Embracing Gratitude: Breaking Barriers and Misjudgments

Devotional

Day 1: Look Beyond Initial Impressions

Description: Prejudgment often leads to misjudgment, as we tend to form opinions about others based on limited information. This can prevent us from forming meaningful relationships and understanding the true nature of those around us. Jesus teaches us to look beyond our initial impressions and see people for who they truly are. By doing so, we can break down barriers and build deeper connections with others. Reflect on how Jesus interacted with people from all walks of life, showing love and acceptance regardless of societal norms. [26:48]

James 2:1-4 (ESV): "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"

Reflection: Think of a time when you misjudged someone based on your first impression. How can you approach that person differently now, seeking to understand and appreciate their true character?

Day 2: Breaking Down Barriers

Description: Jesus consistently broke down societal and racial barriers, showing love and acceptance to all people, including those who were marginalized. This is a powerful reminder that the love of Christ transcends all human divisions. Jesus' interactions with the Samaritan leper and other marginalized individuals demonstrate His commitment to inclusivity and compassion. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate His example by reaching out to those who are different from us and extending love and acceptance to all. [34:16]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Identify a societal or racial barrier that you encounter in your daily life. How can you take a step towards breaking down that barrier and showing Christ's love to someone who is different from you?

Day 3: Intentional Acts of Thanksgiving

Description: While gratitude is a feeling, thanksgiving is an intentional act. The story of the Samaritan leper who returned to thank Jesus highlights the importance of expressing our gratitude through intentional actions. This leper not only felt grateful but also took the time to return and thank Jesus, acknowledging the giver behind the gift. As believers, we are encouraged to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving by intentionally expressing our gratitude to God and others. This practice helps us recognize the blessings in our lives and fosters a deeper connection with the Lord. [01:06:48]

Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 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 a specific blessing in your life that you have not yet expressed gratitude for. How can you intentionally thank God and others for this blessing today?

Day 4: Overcoming Barriers to Gratitude

Description: Various barriers such as busyness, entitlement, and self-centeredness can prevent us from expressing gratitude. Recognizing these barriers helps us cultivate a heart of thanksgiving, allowing us to live more fulfilling and spiritually enriched lives. By identifying and addressing these obstacles, we can develop a habit of gratitude that transforms our perspective and deepens our relationship with God. Take time to reflect on the barriers that hinder your ability to express gratitude and seek ways to overcome them. [01:11:19]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: Identify one barrier that prevents you from expressing gratitude regularly. What practical steps can you take to overcome this barrier and cultivate a heart of thanksgiving?

Day 5: Communion as an Act of Thanksgiving

Description: Communion is a time to remember and give thanks for Jesus' sacrifice. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and express our gratitude for the gift of salvation and the many blessings we have received. This act of thanksgiving helps us recalibrate and recenter our lives around Christ. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the depth of God's love for us and the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Let this time of reflection and thanksgiving draw you closer to the Lord and inspire you to live a life of gratitude. [01:18:53]

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV): "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Reflection: As you prepare for communion, take a moment to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice. How can you express your gratitude for His love and grace in your daily life?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church family. Today, we explored the theme of prejudgment and how it often leads to misjudgment. I shared a personal story about how I misjudged my wife, Hope, when we first met, thinking she was a snob when she was actually just shy and loyal. This led us into our series called "Changed," where we examine critical conversations people had with Jesus. We focused on Luke 17, where Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one—a Samaritan—returns to thank Him. This story highlights the importance of gratitude and thanksgiving.

We discussed how Jesus often broke down societal barriers, such as those between Jews and Samaritans, to show His love for all people. The ten lepers, outcasts due to their disease, cried out to Jesus for mercy. Jesus instructed them to show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were healed. However, only one returned to express his gratitude, demonstrating a deeper understanding of who Jesus was.

This story teaches us that while gratitude is a feeling, thanksgiving is an intentional act. The Samaritan leper not only felt grateful but also took the time to return and thank Jesus, acknowledging the giver behind the gift. This act of thanksgiving is something we should emulate, especially as we partake in communion, remembering Jesus' sacrifice for us.

We also touched on the barriers that can prevent us from expressing gratitude, such as busyness, entitlement, and self-centeredness. By recognizing these barriers, we can better cultivate a heart of thanksgiving. As we prepare for communion, let's reflect on the many blessings we have received and take a moment to say, "Thank you, Lord."

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Key Takeaways

1. centeredness can prevent us from expressing gratitude. Recognizing these barriers helps us cultivate a heart of thanksgiving, allowing us to live more fulfilling and spiritually enriched lives. [01:11:19]
5. Communion as an Act of Thanksgiving: Communion is a time to remember and give thanks for Jesus' sacrifice. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and express our gratitude for the gift of salvation and the many blessings we have received. This act of thanksgiving helps us recalibrate and recenter our lives around Christ.

### [71:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:54] - The Story of Hope
[24:13] - Misjudging Others
[25:25] - Getting to Know Hope
[26:48] - Prejudgment Leads to Misjudgment
[28:19] - Series Introduction: Changed
[29:39] - Falling in Love with Jesus Again
[31:11] - Jesus' Journey to Jerusalem
[32:37] - Jews, Samaritans, and Prejudices
[34:16] - Jesus Breaks Down Barriers
[35:39] - The Good Samaritan
[37:04] - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
[38:31] - The Ten Lepers
[40:05] - The Plight of the Lepers
[41:37] - Feeling Like an Outsider
[46:04] - The Cry for Mercy
[50:46] - Simple and Honest Prayers
[52:25] - Humility and Simplicity in Prayer
[57:31] - Jesus' Custom Work
[59:00] - The Healing Process
[61:52] - Faith in Action
[63:28] - The One Who Returned
[66:48] - Gratitude vs. Thanksgiving
[71:19] - Barriers to Gratitude
[78:53] - Communion as an Act of Thanksgiving
[80:05] - Jesus Makes Outsiders Insiders
[80:44] - Prayer and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the initial reaction of the ten lepers when they saw Jesus?
What did Jesus instruct the ten lepers to do, and what happened as they obeyed?
How did the Samaritan leper respond differently from the other nine after being healed?
What questions did Jesus ask upon the return of the Samaritan leper?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus instructed the lepers to show themselves to the priests before they were healed?
What significance does the Samaritan's return to thank Jesus hold in the context of societal and racial barriers?
How does the story of the ten lepers illustrate the difference between feeling gratitude and expressing thanksgiving?
What does Jesus' statement, "Your faith has made you well," imply about the Samaritan leper's healing?

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider. How did you handle that situation, and what can you learn from the lepers' cry for mercy?
Identify any prejudgments you may have made about others. How can you work towards breaking down these barriers, following Jesus' example?
What are some barriers that prevent you from expressing gratitude? How can you overcome these barriers to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving?
How can you make thanksgiving a more intentional act in your daily life?
During communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice. How can you use this time to reflect on the blessings in your life and express your gratitude?
Think of a person in your life who has significantly impacted you. How can you intentionally express your gratitude to them this week?
How can you incorporate simple and honest prayers into your daily routine, especially in times of desperation or need?

Sermon Clips

1. "Prejudgments about people, and you know, this often lead to misjudgments, right? And you've experienced that maybe in some way or another that you prejudge someone. We're all predisposed to prejudge people because of something that they may say, or maybe you observe them, you see them. And then actually, then you get to know them a little bit. And you're like, you know what? They're, they're really not like what I thought. They're different. Or I really love this person, but you didn't know that up front until you get to what? Know them talk with them and learn about their heart and experience time with them." [26:48] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What I'm hopeful for in this series is that, that, that you'll have intellectual honesty in looking actually at Jesus and seeing who he is. And this is what I've been praying for you. With love in my heart, I hope so much that you would see Jesus for who he really is. You would see who he is. You would see how he treats people. You would see how kind he is and good he is. Despite the hypocrisy of people who follow him, how we mess it up sometimes, I'm praying you see him for who he really is. Amen. I want that for you." [28:19] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "What I'm praying for is that for some of you, listen to me, I've been praying you'll fall in love with Jesus again. You'll see who he is. You'll realize how crazy he is for you and how much you were on his mind. Even, even as he was going through those ministry years that you and I, that we were on his mind." [29:39] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus was coming to knock down those walls that get erected between us because of skin color and because of backgrounds and nationalities and things of this. Jesus is going to, we're going to see over and over. So we see that he is on his way to Jerusalem. Why? Why was he going to Jerusalem? To lay his life down for us. His mind was already set towards the cross, and this is where he was headed." [34:16] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "What Jesus would do is, Jesus was going to show how he came and how he, loves all people groups, all ethnicities, all colors of skin, all backgrounds, how he came for everyone, not the Jews alone. Jesus was Jewish when he came, but I want you to know that Jesus was coming to knock down those walls that get erected between us because of skin color and because of backgrounds and nationalities and things of this." [34:16] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "What God is looking for is humility, simplicity. He's looking for us to be real with him and raw. And we see that he's going to tell a story about two kinds of people who are in the place of worship. I want you to process this for a moment. I want you to do an inventory of your own heart. Two kinds of people are in the place of worship. One is this religious kind of person who on the exterior looks like he's kind of got it all together. And then there's one, and that's a religious person, the Pharisee. And then there's one who is a tax collector. And this guy was not a good guy. This guy had done some very wrong things." [52:25] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "What Jesus does is Jesus takes outsiders and he makes them insiders. Remember where Jesus was going? Where was he on his way to church? Jerusalem. Why was he going there? To die on the cross for our sins. When he would get there. He had a lot of people that loved him. But he had some serious enemies because he was saying he was the son of God. Not just a good teacher. Not just a rabbi. He was declaring that he was the long-awaited Messiah." [01:14:45] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Jesus makes the unclean clean. now because of that, do you realize? Look at this temple here. That's in Jerusalem there. Do you see the wall that is right there? Do you know what that wall was in this time? Back in the back, the bigger building, that's where animals were being sacrificed. Jews could go a little closer, but only one guy could go in, the high priest, one time a year, Day of Atonement. Do you see what that wall is right there? That wall was to keep outsiders. could go and be kind of close, but you were still an outsider. That wall was called the court of the Gentiles. That wall was for anyone who was not a Jew." [01:15:51] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "What Jesus did was he came to knock that wall. He came to knock that wall down, and for all who will believe in him, you get made righteous by grace through faith in Christ. So I want to, before we have communion, I want to ask, have you put your faith in Jesus? He loves you. He came for you. He did for you what you couldn't do. He wants to give you new life. He wants to transfer his righteousness to you. But you've got to humble yourself in a way and essentially say, Lord, have mercy. Help. I can't get to you on my own. Do you see that?" [01:17:39] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "If Jesus never did a single other thing for me, what he did for me on the cross is enough. But he's done so many other things beyond that and he still does. It acknowledges the giver behind the gift. Inventory of your heart. How do you know? Maybe, maybe you don't have a grateful heart. Well, some ways to kind of explore this. I'm just going to run through these quick symptoms of an ungrateful heart. Why did these others not come back? I don't know the answer to that, but I know some of the reasons why I sometimes don't come back. And maybe you don't come back to say thank you." [01:08:25] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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