Sermon Snippet – Giving Thanks More Than Ten Percent of the Time
INTRODUCTION – Many years ago, I heard a great sermon on Luke 17:11-19. I cannot remember the details, though. Today’s message will not be as good, but it is Biblical and thus helpful.
1. GOD IS GOOD AND DESERVES OUR THANKS
“Lepers” suffered from shortened lifespans and social and religious rejection. They needed physical healing. It is no coincidence that Jesus came this way through the borderlands of Samaria and Galilee (verse 11). A primary reason that He chose this unusual road (Jewish people avoided Samaritans) was to heal these men (verses 12-14). Clearly, this miracle of healing was a good, thing, and it was from God – here, God the Son, Jesus Christ. James 1:17a assures us that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” Any good thing – physical, financial, relational, spiritual – is given to us by God: there is no question about that truth. What is in question is our response. Only one out of the ten “cleansed” men took the time to be thankful (verses 15-18). The other nine earned Jesus’ censure even as the one was held up as an example to all of us. Is our percentage any better than ten percent? In general, are we thankful people? Do we thank God specifically for the good things that He graciously grants to us? Ephesians 5:20 says that we should be “giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 5:18 kindly commands “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
2. GOD IS GOOD AND DESERVES OUR PRAISE
There is a difference between thanks and praise. We sometimes use these words as synonyms (I know that I do). They often go together, but thanks focuses on the good things given by God – His blessings to us – whereas praise is directed to God’s good and great character. This healed man gave “thanks” (verse 16), but he also evidenced praise as he “fell down” at the feet of Jesus. Psalm 103:1 rejoices, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name [character].” “Bless” (or “praise,” as in newer translations) has the literal meaning of kneeling, of bowing down. This is a visible form of praise, acknowledging the nature of God. We need this attitude of reverence and awe in order to worship our good God, especially when we are struggling physically, financially, relationally, and even spiritually.
CONCLUSION – It is not likely that any of us will ever be afflicted by leprosy. However, as one insightful preacher pointed out, “Ingratitude is more deadly than leprosy.” Leprosy cannot touch the spiritual and the eternal; ingratitude can. This former leper was fully healed – physically and spiritually. May each of us receive God’s greatest good gift – eternal life in heaven with Him – through faith in Jesus. Today, let Jesus say to us, “Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole” (verse 19).