence of faith in action. They trusted Jesus' words and moved forward, and it was in their movement that they experienced healing. This teaches us that faith is not passive; it requires us to act on God's instructions, trusting that He will fulfill His promises in His timing.
In our own lives, we may face situations where the path ahead is unclear, and the results of our actions are not immediately evident. It is in these moments that we are called to step out in faith, trusting in God's guidance and timing. By doing so, we open ourselves to the miraculous work of God in our lives, just as the lepers did.
Luke 17:14 (ESV): "When he saw them he said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went they were cleansed."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you need to step out in faith. What specific action can you take today to demonstrate your trust in God's promises? [57:21]
Day 2: The Importance of Gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful expression of faith. In the story of the ten lepers, only one returned to thank Jesus, highlighting the importance of gratitude. This Samaritan's act of returning to give thanks shows that true faith leads to worship and thanksgiving. Gratitude acknowledges God's work in our lives and gives Him the praise He deserves. It is a recognition that we are not self-sufficient but dependent on God's grace and mercy.
Cultivating a heart of gratitude involves continually acknowledging God's blessings, both big and small. It means taking time to thank Him for His provision, protection, and presence in our lives. When we practice gratitude, we align our hearts with God's will and open ourselves to a deeper relationship with Him.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV): "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on the blessings in your life. Write down three things you are grateful for today and spend time in prayer, thanking God for each one. [01:06:17]
Day 3: Holistic Wellness
Jesus' statement, "Your faith has made you well," goes beyond physical healing. It implies a holistic wellness that includes spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects. When the Samaritan leper returned to thank Jesus, he received more than just physical healing; he experienced a comprehensive sense of well-being. This holistic wellness is available to us when we place our trust in Jesus and worship Him with our whole hearts.
Holistic wellness means that our faith impacts every area of our lives. It is not limited to our spiritual health but extends to our emotional and physical well-being. When we live in alignment with God's will, we experience peace, joy, and wholeness in every aspect of our lives.
3 John 1:2 (ESV): "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul."
Reflection: Consider the different areas of your life—spiritual, emotional, and physical. How can you invite Jesus into each of these areas to experience His holistic wellness? [01:09:32]
Day 4: Inclusivity of Jesus' Healing
The fact that the one who returned was a Samaritan underscores that Jesus' healing and salvation are available to all, regardless of social or ethnic background. This story reminds us that God's love and grace are inclusive, breaking down barriers and extending to everyone. Jesus' ministry was marked by His willingness to reach out to those who were marginalized and excluded by society.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to reflect His inclusive love in our own lives. This means reaching out to those who are different from us, showing compassion and kindness to all people, and breaking down barriers that divide us. By doing so, we become instruments of God's healing and grace in the world.
Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is different from you or who may feel marginalized. How can you show them the inclusive love and grace of Jesus today? [01:08:04]
Day 5: Worship as a Lifestyle
Worship is more than singing songs; it is a lifestyle of continually praising God for His goodness and mercy. The Samaritan leper's act of returning to thank Jesus was an act of worship. Worship involves expressing our faith through daily acts of devotion, whether in quiet moments of prayer, acts of service, or giving back to God. It transforms our faith into a living, vibrant relationship with Jesus.
Living a lifestyle of worship means that every aspect of our lives becomes an opportunity to honor and glorify God. It means seeking to please Him in our thoughts, words, and actions. When we live this way, we experience a deeper connection with God and a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily routine. What are some specific ways you can incorporate acts of worship into your everyday life? [01:18:54]
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Church, are you knowing more for your complaining or more for your praising? What happens when bad things come your way? When challenging moments come? Prodigal son. Prodigal son, what does he do? He praises. He goes, 'I'd rather be in my father's house.' And he gives praise. Dad wraps everything around him. Prodigal son. Continual. The Apostle Paul says, in thanks. In everything he thanks. A leper. He had nothing to offer God. Absolutely zip. You guys have so much more to offer God than he did. And he comes back like a megaphone. Jesus. Runs. Falls at his feet. Praising God. Praising God. He had nothing to offer God." [01:15:06]
2. "It took faith for them to obey. They didn't even have enough faith. They needed to have enough faith when Jesus said, 'Go show yourself to the priest,' that as a group they said, 'Might as well go show ourselves to the priest. That's what he said to do.' And so as a group, start walking towards the priest. They start walking to the priest." [01:00:21]
3. "Imagine they're just kind of walking. They're on the other side of the bluff now. Jesus can't see them. They can't see Jesus. Guys walking. Remember, they have no sensation in some of their feet. None maybe in their fingers. And I go, 'Ah, man, I stepped on a rock. Oh, that hurt. Wait a minute. Wait, wait, wait, wait. I can feel in my feet. What?' And he pulls back. And all of a sudden, the band-aid. And the scars on the hands. Can you imagine that? They couldn't feel. And all of a sudden, they just start, 'Wait a minute. I can feel. Woo-hoo.' And they start getting excited. They start jumping up and down. Because for the first time in years, they can feel." [01:01:08]
4. "This guy, he's not shy. Maybe he is. But he's so excited about what happened. He threw himself at Jesus' feet. And he just is there. Can you imagine the crowd parting ways? Because they see this leper running to him. Guy, well, he used to be a leper. Now he's a whole guy running to Jesus. Parting the crowd. Boom. Planting down at his feet. That's exactly the picture you got here. And then he realized that God's word is true. God's word. Jesus spoke. Jesus was the word. And the word said, 'Go to the priest.' Implied in that if you go to the priest, you'll be healed. When he realized God's word is true, he cries out loud to the one who heals him." [01:06:17]
5. "He threw himself at Jesus' feet. And look at this. He threw himself at Jesus' feet. And he thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. And he was a Samaritan. He wasn't part of the Jewish clan. He was a Samaritan. He was an outcast. He was a foreigner. The foreigner came. And the foreigner thanked and worshiped Jesus. And the passage says, 'We're not all ten cleansed. Where are the other nine? Was no one found to give praise to God except for the foreigner?'" [01:08:04]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Then he said to him, 'Rise and go. Here's the twist. Here's the twist for you. Rise and go. Your faith has made you well. Your faith has made you well. Not healed, but well. The implied meaning there is to save, to deliver, or rescue your faith. Here's the picture of faith. They had a need. Jesus, Master, have pity on them. Have mercy on them. They had a need. Jesus tells them. The word speaks. The word tells them what to do. In obedience, they do it, and they're healed. That's where many people's faith stops. God heals them. But here's the bigger lesson. One of them. One of them gives up. One of them gives thanks. One of them comes back to Jesus. One of them worships with all of his might. And as a result, he is saved. He is delivered. He is rescued in the totality of who he is." [01:09:32]
2. "You are well. But he still has major issues. He's externally still stinky, unkept. But he was well. He's still wearing rags. But he is well. He's still unemployed. But he is well. Ten were healed. Ten were healed. But only one was made well. That's incredible. Sometimes church being part of the majority isn't the best thing. Sometimes you're made well. And Jesus made him well. A well person has a continual sense of gratitude." [01:12:21]
3. "Worship expresses your faith. And worship is more than singing the song that Edgar does. You worship God with your heart throughout the day. You worship God in his quiet moments. God, thank you so much for this opportunity to trust you. Thank you for this test, this trial, this turmoil that you're running me through. Thank you for the treasures that you have provided. And so as a result, you've given me so much. I give it back to you. And so giving is an act of worship. When you put your tithe or your offering back there in that silver box, that's an act of worship going, God, everything I have is yours and here's a portion of that. Of course, I give back to you, God. I give you. It's all yours. I'm just worshiping you." [01:18:54]
4. "Mercy. Jesus, have mercy. See, mercy, one definition is showing kindness to someone whom it is within your power to punish or harm. Master, have mercy on us because you have the power to harm us. You have the power to punish us. And we're asking you to relieve the punishment that you have inflicted on us. And that's why you got the other word, compassion. Pity. Flash compassion. There's a deep awareness of the suffering of another person. You've got an awareness of it, but you also have the ability to do something about it. Mercy, you can harm, you can punish, but you choose to relieve it. Compassion, you're aware of it, and you have the ability to do something." [55:42]
5. "Faith turns to worship. I think a lot of people encounter Jesus. I think a lot of people ask Jesus for a favor. Ask Jesus to work. It stops right there. It doesn't go beyond that moment. God, help me. I'm hurting. I've got this disease. I've got this wound or whatever else. And God heals you. But it never turns into worship. It just turns into that moment where God heals you and you're good. Thank you, God. You don't even say thank you. You just continue on." [01:03:05]
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