A Leper

Sermon from CCM Fallowfield

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LISTEN

 

This sermon was preached by Abi Alsop at the Fallowfield site of Christ Church Manchester on Sunday 26th September 2021.

BIBLE VERSES

 

This sermon was based on Matthew 8:1-4

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

1When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying,
 
“I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

 

KEY POINTS

Jesus Cares About the One

  • He stops for one. A man the community had deemed a leper comes up to Jesus, and kneels at his feet.
  • This man had to publicly shame himself and declare he was unclean. The crowd were repulsed. 
  • Psalm 86:15 says “But you, my Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy; you are very patient and full of faithful love”.
  • Just as Jesus stopped for the man with leprosy, Jesus is present here for you (Romans 5:8)

Confidence in Jesus’ Power to Heal

  • The leper was bold in approaching Jesus – he came with a posture of worship, recognising Jesus’ authority.
  • He didn’t demand this [healing] of Jesus, he still showed humility, but his request demonstrated confidence in the person of Jesus.
  • The leper sought more than healing, he wanted cleansing.
  • When Jesus looked at the man, he was moved with compassion (Mark 1).
  • Jesus stretched out his hand and touched the man. Jesus is showing that he does not intend to keep the man at a distance because of his condition, but he will embrace him as he is.
  • He says ‘I will; be clean’, and he heals the man. This is a story both of healing and inclusion

Jesus Will Change our Whole Life

  • 2 Corinthians 5 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”.
  • When we come to know Jesus and choose to follow him, our old life fades into the background.
  • There was a great social impact as a result of being healed.
  • Whilst Jesus would have been interested in the man’s disease, he also cared for this man holistically.
  • No one should be alone. No one is too much of an outcast for the kingdom of God.
  • No one is too unclean for a relationship with our saviour.

MORE SERMONS

 

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