"Only one said ’Thank You!!!’"
Text: Luke 18:11-19
Sermon writer-Rev. Danny Moss mssdnny@yahoo.com
Introduction-
Graditude seems to be a lost virtue in our
society today. Many people seem to think that
the world owes them a living, and that they should
have much more than they presently possess. You
know, Jesus said that "A man’s life does not con-
sist in the abundance of his material possessions."
(paraphrase). See Luke 12:15. The accumulation
of "things" does not give us lasting happiness.
They only temporarily satisfy, and then, we need
a newer, bigger, and better toy to play with.
As the wisest of men once wrote-"...the eye is not
satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with
hearing." Ecc. 1:8 A greedy soul never has
enough. It would be a lie if I told you I didn’t
wish I had some material things. But, I have
learned that I can do without some things I used
to think I had to have. I hope, too, that I am
learing what really has real, lasting value, and
what the world cannot take away from us as be-
lievers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the passage of Scripture which I just read, we
see that Jesus has just performed a notable mira-
cle. He had healed ten lepers. They had begged
Him for a miracle of healing, and they all had
received that for which they asked; however, only
one of the ten turned around and went back to Jesus
and told him "Thank You!!!" Jesus remarked, "Where
are the other nine that I healed?" You would think
that as desperate as their situation was, and as
hopeless and life-threatening as it surely was,
they all would have rushed back to where Jesus was
and would have fallen at his feet, in humble
thankfulness for what God had done for them, but
only one did-and he was a Samaritan!!!"
How often, and how sincerely do we thank God for
all that He does for us? Truly, healing from a
life-threatening disease is wonderful, but even
greater is the forgiveness of our sins, and
deliverance from our souls from eternal seperation
from God, in an awful place, called Hell.
For this, God’s salvation, we should eternally
be offering praise and thanksgiving to God.
Nothing could be a greater gift to anyone than the
gift of eternal life, to live with our Father
forever in Heaven.
We also have many other blessings for which we
should be thankful. Among these are-
Our families-
Our health-
Our freedom-
Our country-
Our peace in a hostile world-We don’t have to
go to bed at night and sleep with one eye open,
afraid of what the darkness might bring
Our food, clothing, nice homes, cars, schools,
hospitals, jobs, good economy, etc.-the list is
endless. We could go on and on. God has been
good to all of us. I don’t say that there may
be some times that some of us had to do without,
but, for the most part, we have lived in great
wealth and prosperity in comparison with the
rest of the world. For this, we should thank
God.
I pastor a church that is very loving and giving.
We support many mission causes. In addition to
this, we support other ministries, and things
such as World Hunger, and Disaster Relief. But,
you know, in spite of the scores of people we
have helped with our benevolence fund, I know of
only a precious few who have ever called back, or
written, and said "Thank you!" That means a lot,
folks, when someone appreciates what you have
done for them, and you hear them say those special
words, "Thank you!"
God loves a cheerful giver, according to the Bible,
and I believe it teaches in this passage that He
loves a cheerful receiver also!
But, you know, that’s the kind of God our Lord is.
He keeps on giving, and forgiving, even when men
fail to return a "thank you: to Him.
I want to say "Thank you!!" to all of you who do
the work of this church also. Thank you for giving
to the Lord! That’s what the popular song says,
and it is so true. Lives would never have been
changed in many places, and on many occassions, if
you had not been a giving people, who reached out
in compassionate love to others.
I hope that it won’t be like the title of this
sermon today-Only one thanked God! I don’t believe
that it will be. But, don’t thank me, thank Him
from whom all blessings flow. Thank Jesus, and if
there is anyone here in this audience today who
has never received His salvation, I invite you now
to come to Christ. He alone, by His precious shed
blood can save you. Come, and when He reaches
down and touches you, look up, and tell Him "Thank
You!!!"
