The Tragedy of Temporary Faith
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Exploring the tragic consequences of faith that does not lead to salvation.
Text: Luke 17:11-19
Date: 09/08/2024, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 164
Description:
In our text for this message, Luke will share a "living parable" about an encounter Jesus had with ten lepers. After healing them in a miraculous fashion that required a degree of faith, only one of the ten returned to Jesus to thank Him, and profess Him publicly as Savior and Lord. We will carefully analyze the type of faith that compelled "the one" to return, as opposed to the kind of faith that allowed "the nine" to simply go their way-- having received all they wanted from Jesus. Ultimately we will realize that Luke is relating an epic illustration of the frustrating and tragic work of the Kingdom on a much larger scale. For only a fraction ("the one") of those exposed to the Gospel will actually respond with love, devotion, surrender, and saving faith in Jesus. The rest ("the nine") will quickly return to their old ways-- thereby revealing the tragedy of temporary faith.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 17:11-19.
A. Context
1. Preparing the disciples.
2. Focus on faith.
3. Remembering the audience.
B. The healing of ten lepers, vs. 11-14.
1. Overview
a. A living parable.
b. A preponderance of Hebraisms.
2. Setting the scene, vs. 11-13.
a. Determining the location, vs. 11.
i. A flashback, Luke 9:51,53.
ii. Just prior to the Triumphal Entry.
b. The encounter with the lepers, vs. 12.
i. A nameless village.
ii. A horrid disease, Luke 5:12.
1) The nature of the disease.
2) The significance of the disease.
a) Separation from the community, Lev. 13:45,46.
b) Under God's curse, Num. 12:9,10.
3) The symbolism of the disease, Eph. 2:1,12.
c. The pitiful cry for mercy, vs. 13.
i. A pitiful sound and sight.
ii. The address.
iii. The request, Matt. 9:27, 15:22; Luke 5:12-13.
3. The miraculous healing, vs. 14.
a. A trip to the priest, Lev. 13:2-3.
b. Cleansed on the way, John 4:49; Luke 7:9-10.
c. Noting the irony.
d. Asking why, Matt. 5:17.
C. The return of the "one", vs. 15-19.
1. The thankful Samaritan, vs. 15-16.
a. The only one who returned, vs. 15.
i. Asking "why this man"?
ii. Praising God.
1) Finding his voice.
2) Acknowledging the source.
b. Worshiping Jesus as Lord, vs. 16.
i. A public profession of faith.
1) Professing Jesus as Savior.
2) Professing Jesus as Lord.
ii. By a Samaritan.
1) Disaster breaks down social barriers.
2) The expanding Kingdom, Rev. 5:9.
2. Jesus' commentary, vs. 17-19.
a. Jesus' amazement, vs. 17.
i. Three rhetorical questions.
1) Were not ten cleansed?
2) Where are the nine?
3) The worship of a foreigner.
a) Giving glory to God, Luke 2:20; Acts 12:22-23.
b) A derogatory term, Luke 13:28-29.
b. Saved by faith, vs. 19.
III. Application
IV. Conclusion
