Thanksgiving Through Sickness

Introduction

A large dog walks into a butcher shop carrying a purse in its mouth. He puts the purse down and sits in front of the meat case. "What is it, boy?" the butcher jokingly asks. "Want to buy some meat?" "Woof!" barks the dog. "Hmm," says the butcher. "What kind? Liver, bacon, steak ..." "Woof!" interrupts the dog. "And how much steak? Half a pound, one pound ..." "Woof!" The amazed butcher wraps up the meat and finds the money in the dog's purse.

As the dog leaves he decides to follow. The dog enters an apartment house, climbs to the third floor and begins scratching at a door. With that, the door swings open and an angry man starts shouting at the dog. "Stop!" yells the butcher. "He's the most intelligent animal I've ever seen!" "Intelligent?" says  the man. "This is the third time this week he's forgotten his key."

He wasn't thankful.

Contrast that to the story of Pam, who worked in downtown Chicago. Every morning, she encountered a heavyset, middle‑aged woman in a shabby coat soliciting spare change in front of an old brick church. She greeted everyone with a smile and a pleasant "Good morning." Pam almost always gave her something. After almost a year of this routine, however, the woman in the shabby coat disappeared. Pam wondered what had happened to her.

Then, one beautiful day, she was in front of the church again, still wearing the same, shabby coat. As Pam  reached into her purse for the usual donation, the woman stopped her. "Thank you for helping me all those days," she said. "You won't see me again because I've got a job." With that, she reached into a bag and handed Pam a wrapped package. She had been standing at her old spot waiting, not for a handout, but for the people she recognized so that she could give each of them a doughnut.

She was thankful

Luke 17:11–19 CSB

While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed. But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.”

The Sickness (11-13)

Describe Leprosy and Its effects on the body and in society

Point to the lepers plea

Point to the Leprosy of our hearts (sin)

The Solution (14)

Explain the Priest role in Ancient Medicine

The Initial Faith

Point to the Solution of our Hearts Leprosy (sin)

The Salvation (15-19)

The Response of the 9

Why did only one cleansed leper return to thank Jesus?  The following are nine suggested reasons why the nine did not return:

One waited to see if the cure was real.

One waited to see if it would last.

One said he would see Jesus later.

One decided that he had never had leprosy.

One said he would have gotten well anyway.

One gave the glory to the priests.

One said, "O, well, Jesus didn't really do anything."

One said, "Any rabbi could have done it."

One said, "I was already much improved."

The response of the 1

the response of Jesus

Verse 19 should be translated, “Rise and go on your way; your faith has saved you (sesokēn se). “Saved” here does not refer to the physical healing only. The other nine were healed. His salvation was linked with the Samaritan’s both seeing the gift in Jesus’ healing and responding appropriately.

Application

Apply to the corona virus and how it is easy to get down and out from lack of human interaction or being sick

Before we judge them too harshly, what is our own “GQ”—“Gratitude Quotient”? How often do we take our blessings for granted and fail to thank the Lord? “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Ps. 107:8, 15, 21, 31) Too often we are content to enjoy the gift but we forget the Giver. We are quick to pray but slow to praise.

Conclusion

The leper rejoiced and worshiped Christ for his bodily healing, but as Christians we have a spiritual healing that leads to eternal life. How much do we worship Christ in this truth?

There is a song sung by the Gaither Vocal Band called “ The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference” Jesus made a difference physically in the life of these 10 men by his ability to heal. but we as Christians have the death of Jesus to heal our spiritual sickness. but the words to this song echo in my mind. These powerful words mean all the world to me because this should be the anthem of every Christian.

'Twas a life filled with aimless desperation Without hope walked the shell of a man; Then a hand with a nailprint stretched downward, Just one touch then a new life began.

And the old rugged cross made the difference In a life bound for heartache and defeat; I will praise Him forever and ever For the cross made the difference for me.

Barren walls echoed harshness and anger Little feet run in terror to hide; Now those walls ring with love, warmth and laughter, Since the giver of life moved inside.

And the old rugged cross made the difference In a life bound for heartache and defeat; I will praise Him forever and ever For the cross made the difference for me.

There's a room filled with sad, ashen faces Without hope death has wrapped them in gloom; But at the side of a saint there's rejoicing, For life can't be sealed in a tomb.

And the old rugged cross made the difference In a life bound for heartache and defeat; I will praise Him forever and ever For the cross made the difference for me.