From Healing to Wholeness: Pursuing God's Fullness

 

Summary

In Luke 17:11-19, we encounter the story of ten lepers who were healed by Jesus, yet only one returned to give thanks and was made whole. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that God desires more for us than mere healing; He desires wholeness. The distinction between being healed and being made whole is significant. Healing addresses the immediate need, but wholeness encompasses a deeper, transformative relationship with God. This story challenges us to move beyond settling for "just enough" in our spiritual lives and to pursue the fullness of what God offers.

The anecdote about the pizza order illustrates a common human tendency to settle for less than what we desire or deserve. Just as Pastor Nanette insisted on receiving the correct order, we should not settle for less in our spiritual journey. God is not interested in a transactional relationship where we simply receive blessings and move on. Instead, He seeks a transformational relationship that draws us closer to Him, where we experience His fullness and abundance.

Many of us live with low expectations, accepting partial relief or temporary fixes in our lives. We may experience a measure of healing or blessing and stop there, thinking it's enough. However, God wants us to press on, to seek complete healing and transformation. This requires faith and obedience. When God speaks, we must respond in faith, trusting that His ways, though sometimes unexpected, lead to true wholeness.

The concept of "cheap grace," as described by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, warns against a superficial faith that requires no real commitment or change. True grace involves discipleship, repentance, and a willingness to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. We must not settle for a shallow faith that lacks the power and presence of God in our lives.

Ultimately, the story of the lepers teaches us that gratitude and worship are integral to experiencing the fullness of God's blessings. The one leper who returned to thank Jesus was not only healed but made whole. This wholeness is available to us when we choose to pursue a deeper relationship with God, giving Him glory for all He has done and continues to do in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Beyond Healing to Wholeness: God desires more than just healing for us; He wants us to be made whole. This involves a deeper, transformative relationship with Him, where we experience His fullness and abundance. We must not settle for partial relief but press on for complete healing and transformation. [06:59]

- Faith and Obedience: When God speaks, we must respond in faith, trusting that His ways lead to true wholeness. Like the lepers who obeyed Jesus' command, our faith should prompt us to action, aligning our lives with His will. [27:33]

- Rejecting Cheap Grace: True grace involves discipleship, repentance, and a willingness to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. We must not settle for a shallow faith that lacks the power and presence of God in our lives. [16:42]

- Gratitude and Worship: Gratitude and worship are integral to experiencing the fullness of God's blessings. The one leper who returned to thank Jesus was not only healed but made whole. Our gratitude should lead us into a deeper relationship with God. [32:49]

- Pursuing God's Fullness: God has so much more for us than we often realize. We must raise our expectations and believe for all the good things He has planned for us, pressing on to Him and not settling for less. [41:50]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:12] - The Story of the Ten Lepers
- [02:41] - The Pizza Order Analogy
- [04:54] - Just Enough is Not Enough
- [06:59] - From Healing to Wholeness
- [08:11] - Effort vs. Earning
- [09:34] - The Gift of Grace
- [10:16] - God's Sacrifice and Love
- [11:04] - Pressing On to Fullness
- [16:08] - The Danger of Cheap Grace
- [18:00] - Active Faith and Obedience
- [19:18] - The Lepers' Desperation
- [22:54] - Hope in Jesus
- [27:33] - Responding in Faith
- [32:49] - Giving God the Glory
- [41:50] - Pursuing Abundant Life

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 17:11-19

Observation Questions:
1. In the story of the ten lepers, what was the response of the one leper who returned to Jesus after being healed? How did Jesus react to his return? [01:12]
2. How does the pizza order anecdote illustrate the concept of settling for less in our spiritual lives? [02:41]
3. What does the sermon suggest is the difference between being healed and being made whole? [06:59]
4. How does the concept of "cheap grace" relate to the story of the lepers and their response to Jesus? [16:42]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to move from healing to wholeness in the context of a relationship with God? How does this relate to the leper who returned to give thanks? [06:59]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of faith and obedience in experiencing God's fullness? What can we learn from the lepers' obedience to Jesus' command? [27:33]
3. In what ways does the sermon challenge the idea of "cheap grace," and how does this concept affect one's spiritual journey? [16:42]
4. How does gratitude and worship play a role in experiencing the fullness of God's blessings, according to the sermon? [32:49]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you settled for "just enough" in your spiritual life. What steps can you take to pursue wholeness and a deeper relationship with God? [06:59]
2. Consider an area in your life where you have low expectations. How can you raise your expectations and trust God for complete healing and transformation? [08:11]
3. How can you actively respond in faith to God's commands, even when they seem unexpected or challenging? Share a specific example from your life. [27:33]
4. In what ways can you reject "cheap grace" and embrace a faith that involves discipleship, repentance, and wholehearted following of Jesus? [16:42]
5. Identify a recent blessing or healing in your life. How can you express gratitude and worship to God for this, and how might it lead you into a deeper relationship with Him? [32:49]
6. Think of a situation where you might have a transactional view of your relationship with God. How can you shift this perspective to seek a transformational relationship instead? [06:59]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to pursue the fullness of what God has planned for you, rather than settling for less? [41:50]

Devotional

Day 1: From Healing to Wholeness
God desires more than just healing for us; He wants us to be made whole. This involves a deeper, transformative relationship with Him, where we experience His fullness and abundance. The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19 illustrates this truth. While all ten were healed, only one returned to express gratitude, and he was made whole. This wholeness signifies a complete transformation that goes beyond physical healing to encompass spiritual renewal and a closer relationship with God. We are challenged to not settle for partial relief but to press on for complete healing and transformation, seeking the fullness of what God offers. [06:59]

Isaiah 58:11 (ESV): "And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

Reflection: In what areas of your life have you settled for "just enough" instead of seeking God's complete wholeness? How can you pursue a deeper relationship with Him today?


Day 2: Faith and Obedience
When God speaks, we must respond in faith, trusting that His ways lead to true wholeness. The lepers in Luke 17 obeyed Jesus' command to show themselves to the priests, even before they saw their healing. Their faith prompted them to action, aligning their lives with His will. This narrative encourages us to act on our faith, even when the path is unclear or unexpected. True faith is not passive but active, requiring us to step out in obedience and trust in God's promises. [27:33]

Hebrews 11:8 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where God is calling you to step out in faith and obedience? What practical steps can you take today to align your actions with His will?


Day 3: Rejecting Cheap Grace
True grace involves discipleship, repentance, and a willingness to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of "cheap grace" warns against a superficial faith that requires no real commitment or change. We are called to reject a shallow faith that lacks the power and presence of God in our lives. Instead, we should embrace a faith that transforms us, leading to genuine discipleship and a deeper relationship with Christ. This requires a commitment to live out our faith with integrity and purpose. [16:42]

James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to settle for "cheap grace" in your spiritual journey? How can you commit to a deeper, more transformative faith today?


Day 4: Gratitude and Worship
Gratitude and worship are integral to experiencing the fullness of God's blessings. The one leper who returned to thank Jesus was not only healed but made whole. This act of gratitude led to a deeper relationship with God, highlighting the importance of acknowledging His work in our lives. When we express gratitude and worship, we open ourselves to experiencing more of God's presence and blessings. It is through gratitude that we recognize His goodness and draw closer to Him. [32:49]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and worship in your daily life? What specific blessings can you thank God for today?


Day 5: Pursuing God's Fullness
God has so much more for us than we often realize. We must raise our expectations and believe for all the good things He has planned for us, pressing on to Him and not settling for less. This involves a conscious decision to pursue His fullness and abundance, trusting that He desires to bless us beyond our current circumstances. By seeking His presence and aligning our lives with His purposes, we can experience the abundant life He promises. [41:50]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you need to raise your expectations and trust God for more? How can you actively pursue His fullness and abundance today?

Quotes

"We can have a deeper relationship with God. We can have more miracles. We can have more peace. We can have more joy. We can have more stability. We can have everything that God promises, but often we settle for less." [00:05:31] (16 seconds)


"God does not want to just do business with you. Some of us think that we have to work really hard or work extra hard to earn his grace or to receive anything good from God. It's like, if I don't do right, you know, it's like that bad thing happens to you on, you're like, man." [00:06:46] (13 seconds)


"Sometimes the reason why I don't get all that God has for me is because I don't expect much. Sometimes I don't get all that God has for me because I ain't willing to do what it takes to get it. God is not opposed to effort. He's opposed to earning." [00:08:00] (18 seconds)


"Cheap grace is a lie. And it robs you of the power of God in your life. It robs you of the fullness of the kingdom of heaven. And as much as we're unwilling to follow Jesus, to take up our cross and pay the price to be his followers, to be his disciples, to truly trust that when he says, I will be in you and I will be with you, that means 24 -7, 365." [00:17:11] (22 seconds)


"God has so much more for us that we live in than we live in often because we choose to settle for less. Now, we either do that tacitly, which means that we just kind of let things happen and don't try, or we do it actively, where we just simply say, yeah, no, I'm not doing that." [00:17:43] (17 seconds)


"God's works are not to just do something to you or something for you. He wants to draw you into a deeper relationship. Everything God does is designed to draw you closer to him. When he heals you, he doesn't just heal you and say, go on your way. He says, heal you." [00:37:09] (15 seconds)


"The difference between a guy getting healed and a guy getting whole was that he pressed on in to a deeper relationship with God. He gave God the glory. He was thankful. He was grateful." [00:40:48] (14 seconds)


"Jesus came so that you could live. But the kind of life that Jesus offers is not the just enough kind of life. It's not for you or for me to just barely make it. It's not for us to struggle and suffer in silence." [00:41:14] (17 seconds)


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Transcript
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