What is our “sermonizing” blog series?
This will be a weekly series where our anonymous writer(s) will summarize the sermon and add some of their own thoughts and encourage us to think deeper about it and put it into practice!
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Gratitude Attitude
Lets read:
Luke 17:11-19
11 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[a] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
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.
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.”
Let’s take it in:
In this passage, Jesus heals ten men with leprosy, but only one returns to show his thanks and praise. It is because of his gratitude that he was not only healed externally, but also “made well” internally.
Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Like the lepers, the year 2020 has caused us to be separated from others in our quarantine homes. The challenges we face can lead us to be like the nine who though healed by Jesus didn’t have the attitude of gratitude like the one.
What is your attitude now about being set free? Do you recall what sins He has set you free from? Jesus wants to heal us from the obvious sins (Galatians 5:19-21) and those sins that are hidden deep in our heart (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Do you take your healing and forgiveness for granted?
You may be wondering, “well how do I know if I am grateful?”
Definition of the word gratitude:
quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Think for a second on the sins that only God has set you free from. How did it feel to be set free? How does it feel now to have a relationship with God?
Wait. Did you think about it?
Feels good right? I know!
For those of us that have been in the faith for many years, it can be easy to take God for granted and lose a little of that gratitude. Ask yourself the tough question without judging yourself too much: Are you still grateful?
You might be thinking I feel grateful, but how do I show Jesus that I am truly grateful for what he has done in my life?
Let’s put it into practice:
- Continue to be faithful and obedient, and stay far away from the sins of your past you have been set free from.
- Also, show love to your brothers and sisters in the fellowship. Times are different and hard, but our actions and words should still speak loudly in love.
- Be intentional about worshiping God and encouraging others
Never forget you have been given the gifts of grace, hope, and unending love. That’s something to be grateful for!