The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:12-19, will help us examine our faith. It is a story about a number of people who had faith in Jesus...

His Faith was Complete

• Some had so little faith, they may as well have had none.
• Some had much stronger faith but lacked an important element.
• One had a complete and living faith —an example to us.

1 The people of the village

• Weren't there to meet Jesus, but going about their daily affairs.
• Would be aware that Jesus was entering their town.
• Variety of opinions about him, some more informed than others.
• Some would be "believers" of a sort but no commitment.
• Their faith not mentioned because it doesn't count. May as well have had no faith at all. "He who is not with me is against me" (Lke 11:23 see 9:50).

2 Nine of the ten lepers

• Came as near as they could to Jesus, being lepers.
• Believed that he could cure them.
• Acted on what Jesus told them to do.
• But their faith not complete —it lacked thankfulness.
• They took what they wanted but they too lacked commitment.
• Jesus gave them a new life, but they neglected to "return".

3 The one who came back

• "Your faith has made you whole" v.19.
• But it also made him return to give glory to God v.18.
• As a foreigner he did not view the blessing as his right.

(A) The elements of his faith:

• 1. Believed he could be healed.
• 2. Came to Jesus and asked to be healed.
• 3. Did what Jesus told him.
• 4. Returned to give thanks and glory.

(B) The Analogy

• 1. His problem, leprosy, is a likeness of the .problem of sin
• 2. Jesus "carried our diseases" (Isa 53:4 see Mtt 8:16-17) in healings like this leper’s.
• 3. Jesus bore our sins by his death on the cross (Isa 53:5)

(C) A faith like the one leper had:

• 1. Believe Jesus can save you.
• 2. Come to Jesus and ask to be saved.
• 3. Do what he tells you.
• 4. Glorify God in your new life.

(D) Who will you be like?

• 1. The villagers who maybe believed but never acted.
• 2. The ten lepers who came to Jesus and did what he said.
• 3. The one whose faith was complete, who not only took, but also returned.