Gratitude and Faith: Embracing God's Presence and Healing
Summary
In a sermon focused on gratitude and the pursuit of God's presence, the speaker begins by urging the congregation to seek God's kingdom above all else, even when faced with life's challenges. The speaker reminds the audience that God's faithfulness remains steadfast, even when we falter. They encourage listeners to reflect on the good in their lives and trust that God will heal and make things right, whether in this life or the next. The speaker also shares plans for the upcoming year, expressing excitement for what God will do and emphasizing the importance of giving thanks, regardless of the difficulties one may have faced.
The sermon then delves into the biblical story of the ten lepers from Luke 17, focusing on the theme of gratitude. The speaker highlights Jesus' expectation of gratitude and the disappointment in the nine lepers who failed to return and give thanks after being healed. This leads to a discussion about the importance of recognizing and being thankful for the "spiritual fleas" in our lives, as illustrated by the story of Corey ten Boom, who found that the fleas in her concentration camp kept the guards away and allowed for Bible study and protection.
The speaker also emphasizes the importance of taking steps of faith towards God, as exemplified by the lepers who were healed as they went to present themselves to the priest. The congregation is encouraged to keep moving forward in faith, even when healing comes gradually. The speaker highlights the story of the one Samaritan leper who returned to praise God, using it as a call to respond to God's healing with praise and to share testimonies with others.
Furthermore, the speaker discusses the gifts of the Spirit, urging the congregation to seek and utilize these gifts, such as faith, healing, and wonders, to edify the church and testify to God's power. They assure the congregation that church leaders will guide them in operating in these gifts in an orderly manner.
Lastly, the speaker shares a personal story about weaning a calf to illustrate enduring temporary discomfort for a greater purpose and the joy of freedom when God sets us free. They stress the importance of responding to God's blessings with passionate praise and worship, and not taking His goodness for granted.
Key Takeaways:
- Seeking God's kingdom and presence should be our foremost pursuit, and we must trust in His timing for healing and restoration. This trust is not passive but involves actively recognizing the good in our lives and understanding that God's faithfulness is unwavering, even when we are not. [58:55]
- Gratitude is a central theme in our relationship with God, as demonstrated by the story of the ten lepers. We should be mindful to give thanks for all things, even those that seem like nuisances, as they may serve a greater purpose in God's plan. The story of Corey ten Boom teaches us that what may initially appear as a curse can, in fact, be a blessing in disguise. [01:00:50]
- Faith requires action, and often healing and blessings are found along the journey of obedience to God's word. The lepers were healed as they went, showing that our steps towards God are met with His grace and mercy. We should continue to move forward in faith, even when the path is unclear. [52:09]
- The gifts of the Spirit are given for the edification of the church and as a testimony to the world. It is important to seek these gifts and allow them to operate in an orderly fashion within the church community. Leaders play a crucial role in guiding individuals to use their spiritual gifts responsibly and effectively. [47:05]
- True Thanksgiving is passionate and reflects a heart overflowing with gratitude for God's goodness. It is a response to the freedom and blessings we receive from God, and it should be expressed with exuberance and joy. Quietness and reluctance to praise God are not fitting for the magnitude of grace we have been given. [01:04:16]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 17:11-19 (The story of the ten lepers)
- Leviticus 13:45-46 (The law regarding lepers)
- Matthew 6:33 (Seek first the kingdom of God)
#### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus instruct the ten lepers to do after they asked for mercy? (Luke 17:14)
2. How did the one leper who returned to Jesus express his gratitude? (Luke 17:15-16)
3. What was Jesus' reaction to the nine lepers who did not return to give thanks? (Luke 17:17-18)
4. According to Leviticus 13:45-46, what were the social and religious implications for someone with leprosy?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus instructed the lepers to show themselves to the priests before they were healed? (Luke 17:14)
2. What does the reaction of the one grateful leper teach us about the importance of expressing gratitude? (Luke 17:15-16)
3. How does the story of the ten lepers illustrate the concept of faith in action? (Luke 17:14, [51:07])
4. In what ways does the story of Corey ten Boom and the fleas relate to the theme of finding blessings in difficult circumstances? ([01:00:50])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a blessing but failed to express gratitude. How can you make sure to acknowledge and thank God for His blessings in the future? ([53:15])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of seeking God's kingdom first. What are some practical steps you can take this week to prioritize God's presence in your daily life? ([56:27])
3. The lepers were healed as they went on their way to the priests. Is there an area in your life where you need to take a step of faith, even if the outcome is not immediately clear? ([51:07])
4. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude, even for the "spiritual fleas" in your life? Think of a current challenge and identify a potential hidden blessing within it. ([01:00:50])
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of passionate praise and worship. How can you incorporate more passionate expressions of gratitude in your worship and daily life? ([01:06:04])
6. The gifts of the Spirit are given for the edification of the church. What spiritual gift do you feel called to seek and develop, and how can you use it to serve your church community? ([45:24])
7. Consider the story of the calf being weaned. Is there a temporary discomfort in your life that you need to endure for a greater purpose? How can you find joy and freedom in trusting God's process? ([01:04:16])
Devotional
Day 1: Prioritize God's Kingdom in Pursuit
Seeking God's kingdom is an active journey of trust and recognition of His unwavering faithfulness. It involves a conscious effort to prioritize His presence and trust in His timing for healing and restoration. This pursuit is not about passivity but about actively acknowledging the good in life and relying on God's constant faithfulness, even when personal faith wavers. [58:55]
Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Reflection: How can you actively prioritize seeking God's kingdom in your daily routine, and what might need to change to make this pursuit more central in your life?
Day 2: Gratitude in All Circumstances
Gratitude should permeate every aspect of one's relationship with God, even in the face of nuisances or hardships. It is essential to give thanks for all experiences, recognizing that they may be part of a larger divine plan. Like Corey ten Boom, who discovered blessings in the midst of suffering, one should seek to find the hidden grace in every situation. [01:00:50]
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent difficulty in your life that, upon reflection, has brought unexpected blessings or growth?
Day 3: Faith Accompanied by Action
Healing and blessings often come through obedience and action in faith. Like the lepers who were healed as they went to see the priest, one's steps toward God are met with His grace. It is crucial to continue moving forward in faith, even when the outcome is not immediately clear or when healing is gradual. [52:09]
James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today, trusting that God's grace will meet you along the way?
Day 4: Seeking and Operating in Spiritual Gifts
The gifts of the Spirit are given to build up the church and witness to God's power. It is important to earnestly seek these gifts and to use them responsibly within the church community. Church leaders are instrumental in guiding the congregation to operate in these gifts in an orderly and effective manner. [47:05]
1 Corinthians 14:12 - "So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church."
Reflection: What spiritual gift do you feel God may be calling you to explore or develop, and how can you take steps to cultivate it for the edification of the church?
Day 5: Passionate Praise as a Response to Blessings
Responding to God's blessings with passionate praise is a reflection of a heart filled with gratitude. The joy of freedom and the recognition of God's goodness should lead to exuberant worship, not taken for granted but expressed with fervor and joy. [01:04:16]
Psalm 100:4 - "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."
Reflection: How can you express your gratitude to God more passionately in your daily life, and what might be holding you back from doing so?
Quotes
"Seek first the kingdom of God, all these other things will be added unto you. So you seek first the goodness of God, the presence of God, all the provision will come." [56:27] (Download)
"By your faith you have been made whole... find something to be thankful for and as you give praise to God for that, you set your foot on a path and on a journey to continue that healing process in your life." [57:07] (Download)
"The scripture tells us we should be thankful in all things, and so we should be thankful even for these fleas that are infesting this place right now." [01:00:50] (Download)
"Gifts of Faith, Gifts of healing, signs and wonders all these things that God has given to the church to benefit and edify not only the church but stand as a statement to the world around us that there is a God in heaven." [45:24] (Download)
"We allow these gifts of the Spirit to flow in order and we don't get chaotic and crazy and out of order but we let the gifts of the Spirit move because the scripture commands us to do so." [46:30] (Download)
"When God sets us free from the bonds and chains of this life, we should run and shout, lift our voices and hands because He has been good to us. Our praise ought to be passionate, our worship ought to be passionate, our response to God ought to be passionate." [01:06:04] (Download)
"Jesus says, 'Was there not ten? I was sure there was ten. Why is there only one coming back?' It's almost expected that when He's been good to us, it should turn us toward Him and serve as a catalyst that launches us into His presence, closer to Him." [01:07:25] (Download)
"Was no one found to return and give praise to God except for this Foreigner? And he said to him, rise and go your way; your faith has made you well." [53:15] (Download)
"Sometimes you're healed on the journey. Sometimes God will move just like that... but healing sometimes comes through the journey and as you are obedient to the word of God, you will find your healing there." [51:37] (Download)
"Our response ought to be to that is standing in the midst of the congregation and lifting our voice and lifting our hands and giving God praise; it's telling people in the marketplace about our testimony about the healing of God about the touch of God on our life." [52:42] (Download)
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