Gratitude: A Heartfelt Response to God's Blessings

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Gratitude

Gratitude is more than a polite gesture; it is a transformative act of worship that acknowledges God's sovereignty and goodness. In the story of the ten lepers, only one returned to give thanks to Jesus, demonstrating a heart truly changed by divine intervention. This act of returning to give thanks was not just a formality but a profound expression of worship. It teaches us that true gratitude is an acknowledgment of God's work in our lives, recognizing Him as the source of all blessings. By cultivating a heart of gratitude, we open ourselves to deeper spiritual transformation and align ourselves with God's will. [04:32]

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent blessing in your life. How can you express genuine gratitude to God for it today, beyond just saying "thank you"?

Day 2: Recognizing the Source of Our Blessings

It is easy to become complacent and take God's blessings for granted, attributing them to our own efforts or external factors. The story of the ten lepers challenges us to pause and reflect on the true source of our blessings. By giving God the glory for every good thing in our lives, we maintain a posture of humility and dependence on Him. This reflection helps us avoid the trap of self-reliance and keeps us grounded in the truth that every good and perfect gift comes from above. [06:21]

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you have taken God's blessings for granted. How can you intentionally acknowledge His hand in this area today?

Day 3: The Dangers of Pride and Self-Reliance

Historical examples like Herod and Nebuchadnezzar illustrate the dangers of pride and self-reliance. Their stories serve as cautionary tales, reminding us that failing to give God the glory can lead to destruction. Pride can blind us to our need for God and lead to our downfall. In contrast, humility and gratitude can lead to restoration and blessing. By recognizing our dependence on God and giving Him the glory, we align ourselves with His purposes and open the door to His transformative work in our lives. [17:03]

"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when pride led you away from God. How can you cultivate humility and gratitude in that area today?

Day 4: Living a Life of Worship

Our lives should consistently reflect gratitude and acknowledgment of God's hand in all things. By living in a way that brings glory to God, we align ourselves with the truth that every good and perfect gift comes from above. This posture of worship positions us to receive even greater blessings and allows us to be a testimony of God's goodness to others. Genuine worship is not just about going through the motions but involves heartfelt gratitude and acknowledgment of God's work in our lives. [12:27]

"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." (Hebrews 13:15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can live a life of worship today, acknowledging God's hand in your daily activities?

Day 5: The Impact of Genuine Worship

Genuine worship, as demonstrated by the leper who returned to Jesus, is not just about going through the motions but involves heartfelt gratitude and acknowledgment of God's work in our lives. This kind of worship gets God's attention and opens the door for further blessings and transformation. By cultivating a heart of genuine worship, we position ourselves to experience God's presence in deeper ways and become vessels of His love and grace to those around us. [15:00]

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." (John 4:23, ESV)

Reflection: How can you move beyond routine worship to a more genuine and heartfelt expression of gratitude to God today?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound story of the ten lepers from Luke 17, focusing on the one who returned to give glory to God. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of gratitude and recognition of God's work in our lives. The leper who returned exemplifies a heart transformed by divine intervention, choosing to acknowledge the source of his healing rather than merely following the routine of religious obligation. This act of returning to give thanks is not just a gesture; it is a profound expression of worship and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and goodness.

The story challenges us to examine our own lives and consider how often we take God's blessings for granted. It is easy to become complacent, attributing our successes and blessings to our own efforts or to external factors, rather than recognizing them as gifts from God. The leper's return to Jesus is a call for us to pause, reflect, and give God the glory for every good thing in our lives. It is a reminder that our worship should be heartfelt and genuine, not just a routine or obligation.

Furthermore, the narrative warns against the dangers of pride and self-reliance. Historical examples like Herod and Nebuchadnezzar illustrate the consequences of failing to give God the glory. Their stories serve as cautionary tales, reminding us that pride can lead to downfall, while humility and gratitude can lead to restoration and blessing.

Ultimately, the message encourages us to live lives that consistently reflect gratitude and acknowledgment of God's hand in all things. By doing so, we align ourselves with the truth that every good and perfect gift comes from above, and we position ourselves to receive even greater blessings.

Key Takeaways

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2. Avoiding Complacency: It is easy to become complacent and take God's blessings for granted. The story of the ten lepers challenges us to pause and reflect on the source of our blessings, urging us to give God the glory for every good thing in our lives. This reflection helps us maintain a posture of humility and dependence on God.

3. The Dangers of Pride: Historical examples like Herod and Nebuchadnezzar illustrate the dangers of pride and self-reliance. Their downfalls serve as warnings that failing to give God the glory can lead to destruction, while humility and gratitude can lead to restoration and blessing.

4. Living a Life of Worship: Our lives should consistently reflect gratitude and acknowledgment of God's hand in all things. By living in a way that brings glory to God, we align ourselves with the truth that every good and perfect gift comes from above, positioning ourselves to receive even greater blessings.

5. The Impact of Genuine Worship: Genuine worship, as demonstrated by the leper, is not just about going through the motions but involves heartfelt gratitude and acknowledgment of God's work in our lives. This kind of worship gets God's attention and opens the door for further blessings and transformation.

** [04:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:07] - Acknowledging Church Contributions
[01:00] - Introduction to Luke 17
[01:48] - The Story of the Ten Lepers
[02:42] - Giving Glory to God
[03:47] - The Heart of Gratitude
[05:20] - Recognizing God's Hand
[06:21] - Personal Reflection on Gratitude
[07:36] - The Source of Our Blessings
[09:16] - God's Transformative Power
[10:44] - Standing Alone in Gratitude
[11:31] - Society's Misleading Messages
[12:27] - Living a Life of Worship
[15:00] - The Importance of Thankfulness
[17:03] - Lessons from Herod and Nebuchadnezzar
[19:37] - Conclusion and Call to Worship

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
- Luke 17:12-19

**Observation Questions:**

What was the response of the ten lepers when they saw Jesus, and what did Jesus instruct them to do? ([01:48])
How did the one leper who returned to Jesus express his gratitude, and what was Jesus' reaction to this? ([02:06])
What distinguishes the leper who returned from the other nine, according to the sermon? ([04:02])
How does the sermon describe the act of giving glory to God, as demonstrated by the leper? ([04:49])

**Interpretation Questions:**

Why might the act of returning to give thanks be considered a profound expression of worship rather than just a formality? ([04:32])
How does the sermon illustrate the dangers of pride and self-reliance through the examples of Herod and Nebuchadnezzar? ([17:03])
In what ways does the sermon suggest that living a life of gratitude aligns us with the truth that every good gift comes from God? ([12:27])
How does the sermon explain the impact of genuine worship on our relationship with God and the blessings we receive? ([15:00])

**Application Questions:**

Reflect on a recent blessing in your life. Have you taken the time to acknowledge it as a gift from God, and how can you express your gratitude more intentionally? ([06:21])
Consider a time when you might have attributed success to your own efforts rather than recognizing God's hand in it. How can you shift your perspective to give God the glory? ([07:36])
The sermon warns against pride and self-reliance. Are there areas in your life where you struggle with these issues, and how can you cultivate humility and gratitude? ([17:03])
How can you incorporate acts of genuine worship into your daily routine to ensure that your gratitude is heartfelt and not just a routine? ([05:20])
Think about a situation where you felt alone in your faith, like the leper who returned. How can you find strength in giving God glory even when others around you do not? ([10:44])
Identify a specific way you can live a life that consistently reflects gratitude and acknowledgment of God's hand in all things. What practical steps can you take this week to start this practice? ([12:27])
How can you encourage others in your community or family to recognize and give thanks for God's blessings in their lives? ([19:37])

Sermon Clips

This giving glory to God was just it wasn't just lip service this this was the real deal this man's life was just radically radically changed by to stay close his life was radically changed by by the touch of the Lord that day and uh of course the other the other nine lepers were were changed powerfully wonderfully too but as they went on their their way to obey the Lord to go show themselves to the priest something happened in the heart of of one of them that stirred him up to want to go back and give the Lord thanks and praise and recognition in honor and appreciation. [00:31:50]

While the other nine went on their way and they were obedient to what the Lord said do but something rose up in the heart of this one that was different than what all the others had in their hearts and he just he pretty much said to himself I can't just go now that I'm Healed now that he's touched me I can't just go the rest of this journey without at least turning back and giving the Lord thanks and praise and giving him honor and giving him glory. [00:39:37]

And the Bible said he went and fell at his feet and he was thankful and F and and appreciative of of the touch for his life and the wording of it was Jesus even said the rest of them didn't come but only this one came to give glory to God and he was giving glory to God through his worship through his adoration and appreciation and praise and his thankfulness for what the Lord had just did for him it wasn't it it wasn't just going through the motions. [00:43:19]

It wasn't just you know like a lot of people come to church and you know they it's just that's what they do but sadly they don't do a whole lot more when they come that's not us here but you you can see that it wasn't this wasn't that this was the real deal this was he went back from his heart and got on his face and his worship mode worship place to give the Lord real gratitude and thankfulness and appreciation and and and here's what Jesus said he is giving God glory he is recognizing where the blessing came from. [00:48:00]

Where the help came from where the miracle came from where the answer came from it came from God so as a result of that he could do nothing but go back and give the Lord glory and praise and honor and credit for that because he's worthy of that the Lord was worthy of that praise it wasn't like he didn't do something for the guy he just healed the guy and his whole life was changed forever after that day and that that merited worship and and praise and and high estimation and value and and and and appreciation from this man who whose life was forever changed that day. [00:53:32]

And he could do nothing but give Glory back to God I felt like the Lord got my attention this last week I don't know if it was personal but I just felt like the Lord was was trying maybe to get my attention about giving him more Glory giving him more appreciation and giving him more honor y'all look if anything gets good done it's from the Lord there's anything that happens good for us it's from the Lord and if there's any blessing that comes our way it's because blessings come down from above. [00:58:56]

If we ever get a miracle come on we don't got to just keep walking like the nine lepers we're going to turn back around we're going to say Lord I know where that Miracle came from I know where that blessing came from that that blessing came from you and I esteemed you high and I value you and I worship you and I appreciate that I it doesn't come lightly come on it I don't just accept this is just kind of the part of the routine I am thankful for the miracle I'm thankful for the healing I'm thankful for the blessing I'm thankful you changed my life. [01:04:06]

It's a new day it's a new start come on it the Lord deserves glory for that I don't I don't I don't even want to say this in a broad way but I I think probably too many of us take too much credit for ourselves and not give enough credit to the Lord every good and perfect gift Every Blessing every time you could get in the car to drive it every time you get up and go to work in the morning every time you got enough brains to put your clothes on in the morning give God the glory give God the appreciation. [01:09:36]

Get through a sickness and maybe the doctors help you thank God for the doctors but give glory to the Lord you may get through a financial trouble and difficulty maybe a banker help you but you at the end of the day you got to say Lord I Thank you for the blessing I thank you for making a way where there was no way I give you glory for this God it's not a good thing we take credit when we shouldn't take credit it's not a good thing it's not a good thing that when and I not see we do this but if we pray for somebody and they get healed let's give the Lord credit and praise. [01:15:12]

Somebody gets the Holy Ghost in our church service it's not because we're great singers or preachers I don't even know that we are that well they're great singers I just don't know that I'm a great preacher that's not where it comes from our help comes from the Lord y'all Every Blessing every Miracle all the things we got come it's not because it's not because of our name or our social stat it's not because of how smart we are or we're third or fourth generation Pentecostal no none of that matters what matters is that you're going to give God glory and thanks and praise because he's a good god he's a faithful God. [01:21:12]

He's a way making God he's a providing God he's a healing God this morning y'all know what it's like to had your back against the wall and all of a sudden just the whole thing changes the report changes the the atmosphere changes maybe the maybe our mindset changes just all of a sudden God just stepped in and and just just reset the whole thing he said it's not going to end this way but I'm going to show you that I'm still Lord of your life and I'm going to show you I'm Mighty and I'm powerful and I can turn this thing around and all of a sudden it seems like out of nowhere our spirit is light our body feels better our mind has changed. [01:27:36]

Come on our home is a different home because the Lord is a God that can work that quickly in our lives but then we got to take time to turn back around and say Lord this isn't us this is you Lord this is not because this is who we are this is because you're a good God you're a faithful God you're a covenant keeping God you're a way making God and we don't deserve this we we didn't deserve this from you Lord but you blessed this just a same and that guy with all the other guys doing what they did he didn't care didn't matter what they said he just he just went back because the Lord deserved honor and praise and glory that day. [01:33:50]

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