"Say Thank You” (Sermon)

I remember there were times someone is giving me something I remember what my mom would teach us too always say “please” and “thank you”.

R&B singer and musician Alicia Myers, released a song back in 1981 on the MCA Records label “I Want to Thank You (Heavenly Father)”. Irene Perkins and Kevin McCord, the authors of the song were giving thanks to the Heavenly Father for sending someone who would love her for her and not her body and she’s thankful.

The late evangelist Billy Graham was once quoted, “Grumbling and gratitude are, for the child of God, in conflict. Be grateful and you won't grumble. Grumble and you won't be grateful.” You know, he’s so right and makes a lot of sense.

In this account, Jesus just healed ten men with Leprosy. By the way lepers were social outcast during that time according to Leviticus 13 and called “unclean” and yet being rejected.

While in study of this, I found out how grateful we ought to be:

I.WE KNOW WHO TO CALL: These lepers knew who to call when they are needed. “And with they lifted up their voices and said Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Verse 13 Yes, these lepers acknowledged the fact who they can call in time of trouble. Psalm 50:15 encourage us to “Call upon Me in the time of trouble I shall rescue you, and you will honor me” Isn’t funny we call on God for His help promising “Lord, if you get me out of this one then I’ll this and this and so” And when it’s time for God to use you, then you have some excuse not to do what God told you to do and that’s when your promise with God is void. When you call God don’t you know that He may not come when you want Him but He’s right on time.

II.SHOW THE MIRACLE. These lepers were instructed by Jesus to show themselves to the priests. Now remember, these priests are still questioning and not too sure who Jesus says He says what He is. You noticed as the lepers walked over to see the priests they were healed already. Healing is a process, sometimes you get an instant healing and at times it’s slow. But, always remember what Psalm 27:14 tells us, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Even after the priests saw this, they still did not believe.

III.DON’T FORGET TO SAY THANK YOU. A mother and little boy was sitting in the park when the little boy and his mother was approached by an elderly man. The elderly man asked the mother, “can I give your son something?” The mother nods watch the elderly man put his hand in his jacket pocket, it was an almost new baseball. The old man said, “I thought you would like to have this. It was my was my grandson’s but he went on to Heaven. You remind me of my grandson and I wanted you to have it.” The elderly man handed the little boy the baseball. The little boy said, “wow, look mom a baseball!” His mother said to her son, “now what do you say?” The little boy looked at the elderly man and said, “thank you, sir” and the elderly man smiled at him and the little boy had a great big small on face and the elderly went on his way. If someone gives something to you something don’t forget to say—Thank you! What does the Word of God say, ”Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast LOVE ENDURE FOREVER.”

The one who came back praised God for what He has done. Don't for forget to tell the thank you for the big things and the small things. I remember we opened up our refrigerator and there wasn’t much food and I just told the Lord thank you. When we barely have money, I trust God and tell Him thank you. When we go pay our bills and hardly any money in our pocket, I just tell the Lord thank you, don’t forget to say thank you.

Let me share something with you the Holy Spirit spoke to me, “there’s something about gratitude that makes you appreciate life and the things around you.” There’s something about getting a thank you that makes you feel good deep inside.

Even in the Word of God there were folks who gave thanks to God to whatever situation they were in.

Come here Miriam, she was Moses and Aaron’s big sister giving thanks to God while playing her tambourine and dancing with joy with the other women because God saved them from the Egyptians after they crossed the Red Sea. (Exodus 15:20-21)