See God in Each Other: Thankfulness and Service

The congregation is invited into a theology of ordinary gratitude that locates thankfulness at the heart of Christian identity. Drawing on the healing story of the ten lepers, the narrative highlights how one return to give thanks reveals a deeper recognition: gratitude is not mere politeness but an acknowledgment of God's presence active through others. The ancient law required healed sufferers to be certified by the priest, yet the returned leper’s posture—falling at Jesus' feet—frames thanksgiving as worship that names God as the source of mercy. That act exposes a spiritual dynamic: to thank a neighbor is also to discern and honor the Spirit at work in human service.

Scriptural practice undergirds this ethic. The apostle Paul models a gratitude that is specific and relational—he lists names and labors, thereby making thankfulness concrete rather than generic. Paul’s instruction to “give thanks in all circumstances” is offered as a constitutive discipline for the community, not an optional courtesy. Gratitude, then, becomes both inward disposition and outward practice: it shapes how the church sees persons, recognizes divine agency, and sustains mutual encouragement.

Practical pastoral reflections tie these biblical insights to everyday life. Anecdotes—such as a mentor’s simple insistence on saying “thank you” to a spouse—underscore how small acts of recognition prevent spiritual entitlement and cultivate humility. Thankfulness rescues hidden acts of service from anonymity and insists that people are known for who they are, not only what they do. When a community intentionally names and thanks its servants, relational bonds deepen and the Spirit’s work becomes visible.

The call to thanksgiving moves toward service: thanksgiving should not be the end but the midpoint that reorients people toward further loving action. The congregation is urged to let gratitude become a value—an identity marker that motivates continued service and opens ears to new callings. Ultimately, gratitude is framed as worshipful sight: the discipline that teaches a community to see God’s presence in one another and to respond with sustained, sacrificial care.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Thankfulness recognizes God's presence When gratitude is offered to another, it is a theological act that names God’s agency rather than merely applauding performance. This recognition reframes service as God’s gift mediated through people, turning everyday kindness into an occasion for worship. Practicing this vision helps believers cultivate eyes that look for where the Spirit is already working. [81:13]
• 2. Gratitude binds community together Expressed thankfulness moves individuals from anonymity into membership; it acknowledges not only tasks done but the character and identity of the giver. That recognition repairs social distance, counters entitlement, and creates a culture where service is visible and honored. Over time, these small acknowledgments form durable trust that enables sacrificial love. [87:06]
• 3. Make gratitude specific and personal Naming people and actions resists tokenistic praise and incarnates appreciation into real relationships. Specific thanks affirms competence, courage, and the cost often hidden behind ministry, encouraging repetition rather than fatigue. It trains congregations to notice and narrate God’s work through distinct lives. [83:59]
• 4. Give thanks in all circumstances Thanksgiving is not merely emotional reaction but a disciplined posture toward life’s ordinariness and hardship: it enacts trust in God’s providence even when outcomes are uncertain. This practice helps the soul reorient from performance to dependence, shaping communal resilience and spiritual maturity. It is both obedience and worship—an intentional way of seeing. [84:36]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:36] - Announcements & Lunch
• [01:21] - Land Acknowledgement
• [01:59] - Psalm 100: Call to Worship
• [09:54] - Silent Prayer and Reflection
• [11:18] - Power of Music & Memory
• [12:31] - Purpose of Thank You Sunday
• [79:15] - Gospel: Healing of Ten Lepers
• [83:31] - Paul’s Example of Gratitude
• [87:06] - Three Lessons on Thankfulness
• [92:13] - Benediction and Sending

Bible reading
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.”*

Observation questions

1. What does the story of the ten lepers reveal about the relationship between healing and gratitude? [01:20:48]
2. Why do you think only one of the ten lepers returned to thank Jesus, and what might this suggest about the importance of thankfulness in faith? [01:21:13]
3. How does Jesus’ response to the one leper challenge common ideas about gratitude and faith? [01:21:47]
4. In what ways does this story show that gratitude is more than good manners—it’s a recognition of God's active presence? [01:22:05]

Interpretation questions

1. What does Jesus’ question about the nine others imply about the expectations Jesus has for those who experience his mercy? [01:21:13]
2. How does the act of falling at Jesus’ feet and praising God deepen the meaning of thankfulness in this story? [01:21:27]
3. Why might the Samaritan’s gratitude be significant in the context of Jesus’ ministry and the cultural tensions of the time? [01:21:47]
4. How does this story challenge believers to see God's work in everyday acts of kindness and healing? [01:21:27]

Application questions

1. When was the last time you intentionally paused to thank God for a specific act of mercy or kindness in your life? How did that change your perspective? [01:22:05]
2. Are there ways you might be like the nine lepers who received healing but did not return to thank God? How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude in your daily life? [01:21:13]
3. How can recognizing God's presence in others’ acts of service deepen your appreciation and foster community? [01:27:17]
4. In what practical ways can you express specific gratitude to someone this week, and how might that impact your relationship with them? [01:23:16]
5. How does practicing gratitude in all circumstances help you trust God more fully, especially during difficult times? [01:24:36]
6. What are some small, everyday acts of service you might overlook but could begin to thank others for intentionally? [01:27:29]
7. How might making thankfulness a core part of your identity influence your attitude toward service and community? [01:28:27]