I Am the One

Jesus and the Ten Lepers

Scripture Reference: Luke 17: 11-18 (NIV)

11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" 14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"


Jesus and his disciples are on the move. Jesus is moving the focus of his ministry south from Galilee, getting closer and closer to the final confrontation in Jerusalem. (“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Luke 9:51 NIV) Here Jesus is traveling in the border area at the southern extremity of the province of Galilee, and at the northern end of the area where the Samaritans lived. Luke reminds us that this took place in a racially-mixed area.

Leprosy in Biblical times was a terrible thing. It was considered incurable, and those diagnosed with leprosy were banished from society. They were treated as outcasts, like many who have AIDS today. They were required to live outside the city in leper camps (read Num 5:2-3) and were to cry out to warn others to keep away from them as they walked the streets (read Lev 13:45-46).Jewish practice prescribed that while lepers might attend synagogue, they must be the first to enter and last to leave, and they must stay in a special compartment to isolate themselves from the other worshippers.

Pastor Collins, characterized leprosy as a deadly, dogging, demoralizing illness. Being just outside of the village would be common, since the lepers probably obtained food from family members or those in the village who took pity on them. They had no land to till, and no livestock to look after, which left them dependent upon others.

The questions were asked, “Have you ever been bound to a place where you could not see Christ? A place where you had not money or food, and were considered low class? A place where people looked at you with disdain, because you were not on their level?” Pastor Collins’ sermon he speaks of the church as a hospital, where the spiritually sick come together and pray with each other seeking Gods’ grace and mercy.

The lepers asked for pity, the phrase "have pity" means to be greatly concerned about someone in need, 'have compassion/mercy/pity' for someone. “As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance, and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" (Luke 17:12&13 NIV) They didn’t ask for healing but for pity. They asked for whatever Jesus might give them -- food, clothing, shelter, whatever he decided to offer. They knew Jesus' reputation for compassion. But did they really ask for and expect healing? The scripture doesn't indicate so.

When Jesus told the men to go to the priest to prove that they had been cleansed, it is clear that Jesus had acted to heal them. The request calls for faith; since the men must turn and go to the priests without having first experienced the healing.

There are several points in the lesson of this healing: (1) God's mercy should yield thanksgiving. (2) God works through Jesus. (3) Getting close to God is a matter of trusting him. One who seems far away can really be near. (4) The outsider, the foreigner, is the most sensitive to Jesus in this story. Those who respond to God may not be the ones we expect to respond. (5) God's blessing can be appreciated or underappreciated.

Jesus highlights the last point when he asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?"(Luke 17:17 NIV).The group of lepers were in all probability united by their disease despite deep divisions of ancestry, religion, and history. But the Samaritan was the only one to offer thanks. Life's real blessings are not valued, while things that cannot really bless are assigned worth they do not really possess. Many time our families and friends, and more important, the God of life is underappreciated, taken advantage of or ignored--not necessarily to their detriment, but always to ours.

There is one other lesson in the exchange between Jesus and the Samaritan man. God's grace, even though it is extended to all, does not mean that all gain salvation. "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:11-12 NIV). Christian friends, can you truly say “I AM THE ONE?” God blesses humanity in a general way, but only the responsive who appreciate what he has done in Christ receive his full blessing and acceptance.

by: B Stevenson

Neighbor Holler Until You Get It

Jericho

Scripture: Mark 10:46-49

In the book of Mark, Jesus was constantly doing something. The Gospel of Mark emphasized the super human power of Jesus. Christ is presented as God’s Son in action. This book tells more of what Jesus did, like filming a movie Mark rushes from one dynamic scene to the next.

In the first twenty verses of chapter one Jesus is baptized, tempted by the devil, and begins His ministry; teaching, cleansing and healing. The second chapter of Mark is filled with many miracles, for example, in verse 25 he rebuked an unclean spirit. Quoting verse 34,“and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.” In chapter 4 Jesus calms a storm. --“And he arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, Be Still and the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39 KJV).In Chapter 5 he healed the Geraseme Demoniac, the woman with an issue of blood and raised Jairus’ daughter. All throughout the book of Mark Jesus teaches in parables and performs marvelous works.

Pastor Collins chose the Mark 10:46-49 to frame his message on Sunday, August 16. “Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” (Mark 10: 46-49 NIV).

The first three gospels of the New Testment gives an accounting of the healing of the blind man on the road leaving Jericho. Bartimaeus, was the blind beggar and son of Timaeus a blind man; which made the case worse, and the cure more wonderful.

Pastor Collins explained Bartimaeus was the son of a blind man going through a generational curse past down by his ancestors. He cried out to the Lord Jesus for mercy; “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David.” Misery is the object of mercy, his own miserable case he recommends to the compassion of the Jesus, Son of David, of whom it was foretold, that, when he should come to save us, “the eyes of the blind should be opened.” (Isa. 35:5) In coming to Christ for help and healing, we should look to him as the promised Messiah, the Trustee of mercy and grace.

Bartimaeus spoke up for himself; this is what happens to Bartimaeus when he speaks out. He is sternly ordered to be quiet. So what does he do? He cries out even more loudly. "Have mercy on me," he tells Jesus. Through his courage the blind beggar was healed. Bartimaeus faith was so strong that it allows him in the presence of Jesus to step outside social boundaries.

As a beggar and a man with a disability, Bartimaeus shows enormous courage. Pastor Collins instructed the church never to allow your shortcoming to keep us dependent on the charity of others. The blind beggar missed Jesus going in to Jericho, but on the way out of the city even in blindness, Bartimaeus’ faith allows him to see what Jesus is and the power he brings.

Faith is an important part of our existence. Bartimaeus could not see but he could hear and speak. As believers we should know how to pray and how to praise. God does not let everything in our lives breakdown. Satan took the eyes but not the tongue. From this scripture reference for the sermon, we are reminded that God is with us even in our most difficult moments--even with the social outcasts, and the beggars on the roadside.

Christian friends, it is not about where you come from, it’s where we are going. "Be of good comfort, rise, he calls thee; and if he calls thee, he will cure thee." Note, the gracious invitations Christ gives us to come to him, are great encouragements to our hope. And if we shall come to him, we shall have what we come for. Let the guilty, the empty, the tempted, the hungry, the naked, be of good comfort, for Jesus calls them to be pardoned. To be supplied, to be filled, to be clothed, to have all that done for them, which their case calls for.

Author: B. Stevenson

When there is Agony in your Garden

Scripture Reference: Matt 26: 36-41

36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." 40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (NIV)


In this scripture Jesus’ agonies in Gethsemane were characterized by sorrow, suffering and submission. He was sorrowful because of the toll that sin had taken on the human race; he suffered because he accepted the guilt of all humanity; his submission to the Father’s will meant that unity of the Godhead would be temporarily disrupted. Gethsemane provided a quiet place where Jesus and His disciples could pray and meditate.

Peter, James and John, the three chosen for the more intimate view of Christ's agony, had previously enjoyed a closer proximity than the others at the raising of Jairus' daughter, and upon the mount of transfiguration. Those three disciples were best prepared to suffer with Christ, who have by faith beheld his glory. “He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.” (Matt26:37 NIV). Gethsemane means the “olive press,” The Garden of Gethsemane included and olive grove. The association of Gethsemane with the process of crushing the olives in order to obtain the oil reflects the excruciating, agony which Jesus experienced there.

In Pastor Collins’ sermon he proclaimed that Jesus came to deal with the sin in our lives. He did not come to give us luxury but, He came to give us salvation. Strength comes from suffering or experiencing a breaking down, the more we suffer the more we lean and depend on God. Complete change is between the believer and God. Just as the olives are crushed to produce oil, when God crush us He sees something new in us.

There are many fair weather Christians, our thermometer goes from hot and fiery to cold and dark. This you can tell by our appearance. When Life is good, when we have money, when everything is good at home, we come to church smiling. Satan knows both our weaknesses and our strengths. And he often tests us in our strength to make us fall. Where we are strongest we are often over-confident and unprepared and let our guard down. Just as Peter was passionately loyal to his Master, but he was unprepared for the test that was to come. Peter declared to him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away." Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."( Matthew 26:33-34 NIV)

When things are not good we take it out on God and the church. Believers should never allow circumstance to prevent us from receiving a manifestation. What do we do when there is pain in our garden? Are we too busy looking at the miracles instead of the mission? We cannot help someone in their weakness and failure until we have suffered similar trial and shame. "Because he (Jesus) himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18 NIV).

God will bring you through; He will pick you up and turn you around.

Do you know Him?

Have you Tried Him?

Isn’t He alright?

Author: B Stevenson

Thank God for Another Chance!

Scripture Reference: Psalms 51:1-3 and 7-11

The spirit was high Sunday August 2, as Pastor Collins read from the book of Psalms 51: 1-3 and 7-11, anchoring his sermon. This scripture is a Prayer For Spiritual Cleansing. This is one of the greatest passages in the entire Bible concerning confession and forgiveness. It was written after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and subsequently has her husband Uriah killed in battle (ll Samuel 11:2-12:14). David’s repentance included: (1) a godly sorrow for his sin (ll Cor. 7:10-11); (2) verbal confession; (3) a turning from sin, a renouncing; (4) forgiveness; (5) restoration to God’s favor; (6) rejoicing in salvation; and, (7) a willingness to testify to others about the grace of God.

Pastor Collins’ sermon conveyed a picture of David as being “a man after God’s own heart.” “And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own Heart, which shall fulfil all my will”. ( Acts 13:22 KJV) The question was asked… How can David be called a man after God’s heart; why not Enoch or Jude? David had too much blood on his hands! So much so that God would not allow him to build the temple. Remember, David was a warrior, murderer, and an adulterer. “David said to Solomon: "My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. But this word of the Lord came to me: 'You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.” (l Chronicles 22:7-8 NIV)

David crossed the line; he broke God’s law going beyond the limit; but being convicted of his sin, David poured out his soul to God in prayer -- praying for mercy and grace. Pastor Collins' illustration was that of God having two hands -- one sorrow, and one mercy. God chastise with one hand, and with the other never complaining, He gives us grace. Mercy is God holding back what we deserve. Grace is God giving what we do not deserve. I am what I am only by grace.

In the church today many believers tend to think that the act of adultery is the only sin. We often overlook and excuse how we murder character with lies, jealousy and deceit; and how we commit fraud, cheat and steal. However the true believer longs to have the whole debt of his sins blotted out, and every stain cleansed; Pastor Collins explained that once saved we are never unsaved no matter what you have done.

We are all sinners and on the strength of our lives deserve nothing but God's judgment. We have nothing to offer, nothing to plead, nothing with which to buy His favor. David’s request of God was to ”blot out all my iniquities,” (Ps 51:9 KJV). In his sermon, Pastor Collins put it this way… “God takes us, washes and cleanse us whiter than snow!” “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23 KJV) God through His grace and mercy erases the lines that we as captives to sin have crossed and gives us a new line.

Thank God for Another Chance! It is the blood of Jesus that makes us clean, only God can create a clean heart; " therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17 NIV).

Author: B. Stevenson