Thanks in the Thick of It (2)

Thankfulness Leads to Restoration

If you took my deliverance class last time I opened one of the classes with a video of an African man talking about his calling. In this calling the God called this man to go out and pray healing over an entire hospital in Africa. The man was praising God and the Holy Spirit said Philip you go to the hospital and tell everyone they are healed. I don’t want anyone going into the new year sick. Philip second guessed God’s call on his life—instead of being obedient to God he prayed and fasted. He used the spiritual practice as an excuse to buy more time. Fear increased. As he tells the dtory by 5pm he hid in the corner of his house in Dawaki and he covered his ears so that the Lord couldn’t talk to Him, but God called to him again. He called Philip again and Philip asked GOd not to send him. The next morning Philip went to church got energized by the sermon, picked up his bible and said I’m going to the hospital. When He got tot he hospital he went to the receptionist and said God called him to declaire healing over everyone in the hospital. The receptionist asked him—are you here or the sick or the staff. HE said the sick. She said they are all gone. Last night everyone got better. We released them all. Philip began to cry and asked God why. God said. I didn’t need you to heal them, I needed you to preach Jesus so that they will be saved. Jesus said I have healed them, but no one got saved. No one was here to tell them about me.

There is only one way to be saved and that’s through Jesus. Jesus is the only way to the Father. Jesus’ sacrficial blood is the only thing that washes away sin, hwoever, thankfulness ignites the journey to salvation. Why does God state that these things will follow those who believe: They shall heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the leapers and give sight to the blind if receiving any of these gifts doesn’t get us saved?

The reason is because he loves us and Father gives good gifts whether you acknowledge him Father or not. Thankfulness is the key to to being saved because an ungrateful heart won’t turn back to the savior.

Luke 17:11–19 ESV

11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

V 14—as they went they were cleansed. I’ve heard people state that progressive miracls don’t happen. This verse shows that God can heal through a journey and not just fully in a moment.

They were sick-they were spotted, but then they walked. They 10 had faith enough to walk. They had to believe to a point, but they all didn’t believe to the point of dalvaiton.

Don’t let your miracle be the thing that keeps you from Jesus.

Somewhere along the journey v 15 one of them noticed they were healed and the turned back.All 10 got healed because in V 17 Jesus says were not all healed?

Luke 17:19 ESV

19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

All where healed, but 1 had the faith that made him well.

Some versions of the bible say whole.

There is a difference between being healed and bring well/whole.

The word well here is the greek word

Sozo- saved, restored, complete

Your healing isn’t complete until your entire mind, body, and soul is restored and saved.

The ine walked because of obedience, the one returned because of revelation. They walked because they were told. They saw Jesus heal others. They knew it was possible, but one returned because he saw who Jesus really was.

Many obey God to get something. The heart of thanksgiving obeys God because He Is Someone.

2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

There is a difference between faith and obedience.

Lepers were physically sick, socially quarantined, emotionally crushed, and spiritually exiled.

But when the one turned back Jesus restores his

Identity

Dignity

Community

and Relationship with God.

Thanksgiving is how you switch from begging God to trust God.

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

With thanksgiving changes everything.

Malachi 2:2 ESV

2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.

God is talking to Israel here. Listen, the Israeli people were giving to God without the heart of thanksgiving. They were giving their left overs, their second best, they didn’t care. But I want you notice something important here. God didn’t say he was going to stop blessing Israel.

God didn’t take away the 9 lepers blessing. God didn’t stop blessing them. Here’s the issue: An ungrateful heart will turn God’s blessing into a curse. The very thing that is meant to enrich your life will cause you grief.

Refusing to give God the honor and glory for what he has done…

Refusing to give God thanks doesn’t remove the blessing—it sucks the joy out of it.

You still have a marriage, but it feels draining.

You still have a job, but it feels heavy.

You still have a ministry, but feels burdensome.

You still have kids, but they feel exhausting.

Life isn’t cursed: it’s dishonored.

Dishonor doesn’t change the blessing it lessons it.

Psalm 106:24–25 ESV

24 Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise. 25 They murmured in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the Lord.

Israel was suspplied for yet they weren’t happy because they weren’t thankful.

What does thankfulness do?

Philippians 4:7 ESV

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Thankfulness positions you with peace and that peace will guard your heart and your mind.

Thankfulness shifts your mind from fear to faith

What if I get sick again?

What if I get back into financial trouble?

What if…

Thanksgiving positions you under protection.