Grateful
Grateful • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 4 views1 Thess 5:16-18 Tells us to "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ." That's not always an easy thing to do. Living a Grateful life takes intentionality, practice, and requires us to actually "see" what's going on around us... Even though it's not easy, living a grateful life is the most powerful thing we can do!
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Transcript
Charlie’s Thanksgiving List
Charlie’s Thanksgiving List
There was a pastor at a downtown men’s shelter, who was ready to begin the Thanksgiving service. Everyone was eager for him to begin — and finish — since the service was before the meal.
After a few hymns were sung, and it was time for the pastor’s Thanksgiving sermon. He had decided to begin by asking the men what they were thankful for. He knew that it was a little risky, but he thought it would be good for everyone to express their thankfulness.
When he asked the question, there was dead silence. No one was willing to share. He knew then that it was a bad choice. But…
Just as he was about to move on to his message, Charlie stood up. He said, “I am thankful for the 7 Wonders.”
The pastor looked a little confused. He wasn’t sure what Charlie was referring to. Thoughts of the Grand Canyon and the Great Wall of China came to his mind.
The pastor asked, “Which 7 Wonders, Charlie?”
Charlie responded, “You know, pastor, the 7 Wonders of God.”
The pastor still had no idea what Charlie was talking about, but he nodded as if he did. He said, “Yes, Charlie, the 7 Wonders of God. Why don’t you share those with us.”
Charlie began. “Well first you have the Wonder of God’s Mercy. He doesn’t give us what we deserve when we rebel and sin against Him.”
Then, to everyone's surprise, Charlie quoted Psalm 145:8. “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.”
The pastor said, “Yes Charlie, thank God for His mercy.
Charlie continued. “Then there’s the Wonder of God’s Love.”
That’s when Charlie quoted John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
The pastor was amazed. “What is number 3 Charlie?"
Charlie replied, "Well, that’s the wonder of God’s Forgiveness. That’s in 1 John 1:9.”
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
By this time the pastor was standing in awe of what he was witnessing.
Charlie continued. “Well, number 4 is the Wonder of God’s Forgetfulness. I haven’t figured that one out yet. If God knows everything, how can He forget?”
But the Bible says in Hebrews 8:12. “For I will forgive them of their sins and will remember their sins no more.”
By this time the pastor had taken a seat up on the platform wondering what number 5 is going to be. Then Charlie said, “Number 5 is the Wonder of God’s Provision. That’s what you do for us here at the shelter.”
Then he quoted Philippians 4:19. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Charlie looked at the pastor as if to ask, “Do you want me to go on?” The pastor motioned for Charlie to continue.
Charlie said, “Well number 6 is actually two put together. That’s the Wonder of God’s Presence and Peace. The Bible says in Philippians 4:6:”
“The Lord is Near! Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation with prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Then Charlie looked at the pastor and said, “Well, everybody knows number 7.” Charlie paused.
Looked around the room. No one responded. Even the pastor wasn’t sure where Charlie was going with the last Wonder of God.
That’s when Charlie looked up and quoted 1 Corinthians 2:9. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Charlie's 7th Wonder of God was Heaven.
Charlie sat down. The pastor stood and moved toward the pulpit. He looked at the sermon he had prepared and knew that Charlie’s message was all they needed to hear. He closed his Bible, asked everyone to stand, and prayed. “God we are thankful for all your blessings today. We thank you especially for Charlie. Amen.”
That is an awesome list! Amen?!
We almost don’t need a message after hearing that…
We ALL have something to be thankful for, Amen!
But, Are we always thankful?
Sometimes, we just need the reminder to be Grateful…
Thanksgiving is the time of the year, when we are focused on thankfulness… We hear a lot about being thankful… thankful for our families… for our jobs… for our friends…
But what about with God? Do we remember what He tells us to do?
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
We are called to live lives of Gratitude!
Question: “When was the last time you sat down and counted the blessings of God in your life?”
I don’t think we do that enough… Why? Because it’s not easy… It takes intentionality… humility… practice… and it takes humility…
Turn with me to Luke 17:11-19.
While you’re getting there, let me give you a little background:
Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem. He is traveling along the Samarian/Jewish border…
Now, Jesus never detours from His mission… From His birth, He has been on a journey to Jerusalem… He has a purpose to fulfill there, and He knows it… So, what does He do?
He serves… He teaches and ministers to everyone He meets along the way…
As you read the gospels, It doesn’t take long realize that Jesus never avoided Samaria… He never took “the long way” around Samaria, like so many Jews often did.
He went through it!
Here it’s no different…
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.
12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance
13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
Jesus is travelling along the border of Samaria… Meaning He probably ventured into Samaria at times as He traveled along the road…
What is the problem with Him doing that? Why is His entering Samaria (more then once) a “Big Deal”?
— Samaritans hated Jews, and Jews hated Samarians…
— For any good, righteous Jew to enter Samaria, much less talk to a Samaritan, was a huge issue!
— It madeHim unclean according to Jewish Law.
Yet…
Jesus enters a village on the border of Samaria and Judah…
Now… Like many border towns, this village had a mixture of Samaritans and Jews living and working there…
Luke 17:12 (NIV)
12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance
No sooner did Jesus enter the village than He is confronted by these Lepers…
Holman writes: “As if He were not unclean enough, Jesus met 10 [Lepers].”
Now, this begs the question, “That’s a lot of lepers, does that mean that Jesus was going into a leper village?”
I don’t think so…
Look at verse 12 again… “They stood at a distance.”
These men knew their condition… They knew that contact with other people would make those people unclean… and, of course, incur their wrath!
They knew their skin disease was horrible… And, They knew the Law…
They were unclean… They couldn’t live with others… They couldn’t have relationships… They were outcast… Shamed…
Jewish rabbis considered their condition to be the result of their sins.
How would you like that? You have a “life-ending” illness, and you’re told it’s because you are a sinner?
Basically, “It’s your own fault!”
(That never happens in the church does it?)
That’s where these men were!
Can you imagine how they felt?
— They were disqualified from life!
— They couldn’t socialize, participate, build relationships,… all they could do was sit and wait to die!
And on top of all that, they were told it was their fault! That they had caused it!!!
So, What could they do?
Luke 17:12–13 (NIV)
12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance
13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
They did the only thing they could do… They called on Jesus!
They kept their distance, but still came to Him!
They rightly saw who Jesus is… and they sought Him out — in the Hope of being healed!
They stepped out in Faith, and called to the One who could heal them!
(Verse 13)
They begged for mercy.
Holman: “Mercy, in their case, would mean empathy and pity that would lead… to healing.”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
I love this part!!!
Jesus didn’t need to touch them… He only needed to see them to respond to them.
And His response is immediate and precise: “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”
(Notice)
Jesus didn’t pronounce a formula…
He didn’t touch them… He didn’t tell them to go bathe… or to dunk themselves in a river seven times… He didn’t make mud and put it on them…
He didn’t give them scripture to read, or prayers to pray…
He simply said, “Go let the priests see you.”
WHY????
It all has to do with Faith…
(side note)
What is it that saves us?
— belief… faith —
Look at the difference between the two:
Belief — “an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists.” (Oxford Languages Dictionary)
Faith — “complete trust or confidence in someone or something.” (Oxford Languages)
Do you see the difference?
Now, look at John 3:16
John 3:16 (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The word “believes” is the word “pisteuo”.
“Pisteuo” — “to believe to the extent of complete trust [in] and reliance [upon]…” (Louw-Nida Bible Dictionary)
Now.. Which word fits the idea of Pisteuo better, belief or Faith?
It all comes down to FAITH… not simple belief… FAITH requires action!
Luke 17:14 (NIV)
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
What did Jesus tell them to do?
Has He healed them yet?
Do they feel, or see, a physical healing yet?
NO!!!
Luke 17:14 (NIV)
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
“Go, and let the priests see you.” means “Go, and show them that you are clean!”
Do you see what that Jesus is saying to them?!?
They had to step out in FAITH first!
And, when they did, they were healed!
“As they went, they were healed.”
Listen!
This is where the lesson on gratitude begins.
Gratitude is intentional!
Gratitude takes focus, intention, practice, and care.
Gratitude requires us to be aware of what is going on around us!
Luke 17:15–16 (NIV)
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.
16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
Ten lepers scurried off… excited… ready to show themselves to the priests… Each of them “knowing” that Jesus had healed them… BUT....
Only one returned!
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.
Look at that… One of them… “When he saw...” “When he realized…” When he became aware… turned around!
16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
He didn’t hesitate… He didn’t seek a private audience… He didn’t avoid embarrassment… He screamed and shouted in the streets… For ALL to hear…
He gave thanks at the top of his lungs! Gave praise to God! So everyone could hear!
Then he fell at the feet of Jesus and worshipped!
It took intentionality and awareness for him to do this!
He made a conscious choice.
It wasn’t spontaneous.
He stopped… He made the choice to turn around… and he gave extra time to giving thanks!
We have to do the same!!!
Gratitude is intentional!
It requires us to stop!
To recognize and recount our blessings!
And to intentionally take time to fall at the feet of Jesus giving thanks for ALL He has done!
That’s what Thanksgiving is all about!
We need to develop a lifestyle of gratitude…
Gratitude is Powerful!
Top Ten list of Gratitude’s benefits:
Gratitude has positive effects on the brain.
Gratitude boosts the immune system.
Gratitude reduces stress, anxiety, and depression.
Gratitude promotes optimism
Gratitude helps to create and strengthen relationships.
Gratitude reduces chronic pain.
Gratitude improves sleep.
Gratitude keeps us humble.
Gratitude promotes healthy lifestyles.
Gratitude improves self-esteem.
Not only is Gratitude proven beneficial to our health, but it is God’s will for us…
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray continually,
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
God’s will is for us to be grateful in ALL things, WHY???
— Gratitude humbles us, by redirecting our attention from our problems to our Creator!
Gratitude changed this lepers life!
I want you to see something here:
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?
18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”
Verse 16 tells us that this leper was a Samaritan…
In verse 18 (look at this), Jesus makes it clear that the other 9 were Jews!
This is huge!
They were the “good church people”!
They were God’s “Chosen People”!
Jesus asks, “Where are the other nine?”
The good, faithful Jews didn’t return… Only an “unclean” Samaritan did…
Holman states: “By identifying the foreigner, [Jesus] showed the ‘superiority’ of the foreign man[‘s] [Faith].”
Is that us?!?!
Are we the “good church people” forgetting to return to Christ’s feet in gratitude?
(Let me tell you) Gratitude is where true salvation is found!
19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Jesus pronounces this Samaritan leper, “Well.”
Don’t miss this… This is no small thing!!!
I think sometimes we read right past this…
Jesus highlights this man’s Faith, and then pronounces him “well!”
Jesus uses the Hebrew word “sozo” here.
“Sozo” — “deliver into divine salvation.”
This term is used throughout the NT to refer to salvation, healing, and wholeness.
It’s not just talking about the physical healing… it includes the spiritual.
Jesus is saying to this man, “You have been completely healed, forgiven, and restored!”
And he will say the same to us!
This leper’s posture of gratitude led him back to the feet of Jesus, and because of it, he found complete healing!
Does ours?
Does our gratitude lead us back to the feet of Jesus?!?
Gratitude and Healing go hand in hand.
Living a grateful lifestyle puts us right in the heart of God’s will…
It’s not easy… It takes work… It isn’t convenient… but it’s worth it!
There’s an old hymn…
“When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done.
Are you burdened with a load of care?
Does the Cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.”
There is healing at the feet of Jesus.
But… We can only get there through a posture of gratitude and humility…
I urge you, as we prepare for the Christmas season, to spend some time counting your blessings… intentionally looking for what God has done in your life… (it will surprise you)… then give Him the thanks for it!
(prayer)