Blessed, But Not Saved

Pastor Phil Andrukaitis, November 19, 2023

General Theme:  Christ’s Compassion for the Gentiles

Sermon Title:  Blessed, But Not Saved

Sermon Text:   Luke 17:11-19

Subject:  A Lesson on Thankfulness

Complement:  Gratitude should be a continuous attitude, not an occasional incident.

Big Idea:  An attitude of gratitude makes our life a beatitude.

Introduction                  

A pastor was sharing a story about an unkempt, poorly adjusted young man, who was converted to Christ in an evangelistic crusade.  Several days later, Phil, still unkempt but bathed in the love of Christ, was sent to the pastor’s home so that he might know where to find a good church.  Eventually, Phil ended up attending the pastor’s church.

Though Phil needed and received much loving help in personal grooming and basic social graces, one characteristic remained unchanged—his untamed love for his Savior.

One Sunday after church, Phil, with a perplexed look on his face rushed up to the pastor and lamented, Why me?  I keep asking myself, why me?  The pastor thought, Oh no, Phil has become another complaining Christian.  Then with arms outstretched, Phil went on to say, Out of all the people in the world who are greater and smarter than I am, why did God choose me?  With that, Phil joyfully clapped his hands.

Over the years many Christians, including myself have asked the same question, Why me? especially during difficult times.  But Phil was a rare Christian who asked the question, Why me? when talking about God’s blessings.  While other sinners went forward to receive Christ the night Phil was converted, we can only wonder how many of them continually and humbly asked, Why did God save me?  Oh, may we too ponder this question with a worshipful heart.

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known;
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own. —Whittle

 Gratitude should be a continuous attitude, not an occasional incident.[1]

Transitional Thoughts

In recognition of Thanksgiving Sunday 2023, our text this morning is taken from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 17, verses 11-19.  It is the account of ten lepers who were healed but only one leper returned to express his profound thankfulness to God.  In a similar way, this thankful leper reminds us of Phil, who asked the question, Why me?   After all, Phil’s question and the leper’s response reveal the deep awareness of God’s grace bestowed in their lives.

 As Luke unfolds this miraculous story of ten healed lepers, keep in mind that the events of John 11 [the death and resurrection of Lazarus] occurred between Luke 17:10 and Luke 17:11.  In addition, keep in mind that this Luke’s third mention (Luke 9:51; 13:22) of Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem, where He will be sacrificed on the cross for the sins of the world.

To help us grasp the big idea that emerges from the healing of the ten lepers, I am dividing this message into three sections:  Let us…

      • Understand the text of the past.  [What is the meaning of the passage?]
      • Unite the text to the present.  [Why is this passage significant for today?]
      • Utilize the text now.  [How do I apply this text to my life, now?]

Section #1:  Understand the Text of the Past.
[What is the meaning of the passage?]

While the big idea in this passage could be summed up in one word, “thankfulness,” the power of this passage is found in this idea:

An attitude of gratitude makes our life a beatitude.

However, I also believe the inverse is also true:  An attitude of ingratitude fails to see God’s blessings.  Lest I rush ahead of myself, I will address this idea in the application of the message.

To grasp the power of this big idea, let us consider four attitudes portrayed within the miraculous healing of ten lepers:

I.  Cries of mercy from ten lepers (Luke 17:11-13)

II.  Answer of compassion from Jesus (Luke 17:14)

III.  Response of thankfulness from one leper (Luke 17:15-16)

IV.  Assurance of salvation from Jesus (Luke 17:17-19)

Understand the Text of the Past.
[What is the meaning of the passage?]

I.  Cries of mercy from ten lepers (Luke 17:11-13)

Miraculous healings were a constant reality throughout Jesus’ ministry.  People came to Him from all over the land to be delivered from the physical health issues that complicated and weighed down their lives.  Matthew records “Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 9:35).

Of all diseases and afflictions of that day, leprosy was the most dreaded because of its physical suffering and its social stigma, as lepers were cut off from family and friends.  In addition, lepers were banned from appearing in public gatherings, forced to live with other lepers in leper colonies.  And lastly, the painful belief that lepers were under divine judgment for their sins.

As Jesus entered an unnamed village near the border of Galilee and Samaria, ten lepers recognized Jesus and his disciples.  They knew the work and words of Jesus because Jesus’ fame had spread throughout the land.

Keeping their distance from Jesus they cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  The fact that the lepers referred to Jesus as “Master” indicates the lepers were aware that Jesus possessed power and authority to heal their affliction – “…have mercy on us.”

II.  Answer of compassion from Jesus (Luke 17:14)

Verse 14 opens in this way, “So when He saw them…”  Luke’s words remind me of Matthew’s account, “when He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

And so, with a compassionate heart, Jesus said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”  Why?  The law of Moses commanded that lepers who were healed had to appear before the priests in order to be declared clean, (Leviticus 13:19).

As the lepers turned about to make their way to the priests, they were healed!  God’s gift of healing the lepers was an act of common grace.  And on the part of the lepers, it took faith to turn around and seek out the priests who would confirm the healing.

Imagine the joy that filled their hearts as they witnessed their healing before one another.  Moreover, what thoughts raced through their minds knowing that their lives would be forever changed, being restored to their families, friends, and society.  They were holding the winning megabucks ticket!

III.  Response of thankfulness from one leper (Luke 17:15-16)

However, when one of the ten lepers saw that he was healed, he broke away from the group and returned to Jesus.  I wonder if the other nine said to him, where are you going?  It is significant that the leper who returned to Jesus was a Samaritan, implying that the other lepers were Jews.  We’ll come back to this point in a few minutes.

When the healed, Samaritan leper eventually caught up with Jesus, the leper was filled with joy because of what Jesus had done for him [i.e. healed of the most dreaded disease; restored to society/family].  However, the leper also recognized a deeper healing that took place in his soul.  The leper wanted the salvation Jesus offered.  As a result, the healed Samaritan leper…

      • …glorified God with a loud voice  [Praise]
      • …fell onto his face at the feet of Jesus  [Worship]
      • …gave thanks to Jesus  [Gratitude]

IV.  Assurance of salvation by the grace of God (Luke 17:17-19)

Although Jesus asked the leper three questions, the Scripture does not reveal whether or not the leper responded.  Nevertheless, here are three truths from Jesus’ rhetorical questions.

      • The lack of gratitude by the other nine lepers reflects Israel’s rejection of Jesus.  It was a foreigner [a Samaritan] who expressed profound thanksgiving unto Jesus.
      • The lack of gratitude by the other nine lepers may also reflect that these Jews were depending upon their Abrahamic lineage.  They were returning to the priests to be declared cleansed in their body instead of returning to Jesus to be declared cleansed in their soul.
      • The lack of gratitude by the other nine lepers reveals the fact that they did not recognize their sinfulness, unlike the Samaritan.

Consequently, the Lord said to the healed Samaritan leper, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19).  The phrase, “made you well” is the word sōzō, a term that is used to mean, “saved from sin” based on the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross.

Therefore, as we reflect on the four attitudes in the miraculous healing of the ten lepers, the dominating theme becomes powerfully clear,

An attitude of gratitude makes our life a beatitude.

Section #2:  Unite the Text to the Present.
[Why is this passage significant for today?]

Why is this passage significant for us today?  Let us look at this passage from two perspectives:  From those who cry for mercy and from God Who never changes.

Those who cry for mercy are people who are in great need in many areas of their lives.  There are times when individuals call the church office, me, or one of the deacons, expressing a need for assistance.

Like the lepers who kept their distance from Jesus, there are needy people who also keep their distance from the local church and from Christians who could really help them develop in their faith.  Why do these needy folks keep their distance?  Here are three possible reasons:

      • Some folks feel ashamed for asking for help and receiving help.  This is a pride issue.
      • Some folks stay away for fear of being judged and rejected by other Christians.
      • Some folks are simply users/takers.  Like the nine lepers who did not return to thank Jesus, there are folks who are prone to accept blessings without saying “Thank you.”   Sure, anyone can mouth words, “Thank you” but it is our hearts and lives that reveal a true attitude of gratitude that makes our life a beatitude.

Only God knows our heart.  Therefore, do not harden your heart against those who cry for mercy.  Jesus did not allow prejudice or the thanklessness of others to dampen His compassion for sheep who are harassed, helpless, and hopeless.  Neither should we.

Here is the second perspective why I believe this passage is significant for us today.  It is comforting to know that God’s nature does not change!  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).  Far from being an exhaustive description of God, the text presents three significant characteristics of God that can comfort a troubled soul:

      • Jesus continues to see the multitudes of today being harassed, helpless, and without hope, like sheep without a shepherd.  We all need hope.  Sadly, those apart from Jesus think they have hope but in reality, they have placed their trust in lifeless hope.  The only hope sinners and saints alike can experience is in Jesus for He is the living hope (1st Peter 1:3) because He conquered sin, death, and the grave and lives forevermore!
      • Jesus continues to hear the cries of the suffering.  Jesus knows His disciples and hears the cries of His brothers and sisters.  Yet, do not miss this truth:  Jesus also cares for and hears the cries of the unbeliever:  The oppressed, the refugees, those being martyred, the hungry, the widow, the abused, the neglected mate, the lonely, and the list goes on.
      • And God the Father pours out His common grace on all humankind.  Jesus healed all ten lepers; yet, only one returned to give thanks and find salvation.  Consider for a moment the multitudes that were healed of their diseases and afflictions.  How many of them returned to Jesus with a thankful heart and find salvation?  God only knows. Nevertheless, the reality of God’s common grace is seen in Jesus’ statement:  “For He [God our Heavenly Father] makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45b).

These truths connect the passage for us today.  Whatever the culture, whatever the circumstances in life, it is comforting to know that God does not change.  Whether our souls are troubled or at rest, we can count on Jesus’ unchanging character.  AMEN!

Section #3:  Utilize the Text, Now.
[How do I apply this text to my life, now?]

Before we judge these nine lepers too harshly, let us ask ourselves, “how passionate do we express our thankfulness to God for our family, for our church family, and for the trials and tribulations that challenge our faith, church finances, and ministries?”  God is seeking to strengthen our faith.

If we were honest with ourselves, I believe each of us would admit to possessing a spirit of ingratitude in our hearts.  To what degree, only God knows.

What can we do now to cultivate an attitude of gratitude, which would make our life a beatitude [a life of supreme blessedness and exalted happiness]?  To answer this question, let us take our cue from the healed Samaritan:

1.  Let us recognize our miserable, sinful condition and return to God.  We need to admit to ourselves and to God that we do more complaining against others instead of thanking God for others.  The Corinthian church was riddled with disunity and disharmony as some of the saints sought prestige for themselves, criticized their spiritual leaders, even Paul, leaned on worldly wisdom more than God’s Word, and the list goes on.

I just love Paul’s opening words in his first letter to the Corinthians, “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ  Jesus…” (1st Corinthians 1:4).  Let us do likewise.

2.  Let us praise God with a loud voice!  In other words, it is not about the volume of our  voice but the overflowing joy in our hearts for what God has done for us and others that matters.  May we praise God for the cross of Jesus and His shed blood, which was accepted as payment in full for our sins.

However, is it possible that maybe one of the many reasons for our church’s stunted numerical growth is because our hearts are not as thankful as they ought to be?  Just asking.  I am not privy to your quiet times.  I do not know what you say in your “prayer closet” before God.  However, when we pray and say Thank You Lord…while at the same time harbor an indifferent or worse, a contentious spirit against someone, our words of thankfulness do not bring pleasure to God.  It is meaningless to Him.  Therefore, we do not experience many blessings.

3.  Let us humble ourselves before Lord and worship Him.  Rushing through our devotional times does little to strengthen our faith and mold our will to God’s will for our lives.  Life is busy for all of us.  It is easy to rush through the devotion; it is even easier to neglect the devotional and say to ourselves, I’ll make it up tomorrow.  And tomorrow is just like today or yesterday.

Be still and know that God is near.  Quiet yourselves.  Meditate on His Word.  Whisper your prayers to Him and cry if you must.  This is worship.

4.  Give thanks to God.  In his first letter to the model church, the church in Thessalonica, Paul closed his letter with these words, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1st Thessalonians 5:16-18).

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul admonished a couple of Christians whose different positions were becoming potentially explosive for the church.  Paul said, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians    4:6-7).

Therefore, before our church makes radical changes to its overall ministry, avoid knee-jerk reactions.  Rather, let us rejoice, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all things, especially the difficulties we encounter.

The next time we sing the hymn, Now Thank We All Our God  #525 in the hymnal, try to remember the thankful heart of a Lutheran minister, Pastor Martin Rinkhart who wrote this hymn in 1636, during Germany’s Thirty-Year War.  In the following year [1637], at the height of the war, the death toll rose because of the plague.  Since Pastor Rinkhart was the only surviving pastor in Eilenburg, he was called upon to conduct nearly four thousand funerals that year, including his wife’s death.

Listen to the words of this hymn composed in the most of horrific times of war.

Now thank we all our God – with hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done – in whom His world rejoices,
Who from our mothers’ arms – hath blessed us on our way,
With countless gifts of love – and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God – through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts – and blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in His grace – and guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills – in this world and the next.

 All praise and thanks to God – The Father now be given,
The Son, and Him Who reigns – with them in highest heaven,
The One Eternal God – Whom earth and heaven adore,
For thus it was, is now – and shall be evermore.  Amen.

While this hymn speaks volumes of grief and compassion, one of the widows in the bereavement support group that I facilitate in Limerick, shared with the GriefShare group this incredible insight.  I will share it with you and close with prayer.

The work of the mature person is to carry grief in one hand and gratitude in the other and to be stretched large by them.  How much sorrow can I hold?  That’s how much gratitude I can give. 

If I carry only grief, I’ll bend towards cynicism and despair.  But if I have only gratitude, I’ll become saccharine and won’t develop much compassion for other people’s suffering.

Grief keeps the heart fluid and soft, which makes compassion possible.

I am reminded of Isaiah’s description of Jesus, “A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3b).  And “when he saw the crowds, He had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

Invitation to receive Christ – present the gospel.

Closing Prayer

In these closing moments, let us pause, pray, and consider how to apply these lessons to our lives as the Spirit of God leads you.

Dear Father, help us not to run away from grief or sorrow but to run to You with all of our cares, burdens, and hurts.  Keep our hearts fluid and soft so that Your compassion and comfort flows throughout our lives and into the lives of others.  And as Your Word so simply and consistently declares, help us to give thanks to You for all things.

Amen.

[1] Joanie Yoder, Why Me?, [doc online]; from http://odb.org/1994/09/09/why-me-4/; accessed 2023 Nov. 18.