Lessons for October 14, 2007 – Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The first lesson

2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15
 
    The king of Aram had high admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. 
    [2] Now groups of Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman's wife as a maid. [3] One day the girl said to her mistress, "I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy."  [7] When the king of Israel read it, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, "This man sends me a leper to heal! Am I God, that I can kill and give life? He is only trying to find an excuse to invade us again." [8] But when Elisha, the man of God, heard about the king's reaction, he sent this message to him: "Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel." [9] So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha's house. [10] But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: "Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of leprosy." [11] But Naaman became angry and stalked away. "I thought he would surely come out to meet me!" he said. "I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! [12] Aren't the Abana River and Pharpar River of Damascus better than all the rivers of Israel put together? Why shouldn't I wash in them and be healed?" So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. [13] But his officers tried to reason with him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, wouldn't you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply to go and wash and be cured!" [14] So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his flesh became as healthy as a young child's, and he was healed! [15] Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, "I know at last that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Now please accept my gifts."  (NLT)

Psalm 111 
    
L.  I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. 
C.  How amazing are the deeds of the Lord!
L.  All who delight in him should ponder them. 
C.  Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. 
L.  Who can forget the wonders he performs?
C.  How gracious and merciful is our Lord! 
L.  He gives food to those who trust him; he always remembers his covenant. 
C.  He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations. 
L.  All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. 
C.  They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. 
L.  He has paid a full ransom for his people.
C.  He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.
L.  What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has! 
C.  Reverence for the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
L.  The rewards of wisdom come to all who obey him.
C.  Praise his name forever!  (NLT)

 The second lesson

2 Timothy 2:8-15
 
    Never forget that Jesus Christ was a man born into King David's family and that he was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. [9] And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. [10] I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. 
    [11] This is a true saying:

    If we die with him, we will also live with him. 
    [12] If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.
    If we deny him, he will deny us. 
    [13] If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
 
    [14] Remind everyone of these things, and command them in God's name to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. [15] Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.  (NLT)

The Gospel Lesson

Luke 17:11-19
 
    As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. [12] As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, [13] crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" [14] He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, their leprosy disappeared. [15] One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God, I'm healed!" [16] He fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. [17] Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? [18] Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?" [19] And Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well."  (NLT)