Introduction

Ladies and Gentlemen, brothers and sisters in Christ, we gather here today under the sheltering wings of our Lord, basking in the radiant glow of His everlasting love, to reflect upon His word and the profound message it has for each one of us. We are here to uncover the truths laid out in the Gospel of Luke, to illuminate the path of gratitude and thanksgiving that leads us to the very heart of God's healing power.

In the words of the esteemed Christian author, J.I. Packer, "Thankfulness is a soil in which pride does not easily grow." This sentiment, simple yet profound, encapsulates the essence of our discussion today. It is a reminder that thankfulness is not merely a response to the blessings we receive, but a posture of the heart, a fertile ground where the seeds of humility, compassion, and faith take root and flourish.

Let us turn our hearts and minds to the Scriptures, specifically to Luke 17:13-14, which reads, "And they lifted up their voices, saying, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.' When he saw them he said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went they were cleansed." This passage, my dear friends, is a testament to the transformative power of gratitude, a power that transcends our physical ailments and touches the very core of our spiritual well-being.

As we ponder upon these words, let us open our hearts to the Lord in prayer. Heavenly Father, we come before you today with humble hearts and a thirst for your wisdom. Open our eyes to the truths hidden in your Word, and guide us as we seek to understand and apply these truths in our lives. Let the message of gratitude resonate within us, and may it inspire us to live a life of thankfulness, not just in times of blessings, but in every season of our lives. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Harnessing the Power of Thankfulness

Thankfulness, my dear friends, is a powerful force. It's like a mighty river that flows from the heart, carrying with it a current of joy, peace, and contentment. It's a force that can transform our lives, our relationships, and our relationship with God. But how do we tap into this power? How do we harness it and make it a part of our daily lives?

The answer lies in the Bible, in the words of Jesus himself. In the Gospel of Luke, we read about ten lepers who cried out to Jesus for mercy. Jesus, in his infinite compassion, healed them. But only one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. This man, a Samaritan, understood the power of thankfulness. He didn't just feel it in his heart; he expressed it with his words and actions. He made it a point to return to Jesus, to acknowledge the source of his healing, and to give thanks.

This is the first step in harnessing the power of thankfulness: recognizing the source of our blessings. Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of lights. When we acknowledge God as the source of all our blessings, we position ourselves to receive more. We open our hearts to the flow of His grace, His love, and His provision. We align ourselves with His will, His purposes, and His plans for our lives.

But recognition alone is not enough. We must also express our thankfulness. The Samaritan leper didn't just feel thankful; he showed it. He praised God with a loud voice. He fell on his face at Jesus' feet. He made his thankfulness known. And this is the second step in harnessing the power of thankfulness: expressing it. Thankfulness that is felt but not expressed is like a gift that is wrapped but not given. It's like a song that is written but not sung. It's like a prayer that is thought but not spoken. It's incomplete. It's potential that is not realized.

Expressing our thankfulness doesn't just benefit us; it blesses others too. It encourages them. It uplifts them. It points them to the source of our blessings. It testifies to the goodness and faithfulness of God. It's a powerful witness that can draw others to Christ.

But there's more to thankfulness than just recognition and expression. There's also the aspect of consistency. The Bible tells us to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. This means that thankfulness is not just for the good times, but also for the challenging times. It's not just for the mountaintop experiences, but also for the valleys. It's not just for the times of abundance, but also for the times of lack. This is the third step in harnessing the power of thankfulness: being consistent in it.

Consistency in thankfulness requires faith. It requires trust in God's goodness and faithfulness. It requires a belief that God is working all things together for our good. It requires a perspective that sees beyond the temporal and into the eternal. It requires a heart that is anchored in Christ, that is secure in His love, and that is confident in His promises.

Finally, thankfulness is not just about what we receive, but also about what we give. The Bible tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. When we give with a thankful heart, we reflect the heart of God. We become conduits of His blessings. We become channels of His love and grace. We become instruments of His peace and joy. This is the fourth step in harnessing the power of thankfulness: giving with a thankful heart.

Giving with a thankful heart is not just about giving material things. It's about giving of ourselves. It's about giving our time, our talents, our resources, our love, our forgiveness, our kindness, our compassion, our encouragement, our support. It's about giving without expecting anything in return. It's about giving because we have received, because we have been blessed, because we are thankful.

So, my dear friends, let us harness the power of thankfulness. Let us recognize the source of our blessings. Let us express our thankfulness. Let us be consistent in it. And let us give with a thankful heart. For in doing so, we will not only experience the transformative power of thankfulness, but we will also become a blessing to others.

Healing through Gratitude in Luke 17:13-14

As we turn our attention to the Gospel of Luke, we find ourselves in the midst of a story that speaks volumes about the healing power of gratitude ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO