The Free Wash Job
Intro:
1. The youth group car wash: it’s free - but a donation is expected.
2. The Lord’s wash job (the cross), however, is totally free!
Matthew 8:1-4
I. v2 - The Condition.
A. What is leprosy?
1. The most common variety today is called Hansen’s Disease.
a. Sores begin to spread over the entire body.
b. Bones & nerves are affected causing much pain & deformity.
c. The head & face take on a lion like appearance.
d. Death occurs within 10 years.
3. The Bible Variety.
a. Leprosy (λέπρα) = a skin disease. (This could include a number of diseases of the skin)
b. Law: quarantine, cover whole body, stay at least a 6’ distance, cry “Unclean!”.
c. Gradually turns all the skin white; then inspected & pronounced “clean” by a priest.
4. Examples in the Bible:
a. ILL: Moses: as a sign that God was directing him. (Ex 4:6-7)
b. ILL: Miriam: as a sign that God was directing her brother. (Num 12:10)
c. ILL: Naaman: to demonstrate obedience to God & as a foreshadow of baptism. (II Kgs 5:1-14)
B. v2 - He didn’t doubt the Lord’s ability - only His willingness.
1. What faith! Only one time was leprosy ever cured (Naaman).
2. Lk 5:12 says he was “covered with leprosy” or full of leprosy. It was in it’s advanced stages; a hopeless situation.
C. Leprosy & sin compared.
1. They both are ugly: leprosy is ugly - sin is ugly.
2. They both cause separation.
a. Leprosy separates from society.
b. Sin separates from God & godly people.
3. Restoration comes when they are considered white.
a. Leprosy: fellowship is restored when the priest declares him “all white”.
b. Divine deliverance comes as the Lord’s blood washes us “white as snow”! (Rev 7:9-14)
II. v3 - The Cleansing.
A. Lord Jesus stretched forth His hand making fellowship & service possible.
1. Jesus did what no one else would dare do - He touched a leper.
2. Only the High Priest had the legal right to touch a leper & then only after he was inspected & considered clean.
3. Jesus expressed His desire to heal by echoing the leper’s request “if you are willing” with “I am willing”.
4. As a result of the touch & the command “Be clean”, the leprosy was washed away!
B. Lord Jesus died on the cross making fellowship & service possible.
1. Sin stands as a barrier between you & God.
2. The cross breaks down that barrier by paying the price for your sin.
III. v4 - The Command
A. The leper had to restore himself by obeying what God told him to do.
1. He was cleansed - but not legally restored.
2. The Law of Moses declared that he must go to the priest, be inspected & declared clean, & then provide the appropriate thank offering. (Lev 14:1-32)
B. The cleansed sinner must restore himself by obeying what the Bible tells him to do.
1. The blood of Jesus makes fellowship & service possible - but only personal obedience makes it real!
2. The response:
a. Act 2:38 - Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
b. Act 22:16 - And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
3. The cleansing of Naaman was a foreshadow of the cleaning of sin.
4. Save yourselves from this corrupt generation because the price for your sin has already been paid! - Act 2:40
Lord Jesus provided for your free wash job on the cross!
Now come and receive it
to be cleansed!
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