Give Thanks to God
Expressions of Thankfulness • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 6 viewsNotes
Transcript
Scripture
Scripture
And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
One evening a woman was driving home when she noticed a huge truck behind her that was driving uncomfortably close. She stepped on the gas to gain some distance from the truck, but when she sped up the truck did too. The faster she drove, the faster drove the truck.
Now scared, she exited the freeway. But the truck stayed with her. The woman then turned up a main street, hoping to lose her pursuer in traffic. But the truck ran a red light and continued the chase.
Reaching the point of panic, the woman whipped her car into a service station and bolted out of her auto screaming for help. The truck driver sprang from his truck and ran toward her car. Yanking the back door open, the driver pulled out a man hidden in the backseat.
The woman was running from the wrong person. From his high vantage point, the truck driver had spotted a would-be rapist in the woman’s car. The chase was not his effort to harm her but to save her even at the cost of his own safety.
Likewise, many people run from God’s provision of atonement on the cross, fearing what He might do to them. But His plans are for good not evil--to rescue us from the hidden sins that endanger our lives.
Giving thanks to God is a joyful expression of mankind’s deep appreciation toward God’s loving-kindness. In 1Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Who says Thanksgiving Day only happens on November, Surely, thanksgiving is everyday for those who are aware of and have experienced God’s mercies. When we give thanks to God, we are not only expressing our gratitude, but also fulfilling God’s blessed for us. It delights Him every time we give Him thanks for every thing.
The Biblical account of the Ten Lepers gives us an opportunity to reassess ourselves before the holy presence of God, that we may have a deeper and wider understanding about our Lord’s character and His merciful dealings to people who are unworthy to receive special attention. This soul-touching story will gradually change our different views of giving thanks to God. It will lead us to a more significant way of honoring the Lord Jesus Chris and a higher level of joy produced by appropriated thanksgiving.
There is always the danger of giving thanks through our lips without even understanding from our hearts. Hypocrisy and selfishness are the unpleasant fruits of this unguarded way of giving thanks. This kind of attitude will lead unthankful people to more abuses to the mercies of God.
The healed Samaritan leper exhibited a typical example of a blessed man who was really touched through the loving mercy of God. He realized who they were and what God has done for them. He was mindful of his wonderful blessing from the Lord as he turned back, and with a loud voice, glorified God.
I. RETURNED AND THANKED GOD FOR HIS MERCY Luke 17:11–13 “And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
The lepers asked mercy
Asking mercy from God is a clear acceptance of one’e wretchedness and unworthiness to receive special favor from our Heavenly Father. It’s a simple but honest request to God that give us blessings which we don’t really deserve. The ten lepers asked mercy from the Lord and the Lord gave them what they did not deserve. The story of the ten lepers is an excellent display o our Lord’s mercy toward sinful men/women like we are.
In Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
In spite of what we have done, the Lord is still merciful to us extending His loving hands to give help in times of great need. May wee not abuse God’s mercy, but be thoughtful for His extended mercy. We must not neglect to give thanks unto Him. For all we know, He is worthy to be praised!
II. THANK GOD FOR HIS MINDFULNESS
And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
In many parts of the world, many beggars are being seen sitting or walking in the crowded streets asking alms from people they thought they could receive some help, but they are just being ignored. They are being marked as eyesores of the society and not treated well because of their physical and financial status in life. They are unwanted and objects of criticism. Only few people have shown care of them, but think for a moment and realize that Jesus cares.
III. THANK GOD FOR HIS WONDERFUL MIRACLE
And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
The cleansing of the ten lepers was a wonderful miracle of God. The cleansed lepers became a part of the Lord’s miracle though their faith in Him. What a relevant reminder for us all.
How many people are praying for blessings and miracles of God to come to their lives?
How many people are asking for grace and mercy from God?
And yet when these blessings come, how many of them will turn to the Lord and kneel down and glorify God as they give their whole hearted thanksgiving?
May every believer be found faithful in giving thanks to God. He is worthy to be praised!
IV. THANK GOD FOR HIS GRACE
And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Grace is a barrier breaker. Grace is undeserved favor that comes from our Heavenly Father and can be received through faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In verse 19 we read. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Certainly, the Lord saw his faith in Him, faith that pleases God. Without faith we it is impossible to please God, but with our simple faith in Him, grace is always assured.
Truly, thanksgiving to God is an amazing fruit of a well-appreciated mercy and grace that comes from God.
To the Jews, Samaritans and especially to Gentiles, may this life-changing message be pondered upon and be a part of our lives as we continue giving thanks unto the Lord as we have our beings.
I. THANK GOD FOR HIS MERCY
II. THANK GOD FOR HIS MINDFULNESS
III. THANK GOD FOR HIS WONDERFUL MIRACLE
IV. THANK GOD FOR HIS GRACE
Closing
Closing
Give Thanks to God
Give thanks unto the Lord,
For His wonderful love,
His mercy and grace,
The sinner’s delight!
The Lord’s faithfulness,
Christ’s mindfulness,
Thanks to God.
His daily provision,
His care and protection,
His countless blessings,
His long-suffering,
Salvation so great,
Fellowship so sweet,
God is worthy to be praised!
I Am Thankful
For The Wife
Who Says It’s Hot Dogs Tonight,
Because She Is Home With Me,
And Not Out With Someone Else.
For The Husband
Who Is On The Sofa Being A Couch Potato,
Because He Is Home With Me
And Not Out At The Bars.
For The Teenager
Who Is Complaining About Doing Dishes
Because It Means She Is At Home,
Not On The Streets.
For The Taxes I Pay
Because It Means
I Am Employed.
For The Mess To Clean After A Party
Because It Means I Have
Been Surrounded By Friends.
For The Clothes That Fit A Little Too Snug
Because It Means
I Have Enough To Eat.
For My Shadow That Watches Me Work
Because It Means
I Am Out In The Sunshine
For A Lawn That Needs Mowing,
Windows That Need Cleaning,
And Gutters That Need Fixing
Because It Means I Have A Home.
For All The Complaining
I Hear About The Government
Because It Means
We Have Freedom Of Speech..
For The Parking Spot
I Find At The Far End Of The Parking Lot
Because It Means I Am Capable Of Walking
And I Have Been Blessed With Transportation .
For My Huge Heating Bill
Because It Means
I Am Warm.
For The Lady Behind Me In Church
Who Sings Off Key
Because It Means
I Can Hear.
For The Pile Of Laundry And Ironing
Because It Means
I Have Clothes To Wear.
For Weariness And Aching Muscles
At The End Of The Day
Because It Means I Have Been
Capable Of Working Hard.
For The Alarm That Goes Off
In The Early Morning Hours
Because It Means I Am Alive.
And Finally, For Too Much E-Mail
Because It Means I Have
Friends Who Are Thinking Of Me.