Remember to Give Thanks

Luke 17:11–19 NCPB

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 show 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’.

Introduction

Christmas was my favorite holiday as a boy, growing up. I loved it because we got to travel to some neat places. One year we went to Mazatlan Mexico, another year we went to Honolulu Hawaii. My mom was not that wealthy, but she worked hard to provide for me. I was her only child and she was a single mother. She saved all year so we could go on a nice vacation during the holidays. I have some found memories from those years. I didn’t have that many presents growing up, but I was thankful for the good times we had together.

The story is told about my cousin, Ryan, he had very wealthy parents, his parents spent hundreds and perhaps even a thousand dollars on gifts for her two children. This was in the late 80’s early 90’s. Every toy a child could ever want, spared no expense.

One year on Christmas morning all presents were just ripped open within about five minutes, and my Cousin Ryan said, “Is that it”?

Is that it? (not thank you Mom, and Dad).

Some people have that attitude towards God, Is that it!?

We read in Luke 17 about 10 lepers, but only one turned back to give thanks to Jesus.

Why is it difficult for people to give thanks?

People don’t give thanks because they forget what God has done for them

I. Remember what Jesus did for you

Luke 17:11–13 NCPB

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’.

They had an incurable disease

Leprosy was a skin disease that had no medical cure in Jesus’ day.

The Lepers needed a miracle from God

Sin is incurable outside of the miracle of salvation

Have you been saved from your sins?

Review: They had an Incurable Disease...

They had an infectious disease

Luke 17:12 NCPB

And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off.

They implemented social distancing. They were not allowed to get close to Jesus or other non lepers because of their infectious disease.

Sin is like an infectious disease.

Isaiah 59:1–4 NCPB

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save: neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity, your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

Don’t think that your sin only effects you, sin is infectious, in will spread to others also

Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Covering your sins is what Adam and Eve tried to do in the Garden of Eden. It was ineffective.

Genesis 3:7-10 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

They cried out to Jesus

Luke 17:13 NCPB

And they lifted up their voices, and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us’.

Crying out to Jesus is what will make a difference!

Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Have you ever cried out to Jesus for Mercy?

Have you ever asked the Lord to save you from your sins?

You must believe in your heart and confess with you mouth

Mark 10:46-52 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Crying out to the Lord “IN FAITH” makes a difference. God sees our faith…God responds to our faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

II. Simply Obey the Command of Jesus

Luke 17:14 NCPB

And when he saw them, he said unto them, ‘Go show yourselves unto the priests’. And it came to pass that as they went, they were cleansed.

Simple Command

“Go show yourselves unto the priests”

God never asks us to do things that we are incapable of doing.

God always enables us to do what he commands!

Faith is obeying and depending upon God

Do you have faith? (Do you obey and depend upon God?)

Simple Obedience

III. Remember to Give Thanks to God

Luke 17:15–19 NCPB

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’.

Worship comes from a Heart of Gratitude

Luke 17:15–16 NCPB

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.

God’s Grace is for Everyone

Luke 17:16 NCPB

and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

Here is the twist in the Story

You are like that Samaritan, you were undeserving of God’s Mercy and Grace

God’s Grace is even for the Samaritan like you

Jesus was disapointed by their lack of Gratitude

Luke 17:17–19 NCPB

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’.

Where are the nine?

Jesus notices details, he knew how many were healed

Giving glory to God is expected

If you are not willing to praise him, you are not likely to ever serve him. (People that Serve the Lord do so from a heart of Gratitude)

Conclusion

Luke 17:19 NCPB

And he said unto him, ‘Arise, go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole’.

Has your faith made you whole?

Has there been a time in your life when you trusted Jesus as Savior?

Are you truly thankful for what God has done for you?