Were there not ten? Ten lepers met Jesus (Luke 17:11-19) Ten lepers met Jesus (Luke 17:11-19) – Standing afar off – “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Jesus sent them to the priest (Lev. 14) Jesus sent them to the priest (Lev. 14) – “As they were going, they were cleansed.” ONE of them (a Samaritan) returned, glorifying God with a loud voice, fell on his face, giving thanks. ONE of them (a Samaritan) returned, glorifying God with a loud voice, fell on his face, giving thanks. Jesus asked three questions: Jesus asked three questions: – “Were there not ten cleansed?” – “But where are the nine?” – “Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

Were there not ten? Why do you think only ONE returned? Why do you think only ONE returned? Why do you think the other NINE did not? – Perhaps the nine: Got caught up in the moment. Got caught up in the moment. Rushed to tell/show their families. Rushed to tell/show their families. Just forgot. Just forgot. Thought Jesus was just doing what He was supposed to do. Thought Jesus was just doing what He was supposed to do. Thought, “He knows our hearts. He knows we’re grateful.” Thought, “He knows our hearts. He knows we’re grateful.”

Were there not ten? God Wants Our Thanksgiving/Appreciation God Wants Our Thanksgiving/Appreciation – “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” – Hebrews 13:15 – “Offer to God thanksgiving…” – Psalm 50:14 – “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving…” – Psalm 95:2 – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving…Be thankful to Him and bless His name.” – Psalm 100:4

Were there not ten? God Deserves Our Thanksgiving/Appreciation God Deserves Our Thanksgiving/Appreciation – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” – Jas. 1:17 – “…giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Eph. 5:20 – “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah.” – Psa. 68:19 – The LORD has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the LORD.” – Psa. 118:18-19

Were there not ten? How Can We Show Our Thanks? How Can We Show Our Thanks? – Answers given in class:

Were there not ten? How Can We Show Our Thanks? How Can We Show Our Thanks? – In prayer “Pray w/o ceasing, in everything give thanks.” – 1 Th. 5:17-18 “Pray w/o ceasing, in everything give thanks.” – 1 Th. 5:17-18 “…giving of thanks be made for all men.” – 1 Tim. 2:1 “…giving of thanks be made for all men.” – 1 Tim. 2:1 “…in everything by prayer…with thanksgiving…” – Phil. 4:6 “…in everything by prayer…with thanksgiving…” – Phil. 4:6 – In song “Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.” – Psa. 30:4 “Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.” – Psa. 30:4 “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.” – Psa. 92:1 “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.” – Psa. 92:1

Were there not ten? How Can We Show Our Thanks? How Can We Show Our Thanks? – In the Lord’s Supper “…and when He had given thanks…” – 1 Cor. 11:23-24 “…and when He had given thanks…” – 1 Cor. 11:23-24 – In whatever we do “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” – Col. 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” – Col. 3:17 – In obedient service “What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people. “ – Psa. 116:12-14 “What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people. “ – Psa. 116:12-14

Were there not ten? Why Show & Express Our Thankfulness? Why Show & Express Our Thankfulness? – Thankfulness is a way of remembering God (remembering, and not forgetting, all He has done)! “Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” – Psa. 103:1-5 “Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” – Psa. 103:1-5 “…although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” – Rom. 1:20-21 “…although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” – Rom. 1:20-21

Were there not ten? Why Show & Express Our Thankfulness? Why Show & Express Our Thankfulness? – Thankfulness is a way of remembering God! – Thankfulness is a way of honoring God! “Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver: Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.” – Psa. 50:22-23 “Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver: Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.” – Psa. 50:22-23

Were there not ten? Why Show & Express Our Thankfulness? Why Show & Express Our Thankfulness? – Thankfulness is a way of remembering God! – Thankfulness is a way of honoring God! – Thankfulness is contagious! “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.” – Psa. 34:1-3 “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.” – Psa. 34:1-3 May God help us to be more thankful!