​Lessons From A Leper
 
Luke 17:11-19
 
Learning should be a lifelong pursuit….
 
Lessons can also come from the most unlikeliest of places and people.
 
Children
Our Elders
“Least of These”…
 
In our text we look at how these lepers give us a lesson for life…
 
First of all we see that Jesus on his way to Jerusalem decides to go through Samaria and Galilee…his decision to intentionally go through a place where most people had forsaken and despised shows us the nature of God….to go where others won’t and to interact with those whom are looked down upon. 
 
The First lesson we learn from the lepers
 
They called out to Jesus
 
Recognize the Redeemer
 
Regardless of how society viewed them or their ranking in society…when they saw Jesus they called out to him. There are a lot of so called regular, smart, cute, intelligent people who are missing Jesus daily.
 
Faithful to Follow Through
 
Jesus tells them to show themselves to the priest…sometimes our lack of follow through keeps us from our blessings. We want God to show up the way we want and bless us the way we want and we miss doing the ONE thing he ask us to do. 
 
Attitude of Gratitude that Glorifies God
 
All it took was one….of the 10 lepers only one came back to give thanks to God. He saw his healing but instead of going forward he went back….he gave loud thanks as loud as his plea for help! 
 

Personal…Nehemiah took it personal that the walls of Jerusalem were down. He inquired about his people even though he was in a good place, a safe place. His concern for others caused him to be saddened at the state of affairs of others. If you are going to be successful in your new year consider making your resolution personal.
 
Prayer….After Nehemiah inquired and took the news personal, he then went into prayer. Some might debate whether he should have prayed first, but this allowed him to direct his prayers. His prayers were communal as he professed the sins of the nation and then pleaded the cause of the people. He did not try to prop himself up as perfect. His prayer and continual prayer would become a useful weapon going forth.
 
Plan….Nehemiah long before he developed a plan, God gave him position which would lead to provision. God set him up with what he needed long before he realized he would need it. His provision was so ordained that the king himself asked “what do you want?”
 
People….We will always have to understand and deal with our issues or relationship to people. Keep in mind Nehemiah has already felt the personal affront of his people being in a bad state, he has already prayed to God, he has already been shown favor and given provision from the King, he has already developed a plan…then comes Sanballat and them!
 
Problem…Sanballet is not the main problem..he and his crew have identified their dislike and disdain and you will see it grow and manifest into even more. The bigger issue is the people who announced that they were for the work and would commit to the work…are now refusing to do the work!
 
Passion…If you lack passion for what God has given you to do then you are setting yourself up for failure. Nehemiah’s passion and prayer of course prevented him for spending valuable time trying to persuade those who had pre announced their dislike and disdain. Thats not progress thats spinning your wheels in perpetual motion.