Faith That Pleases: Asking, Responding, and Thanking God
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the concept of faith through the lens of a powerful story from Luke 17, where Jesus heals ten lepers. This narrative serves as a profound lesson on the nature of faith that pleases God. We began by discussing how tests are a part of our daily lives and how Jesus often used real-life situations to test and teach His disciples. The story of the ten lepers is a prime example of this, illustrating three key marks of faith that please the Lord.
First, we examined the faith that asks. The ten lepers, despite their dire circumstances, recognized Jesus as their only hope and cried out to Him for mercy. This act of asking is a fundamental aspect of faith, reminding us that we must always look to Jesus in our times of need, regardless of our own abilities or resources.
Second, we delved into the faith that responds. Jesus instructed the lepers to go and show themselves to the priests, a command that required them to act in faith before they saw any evidence of healing. Their obedience, even when the outcome was uncertain, led to their miraculous healing. This teaches us that sometimes blessings follow obedience, and we must trust and act on God's word even when it doesn't make immediate sense to us.
Finally, we focused on the faith that says thank you. Out of the ten lepers who were healed, only one returned to thank Jesus, and he was a Samaritan. This act of gratitude was significant and highlighted the importance of recognizing and thanking God for His blessings. Gratitude is a vital expression of faith that acknowledges God's goodness and grace in our lives.
These three marks of faith—asking, responding, and thanking—are essential for a faith that pleases God. They challenge us to trust Jesus not just for our salvation but in every aspect of our daily lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith That Asks: The lepers' cry for mercy exemplifies a faith that looks to Jesus in times of need. This kind of faith acknowledges our limitations and turns to God as our ultimate source of help and healing. We must cultivate a habit of seeking Jesus in all circumstances, trusting that He hears and responds to our cries. [13:27]
2. Faith That Responds: Jesus' command to the lepers to show themselves to the priests required them to act in faith before seeing any evidence of healing. This teaches us that obedience to God's word often precedes the blessing. We must be willing to step out in faith, trusting that God will fulfill His promises as we act on His instructions. [18:52]
3. Faith That Says Thank You: The one leper who returned to thank Jesus demonstrates the importance of gratitude in our faith journey. Recognizing and expressing thanks for God's blessings is a powerful act of faith that honors Him and keeps our hearts aligned with His goodness. [26:17]
4. Unity in Brokenness: The story of the lepers, who were united by their shared suffering, reminds us that our common struggles can bring us together. In our brokenness, we can find community and support, and together, we can turn to Jesus for healing and restoration. [08:19]
5. Trusting God in All Circumstances: The story of the lepers and the personal anecdote about the tubing hill illustrate the importance of trusting God in every situation. Whether we are facing physical ailments, emotional struggles, or life's uncertainties, our faith should lead us to trust in God's plan and His ability to bring us through. [41:51]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:32] - Humorous Test Questions
[03:05] - Tests in Life and Faith
[04:47] - Journey to Jerusalem
[06:49] - Jesus in the Borderland
[08:19] - Unity in Brokenness
[09:56] - The Plight of the Lepers
[11:35] - Cry for Mercy
[13:27] - Faith That Asks
[14:50] - Personal Faith Journey
[18:52] - Faith That Responds
[23:07] - Joy of Healing
[24:47] - Responding in Faith
[26:17] - Faith That Says Thank You
[28:08] - Childhood Church Songs
[30:25] - Blessings and Gratitude
[32:06] - Levels of Blessing
[33:58] - Daily Faith Test
[35:47] - Personal Story: Tubing Hill
[41:51] - Trusting God in All Circumstances
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Luke 17:11-19 (The story of the ten lepers)
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (Faith and grace)
- Leviticus 13:45-46 (Laws regarding leprosy)
### Observation Questions
1. What did the ten lepers do when they saw Jesus approaching? ([11:35])
2. How did Jesus respond to the lepers' plea for mercy? ([18:52])
3. What was the reaction of the one leper who returned to thank Jesus? ([26:17])
4. According to the sermon, what are the three marks of faith that please God? ([04:47])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the act of asking Jesus for help considered a fundamental aspect of faith? ([13:27])
2. How does the story of the lepers illustrate the concept that blessings often follow obedience? ([18:52])
3. What significance does the gratitude of the one leper, who was a Samaritan, hold in the context of the story? ([26:17])
4. How does the unity among the lepers in their brokenness reflect on our need for community and support in times of struggle? ([08:19])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were in need and turned to Jesus for help. How did that experience shape your faith? ([13:27])
2. Are there areas in your life where you feel God is asking you to step out in faith and obey His word, even if the outcome is uncertain? How can you take that step this week? ([18:52])
3. How often do you take time to thank God for the blessings in your life? What are some practical ways you can cultivate a habit of gratitude? ([26:17])
4. Think about a situation where you tried to handle things on your own instead of looking to Jesus. What was the outcome, and how might it have been different if you had turned to Him? ([14:50])
5. In what ways can you support and find community with others who are going through similar struggles as you? How can this shared experience strengthen your faith? ([08:19])
6. How can you remind yourself to trust God in all circumstances, especially when facing life's uncertainties? ([41:51])
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to respond in faith and obedience to God's word. What steps will you take this week to act on that? ([18:52])
Devotional
### Day 1: Faith That Asks
Faith that asks is a faith that recognizes our limitations and turns to Jesus as our ultimate source of help and healing. In the story of the ten lepers, despite their dire circumstances, they cried out to Jesus for mercy, acknowledging Him as their only hope. This act of asking is a fundamental aspect of faith, reminding us that we must always look to Jesus in our times of need, regardless of our own abilities or resources. Cultivating a habit of seeking Jesus in all circumstances is essential for a faith that pleases God.
When we ask in faith, we are not just making a request; we are expressing our trust in God's power and willingness to intervene in our lives. This kind of faith acknowledges that we cannot do it on our own and that we need God's help. It is a humble admission of our dependence on Him and a confident expectation that He will respond to our cries. [13:27]
> "And Jesus answered them, 'Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.'" (Mark 11:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you need God's intervention. Can you take a moment today to cry out to Jesus, acknowledging your need for His help and trusting that He hears you?
### Day 2: Faith That Responds
Faith that responds is a faith that acts in obedience to God's word, even when the outcome is uncertain. In the story of the ten lepers, Jesus instructed them to go and show themselves to the priests, a command that required them to act in faith before they saw any evidence of healing. Their obedience, even when the outcome was uncertain, led to their miraculous healing. This teaches us that sometimes blessings follow obedience, and we must trust and act on God's word even when it doesn't make immediate sense to us.
Obedience to God's word often precedes the blessing. We must be willing to step out in faith, trusting that God will fulfill His promises as we act on His instructions. This kind of faith requires courage and trust, as it often involves taking steps that may seem illogical or risky. However, it is through this obedient faith that we experience God's miraculous work in our lives. [18:52]
> "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8, ESV)
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where God is calling you to step out in faith and obedience? What specific action can you take today to respond to His call, even if the outcome is uncertain?
### Day 3: Faith That Says Thank You
Faith that says thank you is a faith that recognizes and expresses gratitude for God's blessings. In the story of the ten lepers, only one returned to thank Jesus after being healed, and he was a Samaritan. This act of gratitude was significant and highlighted the importance of recognizing and thanking God for His blessings. Gratitude is a vital expression of faith that acknowledges God's goodness and grace in our lives.
Expressing gratitude keeps our hearts aligned with God's goodness and helps us to remember His faithfulness. It is a powerful act of faith that honors God and deepens our relationship with Him. When we take the time to thank God for His blessings, we are reminded of His constant presence and provision in our lives. [26:17]
> "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV)
Reflection: Take a moment today to reflect on the blessings in your life. Can you identify at least three specific things you are grateful for and thank God for them?
### Day 4: Unity in Brokenness
Unity in brokenness is a theme that reminds us that our common struggles can bring us together. In the story of the ten lepers, they were united by their shared suffering, regardless of their backgrounds. This unity in brokenness allowed them to support each other and turn to Jesus for healing and restoration.
In our own lives, we often find that our struggles and challenges can create a sense of community and support. When we share our burdens with others and come together in our brokenness, we can find strength and encouragement. Together, we can turn to Jesus for healing and restoration, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles. [08:19]
> "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who is going through a difficult time? How can you come alongside them and offer support and encouragement today?
### Day 5: Trusting God in All Circumstances
Trusting God in all circumstances is a theme that emphasizes the importance of faith in every situation. The story of the ten lepers and the personal anecdote about the tubing hill illustrate the importance of trusting God in every situation. Whether we are facing physical ailments, emotional struggles, or life's uncertainties, our faith should lead us to trust in God's plan and His ability to bring us through.
Trusting God in all circumstances means believing that He is in control and that He has a purpose for everything we go through. It involves surrendering our fears and anxieties to Him and relying on His strength and wisdom. This kind of trust is built through a deep and personal relationship with God, where we learn to depend on Him in every aspect of our lives. [41:51]
> "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to trust God? Can you take a step today to surrender this area to Him and trust in His plan and provision?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You want to have a faith that pleases God. Look to Jesus for all things, in all problems, in good moments, and in horrible moments. Have a faith that looks to Jesus. It's a faith, friends, that pleases God." [14:50] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Friends, if you have put your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus, that is what is promised you. Not because of your own work, but because of what Jesus did on the cross. And by the way, friends, if you are here today and you have not trusted in the Lord Jesus, what a great day for you. You have an opportunity to trust in the Lord Jesus and to move from death, to life." [32:06] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Hey, child of God, you trust him. You look to Jesus. You ask. When Jesus speaks to you, you respond, and don't you ever forget to say thank you. When we do that, that, friends, is an expression of trust, and that's what God wants to see from you and me." [43:22] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Do you know what the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ is? That we will have life eternal. Friends, if you have put your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus, that is what is promised you. Not because of your own work, but because of what Jesus did on the cross." [30:25] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You know the picture that we constantly get out of scripture? Go to Jesus. Always. Every day of your life. This is not just a, yeah, I trust him for salvation. Praise God there. Justification occurs at that moment, friends. But you know what else we're called to do? To look to Jesus." [14:50] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The first principle that we get of a faith that pleases God is a faith that always looks to Jesus. You want to have a faith that pleases God. Look to Jesus for all things, in all problems, in good moments, and in horrible moments. Have a faith that looks to Jesus. It's a faith, friends, that pleases God." [14:50] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Sometimes blessing only occurs after obedience. Obedience. In this case, that's exactly what it was. Jesus says, guys, you've got to trust me. And you need to go show yourselves to the priests. I imagine they kind of stood there for a little bit and kind of waited for Jesus to do his thing. And he said, guys, go show yourselves to the priests." [18:52] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You know the kind of faith that pleases God? It's a faith that says thank you. You know, I watched us all kind of walk in today. This is true of me of what I'm about to say to you. We're blessed, aren't we? Okay, thank you. I just want to make sure you're with me. Friends, we are blessed." [28:08] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Is God at the center of your gratitude? Do you live a constant position of saying, Lord, you have blessed me in so many ways? Or is it possible that we fall into the pattern of culture of thinking of what we don't have instead of thinking of what we do have?" [32:06] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You see, friends, this is a powerful little story that challenges every one of us. It's a test, if you will, for you and me. Every day of our lives, do we have the faith that pleases God? If we do, it is expressed in a faith that looks to Jesus, that asks. It is a faith that responds in obedience when God speaks. And I promise you this, it is a faith that always says, thank you, Lord, for what you have done for me." [33:58] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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