Embracing Gratitude: A Reflection on Faith and Grace
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound theme of gratitude through the lens of Luke 17:11-19, where Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns to express his thanks. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the grace of gratitude and its significance in our lives. Gratitude is not just a polite gesture; it is a profound acknowledgment of God's grace and mercy. The one leper who returned to thank Jesus exemplifies the depth of faith that recognizes God's hand in our lives and responds with heartfelt gratitude.
We began by reflecting on the importance of Believer's Baptism as an outward expression of faith and obedience. This set the stage for our main discussion on gratitude. We considered how often we overlook the blessings in our lives, focusing instead on what we lack, much like the people in Mexico who complained about the lack of soap despite having both hot and cold springs.
In Luke 17, Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one—a Samaritan—returns to thank Him. This act of gratitude was not just a social nicety; it was a profound expression of faith. Jesus' response to the grateful leper, "Your faith has made you well," underscores that gratitude is a reflection of genuine faith. We learned that gratitude should be immediate, heartfelt, and humble, recognizing that all we have comes from God's grace.
We also discussed practical ways to express gratitude: through our words, our worship, our service, and our giving. Each of these actions serves as a testament to our faith and our recognition of God's grace in our lives. We were reminded that gratitude should be a daily practice, not just an occasional act, and that it should be expressed promptly to avoid forgetting God's blessings.
In conclusion, we were challenged to examine our own lives and consider how we can cultivate a heart of gratitude. Whether through prayer, worship, or acts of service, expressing gratitude is a powerful way to acknowledge God's grace and deepen our faith.
### Key Takeaways
1. Gratitude as Evidence of Faith: The one leper who returned to thank Jesus demonstrated that true gratitude is a reflection of genuine faith. His act of returning to give thanks was not just a social courtesy but a profound acknowledgment of Jesus' divine grace. This teaches us that our expressions of gratitude are a testament to our faith in God's goodness and mercy. [45:43]
2. Immediate Gratitude: The immediacy with which the grateful leper returned to Jesus highlights the importance of promptly expressing our thanks. Immediate gratitude prevents us from forgetting God's blessings and serves as a powerful witness to others. It reminds us to be quick in acknowledging God's grace in our lives, thereby glorifying Him through our timely expressions of thanks. [57:49]
3. Humble Gratitude: The leper's act of falling at Jesus' feet in gratitude underscores the humility that should accompany our thankfulness. Recognizing that we cannot heal or save ourselves, and that all good things come from God, fosters a humble heart. This humility is essential in cultivating a genuine sense of gratitude, acknowledging that it is by God's grace alone that we are blessed. [01:04:05]
4. Practical Expressions of Gratitude: We can express our gratitude to God in various practical ways—through our words, our worship, our service, and our giving. Each of these actions serves as a tangible expression of our thankfulness and a testament to God's grace in our lives. By actively seeking to glorify God in these ways, we demonstrate our appreciation for His blessings. [52:56]
5. Gratitude in All Circumstances: We are called to give thanks in all circumstances, recognizing that every blessing, whether past, present, or future, comes from God. This comprehensive approach to gratitude helps us maintain a thankful heart, regardless of our situation. It encourages us to focus on God's continuous grace and to express our gratitude consistently and sincerely. [49:28]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[14:14] - Believer's Baptism
[30:35] - Prayers for Benny and Eleanor
[32:17] - Opening Prayer
[33:44] - Worship and Singing
[39:30] - Introduction to Luke 17
[40:57] - The Story of the Ten Lepers
[42:45] - The Significance of Leprosy
[44:32] - Jesus' Command to the Lepers
[45:43] - Gratitude as Evidence of Faith
[47:46] - Giving Thanks for God's Grace
[49:28] - Gratitude in All Circumstances
[51:21] - Practical Expressions of Gratitude
[52:56] - Serving God as an Act of Gratitude
[54:38] - Worship as an Expression of Gratitude
[56:16] - Giving as an Act of Gratitude
[57:49] - Immediate Gratitude
[01:02:11] - The Importance of Speedy Gratitude
[01:04:05] - Humble Gratitude
[01:07:28] - The Difference Between the One and the Nine
[01:09:21] - Closing Reflections and Invitation to Respond
[01:13:14] - Closing Prayer and Song
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Luke 17:11-19
### Observation Questions
1. How many lepers did Jesus heal in Luke 17:11-19, and how many returned to thank Him? ([40:57])
2. What did the one leper who returned to Jesus do to show his gratitude? ([45:43])
3. What was Jesus' response to the leper who returned to give thanks? ([45:43])
4. According to the sermon, what are some practical ways we can express gratitude to God? ([52:56])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the act of the one leper returning to thank Jesus considered a profound expression of faith? ([45:43])
2. How does immediate gratitude prevent us from forgetting God's blessings, according to the sermon? ([57:49])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between humility and gratitude? ([01:04:05])
4. How can practical expressions of gratitude, such as service and giving, serve as a testament to our faith? ([52:56])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent blessing in your life. Did you express immediate gratitude to God for it? If not, how can you make it a habit to thank God promptly? ([57:49])
2. Think about a time when you felt ungrateful or focused on what you lacked. How can you shift your perspective to recognize and appreciate God's blessings more fully? ([39:30])
3. In what ways can you incorporate expressions of gratitude into your daily routine, such as through prayer, worship, or acts of service? ([52:56])
4. How can you demonstrate humble gratitude in your interactions with others, acknowledging that all good things come from God? ([01:04:05])
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you can serve others as an act of gratitude to God. What steps will you take to start serving in that area? ([52:56])
6. How can you use your words to glorify God and express gratitude for His grace in your life? Share a recent example or plan to do so this week. ([51:21])
7. Consider the blessings you have received in the past, present, and future. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in all circumstances, as encouraged in the sermon? ([49:28])
Devotional
Day 1: Gratitude as Evidence of Faith
Gratitude is more than just a polite gesture; it is a profound acknowledgment of God's grace and mercy. In Luke 17:11-19, Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one—a Samaritan—returns to express his thanks. This act of gratitude was not just a social nicety; it was a profound expression of faith. Jesus' response to the grateful leper, "Your faith has made you well," underscores that gratitude is a reflection of genuine faith. Our expressions of gratitude are a testament to our faith in God's goodness and mercy. When we recognize God's hand in our lives and respond with heartfelt gratitude, we demonstrate the depth of our faith.
Gratitude should be immediate, heartfelt, and humble, recognizing that all we have comes from God's grace. The one leper who returned to thank Jesus exemplifies the depth of faith that recognizes God's hand in our lives and responds with heartfelt gratitude. This teaches us that our expressions of gratitude are a testament to our faith in God's goodness and mercy. [45:43]
Luke 17:15-16 (ESV): "Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan."
Reflection: Think of a recent blessing in your life. How can you express your gratitude to God today in a way that reflects your faith in His goodness and mercy?
Day 2: Immediate Gratitude
The immediacy with which the grateful leper returned to Jesus highlights the importance of promptly expressing our thanks. Immediate gratitude prevents us from forgetting God's blessings and serves as a powerful witness to others. It reminds us to be quick in acknowledging God's grace in our lives, thereby glorifying Him through our timely expressions of thanks. When we delay our gratitude, we risk overlooking the blessings we have received and missing the opportunity to glorify God.
Immediate gratitude is a powerful witness to others, showing them the importance of recognizing and acknowledging God's grace in our lives. By being quick to express our thanks, we demonstrate our awareness of God's continuous blessings and our willingness to glorify Him. This practice helps us maintain a thankful heart and encourages others to do the same. [57:49]
Psalm 107:1-2 (ESV): "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble."
Reflection: Think of a blessing you received recently. How can you promptly express your gratitude to God and others today?
Day 3: Humble Gratitude
The leper's act of falling at Jesus' feet in gratitude underscores the humility that should accompany our thankfulness. Recognizing that we cannot heal or save ourselves, and that all good things come from God, fosters a humble heart. This humility is essential in cultivating a genuine sense of gratitude, acknowledging that it is by God's grace alone that we are blessed. When we approach God with a humble heart, we are more likely to recognize His hand in our lives and respond with sincere gratitude.
Humble gratitude acknowledges our dependence on God and His grace. It reminds us that we are not self-sufficient and that all good things come from Him. By cultivating a humble heart, we can develop a deeper sense of gratitude and a greater appreciation for God's blessings in our lives. This humility is essential in fostering a genuine sense of thankfulness. [01:04:05]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you received a blessing that you could not have achieved on your own. How can you express your gratitude to God with a humble heart today?
Day 4: Practical Expressions of Gratitude
We can express our gratitude to God in various practical ways—through our words, our worship, our service, and our giving. Each of these actions serves as a tangible expression of our thankfulness and a testament to God's grace in our lives. By actively seeking to glorify God in these ways, we demonstrate our appreciation for His blessings. Practical expressions of gratitude help us to live out our faith and show others the importance of recognizing and acknowledging God's grace.
By incorporating gratitude into our daily lives through our words, worship, service, and giving, we can develop a consistent practice of thankfulness. These actions serve as tangible expressions of our gratitude and help us to maintain a thankful heart. They also serve as a powerful witness to others, showing them the importance of recognizing and acknowledging God's grace in our lives. [52:56]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: Think of one practical way you can express your gratitude to God today. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily routine?
Day 5: Gratitude in All Circumstances
We are called to give thanks in all circumstances, recognizing that every blessing, whether past, present, or future, comes from God. This comprehensive approach to gratitude helps us maintain a thankful heart, regardless of our situation. It encourages us to focus on God's continuous grace and to express our gratitude consistently and sincerely. By giving thanks in all circumstances, we demonstrate our trust in God's plan and our recognition of His sovereignty.
Gratitude in all circumstances helps us to maintain a positive outlook and a thankful heart, even in difficult times. It reminds us that God's grace is always present in our lives and that we can trust in His plan. By consistently expressing our gratitude, we can develop a deeper sense of thankfulness and a greater appreciation for God's blessings. [49:28]
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV): "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you find a reason to give thanks to God in this circumstance today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Believer's Baptism is the outward expression of obedience for someone who has put faith in Christ and been born again." [14:14] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Do you realize that worshiping and praising God is a way of expressing your gratitude to him? When we sing songs about the resurrection and sometimes we get to the point in the song where it declares that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and people will begin to shout. You know what you're doing? You're saying, I am praising God for what he has done for me." [47:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We ought to thank God for his past favors. We should thank God for his present blessings. And we should also thank God for his future promises. You say, Darrell, how, how in the world can I show gratitude to God in my life? Well, I want to give you a few ways that you express gratitude to God for what he's done for you." [49:28] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you have given, do you ever think, God, I'm trying to say, thank you for what you've done. One man came back and expressed gratitude. And it was that one man that Jesus said, you've got real faith. Real faith expresses itself in many ways in gratitude to the living God." [01:11:42] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "When we think about this passage from our own perspective, when you and I express gestures of gratitude to God for his grace, it is evidence that our faith in Jesus is genuine and real." [45:43] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We ought to give thanks for God's demonstration of grace in our lives. We ought to give thanks or express gratitude when God has demonstrated grace for us in our lives." [47:46] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Do you understand that God expects you to be grateful and to express gratitude to him for all that he has done for you? And here's some ways that we do that. First of all, we show gratitude to God by what we say." [51:21] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We ought to be humble in giving thanks for God's demonstration of grace in our lives. Look what happened in this passage. The Bible says in verse 16 that when this man turned around and came back glorifying God with a loud voice, he fell on his face at the feet of Jesus, giving thanks to him, and he was a Samaritan." [01:04:05] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Gratitude reminds us that were it not for grace, none of us, none of us would know him. But it's not just that we would know him. Deuteronomy chapter eight, verse 10 says, when you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord, your God for the good land, which he has given you." [01:05:46] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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