Gratitude and Faith: Lessons from the Thankful Leper

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude Opens the Way for Deeper Faith

Gratitude is not just a polite response but a transformative act that deepens our faith and leads us to generous living. In the story of the ten lepers, only one returned to thank Jesus, and it was this act of returning in gratitude that opened him to a deeper relationship with God. When we pause to give thanks, we recognize the source of our blessings and allow our hearts to be changed, moving from mere recipients to active participants in God’s grace. [16:44]

Luke 17:11-19 (ESV)
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 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. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Reflection: When was the last time you paused in the middle of a busy day to intentionally thank God for a specific blessing? How might returning thanks today open your heart to deeper faith?

Day 2: True Faith Is Found in Humble Gratitude, Not Religious Privilege

True faith is not measured by religious status, knowledge, or outward appearance, but by a humble awareness of our need for mercy and a grateful response to God’s grace. The Samaritan leper, an outsider, was the one who returned to give thanks, showing that faith often flourishes in unexpected places and people. Recognizing our dependence on God and responding with gratitude keeps our faith genuine and alive. [44:17]

Romans 3:22-24 (ESV)
For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: In what ways might you be tempted to rely on your religious background or knowledge rather than a humble, grateful heart? How can you practice humility and gratitude today?

Day 3: Practice Daily Awareness of Grace

Gratitude grows when we train our hearts to notice the daily gifts and mercies that God provides, even in the smallest details of life. Taking time each day to reflect on and record what we are thankful for helps us become more aware of God’s presence and goodness, preventing us from taking blessings for granted. This daily practice can transform our outlook and deepen our appreciation for the ordinary miracles around us. [50:42]

Psalm 103:2 (ESV)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Reflection: Will you set aside a few minutes today to write down three things you are grateful for? How might this simple act help you notice God’s grace in your everyday life?

Day 4: Remember Where You’ve Been and Who Helped You

Gratitude is nurtured when we remember the people who have helped us along the way and acknowledge that we are not self-made. Recognizing the support, kindness, and sacrifices of others keeps us from pride and fosters a spirit of thankfulness, reminding us that we are part of a larger story of grace and community. [54:28]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Reflection: Who is someone from your past or present who has helped you in a significant way? Can you reach out to them today with a word of thanks or encouragement?

Day 5: Serve Others with Compassion

A grateful heart overflows in compassionate service to others, especially when we remember that everyone is carrying unseen burdens. When we choose patience and kindness over impatience and judgment, we reflect God’s love and allow gratitude to shape our interactions, making space for healing and understanding in our relationships. [56:11]

Colossians 3:12 (ESV)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Reflection: Is there someone you encounter regularly who tests your patience? How can you show them compassion today, remembering you may not know their full story?

Sermon Summary

As we enter November and approach Thanksgiving, it’s a fitting time to focus our hearts on gratitude. While we strive to be grateful every day, this season invites us to be especially mindful of the blessings and people who shape our lives. The story of Jesus healing the ten lepers in Luke’s Gospel reminds us that gratitude is more than a polite response—it’s a transformative act that deepens our faith and opens us to generosity. Only one of the ten, a Samaritan and an outsider, returned to thank Jesus. This detail is not incidental; it highlights how true gratitude and faith often emerge from unexpected places and people, not from religious privilege or status.

We are called to recognize that faith is not measured by our knowledge or religious credentials, but by a humble awareness of grace and a willingness to return thanks. Sometimes, those on the margins or those we least expect demonstrate the deepest gratitude and faithfulness. This challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we among the nine who move on, or the one who returns to give thanks?

Gratitude is cultivated through daily practices. By intentionally noticing the gifts and mercies that surround us—whether in the beauty of a falling leaf or the kindness of a friend—we train our hearts to see God’s hand in everyday life. Keeping a gratitude journal this month can help us internalize these blessings and prevent us from taking them for granted.

It’s also vital to remember the people who have helped us along the way. Our culture prizes independence, but the truth is, none of us arrive where we are alone. Recognizing those who have supported us keeps our faith humble and our hearts open.

Finally, gratitude grows as we serve others with compassion. We never know the burdens others carry, and impatience or judgment can block the flow of thankfulness in our lives. When we approach others with understanding and grace, we reflect the heart of Christ and open ourselves to deeper gratitude.

May we be people who not only feel thankful but express it—returning to God and to others with hearts full of praise, humility, and compassion.

Key Takeaways

1. True gratitude often comes from outsiders Jesus highlights the Samaritan leper—the outsider—as the one who returns to give thanks. This challenges our assumptions about who models faith and gratitude. Sometimes, those on the margins or those we least expect are the ones who most deeply recognize God’s grace, reminding us to look beyond status or familiarity for examples of true thankfulness. [44:17]
2. Practice daily awareness of grace Gratitude is not automatic; it grows when we intentionally notice the gifts and mercies in our daily lives. By pausing to observe beauty, kindness, or provision, we train our hearts to see God’s hand at work. Keeping a gratitude journal can help us internalize these moments, preventing us from overlooking or forgetting the blessings we receive. [50:42]
3. Remember those who have helped us Our achievements and growth are rarely the result of our efforts alone. Recognizing the people who have supported, encouraged, or carried us keeps our faith humble and our hearts open. Gratitude deepens when we acknowledge our dependence on others and on God, guarding us against pride and self-sufficiency. [54:28]
4. Serve others with compassion Impatience and judgment toward others can block the flow of gratitude in our lives. When we remember that everyone carries unseen burdens, we are moved to respond with compassion rather than criticism. Serving others with understanding not only blesses them but also softens our own hearts, making space for deeper thankfulness. [56:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:44] - Call to Worship: The Path of Gratitude
[17:31] - Apostles’ Creed
[30:25] - Honoring Veterans and Their Families
[34:29] - Stewardship Update and Generosity
[39:28] - Prayer for Veterans and Gratitude
[41:09] - Scripture Reading: Ten Lepers Healed
[43:09] - The Deeper Meaning of Thankfulness
[44:17] - Outsiders as Examples of Faith
[46:08] - Lessons from Serving at the Soup Kitchen
[48:18] - Faith, Healing, and Humble Gratitude
[49:30] - Practicing Daily Awareness of Grace
[51:01] - The Power of a Gratitude Journal
[52:01] - Remembering Who Helped Us
[54:28] - Gratitude and Humility
[55:04] - Serving Others with Compassion
[56:11] - Compassion as a Path to Gratitude
[57:06] - Closing Prayer
[61:19] - Name Tag November and Community
[62:20] - Benediction and Fellowship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 17:11-19 (ESV) — 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance
13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.
15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;
16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?
18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Observation Questions

In the story of the ten lepers, what did Jesus tell the men to do after they asked for mercy?
How many of the ten lepers returned to thank Jesus, and what was unique about the one who returned?
According to the sermon, why does Luke make a point to mention that the one who returned was a Samaritan? [[44:17]]
What did Jesus say to the man who returned, and how is this different from what happened to the other nine?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon points out that the Samaritan was an outsider. Why might Jesus choose an outsider to be the example of true gratitude and faith? [[44:17]]
The pastor said, “True faith is not tied to religious privilege. It doesn’t matter how much scripture we know, how much doctrine we can recite.” What does this suggest about the relationship between gratitude and faith? [[49:00]]
The sermon described how gratitude can be blocked by impatience or judgment toward others. How does this connect to the story of the lepers and the way we interact with people in our own lives? [[56:11]]
The pastor shared a story about forgetting to say a blessing at the soup kitchen, and how someone unexpected reminded them to be thankful. What does this teach us about where we can learn gratitude? [[48:18]]

Application Questions

The pastor suggested keeping a gratitude journal for the month of November. What is one specific thing you noticed today that you might have overlooked if you weren’t paying attention? Would you be willing to try writing it down each day this week? [[50:42]]
Think about a time when someone helped you get where you are today—maybe a teacher, friend, or family member. Have you ever thanked them? What’s stopping you from reaching out to them this week? [[54:28]]
The sermon challenged us to notice the “outsiders” who often show deep gratitude. Is there someone in your life who might be overlooked or on the margins? How could you learn from their example or show them appreciation? [[44:17]]
The story about the woman at the grocery store reminded us that we don’t always know what others are going through. Can you think of a recent time when you were impatient or judgmental? How could you respond differently if you remembered that everyone carries unseen burdens? [[55:04]]
The pastor said, “Gratitude grows when we recognize how dependent we are on the mercy and kindness of others and especially of God.” What is one area of your life where you tend to act as if you don’t need help? How might acknowledging your dependence change your attitude? [[54:28]]
The sermon asked, “Are we among the nine who move on, or the one who returns to give thanks?” Is there a blessing in your life that you’ve taken for granted? What would it look like to “return” and give thanks for it this week? [[42:28]]
Serving others with compassion was highlighted as a way to grow in gratitude. Is there a practical way you can serve someone this week—maybe through a small act of kindness or by volunteering? How might this help you see God’s grace in new ways? [[56:11]]

Sermon Clips

So, as you know, 10 were healed, but only one returned to give thanks. So, what was it about this man? Why, I'm sure all the other nine, they were thankful, they were grateful. Hey, this, horrible disease. And they're, you know, they suddenly are healed from it. I'm sure they were thankful, but why, what was the motivation of this one who returned to give thanks? [00:42:42] (27 seconds) #ThankfulReturn

Jesus often used people that were considered outsiders, examples of true faith. About Samaritans, you know, he eats with sinners. He's constantly using people that weren't the people that you were expecting to sort of be the hero in the story. And so, this is a way that Jesus teaches us, you know, where true gratefulness comes, but also inclusive that sometimes we religious folks, you know, we're not the ones that are demonstrating faith. [00:44:52] (33 seconds) #FaithFromOutsiders

And so the first one of these is that we need to practice daily awareness of grace. Practice daily awareness of grace. Because there is so much to be thankful for just every single day. [00:49:39] (16 seconds) #RecordThankfulness

Thankfulness. Confidence is learned when we train our hearts to see daily gifts and expressions of God's mercy because it's happening all the time. And if we're not paying attention, we'll miss it. And if we don't have some way or another to internalize it, we may forget about the blessings of which we have to be thankful for. [00:51:29] (24 seconds) #GratefulHearts

Remembering who helped us keeps faith from becoming prideful. Gratitude grows when we recognize how dependent we are on the mercy and kindness of others and of, and especially of, of God. It's important. It's important to remember that we're not in this alone and we can't live our lives without the help of other people around us. [00:54:25] (29 seconds) #ServeWithCompassion

Compassion often begins when we realize we don't know the full story. And you might say, well, what does this have to do with gratitude? This is one of the deterrents to gratitude, I think. For us truly living in thanksgiving, there's other things that are happening around us in our world. And when we become impatient with others, when we become demanding or judgmental of others, it gets in the way of us growing to be as grateful as we possibly can be. [00:56:04] (33 seconds)

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