Where Are The Nine
By Assistant Pastor Dr. Jaden Fitzpatrick | May 17, 2026
Father, we thank you and we come into your house. God, I'm thankful, Lord, to sense the Holy Ghost moving already...
On May 17, 2026, Assistant Pastor Dr. Jaden Fitzpatrick preaches Where Are The Nine from Luke 17:11-19. In this moving and transparent message, we are challenged to move from simply receiving God’s blessings to returning with heartfelt gratitude and worship.
1. The Plight of the Lepers
Ten men stood afar off, afflicted with leprosy. In Bible times, lepers were separated from family, worship, and society. Luke 17:12 says, "there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off." Assistant Pastor Dr. Fitzpatrick powerfully applies this to sin: sin separates us from God, family, and church. Many stay away because of shame. He reminds us, "You will never be truly thankful until you remember where God found you."
2. The Plea of the Lepers
The lepers cried out together, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." (Luke 17:13). They knew they could not heal themselves — their only hope was Jesus. Gratitude comes when we realize everything we have is because of God's mercy. Assistant Pastor Dr. Fitzpatrick shared that proud people demand, but thankful people plead. He clearly explained the Gospel and reminded us that true salvation shows in our lives.
3. The Purging of the Lepers
Jesus said, "Go show yourselves unto the priests." And "as they went, they were cleansed" (Luke 17:14). All ten received the miracle. God is good to all. Drawing from recent hospital visits and personal losses, Assistant Pastor Dr. Fitzpatrick reminded us that the God who gives life is the same God who calls it back. When things are bad, God is still good. When seasons change, God does not.
4. The Praise of the Leper
Only one returned — a Samaritan — glorifying God with a loud voice and falling at Jesus’ feet in thanks. Jesus asked, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?" (Luke 17:17). Gratitude turns blessings into worship. Assistant Pastor Dr. Fitzpatrick challenged: "Am I the one or am I the nine?" Don’t exhaust the ear of God with pleas and never return with gratitude.
If the only thing Jesus ever did was save your soul from hell, that’s more than you deserved anyway. Don’t live your life on the way to heaven and never stop to thank Him.
This morning, Assistant Pastor Dr. Jaden Fitzpatrick invited the church to stand and respond at the altar as Miss Britney sang “Goodness of God.” Many came forward in heartfelt thanks for salvation, family, jobs, and God’s faithfulness through every trial. Where are the nine? Today, may we choose to be the one who returns to give glory to God.