The Second Level of Thanks

The Second Level of Thanks

Luke 8:38–39 NKJV

38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Intro….

1. We Americans celebrated yet another Thanksgiving

Black Friday - Cyber Monday -

And the marketers will have successfully separated the American people from their dollars

2. Yet Thanksgiving will soon be over...

We know that we should live our lives with a daily sense of thanksgiving

and I truly hope that we do

However there must a next level of thanks

While there is a mandate that we be thankful and not take for granted the many blessings....

The First Level of Thanks

Most of us do well with this level

This is the mandate to live daily with thanks for his abundant blessings

This is what we will do this week...

We acknowledged and appreciated

The Second Level of Thanks, however

Goes deeper and stays longer than simply that offering of Thanks

Example of this is found in our reading today

The Demoniac of Gadera had much to be thankful for.

He had been delivered

Was clothed and in his right mind.

He wanted to go with the Lord but the Lord sent him home with these words

Luke 8:39 NKJV

39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

The Second Level of Thanks is to

1. Take on the purpose of your miracle

Why did Jesus deliver the demoniac?

This second level is the purpose of it all and can be found in the following passage

1 Peter 2:9–11 NKJV

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

Seek - Receive - Sell and Give:

Luke 12:31–34 NKJV

31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. 32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

To Whom much has been given much shall be required

Luke 12:48 NKJV

48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

The Parable of the Rich Man who tore down his barns is where the previous discussion began

Luke 12:16–21 NKJV

16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

The Second Level of Thanks is:

2. You have been forgiven therefore you must forgive

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

Matthew 18:23–34 NKJV

23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

3. There is a greater purpose to your blessing than your being blessed

You were given mercy and now you must show mercy

You were forgiven therefore you must forgive

Your were given hope therefore you must show hope

You were trusted again therefore you must trust

Peter and James had learned this lesson

Acts 3:6 AV

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

“But such as I have give I thee”