Message Notes

Ministry : Bilingual Worship
Theme : Faith
Text : Luke 17:11-19
Name : Mark Tan
Title : Faith and thanksgiving

Introduction

1. Focusing on the theme of faith

a. Different aspects of faith will be shared each week

b. We can be personally refreshed by the study of the Lord’s Word

2. This week, we will learn from the story of the healing of the ten lepers. (Luke 17:11-19)

A refreshing experience

1. Refreshing to study the Lord’s Word

a. Refreshing of the soul

b. Uplift to the heart

c. Sense of joy fills our spirit

2. Reasons for this refreshing experience

a. Enlightenment from the word

b. New insights gained

i. Of the Lord

ii. Of our faith

iii. Of ourselves

iv. Of our hope

A reassuring encounter

1. A significant but brief description

a. A brief encounter between Jesus and the ten lepers

b. Brief but not without significance

2. Standing afar off (Luke 17:12)

a. Ten lepers met the Lord Jesus but were standing away

b. This was different from others who had encountered the Lord before

c. Reasons for the lepers to be standing afar

i. They were probably in the advanced stages of leprosy

ii. They were fearful of people

iii. They were ostracised by society

iv. They only had a little faith

v. They did not have the courage to come before the Lord

d. Many continue to stand afar

i. As older folks, we may feel that we are far from the Lord

ii. We dare not come closer to the Lord

iii. We only have a little faith

iv. We are not sure whether the Lord will accept us or not

v. We feel that we are unworthy to come to Him

3. The Lord sees you (Luke 17:14)

a. Crying out to the Lord for His mercy (Luke 17:13)

b. The Lord was able to see them

c. Even though they were standing afar

d. He understood the needs of the ten lepers

i. It was alright for them to be where they were

ii. Enough that they were looking to Him with their little faith

iii. They could turn to Him from where they were

iv. The Lord healed the lepers of their disease

e. The Lord sees us from afar too

i. Wherever we are, the Lord sees us

ii. He reassures us by looking out for us

iii. He helps us in our time of need

iv. As older people, people don’t see us as we hope they will

v. But the Lord sees us and cares about us

4. Seeking confirmation (Luke 17:14)

a. Jesus told them to show themselves to the priest

b. To confirm they had been healed

c. A joyful experience for the 10 lepers

Remember to express our gratitude

1. Only one of them remembered to express his gratitude

2. He returned and drew near to the Lord Jesus (Luke 17:15,16)

a. Joy in drawing near

i. Glorified God

ii. Fell down at Jesus’ feet

iii. Giving thanks to the Lord

b. We too can draw near to Lord

3. The commendation of the Lord

a. Commended for remembering to give thanks

b. His faith had made him well (Luke 17:19)

4. The challenge to remember

a. When we have experienced the Lord’s blessing, we should remember to give thanks

b. There are times when we forget to give thanks

c. Is it too late to give thanks? No. We can still give thanks at any time.

d. There will be only commendation…no condemnation

Conclusion

1. To be refreshed in our faith
Through the study of the Lord’s Word

2. To be reassured in our faith
The Lord sees us and draws us to Him from afar

3. To remember to give thanks to the Lord
Even though we may be late in doing so