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Commissioning Service
The Institute
October 14, 2015
JESUS, BRUSQUE AND RUDE? +++++++++++++++++++
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In story of 10 healed lepers & only 1
returning 2 give thanks, J seems brusque, rude
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Did you ever wonder why?
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The point of the story is to sting the ungrateful,
not to praise the grateful
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It’s for this reason J doesn’t address man
directly, but speaks over his head 2 crowd listening in
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In addition, Jesus calls attention to the
man’s ethnicity; he’s a “foreigner,” a Samaritan
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He does this 2 chastise those among the Jews who
don’t show J gratitude & acceptance
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& it serves to preview the mission to the
Gentiles
What THE 9 Lepers got right ++++++++++++++++
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The 9 lepers do come off as ungrateful boors
and a word on their behalf is in order
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(1) They knew whom to go to for healing
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(2) As they approach J they call out “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us”
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(3) They believed him when he said it was a
done deal, even before evidence was before their eyes
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(4) They all obey his command to go show
themselves to the priest
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(5) They are
heading in direction he told them 2 head, so we can cut them some slack
IMPORTANCE
OF GRATITUDE +++++++++++++++++++
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In the 1 of 10 who returns we might ask, “What does gratitude contribute to R being
made well in body, mind and soul?”
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Why’s it so important that J would chastise
those who didn’t value it?
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Think of something you’re grateful for … and I’d
like 2 suggest that gratitude does several things:
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(1) Keeps you connected w/ giver of the gift
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(2) Keeps you using the gift with the giver’s
character & purpose
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(3) Keeps you grounded in the value of the
gift as you take it to new pursuits and places
CONCLUSION
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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If the gifts of healing come from God, then
an attitude of gratitude keeps us focused on the source of that new life
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May it be that 4 Matt as we commission him
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And for any who finds gratitude absent, may
J’ words be a challenge and source of hope
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