In this message Pastor Scott teaches from Mark 1:40-45. In this sermon we look at a desperate man’s encounter with Jesus and analyzed what we can learn about our own lives and our own desperation.
Sermon Notes
Jesus heals a Desperate leper
Mark 1:40-45
In our culture, there is a counterfeit desperation that has hindered our ability to recognize true need.
As followers of Jesus, our access to excess has distracted us from our desperation for Jesus.
Jesus Cleanses a Leper (Mark 1:40-45)
And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
A DESPERATE DISEASE
“And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Mark 1:40
A RIDICULOUS REQUEST
“And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Mark 1:40
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most”
Hebrews 4:16 NLT
Intimacy with Jesus while you’re waiting is better than immediately getting what you want.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:13
A MIRACULOUS MOMENT
“Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.” Mark 1:41-42
A CLEAR COMMAND
“And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” Mark 1:43-44
“What is sin? It is the glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. The greatness of God not admired. The power of God not praised. The truth of God not sought. The wisdom of God not esteemed. The beauty of God not treasured. The goodness of God not savored. The faithfulness of God not trusted. The commandments of God not obeyed. The justice of God not respected. The wrath of God not feared. The grace of God not cherished. The presence of God not prized. The person of God not loved. That is sin.” - John Piper
1. Sin starts small
2. Sin numbs your sensitivity
3. Sin destroys your life
“Be killing sin or it will be killing you.” John Owen
“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
