Christian Gratitude
Notes
Transcript
November 21, 2021 Thanksgiving Message
Luke 17:11–19
Man is quick to express his needs to the Lord, but very slow to give thanks. As a Christian, think for a moment and ask yourself this question: “How often do I thank the Lord?” Then think of how often you ask the Lord in prayer to help you to meet your needs, and to be with you. It shows a lack of respect when we fail to thank God for His blessings.
I. THE PEOPLE—vv. 11–13
I. THE PEOPLE—vv. 11–13
1. Christ—v. 11. Luke shows to us the last six months of Christ’s ministry as one long journey to Jerusalem and the cross.
1. Christ—v. 11. Luke shows to us the last six months of Christ’s ministry as one long journey to Jerusalem and the cross.
2. Characters—v. 12. Lepers. Lepers were outcasts. They were unclean. They were separated from family and friends. They were helpless. This sickness starts as a skin disease, then the fingers and hands, and feet are affected and fall off at the joints. SIN IS LIKE THIS DISEASE BECAUSE:
2. Characters—v. 12. Lepers. Lepers were outcasts. They were unclean. They were separated from family and friends. They were helpless. This sickness starts as a skin disease, then the fingers and hands, and feet are affected and fall off at the joints. SIN IS LIKE THIS DISEASE BECAUSE:
a) It separates (Ps. 66:18). Sin separates from God.
a) It separates (Ps. 66:18). Sin separates from God.
b) It makes one unclean (John 3:1–8). Because of sin, man must be born again. He must be changed by God’s power.
b) It makes one unclean (John 3:1–8). Because of sin, man must be born again. He must be changed by God’s power.
c) There is no cure aside from God’s intervention (Heb. 9:22).
c) There is no cure aside from God’s intervention (Heb. 9:22).
3. Cry—v. 13. The lepers cry out for help. No one seemed to care. No one seemed interested.
3. Cry—v. 13. The lepers cry out for help. No one seemed to care. No one seemed interested.
II. THE PLAN—v. 14
II. THE PLAN—v. 14
1. Command—v. 14a. “And when he saw them he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests.”
1. Command—v. 14a. “And when he saw them he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests.”
a) Permission. If they were cured, the lepers would be given permission to appear in public.
a) Permission. If they were cured, the lepers would be given permission to appear in public.
b) Purity—The priests would give the final decision regarding healing and purity.
b) Purity—The priests would give the final decision regarding healing and purity.
2. Cleansed—v. 14b. “And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.” Obedience always brings results.
2. Cleansed—v. 14b. “And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.” Obedience always brings results.
a) Obedience brings cleansing. The lepers had to obey and go before they were cleansed.
a) Obedience brings cleansing. The lepers had to obey and go before they were cleansed.
b) Obedience shows consecration. A consecrated person will be quick to obey what the Lord commands.
b) Obedience shows consecration. A consecrated person will be quick to obey what the Lord commands.
III. THE PRAISE—vv. 15–19
III. THE PRAISE—vv. 15–19
1. Happiness—v. 15. Only one of the ten lepers returned to give thanks. No doubt all the lepers were happy and thankful, but only one showed thanks. He returned to thank Jesus before he went to the priest.
1. Happiness—v. 15. Only one of the ten lepers returned to give thanks. No doubt all the lepers were happy and thankful, but only one showed thanks. He returned to thank Jesus before he went to the priest.
2. Humility—v. 16. He was a Samaritan, and bowing before Christ, who was a Jew, showed real humility, for the Jews and Samaritans did not get along with each other.
2. Humility—v. 16. He was a Samaritan, and bowing before Christ, who was a Jew, showed real humility, for the Jews and Samaritans did not get along with each other.
3. Healing—vv. 17–19
3. Healing—vv. 17–19
a) People—v. 17. Christ healed ten—where were the nine?
a) People—v. 17. Christ healed ten—where were the nine?
b) Problem—v. 18. Only one was thankful. What a shame!
b) Problem—v. 18. Only one was thankful. What a shame!
c) Power—v. 19. Jesus said, “Thy faith hath made thee whole.”
c) Power—v. 19. Jesus said, “Thy faith hath made thee whole.”
The Bible says, “In everything give thanks” (1 Thess. 5:18). Be thankful for these things: (1) Problems—they help you. (2) People—all the people who have helped you. (3) Pastor—because he explains God’s Word to you. (4) Persecution—it makes you grow in the Lord. (5) The opportunity to pray—when Daniel prayed, he also gave thanks (Dan. 6:10). Thanksgiving gives joy and peace.
Croft M. Pentz, Expository Outlines from Luke, Dollar Sermon Library Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1976), 43–44.
