Transformative Gratitude: A Journey of Dependence on God
Summary
The sermon explores the theme of gratitude through the lens of dependence on God, drawing from the biblical account of Jesus healing ten lepers. The speaker emphasizes that while all ten lepers were grateful for their healing, only one—a Samaritan—returned to express his gratitude to Jesus, demonstrating a deeper level of thankfulness and worship. This act of returning to Jesus is highlighted as a model for how gratitude should lead to a closer relationship with God and a life characterized by reliance on Him.
The speaker challenges the congregation to step out of their comfort zones and depend on God, suggesting practical steps such as engaging with strangers and sharing stories of God's provision. The importance of boldness in faith is underscored through personal anecdotes, including a middle school service project that encountered difficulties, yet provided an opportunity to trust in God's plan.
The sermon also delves into the cultural and religious context of leprosy during biblical times, explaining the isolation and desperation experienced by those afflicted. Jesus' instruction for the lepers to show themselves to the priests before they were healed required a step of faith, which resulted in their healing. The Samaritan's return to Jesus is seen as an act of true gratitude and worship, contrasting with the other nine who did not return.
Throughout the sermon, the speaker weaves in personal reflections and experiences, such as the impact of prayer during mission trips and the anticipation of an upcoming mission trip involving construction work. The speaker's own dependence on God is expressed through a desire for obedience and guidance.
The sermon also touches on the broader context of the congregation's life, including the "day of giving" and the changing nature of Black Friday sales. The speaker introduces themselves, sharing personal details and their role in middle school ministry, and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to deliver the sermon.
Key Takeaways:
- True gratitude is not merely an emotional response but a transformative one that leads to a deeper relationship with God. It is characterized by a life of worship and dependence on Him, as exemplified by the Samaritan leper who returned to Jesus to express his thankfulness. [43:11]
- Stepping out of one's comfort zone is essential for experiencing God's provision and developing a deeper sense of gratitude. Engaging with others, especially those we do not know, and sharing stories of God's work in our lives can lead to a more profound worship experience. [01:03:06]
- The act of depending on God requires boldness and faith, as seen in the lepers' journey to the priests before their healing. This step of faith is necessary for us to see God's provision and to respond with genuine gratitude and praise. [39:48]
- Prayer is a powerful tool for witnessing and sharing God's love. Stories of students praying with strangers and the impact of prayer on mission trips illustrate the importance of stepping out in boldness and relying on God for opportunities to minister to others. [55:22]
- Gratitude is a theme that can be approached from a fresh perspective, moving beyond the conventional understanding to a deeper level that recognizes God's active work in our lives. This deeper gratitude is cultivated through a heart prepared to receive God's word and a life that depends on Him. [31:05]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 17:11-19 (NIV)
> "Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, 'Jesus, Master, have pity on us!' When he saw them, he said, 'Go, show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, 'Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?' Then he said to him, 'Rise and go; your faith has made you well.'"
2. Leviticus 13:45-46 (NIV)
> "Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, 'Unclean! Unclean!' As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp."
3. Genesis 2:7 (NIV)
> "Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."
#### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus instruct the ten lepers to do after they called out to Him for mercy? (Luke 17:14)
2. How did the one leper who returned to Jesus express his gratitude? (Luke 17:15-16)
3. According to Leviticus 13:45-46, what were the social and religious requirements for someone with leprosy?
4. How does Genesis 2:7 describe the creation of man and what does this imply about our dependence on God?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think only one of the ten lepers returned to thank Jesus, and what does this say about the nature of true gratitude? (Luke 17:17-18)
2. How does the act of the Samaritan leper returning to Jesus illustrate a deeper level of faith and worship compared to the other nine? (Luke 17:15-16)
3. In what ways does the isolation and desperation of lepers in biblical times (Leviticus 13:45-46) parallel our own need for spiritual healing and dependence on God?
4. How does the creation account in Genesis 2:7 emphasize our inherent need to rely on God for life and sustenance?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in your life. How did you respond, and how can you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and worship in similar situations? ([39:48])
2. The sermon emphasized stepping out of our comfort zones to depend on God. What is one specific area in your life where you feel called to take a bold step of faith? How can you act on this calling this week? ([49:39])
3. Consider the importance of sharing stories of God's work in our lives. Who is one person you can share a testimony of God's provision with this week, and how will you approach this conversation? ([55:22])
4. The sermon mentioned the impact of prayer during mission trips. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to witness and share God's love with others? ([55:22])
5. Think about the cultural and religious context of leprosy and the isolation it caused. Are there people in your community who feel isolated or marginalized? What practical steps can you take to reach out and show them God's love? ([35:20])
6. The speaker shared personal anecdotes about stepping out in faith. What is one personal story of faith and dependence on God that you can share with your small group to encourage them? ([50:13])
7. How can you prepare your heart to receive God's word and cultivate a life that depends on Him, as discussed in the sermon? What specific actions will you take this week to deepen your relationship with God? ([31:05])
Devotional
Day 1: Gratitude Transforms Relationship with God
True gratitude goes beyond words, fostering a deeper bond with the Creator and a life of worship. Just as the Samaritan leper's return to Jesus signified a profound thankfulness, one's gratitude should be an active pursuit of closeness with God. [43:11]
Luke 17:15-16 - "One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan."
Reflection: How can you express your gratitude to God today in a way that draws you closer to Him?
Day 2: Embracing Discomfort for Deeper Gratitude
Stepping out of comfort zones is crucial for experiencing God's fullness and cultivating a heart of gratitude. Engaging with the unfamiliar allows for witnessing God's work in new ways, leading to a more profound worship experience. [01:03:06]
Hebrews 13:16 - "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Reflection: What is one way you can step out of your comfort zone this week to engage with someone you don't know?
Day 3: Bold Faith Reveals God's Provision
The journey of faith often begins with a bold step, as the lepers showed by going to the priests before their healing. Such acts of faith are essential to witness God's provision and respond with heartfelt gratitude. [39:48]
James 2:22 - "You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did."
Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today to demonstrate your trust in God's provision?
Day 4: Prayer as a Tool for Bold Witness
Prayer is not just a private practice but a powerful means of sharing God's love and witnessing to others. It requires boldness to pray with and for those we encounter, relying on God to open doors for ministry. [55:22]
Colossians 4:2-3 - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains."
Reflection: Who can you pray for or with today as an act of boldness and faith?
Day 5: Cultivating Gratitude through Dependence on God
Gratitude is more than a feeling; it's a lifestyle of recognizing and depending on God's active presence in our lives. A heart prepared to receive God's word is fertile ground for a life of true thankfulness. [31:05]
Psalm 95:2 - "Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song."
Reflection: What is one change you can make in your daily routine to cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude towards God?
Quotes
"We experience true gratitude when we depend on God; when we are in a place where we see God provide for us, we are inspired to have a deeper gratitude that leads us to worship Him." [32:49] (Download)
"My prayer is that today could help you reimagine how you engage with God in the hard moments, as well, so we experience true gratitude." [32:15] (Download)
"Share stories of God providing, and as you accumulate more, share those with others here because it will encourage all of us to come deeper before him in worship." [01:01:09] (Download)
"Step out and see how God provides. Don't let yourself be comfortable; step out and see how God provides as you depend on him." [01:00:31] (Download)
"My hope is that each of you would try out taking a step in your faith that causes you to truly depend on God and see him provide. I imagine how close you will feel to God as you mirror the posture of the healed man bowed down before Jesus in worship and praise." [01:01:09] (Download)
"Sharing your faith with others should be a little bit uncomfortable because you're taking a risk, but you are trusting God to be at work in it." [57:46] (Download)
"I saw middle schoolers walking up to strangers they felt led to pray for, in groups, and boldly pray with them and encourage them. These experiences show the powerful impact of stepping out in faith." [54:49] (Download)
"Our hope comes from trusting in Him, depending on Him and His power. Our creation is one of dependence, our redemption is a reminder that we are reliant, and our hope depends entirely on the actions of God." [49:03] (Download)
"He didn't just want them to be thankful; he wanted their gratitude to bring them to Him. He wanted them to respond to redemption with a posture of ongoing reliance." [47:04] (Download)
"Your faith has made you well. His faith not only allowed this healing miracle to happen, it also brought about a Redemptive healing that is more than just physical. His response of gratitude is important for his overall Redemption." [41:47] (Download)
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