"Thanksfulness", A Part of Faith | Luke 17:15-18

National Thanksgiving

The Pilgrims

Dramatic and significant is the story of the Pilgrims. On December 21, 1620, the voyaging Mayflower dropped anchor in Plymouth Bay, with Captain Christopher Jones at her helm. It had been a grueling voyage, taking the one-hundred-twenty-ton-capacity ship sixty-six days to make the perilous crossing. There had been disease, anxiety, and childbirth among the 102 courageous passengers. Furthermore, they arrived on the bleak New England shore during a hard winter which ultimately claimed half of their number. However, when spring came and the captain of the Mayflower offered free passage to anyone desiring to return, not a single person accepted.

The fidelity of the forty-one men, who while still aboard the Mayflower had signed the famous Compact beginning with the words, “In ye name of God Amen,” was taking on visible meaning. These chivalrous souls had dedicated themselves to the total causes of freedom. They had come to a wilderness to carve out a better way of life. Faith prompted the voyage; faith sustained the Pilgrims, and their religious convictions constrained them to raise their voices in praise. Their hardships, sacrifice, devotion, concept of government, and vigorous religion all remind us of those who sought a country.

Acting In Unity- Church

The ten individuals mention in the event told by the gospel writer Luke had a lot in common, and because they were required to stay away from others and to announce their presence if they had to come near “Unclean”. they found a small community united by their pain and hopelessness.

The ten men were unity in their request to Jesus. “Jesus Master, Have Pity On Us!”

We can worship together, prayer together, sing together, study together but coming back with thanksgiving is a individual decision.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 17

But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. 16 He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan

Psalm 100:4-5 says Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the LORD is good, and his faithful love endures forever; his faithfulness, through all generations.

How did you enter this morning?

HOW TO GIVE THANKS

Let’s look at the men (One of them) who came back, his body language, his posture and attitude to see if we can learn few principles of gratitude.

His Gratitude was Immediate - when acting in faith to the word of Jesus “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” he received his physical healing on his way. Thankfulness to God for what He as done for you, your children, your family must Not be delay. Do the first time first.

JOYFUL AND LOUD- he pray to Jesus to have pity on him in a loud voice in the present of multitude of people and he praise Jesus in a loud voice. His loud and joyful praise serve as a testimony to others and others to also praise God. joyfulness is infectious.

HUMILITY

-He threw himself at the feet of Jesus, the Master over leprosy, who give him a second chance to life. Health and the blessing to rejoin his family, friends, love ones and society. A complete restoration.

We must be a thankful people everyday. Giving thanks to God for ALL is benefits towards us,

SPECIFIC

His gratitude was directed to Jesus “thanked Him” when the Lord do something for you, give Him thanks. Direct your thanksgiving to God AND GOD ONLY.

THE THANKFUL ARE MADE WELL

Finally, my fathers and mothers, brothers, and sisters in the Lord ungrateful don’t learned and grow in God but only grateful Christians grow in understanding God’s grace. The only one who came back learned that his faith made him well.

Get up and go on your way. Your faith has made you well.

“If a man trusts to his own righteousness, he rejects Christ’s. If he trusts to Christ’s righteousness, he rejects his own.” -ROBERT TRAILL