Value of Gratitude The Luke 17 : 11-19 Elder Melvin Gan 8 February 2015
Value of gratitude Greatful for the goodness of God Introduction
Luke 17 : 11-19 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, Jesus, Master, have pity on us!
Luke 17 : 11-19 14 When he saw them, he said, Go, show yourselves to the priests. And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus feet and thanked him and he was a Samaritan.
Luke 17 : 11-19 17 Jesus asked, Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner? 19 Then he said to him, Rise and go; your faith has made you well.
1) Revisit the Understanding of Gratitude 2) Re-emphasize the Importance of Gratitude 3) Remember Who we ought to be Grateful to Road Map
1) Revisit the Understanding of Gratitude a) Revisiting the Meaning of Gratitude - Yehuda = hoda ah express gratitude and give thanks
* Ephesians 5 : 19-20 Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father
b) Recalling what we should be grateful for * Leviticus 13 : 46 He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.
* Luke 17 : 12 - Jesus met the group of lepers when he was about to enter the village * Leviticus 13 : 46 He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean.
* Luke 17 : 17-18 Jesus asked, Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?
b) Recalling what we should be grateful for i) ii) Grateful for our Material Provisions Grateful for our Social Support social acceptance iii) Grateful for God in our Lives beautiful promise of God in Deuteronomy 31:6
Deut 31 : 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."
2) Re-emphasize the Importance of Gratitude We need to understand the importance of gratitude. We need to remember why it is important to grow in the value of gratitude.
2) Re-emphasize the Importance of Gratitude a) Gratitude matters to God * Luke 17 : 11 - account took place as Jesus passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee
* 1 Samuel 16 : 7 the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart
b) Gratitude helps us focus - gratitude help us to focus on the goodness of God - gratitude helps us focus on what we have, instead of what we do not have
- gratitude also help us focus on the instruments of God in our lives
c) Gratitude inspires our Worship - the value of gratitude is important - gratitude inspires our worship unto the Lord
Psalm 136 : 1-9 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. 7 who made the great lights - His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. Psalm 136 : 1-9
3) Remember Who we ought to Grateful to * Luke 17 : 15-16 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw at Jesus feet and thanked him - and he was a Samaritan.
3) Remember Who we ought to be Grateful to a) Gratitude Towards God * Psalm 136 : 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
3) Remember Who we ought to be Grateful to * Psalm 136 : 25 He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.
We receive blessings and provisions in our lives. Q : What do we do? We give thanks
Psalm 8 : 1-4 LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. 2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8 : 1-4
We give thanks
b) Gratitude Towards God s Instruments 1 I serve, because I am expressing my gratitude and love to my Lord, my God.
b) Gratitude Towards God s Instruments 2 Because of the people who have invested in my life the instruments of God in my life.
targeted at our hearts and our spirit Conclusion
Gratitude will evoke faith in your lives again
Appreciate the many people in our lives
Inspire our worship again Conclusion