Gratitude: The Key to Healing and Wholeness

Devotional

Day 1: Direct Your Requests to Jesus

In times of need, it is crucial to direct your requests to Jesus, acknowledging His power and authority. The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17 illustrates this beautifully. The lepers, outcasts of society, cried out to Jesus, recognizing Him as their Master and seeking His mercy. Their plea was not just for physical healing but for mercy, acknowledging their condition as a reflection of their sinfulness. This teaches us the importance of directing our requests to the right source—Jesus, who has the power to save and heal. When we call on His name, we are recognizing that He is the one who can change our circumstances and bring about true healing. [51:51]

"Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)

Reflection: What specific need or challenge are you facing today that you can bring to Jesus, acknowledging His power and authority to intervene?

Day 2: Faithful Obedience to God's Instructions

The lepers' willingness to follow Jesus' command to show themselves to the priests, despite still being afflicted, demonstrates the necessity of faithful obedience. God's instructions may not always make sense, but they require our trust and action to see His work fulfilled. The lepers took a risk by obeying Jesus' command, and as they went, they were healed. This illustrates that faith sometimes requires action before the evidence of God's work is visible. In our own lives, we may face situations where God's guidance seems illogical or risky, but it is in these moments that our faith is truly tested and strengthened. [01:02:30]

"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where God is calling you to step out in faith and obedience, even if it seems risky or illogical? What small step can you take today to act on His guidance?

Day 3: The Power of Gratitude

The one leper who returned to thank Jesus exemplifies the power of gratitude. His act of returning to give thanks not only acknowledged the miracle but also led to a deeper spiritual healing. Gratitude opens us to further blessings and aligns us with God's will. When we express gratitude, we are not only acknowledging what God has done but also opening ourselves to the deeper work He wants to do in our lives. This Samaritan leper's return to give thanks completed the cycle of healing and led to a deeper spiritual restoration, as Jesus acknowledged his faith, which had made him well beyond physical healing. [01:13:40]

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent blessing or answered prayer in your life. How can you express your gratitude to God today, and how might this act of gratitude open you to further spiritual growth?

Day 4: Community in Prayer

The lepers' collective plea for mercy highlights the importance of community in prayer. Our prayers should extend beyond ourselves, recognizing our interconnectedness and the need to include others in our petitions to God. When the lepers cried out to Jesus, they did so as a group, demonstrating the power of communal prayer. In our own lives, we are called to pray not only for our own needs but also for the needs of others, recognizing that we are part of a larger community of believers. This collective approach to prayer can strengthen our faith and bring about greater change. [57:19]

"Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community or circle of influence can you pray for today? How can you join with others in prayer to lift up their needs to God?

Day 5: Gratitude as a Daily Practice

Thanksgiving should not be limited to a season but practiced daily. As believers, we are called to continually give thanks for God's faithfulness, provision, and the deeper work He does in our lives. This practice keeps our hearts aligned with His purposes. The story of the leper who returned to thank Jesus reminds us that gratitude is not just a response to blessings but a daily practice that opens us to God's ongoing work in our lives. By cultivating a habit of gratitude, we align our hearts with God's will and remain open to His deeper blessings. [01:15:26]

"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." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate gratitude into your daily routine, not just during Thanksgiving but throughout the year? What specific practice can you start today to cultivate a heart of thankfulness?

Sermon Summary

In this season of Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the importance of gratitude, not just for the blessings we receive but also for the challenges we face. As we reflect on Luke 17, we see Jesus encountering ten lepers, each in desperate need of healing. This passage teaches us profound lessons about faith, obedience, and gratitude. The lepers, outcasts of society, cried out to Jesus, acknowledging Him as their Master and seeking His mercy. Their plea was not just for physical healing but for mercy, recognizing their condition as a reflection of their sinfulness. This teaches us the importance of directing our requests to the right source—Jesus, who has the power to save and heal.

The lepers' obedience to Jesus' command to show themselves to the priests, despite still being afflicted, demonstrates the risk and faith required in following God's instructions. Often, God's requests may seem illogical or risky, but they demand our faithful obedience. As they went, they were healed, illustrating that faith sometimes requires action before the evidence of God's work is visible.

The story takes a significant turn when only one leper returns to thank Jesus, highlighting the importance of gratitude. This Samaritan leper's return to give thanks not only completed the cycle of healing but also led to a deeper spiritual restoration. Jesus acknowledged his faith, which had made him well beyond physical healing. This teaches us that gratitude opens the door to deeper blessings and spiritual wholeness.

As we approach Thanksgiving, let us remember to make our requests known to God, meet His requirements with faithful obedience, and always return to give thanks. Gratitude should be a daily practice, not just a seasonal one, as it aligns our hearts with God's will and opens us to His deeper work in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Direct Your Requests to Jesus: The lepers teach us the importance of directing our requests to Jesus, acknowledging His power and authority. In times of need, we must call on the right name, recognizing that Jesus is the one who saves and has the power to change our circumstances. [51:51]
2. Faithful Obedience to God's Instructions: The lepers' willingness to follow Jesus' command, despite the risk and seeming illogic, demonstrates the necessity of faithful obedience. God's instructions may not always make sense, but they require our trust and action to see His work fulfilled. [62:30]
3. The Power of Gratitude: The one leper who returned to thank Jesus exemplifies the power of gratitude. His act of returning to give thanks not only acknowledged the miracle but also led to a deeper spiritual healing. Gratitude opens us to further blessings and aligns us with God's will. [73:40]
4. Community in Prayer: The lepers' collective plea for mercy highlights the importance of community in prayer. Our prayers should extend beyond ourselves, recognizing our interconnectedness and the need to include others in our petitions to God. [57:19]
5. Gratitude as a Daily Practice: Thanksgiving should not be limited to a season but practiced daily. As believers, we are called to continually give thanks for God's faithfulness, provision, and the deeper work He does in our lives. This practice keeps our hearts aligned with His purposes. [01:15:26]
** [75:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:12] - Introduction and Personal Thanksgiving
[42:45] - Family Blessings and Gratitude
[44:12] - Scripture Reading: Luke 17
[45:16] - The Encounter with the Lepers
[46:05] - A Lesson from a Leper
[47:07] - The Challenge of Thanksgiving
[48:00] - Giving Thanks in All Circumstances
[49:09] - Understanding Leprosy and Sin
[50:43] - Making Requests to the Master
[51:51] - Calling on the Right Name
[53:12] - Recognizing Jesus' Authority
[56:16] - The Cry for Mercy
[57:19] - Community in Prayer
[58:52] - Meeting the Requirements of the Master
[60:09] - The Risk of Obedience
[62:30] - Faithful Obedience and Healing
[65:30] - The Power of Faith
[66:44] - Mimicking the Response to the Master
[68:06] - The Importance of Gratitude
[70:13] - Offering Praise and Thanksgiving
[72:53] - The Deeper Healing
[74:28] - Practicing Daily Gratitude
[75:26] - Increasing Our Gratitude
[76:34] - Invitation to Faith and Community
[79:11] - Offering Christ to You
[81:20] - Closing Prayer and Offering

Sermon Clips

"Notice that these lepers, that when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they made their request to the right person. Jesus! They didn't call on the name of Buddha. They didn't call on the name of Muhammad. They didn't call on the name of Hare Krishna. They didn't call on any other name. They called on the right name. They made their request to Jesus." [00:52:07] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Mercy is when you ask God to withhold the judgment that you rightly deserve for what you have done. They said, have mercy, God. We know we've been outcast from our society. We know we're suffering because of what we've done. We know, God, have mercy." [00:56:38] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"They said, have mercy on us. They could have one by one gone to Jesus and said, Jesus, have mercy on me. And one by one, they could have taken their turn and gone to Jesus, have mercy on me. But no, they recognize that if one down, many are down. And I don't want to be the only one getting blessed. Have mercy on us." [00:57:32] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Jesus said, now go show yourselves to the priests. That was his requirement. Now, Bible readers will understand, in Luke chapter number five, Luke's the physician, so that when he wrote his gospel, he wrote in consecutive order things that Jesus had done. He laid it out in consecutive order, so that when we go back to Luke chapter five, we see Jesus encountering another leper. It was one leper, and Jesus touched that leper. He touched that leper." [00:59:27] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"So notice what Jesus is telling them to do. He is telling them to go to the priest, and they are full of leprosy. See, what I'm trying to say, y 'all, is that sometimes what Jesus asks us to do is a little ridiculous. And that's the reason some of you don't get your healing." [01:01:25] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"But the request of Jesus, strange as it was, demanded that if they were ever going to experience the answer to their request, they had to exercise faithful obedience. Obedience to what God said do." [01:02:13] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Faith is risky. Faith makes us look foolish. Faith means I need to be in tune with God so I can hear his voice when he's speaking to me through Holy Spirit and through his word." [01:05:34] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"What Jesus said is, I've gone deeper. You came to me with the presenting need of your leprosy on the surface. And yes, I answered. I met your request and I healed you. But what you didn't know is that you need something deeper." [01:13:34] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Father, I pray that over these next days and literally, literally every day, because for us as believers, every day is a day of thanksgiving. In the name of Jesus, I pray that you will increase our gratitude." [01:15:26] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Help us learn from this leper, make our requests to the right person, to meet the requirements that you give us, the faith that we must exercise in obedience." [01:16:38] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Then God, help us to mimic this leper, always giving you boisterous praise and thanks because of who you are, what you do." [01:17:52] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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