Worship Gathering 6/28/2020

If you have your copy of God's word on it asked you to turn to the New Testament book of Luke Luke chapter 17 and when you find it, I would ask you to stand.

As we read the very words breathed out by God himself.

and the Holy Spirit says While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. Has he entered the village 10 man with Leprosy met him and they stood at a distance and raised their voices saying Jesus Master have mercy on us. When he saw them he told them go and show yourself to the priests. And while they were going they were cleansed. But one of them. Sing that he was healed returned with a loud voice gave glory to God. He fell face down at his feet thanking him and he was a Samaritan. When Jesus did Jesus said we're not ten cleansed. Where are the nine? Didn't any return to give glory to God except this Foreigner? And he told him get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you let's pray Our Father in Heaven How Great Thou Art

meet us today Father

For the glory of your son and by the power of your spear.

amen You may be seated.

On his way to the Cross Jesus brought healing and salvation to the ones who are farthest away from it.

Three very simple headings that will use today. The first one is this I want you to see prayer. And the compassion of Jesus look with me and verse 11 while traveling to Jerusalem and you should be now from being in this as long as you've been in Luke that should raise a red flag for you. This is the third time that Luke has made the mention that Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. We are in the final month of Jesus's life. This is the last time that Luke will say this. He's on his way to Jerusalem.

One Rider says he's set his face towards Jerusalem like a flint. He's so focused on going and being obedient to his father that he is on his way to Jerusalem.

But beloved. along the way See out of his compassion. Stops and meet people where they are.

Doesn't seem like much as we start the text while traveling to Jerusalem knowing what he will do when he arrives in Jerusalem makes it all the more Paramount. What will he do? What will he do in Jerusalem? He will die for his people. And is on his way to Jerusalem it we find him today. You say what we must learn as we study this text. Is this the compassion of Christ moves us to a life lived at his feet. We see the compassion of Jesus right here. He's on his way to Jerusalem and then will happen. He passed between Samaria and Galilee and if you know anything about geography in that part of the world if he's on his way to Jerusalem Robert, he probably shouldn't be in this area.

When Luke tells us that he's on his way to Jerusalem. He's not saying it's a straight line. No, but he's came to do his father's will at all cost. He's on his way to Jerusalem and he's on his way to Jerusalem beloved to save Richard sinners like you and like me. Not to make it a possibility.

But to actually save his people from their sins and he's on his way to Jerusalem. And here we see prayer and the compassion of Jesus. He shouldn't even be around Samaria. But here he is. Luke doesn't tell us exactly where he's at looking for 12 as he entered a village.

We Know by most scholars believe But he's in the decopolis. Now, if you get bored today, you should really look at the map in the back of your Bible and in it you're going to see there's a whole region called the decopolis. This is called the area of 10 cities and it's somewhere far away from Jerusalem that we find Jesus. We also find this area for the Jew was the area of unclean people that this area is where the Roman soldiers hung out. This was the place where people would go that were unclean to get away from the religious people to get a way far away from the temple to get away from good moral upstanding people. This is the place where Outkast go and this is the place where we find Our Savior a wonderful savior is Jesus my Lord, so wonderful savior, is he He's an accomplice. What in the world is he doing there all beloved? He's on his way to Jerusalem. And one of his own is in the topless.

I can. Put your mind at ease.

but if Jesus Want you? He will find you.

If you have a son or a daughter if you have a brother or sister, if if you have a mother or father that is outside the the loving care and security of Christ, you know this you pray for their salvation and you trust that there is no addiction far and that separates them far enough away that Jesus can't get a hold of them.

There's no sin. That's so heinous that they that Jesus can't go and rescue them. There's no disease so bad that Jesus can't feel it. And we see here The Compassion of Jesus as he entered this Village the village of 10 cities and I'll look here. There's 10 men Luke underlying men in your Bible there. Luke makes it certain that you understand that. These are not just things.

But these are real men real men that maybe had boys and girls have their own real men that had sisters and brothers of their own real men who had real feeling in men and they had a problem. What was it Crispin men with Leprosy met him and Old Testament when we talk about leprosy we can talk about a number of skin diseases about this time. It's probably been refined to the point where you understand that this is Hansen's Disease Hansen's Disease. This is this is a bad bad bad thing. Let me shed some light on it for you. Leviticus. 13 says the person who has a case of serious skin disease or leprosy is to have his clothes torn his hair hanging loose and he must cover his mouth and cry out unclean unclean. He will remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean he must live alone in a place outside the can't imagine yourself with your wife who have contracted this disease. She has it you don't and the law says that she must go outside the camp by herself. I don't like my wife going to the store by herself.

But the law says that she has to go by herself children. Imagine your dad comes home from work and he has a rash on his hand. He goes to the freeze in the freezer says no your unclean. And your dad by himself walks outside the can't know you and I don't understand what the camp is, but you and I know what the woods are don't we?

There's a street light there's no lamps. There's no nothing and outside the camp. The leprous person goes.

Can men have have found each other somehow and they are living together all condemned all sick all disease far away from Jesus.

Look what happens they met him. There is nothing by chance. Are they? Are you and I didn't meet by chance and it wasn't by chance if Jesus comes longshan is the Ten lepers.

Look what happens they stood at a distance. The law tells us that that they were supposed to supposed to be at least fifty away from anyone who was not diseased. I don't know how you feel. And everybody has their own feelings and I hope you respect each other.

But social distancing is a tough tough thing. At the funeral home people come in and normally I shake their hand or I give him a hug. And and now I've got to a point where I say. Okay, what do you feel comfortable with?

It's hard. It's hard to watch. Someone say goodbye to a loved one and people trying to stay 10 ft away, but imagine fifty paces. measure the length of this building

You know what social distance is like for the first time in your life before the leper. They've experienced this. They've been there. No doubt. They stink. the decomposition putrefaction of their skin creates an odor you could smell the Lyft first person before they ever got close to you. Haven't you heard him you heard him with a loud voice crowd? Unclean unclean stay clear of me. Make them give them a wall to do this. It was a way to protect the other people. God always does what's good?

But it doesn't record look doesn't record for us that they sent unclean they stood Odysseus and they raise their voice and what do they say Jesus? monster Have mercy on us Circle mastering your Bible if the only time in the Book of Luke that Master is used by someone. That's not a disciple.

They should throw a flag for you. That's important.

They know him. I've heard of him master. Have mercy on us.

One of my professors, dr. Cook said heartfelt prayer Springs from a deep felt need. This is prayer beloved. master have mercy on us. Have you ever been to the point in your life where you could not pray, but you could say master have mercy on me. This is prayer and we see the compassion of Jesus as it moves us through the text. What does he do? But we see it right here. When he saw them. He told them go and show yourself to the priest. He's the only a priest could diagnose leprosy and only a priest could reinstitute a person back into society and he tells them here when he saw him. He told him go and show yourself to the priest and beloved. We seen prayer and the compassion of Jesus, but now we see obedience and the power of God. It's here. It's right here that he says Go and show yourself to the priest. He doesn't touch him.

He doesn't tell him to go dip in the Jordan 7 times.

What do you do? When were they healed? Look what it says and how they were going. They were cleansed.

You see beloved. You must be obedient.

and he gives you the power to be obedient. This is the miracle. This is the miracle go show yourself to the priest and then they just walk out and go to the I just want on their way there. They are healed. Are you see there's one greater than Elijah.

There's one greater than the man of God if God himself Jesus.

Why should it doesn't come outside and talk to Naaman name is offended by it. Jesus doesn't have to touch the guy. Jesus Wheels it and it's done all the love. It's me. Ask you a question. Have you forgotten who you pray to?

I think that God is overly concerned with the problems. You can't seem to figure out Noble of it wills it and it's done now and you're here and you're lost you're here and you don't know Jesus. Guess what?

Be obedient. Weaving Chris you bend your knee. And you beg the Lord for forgiveness?

And I know when you do that, it's him working in you to do it. Are we seeing prayer and the compassion of Jesus didn't have to fold these guys, but he did. And then we seen obedience in the power of God on their way. They were cleansed. the last thing that I want you to see those this

thankfulness and the posture of a changed man

Book with me verse 15 but one of them now there's 10, right? Are you are you with me?

So there's 10. And one of them comes back give me a percent on that. Uh, oh. One of them saying that he was killed. He looks down. He notices something is not the same what happened returned and was allowed voice gave glory to God Circle that were returned when you see that in the Gospel of Luke know this this is a symbol of faith. 10 left hand saw the miracle 10. We're cleanse 10 with were miraculously changed but only one of them had the gift of faith.

And the symbol of that faith is action.

a man But look what happens with a loud voice he gave glory to God. And look what happens for 16 fail face down at his feet. Does that remind you of somebody else? You remember in Luke Chapter 5 Peter goes out on the boat and catches fish. Like he's never caught fish and what happens if he falls down at his feet or do you remember gyrus gyrus falls down at his feet. Do you remember the woman with the issue of blood she falls down at his feet you remember the demoniac he falls down at his feet and you remember Mary don't you there? She is at the feet of Jesus learning that listen to me close the only posture for a disciple of Jesus is on their knees before the master.

He fell face down at his feet thanking him and Luke says he was a half-breed.

This is the posture of a Christian. Listen to me look up here with you.

the Christian wife Is meant to be lived at the feet of Jesus yesterday, you set off fireworks and celebrated Freedom beloved true freedom is only found at the Masters feet.

Listen close to me what I'm telling you you cannot fake it.

We see thankfulness in the posture of a changed man. He falls face down at his feet thanking him. And he was a Samaritan then Jesus said we're not 10 cleanse. Where are the nine?

Didn't any return to give glory to God except this. Foreigner and we see something about Jesus here. He's always after the ones that no one else wants. This is the compassion of Jesus. And beloved you and I were outside of the the people of God and guess what he did. He brought us into his family. Where are you in the story?

Where are you in the store?

You and I were the leprous ones. far removed from Jerusalem and he comes calling our name.

And he told him get up and go on your way and look your way says your faith has saved you. Look over chapter 7 verse 50.

All there is no better. Sound Preposterous ears than the ruffling of Bible Pages. Chapter 7 verse 50 says and he said to the woman. your faith has saved you go in peace while you're there turnover chapter 8 verse 48

Daughter he said to her your faith has saved you go in peace now. We're in our texts and 1719. But here in just a couple of weeks. We're going to be over in chapter 18 verse 42 and says received your side. Jesus told him your faith has saved you

You see this is the great reversal of Luke those who are on the outside or brought in and those on the inside or pushed out and it's only by faith. It's only by faith.

You said Chris?

What's good? Jesus heals the lepers man. And he's on his way to Jerusalem.

That's a good story.

11

This is a miracle but the value of the miracle is the lesson to be learned. What is the lesson to be learned? The lesson is this. The Compassion of Christ moves us to a life lived at his feet and the life lived at his feet is made up of three things prayer obedience and thankfulness. To live the life at Jesus feet at the live life of prayer obedience and thankfulness you say this is no big theological. Mountain I have to climb How's your prayer life?

So you're not telling me anything? I don't know already. How's your obedience?

Let me get to the heart of the matter.

If it's a Sunday school grade stuff for this is just easy stuff. How's your thankfulness in all things?

You see the life live that Jesus feeds the life of Prayer. So if you're here, you're lost you call out to Jesus. And you say please Master have mercy on me save me from my sin. But if you're here and you're a child of God, then you can say I have a need. You know these General prayers don't don't get us anywhere time.

pray focused prayer

You're sick pray for it. Going to financial problem pray for it. The things that concern you the time of your day, that's the thing that goes on in your life. Pray about it. Get on your knees and find a time to say God. I know you know this already. I know you're Sovereign over all things and that's exactly the reason I'm coming to you. Sovereignty does not keep us from praying. It drives us to pray.

How do we do that Chris will maybe you need to prayer Journal? Maybe we need to put the phone down and bring the prayer journal app. Scandalous, isn't it? This week I got to spend all day in a hospital. It was awesome. I tell you what happened to me. My phone went dead. and so you know what I'm doing, I'm like

What am I going to do that feeling for can't find your phone. Your phone's dead something happen. About an hour into this phone being dead situation. I thought to myself what kind of hold does that little tiny box have on your heart?

my question to you is that What has a hold of your heart? You see the feet of Jesus hands are open.

Cuz when you fall face down. You're down. The life lived at Jesus feet is distinctly different from the world.

Who's the wife of prayer specific prayer for my professor says lazerbeam prayers? And why and how can we pray? We know that he Sovereign but beloved. I'm here to tell you. He is compassionate. He didn't have to kill him. Jane didn't have to heal 10 lepers at day. But for all the centuries later on they would hear of this Jesus who came and had mercy up on these 10 men have nothing to offer. Life live Jesus feeds the life of prayer but a life lived at Jesus's feet is also a life of obedience.

I know you talked about obedience coming Sunday school today what little bit I was in there. Let me tell you something about obedience obedience is commanded of you. And yet you cannot do it in your own power.

You're totally relying upon the spirit of God to do it and you need to get off your lazy Duff and do it. Why I didn't hear you.

How can you say something like that Chris because I'm speaking to myself first. So what are you going to be in about? Retails the man you just go to the priest you go to the priest. I've got this taken care of. So what is God calling you to do so, I know this that when we give the benediction and you raise your hand you're saying that by the power of God, you will go out and make disciples.

So, how are you doing with that?

Some of you right now or thinking can we get back to the prayer thing? It was a little easier. Well, how about this beloved? How about you be obedient and leave your family and bible study?

You said Chris? I don't I don't know. I don't know how to do that. We're we're so busy. Just be obedient. And God will make the way. Family Bible study or how about you open your home to a foster child.

Are people all the time say I couldn't do that? Because if I did that I would get too attached to him. Would it be better for you to have your heart broken then for a child not to ever hear about the name of Jesus?

How about you take it upon yourself and be obedient and the lady that lives down the street for you. That's elderly won't you cook her a meal every week.

Take the time to do it go down and visit her every week and read the Bible tour. Let's take a long time, but wouldn't it?

And in your mind and in your heart when I say these things you're saying. Well, I can't do that. I can't do that. I can't do that and I'm here to tell you. No, you can't do that. But remember God is with you and God is all-powerful those men could not cleanse themselves. But they must be obedient. the life lived the feet of Jesus is a life of prayer. The life lived at the feet of Jesus is a life of obedience. But listen to me, I'm almost done. The life lived at the feet of Jesus is a life of thankfulness. Do you know what murmuring means?

Let me tell you. mama murmur it's a word that sounds like the thing that is doing remember that the children of Israel were in the desert right now.

murmur

you see the life lived at Jesus feet is not a life of murmuring. It's a lot of thankfulness. What does he do there? He falls face down his feet and he thinks him.

That's the posture of a man has been changed.

I would as your pastor I would encourage you on one thing.

You cannot be faithful and are thankful in all things unless you spend time with God everyday. You cannot do it. I know that from experience. You cannot be thankful for whatever life brings you if you're not in the word and in prayer everyday, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of you being in your Bible everyday. How do you live at the feet of Jesus? You live at the feet of Jesus with your Bible open in your heart open?

You cannot be thankful. You cannot be truly thankful with your Bible closed.

I read this morning early about Johns. And John Stotts routine was to get up in the morning. And before he said anything to anyone about anything he would come. to the Trinity with thankfulness father son and spirit And it got me thinking about something. What is the first thing that I do when I open my eyes?

What's the first thing you do when you open your eyes?

I guarantee you that this man who was changed by God himself by and he met Jesus I guarantee you from then on every time that he opened his eyes. He thank God for the day. Why because he had been changed. I guarantee you one other thing, too. I guarantee you when he saw a leper. He always told them about the hope that was found in Jesus. Do you think this man ever crossed another left for that? He didn't tell them his testimony.

That's what works to do.

I once was lost but now I'm found. Once was blind, but now I see.

It's simple, isn't it? The compassion of Christ moves us to a life lived at his feet and prayer obedience and thankfulness.

your faith has saved you it's true today to osprey father we ask you to use this in the hearts of your people. We know father that many things distract us. Many things pulling our hearts. But for those who are changed. The response is always prayer obedience and thankfulness.

You reminded Us by dr. Stanley many times. We we should be obedient leave the consequences to you. father we ask you now to help us be prayerful people that we spend time every day in the in the scriptures searching them and praying. Seeking your face about all the things of Our Lives.

May we be obedient people whatever you're calling us to do. to join a small group to open up our home. To have a family bible study. to help an elderly person

whatever you called us to do. May we do it trusting in your power alone.

And may we be people of thankfulness thankful hearts and thankful speech maybe not murmur maybe not complain about the circumstances Our Lives because to complain about the circumstances of Our Lives. We are ultimately complaint against you.

Father I ask you to teach these people how important it is for them to read their Bibles.

Is there someone here that doesn't know you?

May they be reminded today. There is no disease so bad that will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

That we are called to repent.

And to trust you.

Buffet faith alone in your son's name. We pray. Amen last for Usher.