Thanksgiving and Action (giving) - Thanks Giving
Theme: To show the connection between thanksgiving and action.
Text: Luke 17:11 – 19, 2 Corinthians 9:10 - 15
Luke 17:11-19 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 (they met Jesus, IOW Jesus didn’t go after them but they went after Jesus, they had a need and knew who to go to) ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. (This was the law of the land, if you had leprosy, any debilitating skin disease, you would have to avoid people) (13) And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" (Again they cried out to Jesus, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Jesus, common name, Master, a name that had command and control, mercy – release from pain, the act of withholding punishment. Grace the act of giving undeserved favor) (14) So when He saw them, (When He takes notice of them, recognizes their faith and trust in His actions) He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. (this was an act or action of faith, it is not logical to the natural mind because they were lepers but they trusted Jesus words, they were not even suppose to be around the priests as lepers) (15) And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, (when were they healed, we do not know, it was on the trip to the priest ) 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. (This is another key to this story, this man was a Samaritan. One who was truly lost and disconnected from God. No religious system to save him. He was considered by others to be an outcast. Yet for some reason those who have been forgiven much seemed to give the most thanksgiving or praise)
NLT 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God, I'm healed!"
Why the Samaritans were so thankful.
Thanksgiving - Because they know what it is like to be without.
Never forget where we came from!
Exactly because Samaritans were the second-class citizens of life. Why should such be praised at all unless they do clear good, as the Jews saw it. But real life bears this out in that it is often the poor and rejected of society who are first to come and help a person in need, not the important who are too wrapped up in their business to take the time to show a kindness to some stranger they encounter. Even in almsgiving, the poor are often far more generous than the rich, certainly percentage-wise, and sometimes even in total objective amounts given. To be second class is to understand what it is to be in need, and therefore to be all the more ready to help others in need.
Thanksgiving - Because they know what it is like to not be owed anything but bestowed a great miracle.
Never forget what we needed.
Another account is that of the ten lepers he healed. (Luke 17:12-19) Jesus healed 10 lepers, and all 10 were healed, but only one of them came back afterwords to thank Him, and that ex-leper was a Samaritan. On what rare occasions someone from the first class (Jews in this case, of which Jesus was one) should actually bestow a genuine kindness upon those of the second class, that is so unusual that gratitude is always shown on such occasions. To be second class means to know that no one owes them anything, nor any consideration, and when such is received, to be properly grateful.
Thanksgiving because of seeing the great need and emptiness. All else had failed.
How to have a thankful heart.
1) Avoid complaining
2) Get around people who are thankful
3) Give thanks daily
4) Keep a thanksgiving journal
5) Add action to our thanksgiving
(17) So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? (this is an excellent question, where are the other nine)
POEM (author unknown)
A poem has been written about this story, it is titled "But where are the nine?"
I meant to go back but you may guess
I was filled with amazement I cannot express
To think that after those horrible years,
That passion of loathing and passions of fears,
By sores unendurable-eaten, defiled-
My flesh was as smooth as the flesh of a child.
I was drunken with joy; I was crazy with glee,
I scarcely could walk and I scarcely could see,
For the dazzle of sunshine where all had been black; . . .
But I meant to go back, --- oh, I meant to go back!
I had thought to return, when my people came out.
There were tears of rejoicing and laughter and shout;
They embraced me, --- for years I had not known a kiss;
Ah, the pressure of lip is an exquisite bliss!
They crowded around me, they filled the whole place;
They looked at my feet, and my hands, and my face;
My children were there, my glorious wife,
And all the forgotten allurements of life.
My cup was so full I seemed nothing to lack! . . .
But I meant to go back, --- oh, I meant to go back!
Why people don’t go back?
Distractions
Get caught up in the moment.
Pride – look at what has happened to me.
(18) Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?"
Thanksgiving and Generosity (giving)
“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”
–2 Corinthians 9:10–15
In other words God who provides for all our needs. Not just the food on our table but the ability to put the food on our table (the seed for the sower). May he multiply this as Paul is praying. So that when he multiplies and increases in our lives we may show this by generosity which produces thankfulness. Why? This supplies the needs and the work of the ministry. Out of this produces more thanksgiving, overflowing thanksgiving. By the generosity it will cause others to glorify God. This is like a cycle of giving and generosity.
Tie to the Kingdom of God Study
We have been discussing the kingdom of God for a few weeks now. On principle of the Kingdom of God is the generosity of God’s people. It is more than just words of thanksgiving but an action of faith and trust in God. We give.
Giving 10%
The reason I like the number of tithing when it comes to my giving is because it helps me to know. I don’t know many people who does not believe they have a generous heart. Or as we say, “They would give the shirt off their back.” Yet truthfully if you put a measure to it then you will notice they are more tight fisted than they realize.
This idea of tithing helps me to measure my heart. That is why it is a kingdom principle.
(19) And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."
Complete Healing
Arise. What a powerful word to use here. This word has resonated in my spirit all night and day. I mean that literally. This is the same word used speaking of the resurrection. There is power in that word.
I am reminded of what happened in John 11 when Jesus spoke to Lazarus lifeless body. He had to get out of that tomb and walk. He was dead yet he had to live. Jesus had already told Martha and Mary that he was the resurrection and the life.
God says today that in our thanksgiving there is life, there is resurrection. We are waiting on God to change our circumstances, maybe God is wanting to change us in our circumstances. This happens when we give praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord.
God is wanting to resurrect our lives. He is wanting to restore the joy back to us again. He is wanting to heal us. He is wanting to restore us.
Jesus said, “Rise up, and go” your faith has made you whole. You are now complete in Christ Jesus.
