By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville
Baptist Church
Scripture
Text:
Mark 1:40 (KJS) And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and
kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me
clean.
41 And
Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth [his] hand, and touched him, and saith
unto him, I will; be thou clean. 42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately
the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. 43 And he straitly charged
him, and forthwith sent him away; 44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing
to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy
cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 45
But he went out, and began to publish [it] much, and to blaze abroad the
matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was
without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
The purpose of this message
is to show why Jesus can be seen in the lives of those who worship Him.
1.
We have asked for his healing touch
a.
We have been cleansed physically and healed.
b.
We have been cleansed spiritually and healed
c.
We have been cleansed emotionally and healed.
2.
We have felt his touch and presence in our lives. He is here and we know him as our Savior and Healer.
3.
We have been healed so now we can go forth and get in touch with others.
Before the lepers are healed they are not allowed to be in touch with
others except those who are like them, unclean.
God is within our lives.
5.
We have followed his direction in our lives.
Jesus told the cleansed leper to go to the temple to show himself to
the priest.
a.
We have obeyed his direction.
b.
We served in his ministry.
c.
We have made sacrifices, given gifts, and committed ourselves to Him
and his work.
d.
We have accepted his people and his plan for our life.
But:
He did something different.
Jesus was prevented from entering the city because the leper told
everyone. Is it possible to do
the right thing at the wrong time? We
must be willing to obey the Lord in his way not ours to be most effective in
his work.
What will you do?
Will you do as the Lord commands you?
Jesus loves you
Jesus heals you
Jesus guides you
Which way have we gone?
Now, which way will you go?