Thanksgiving. Really? How REAL or how RELIGIOUS is our thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving. Really?

How REAL or how RELIGIOUS is our thanksgiving?

A Good Recipe for Thanksgiving


For a RELIGIOUS Thanksgiving:

Just go online

Buy a Recipe Book

Or talk to Michele Stelljes


For a REAL Thanksgiving:

Learn from the 10 lepers story:

Luke 17: 12-19


12 As Jesus was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy 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.”

The Ten Lepers and Gratitude

The account of the healing of the ten lepers is replete with lessons, especially the lesson of gratitude.

Too many fail to be thankful for all God has done.


Observations:

Vs. 12, 13: Lepers were isolated (Lev. 13: 46).

The ten lepers appeared to have known of Jesus (cp. Matt. 4: 23, 8: 2, 3).

Vs. 14: Jesus tested their faith. He answered their request and had mercy on them. But they had to obey Jesus’ command to be healed.


Leprosy was a horrible disease during Bible days. It was a very serious disease. Members would fall off at the joints: there was no cure.


Ten left and were healed on the way.


Observations:

Vs. 15, 16: They were healed on the way as they obeyed Jesus.

The Samaritan returned (others were probably Jews).

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.


Only one healed leper returned to give thanks!


Observations:

Jesus was really surprised that no one would come back to thank and praise God.

Vs. 17, 18: Ten per cent only gave thanks.

Vs. 19: Jesus declares that his faith made him whole.


Some reasons to be thankful:

1. Remission of sins (Acts 2: 38).

2. Jesus’ death, etc. (Rom. 5: 6-8).

3. The church (Matt. 11: 11, Eph. 1: 3).

4. Power of prayer (Phil. 4: 6).

5. The promise of heaven (I Pet. 1: 4).

6. Difficulties in life bring spiritual growth (Jas. 1: 2-4).

7. God’s fidelity & protection (Heb. 13: 5, 6).


“15: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be thankful” (Col. 3).


Learn with the Samaritan leper and thank and praise God.

In RELIGIOUS Thanksgiving people get sad because they haven’t got what they want. It is about things & food.

In REAL Thanksgiving people praise God for who He is and for His mercy. It is about HIM>


Surprise Jesus coming back to HIM to thank HIM and praise HIM this Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving. Really? How REAL or how RELIGIOUS is our thanksgiving?

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