[The following is the manuscript of my sermon delivered on the 16th of November, 2014.]
Do you remember the question that used to be so popular: What would Jesus do? It was generally asked when pondering which of several options in life to choose from. What would Jesus do: given some set of choices, which would He take?
Well, the best way to know what Jesus would do would be to look at what He actually did. And much like the “WWJD” question, we’re usually more interested in what Jesus would have us do. So for a little lesson on gratitude, let’s look at the Gospel of Luke, chapter 17, verses 7 through 19…
7 “And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”
11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
--Luke 17:7-19 (NKJV)
Let us pray... Father in heaven, we come into Your presence this morning in the name of Your beloved Son and our Savior, Jesus. We want to study Your word to learn more about Jesus, to grow ever closer to Him. Touch our hearts, Lord, and speak to us through Your Holy Spirit. In the blessed name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
In a June, 1990, newsletter, Charles L. Brown gave nine possible reasons for why the nine lepers did not return to thank Jesus for their healing:
One waited to see if the cure was real.
One waited to see if it would last.
One said he would see Jesus later.
One decided that he had never had leprosy.
One said he would have gotten well anyway.
One gave the glory to the priests.
One said, "O, well, Jesus didn't really do anything."
One said, "Any rabbi could have done it."
One said, "I was already much improved."
Mr. Brown likely meant for this to be humorous, but it might hit a little too close to home. Do any of those sound familiar? Are they similar to excuses we’ve heard before? Maybe excuses we’ve made ourselves?
For whatever reason, the nine lepers who showed no gratitude took for granted what Jesus did for them. I wonder if once they realized they had been healed, they were just so thrilled that all they could do was run off to find their families they had left behind long ago and celebrate with them. They never gave Jesus, or His words, another thought. In a way, it’s like they expected Him to do what He did. As if He were the servant in the first few verses, that was only expected to do His job with no thanks necessary.
But right there in those first four verses, Jesus tells us that we should even show gratitude to those whose only function is to serve us. And true gratitude, not lip service. Can you think of some examples where we can be grateful to those who serve us? The most obvious might be our waitress or waiter at the local restaurant. Or our hairdresser or barber. Or our paper or mail delivery person. Or our Sunday School teacher. Sure, we pay some of those folks, but that doesn’t mean we can’t sincerely thank them for what they do for us.
What about Jesus? Do we remember to thank Him for all He does for us, for the little things as well as that huge one of giving us eternal life and salvation? Or are we like the nine lepers, too busy to go back and give Him thanks when the good stuff happens?
Family, I say it every week but we truly are blessed. We have so much to be thankful for, truly and earnestly thankful. In his 1st letter to the Thessalonians, in chapter 5, verses 16 through 18, the Apostle Paul tells us that we should…
In a June, 1990, newsletter, Charles L. Brown gave nine possible reasons for why the nine lepers did not return to thank Jesus for their healing:
One waited to see if the cure was real.
One waited to see if it would last.
One said he would see Jesus later.
One decided that he had never had leprosy.
One said he would have gotten well anyway.
One gave the glory to the priests.
One said, "O, well, Jesus didn't really do anything."
One said, "Any rabbi could have done it."
One said, "I was already much improved."
Mr. Brown likely meant for this to be humorous, but it might hit a little too close to home. Do any of those sound familiar? Are they similar to excuses we’ve heard before? Maybe excuses we’ve made ourselves?
For whatever reason, the nine lepers who showed no gratitude took for granted what Jesus did for them. I wonder if once they realized they had been healed, they were just so thrilled that all they could do was run off to find their families they had left behind long ago and celebrate with them. They never gave Jesus, or His words, another thought. In a way, it’s like they expected Him to do what He did. As if He were the servant in the first few verses, that was only expected to do His job with no thanks necessary.
But right there in those first four verses, Jesus tells us that we should even show gratitude to those whose only function is to serve us. And true gratitude, not lip service. Can you think of some examples where we can be grateful to those who serve us? The most obvious might be our waitress or waiter at the local restaurant. Or our hairdresser or barber. Or our paper or mail delivery person. Or our Sunday School teacher. Sure, we pay some of those folks, but that doesn’t mean we can’t sincerely thank them for what they do for us.
What about Jesus? Do we remember to thank Him for all He does for us, for the little things as well as that huge one of giving us eternal life and salvation? Or are we like the nine lepers, too busy to go back and give Him thanks when the good stuff happens?
Family, I say it every week but we truly are blessed. We have so much to be thankful for, truly and earnestly thankful. In his 1st letter to the Thessalonians, in chapter 5, verses 16 through 18, the Apostle Paul tells us that we should…
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.--1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)
In everything give thanks. Now Paul doesn’t say “for everything give thanks”, but “in everything”. Bad things are going to happen to us in this life. Paul isn’t going to trivialize that truth by saying we should give thanks even for the bad stuff. But that we should find something to be thankful for even in the midst of suffering and pain.
To help understand this concept a bit better, I’d like to read a little poem, whose source, unfortunately, is unknown. The title is “Forgive Me When I Whine”:
Today upon a bus, I saw
A lovely maid with golden hair;
I envied her -- she seemed so gay,
And how, I wished I were so fair;
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle;
She had one foot and wore a crutch,
But as she passed, a smile.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two feet -- the world is mine.
And when I stopped to buy some sweets,
The lad who served me had such charm;
He seemed to radiate good cheer,
His manner was so kind and warm;
I said, "It's nice to deal with you,
Such courtesy I seldom find";
He turned and said, "Oh, thank you sir."
And then I saw that he was blind.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two eyes, the world is mine.
Then, when walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue;
He stood and watched the others play,
It seemed he knew not what to do;
I stopped a moment, then I said,
"Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word,
And then I knew he could not hear.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two ears, the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I'd go;
With eyes to see the sunsets glow,
With ears to hear what I would know.
I am blessed indeed. The world is mine;
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
We are blessed indeed, the world is ours. We don’t have to look very far to see someone in far worse circumstances. So we shouldn’t whine.
Oh, and there will be bad times to come. Even if we’ve suffered through some before, we may very likely face more ahead. Nowhere in our Bible are we promised a bed of roses in this life. As long as we walk this earth we will be subjected to those in this world who at best are indifferent to us, like the master Jesus scolded in the first part of our message text. But who at worst may well be agents of Satan, intent on attacking all those who follow Christ Jesus.
Paul warns us of the approaching perilous times and perilous men, even as his own time drew to a close. Hear what he wrote to his young friend and son in the faith, Timothy, in his 2nd letter, the 3rd chapter, verses 1 through 5…
To help understand this concept a bit better, I’d like to read a little poem, whose source, unfortunately, is unknown. The title is “Forgive Me When I Whine”:
Today upon a bus, I saw
A lovely maid with golden hair;
I envied her -- she seemed so gay,
And how, I wished I were so fair;
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle;
She had one foot and wore a crutch,
But as she passed, a smile.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two feet -- the world is mine.
And when I stopped to buy some sweets,
The lad who served me had such charm;
He seemed to radiate good cheer,
His manner was so kind and warm;
I said, "It's nice to deal with you,
Such courtesy I seldom find";
He turned and said, "Oh, thank you sir."
And then I saw that he was blind.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two eyes, the world is mine.
Then, when walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue;
He stood and watched the others play,
It seemed he knew not what to do;
I stopped a moment, then I said,
"Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word,
And then I knew he could not hear.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two ears, the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I'd go;
With eyes to see the sunsets glow,
With ears to hear what I would know.
I am blessed indeed. The world is mine;
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
We are blessed indeed, the world is ours. We don’t have to look very far to see someone in far worse circumstances. So we shouldn’t whine.
Oh, and there will be bad times to come. Even if we’ve suffered through some before, we may very likely face more ahead. Nowhere in our Bible are we promised a bed of roses in this life. As long as we walk this earth we will be subjected to those in this world who at best are indifferent to us, like the master Jesus scolded in the first part of our message text. But who at worst may well be agents of Satan, intent on attacking all those who follow Christ Jesus.
Paul warns us of the approaching perilous times and perilous men, even as his own time drew to a close. Hear what he wrote to his young friend and son in the faith, Timothy, in his 2nd letter, the 3rd chapter, verses 1 through 5…
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!--2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV)
I pray that none of us fit that description, but worry that we might come close. Are we ever unthankful? Are we ever unloving? Do we love ourselves more than others? Does that make us boastful and proud, when we really have nothing to brag about?
Misplaced pride can make us do some ugly things, family. It can make us say things that we might not think anything of, but the one we’re talking to may be deeply hurt by our words.
Let me air just a bit of dirty laundry for a moment. Folks, we are being blessed with visitors coming to join us each Sunday. Both with new friends and with those who once were a part of our family that have been returning to worship and fellowship with us. This is a great time and opportunity for reconciliations, not recriminations. Words spoken to the effect of “I told you so” may make us feel morally superior, but is that what Jesus would do? Isn’t it just as easy to say, “I am so happy that you are here”? “Thank you for joining us this morning”. “I’ve missed you so much”.
What would Jesus do? He loved everyone, even those who were ungrateful. Everyone - not just His disciples, not just His followers, not just His fellow countrymen.
Look at verse 18 of our message text again…
Misplaced pride can make us do some ugly things, family. It can make us say things that we might not think anything of, but the one we’re talking to may be deeply hurt by our words.
Let me air just a bit of dirty laundry for a moment. Folks, we are being blessed with visitors coming to join us each Sunday. Both with new friends and with those who once were a part of our family that have been returning to worship and fellowship with us. This is a great time and opportunity for reconciliations, not recriminations. Words spoken to the effect of “I told you so” may make us feel morally superior, but is that what Jesus would do? Isn’t it just as easy to say, “I am so happy that you are here”? “Thank you for joining us this morning”. “I’ve missed you so much”.
What would Jesus do? He loved everyone, even those who were ungrateful. Everyone - not just His disciples, not just His followers, not just His fellow countrymen.
Look at verse 18 of our message text again…
18 “Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”
--Luke 17:18 (NKJV)
The one who returned to show gratitude was a Samaritan, the lowliest of the low in the eyes of the Jews. Jesus loved him enough to heal him, and loved him even more when he came back to say “Thanks”.
We need to do both of those. We need to love on everyone and we need to thank them for being a blessing to us. But most of all, we need to thank God for His many daily blessings. And we need to thank Jesus for giving up everything just for us.
Let’s make sure we are not included among those who fail to return to give glory to God. Just say, “Thanks!”
Amen.
Let us pray… Heavenly Father, when we stop long enough to think about all the ways You bless us each and every day, we can only marvel at Your great love and grace. We can’t even come up with a fitting way to thank You. How could the simple word “Thanks” ever suffice for Jesus giving His all just for us? Father, help us realize that glorifying You and following Jesus are all You seek in return.
Lord, almost every day we are served by others, but too seldom do we truly appreciate what they do for us. We think that because it is their job or because we pay them that their service is expected. We forget that we too are to serve. Help us remember, Lord, that Jesus came to serve, not to be served. And He wants us to serve and love others just as He did and still does. Forgive us, please Father, when we are boastful and proud, when we are unthankful, unloving, and unforgiving.
Hear us now, Lord, as we come to You in the silence and speak to You from our hearts…
Loving God, help us to be more loving. Remind us to serve and to be grateful for those who serve us. Let us learn from the example Jesus set for us to be more loving and forgiving, to put self aside and put others first, to be grateful for every blessing. In the name of our Savior Jesus we glorify You, O God, and in His name we pray. Amen.
We need to do both of those. We need to love on everyone and we need to thank them for being a blessing to us. But most of all, we need to thank God for His many daily blessings. And we need to thank Jesus for giving up everything just for us.
Let’s make sure we are not included among those who fail to return to give glory to God. Just say, “Thanks!”
Amen.
Let us pray… Heavenly Father, when we stop long enough to think about all the ways You bless us each and every day, we can only marvel at Your great love and grace. We can’t even come up with a fitting way to thank You. How could the simple word “Thanks” ever suffice for Jesus giving His all just for us? Father, help us realize that glorifying You and following Jesus are all You seek in return.
Lord, almost every day we are served by others, but too seldom do we truly appreciate what they do for us. We think that because it is their job or because we pay them that their service is expected. We forget that we too are to serve. Help us remember, Lord, that Jesus came to serve, not to be served. And He wants us to serve and love others just as He did and still does. Forgive us, please Father, when we are boastful and proud, when we are unthankful, unloving, and unforgiving.
Hear us now, Lord, as we come to You in the silence and speak to You from our hearts…
Loving God, help us to be more loving. Remind us to serve and to be grateful for those who serve us. Let us learn from the example Jesus set for us to be more loving and forgiving, to put self aside and put others first, to be grateful for every blessing. In the name of our Savior Jesus we glorify You, O God, and in His name we pray. Amen.
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