FULL TEXT SERMON NOTES ON THANKSGIVING
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
Luke 17:11-19 etc. - Page 1
LET IT SHOW, PM 11/24/02
"It is gratitude that prompted an old man to visit an old broken
pier on the eastern seacoast of Florida. Every Friday night,
until his death in 1973, he would return, walking slowly and
slightly stooped with a large bucket of shrimp. The sea gulls
would flock to this old man, and he would feed them from his
bucket. Many years before, in October, 1942, Captain Eddie
Rickenbacker was on a mission in a B-17 to deliver an important message to General Douglas MacArthur in New Guinea.
"But there was an unexpected detour which would hurl
Captain Eddie into the most harrowing adventure of his life.
Somewhere over the South Pacific the Flying Fortress became
lost beyond the reach of radio. Fuel ran dangerously low,
so the men ditched their plane in the ocean...
"For nearly a month Captain Eddie and his companions
would fight the water, and the weather, and the scorching
sun. They spent many sleepless nights recoiling as giant
sharks rammed their rafts. The largest raft was nine by
five. The biggest shark...ten feet long.
"But of all their enemies at sea, one proved most
formidable: starvation. Eight days out, their rations were
long gone or destroyed by the salt water. It would take a
miracle to sustain them. And a miracle occurred.
In Captain Eddie's own words, "Cherry," that was the B-
17 pilot, Captain William Cherry, "read the service that
afternoon, and we finished with a prayer for deliverance and
a hymn of praise. There was some talk, but it tapered off
in the oppressive heat. With my hat pulled down over my
eyes to keep out some of the glare, I dozed off."
Luke 17:11-19 etc. - Page 2
"Now this is still Captain Rickenbacker talking..."Something landed on my head. I knew that it was a sea gull. I don't know how I knew, I just knew. Everyone else knew too. No one said a word, but peering out from under my hat brim without moving my head, I could see the expression on their faces. They were staring at that gull. The gull meant food...if I could catch it."
"And the rest, as they say, is history. Captain Eddie caught the gull. Its flesh was eaten. Its intestines were used for bait to catch fish. The survivors were sustained and their hopes renewed because a lone sea gull, uncharacteristically hundreds of miles from land, offered itself as a sacrifice. You know that Captain Eddie made it.
"And now you also know...that he never forgot. Because every Friday evening, about sunset...on a lonely stretch along the eastern Florida seacoast...you could see an old man walking...white-haired, bushy-eyebrowed, slightly bent. His bucket filled with shrimp was to feed the gulls...to remember that one which, on a day long past, gave itself without a struggle...like manna in the wilderness." Paul Aurandt, "The Old Man and the Gulls", Paul Harvey's The Rest of the Story, 1977
This account from Paul Harvey's The Rest of the story, is a story of gratitude. Eddie Rickenbacker was always grateful to the sea
Gulls
I am sure that there are people you are grateful for.
I am sure that there are things that you are grateful for.
Most times when we are grateful for what someone has done we thank them. Sometimes we express our gratitude with a small gift or with a reciprocal kind deed.
We always appreciate grateful people.
We do not appreciate those who are ungrateful.
Luke 17:11-19 etc. - Page 3
We will celebrate Thanksgiving this week, which is a national holiday. Thanksgiving is designed to show gratitude to God for all the things that He has done for us as a nation and as individuals.
If there is anyone that should show their gratitude to God for all His blessings, it is we who call ourselves "Christians".
Our gratitude to God should be something that is evident in our lives. We should be willing to let it show so others, and especially God himself can see our gratitude.
This morning I would like to share with you five ways that you should let your gratitude show.
LET IT SHOW:
THROUGH YOUR WORSHIP
THROUGH YOUR WITNESS
THROUGH YOUR WORKS
THROUGH YOUR WAGES
THROUGH YOUR WALK
LET IT SHOW THROUGH YOUR WORSHIP - Luke 17:11-19
Read the text.
You've probably heard this story before.
Ten very sick men who were lepers approached Jesus.
Because of a disease that ate away at their bodies, and because this disease made them social outcasts, they lived lonely lives.
They were separated from their families and friends.
They were required to cry "Unclean! Unclean!" if anyone healthy came their ways.
They cried to Jesus and asked for mercy.
Luke 17:11-19 etc. - Page 4
Jesus gave them an unusual answer. He told them to go show themselves to the priests.
When someone was healed of leprosy, they were required to appear before the priests in order to be admitted back into society.
But these lepers had not been healed as yet. It was a step of faith for them to believe that as they went to the priests, they would be healed.
Vs. 14
tells us that as they went they WERE healed.Can you imagine the joy and relief these former lepers felt?
What might have they been thinking?
- "I must hurry to the priests so I can get back to my wife."
- "I must hurry to the priests so I can get back to my children."
- "I must hurry to the priests so I can get back to my house."
- "I must hurry to the priests so I can get back to my farm."
- "I must hurry to the priests so I can get back to my trade."
One of these ten former lepers got a different idea.
The priests could wait. He would worship out of gratitude.
Vs. 15 - He glorified God with a loud voice.
It wasn't a soft, "Thank you Lord, I'm well."
It was a loud, booming, "PRAISE GOD! I'M HEALED!"
Anyone within 500 yards or more would have heard
him.
Vs. 16 - He fell at the feet of Jesus and gave thanks.
How did he get to the feet of Jesus?
I believe that he ran there!
What was unique about this, was that he wasn't even a Jew.
He was a renegade Jew, called a Samaritan.
Luke 17:11-19 etc. - Page 5
Vss. 17-18 - It seems to me that Jesus was not amazed that this
man came back to show gratitude. He expected it.
What amazed Jesus is that there were nine others who didn't come back to worship. And the one least likely to show gratitude was the one who did.
You have heard me explain time after time what a Christian is.
A Christian is someone who knows that he or she has failed God. He or she acknowledges their sin.
A Christian is someone who knows that he or she is not good enough to go to Heaven.
A Christian is someone who believes that when Jesus died on the cross Jesus died for his or her sins.
A Christian is someone who believes that Jesus rose from the dead.
A Christian is someone who at a specific moment in time has placed his or her faith in Christ alone for salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Should a Christian bow down at the feet of Jesus and worship?
Yes!
We should be eternally grateful to God for what He has done for us! Andrae Crouch said it this way:
HOW CAN I SAY THANKS
FOR THE THINGS YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME-
THINGS SO UNDESERVED, YET YOU
GIVE TO PROVE YOUR LOVE FOR ME?
THE VOICES OF A MILLION ANGELS
CAN NOT EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE-
Luke 17:11-19 etc. - Page 6
ALL THAT I AM AND EVER HOPE TO BE,
I OWE IT ALL TO THEE.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY, TO GOD BE THE GLORY, TO GOD BE THE GLORY, FOR THE THINGS HE HAS DONE.
WITH HIS BLOOD HE HAS SAVED ME;
WITH HIS POW'R HE HAS RAISED ME;
TO GOD BE THE GLORY
FOR THE THINGS HE HAS DONE.
Andrae Crouch, Copyright 1971, Lexicon Music Inc.
Vs. 19
- I believe that Jesus was talking of more than physical healing. His faith had saved him and had given him eternal life.
My friend worshipping God, being grateful for His salvation is part of truly being a Christian. I doubt that those professing Christians who do not worship God with gratitude in their hearts are truly saved.
Hebrews 13:15 - By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.When we sing the worship choruses and hymns, our hearts should be overflowing with worship to God because we are grateful for our salvation.
LET IT SHOW:
THROUGH YOUR WORSHIP
Luke 17:11-19 etc. - Page 7
LET IT SHOW THROUGH YOUR WITNESS - Luke 18:38-39
Read the text.
A man possessed with a legion of demons was delivered by the Lord Jesus. He had experienced a terrible life of isolation and insanity.
The man was so grateful that he wanted to follow Jesus.
Jesus said "No!"
But Jesus did say,
Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee.When someone does something good for us, we often show our gratitude by telling others what they have done.
God has done the greatest thing possible for you. He has saved your soul and given you eternal life. Besides that, He's indwelled you with His own Holy Spirit. And besides this, Jesus sits at the right hand of the throne of God, interceding for you.
One way we let our gratitude show, is by telling others what Jesus has done for us. This is our witness.
Psalm 107:2
- Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;It is out of gratitude that we should obey the "Great Commission".
Mark 16:15 -
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.Was the man obedient to Jesus? Yes he was!
And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
Luke 17:11-19 etc. - Page 8
Erwin Lutzer - "Christianity spread rapidly during the first century because all Christians saw themselves as responsible for disseminating the gospel."
Edythe Draper, Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992). Entry 3302You know the way to Heaven. If you are grateful to God, and want others to join you in Heaven, you will tell others what you know.
Who is it that needs to hear the good news from you?
LET IT SHOW:
THROUGH YOUR WORSHIP
THROUGH YOUR WITNESS
THROUGH YOUR WORKS - Acts 16:14-15
Acts 16:14-15 -
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. [15] And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.What happened to Lydia?
She came to find the reality of knowing Christ as her Savior.
She was grateful.
She showed her gratitude by her works of opening up her home to the missionaries.
As I said earlier, when someone does something nice for us, we like to show our appreciation by doing something nice for them.
The Lord Jesus has done something wonderful for us having given us eternal life. We show our appreciation by the works that we do.
Luke 17:11-19 etc. - Page 9
Jesus saved us so that we would do good works.
Ephesians 2:10 -
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.And the good works that we do are directed towards others.
Titus 3:8 -
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.Out of appreciation for what God has done for you do good works:
- Listen carefully when someone tries to share with you.
- Help someone who is struggling under a heavy load.
- Share food with those who are struggling to pay the bills.
- Give a gift when that gift will encourage someone else.
- Help someone with a project around his or her house.
- Do something for someone who can no longer do it for themselves.
Galatians 6:10
- As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.Let your gratitude show!
LET IT SHOW:
THROUGH YOUR WORSHIP
THROUGH YOUR WITNESS
THROUGH YOUR WORKS
Luke 17:11-19 etc. - Page 10
THROUGH YOUR WAGES - Luke 21:1-4
Luke 21:1-4 -
And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. [2] And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. [3] And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: [4] For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.Why would anyone give so sacrificially?
I believe that it is out of gratitude!
When we are truly grateful, we will give to the Lord's work.
1 Corinthians 16:2
- Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."Go give to the needy sweet charity's bread.
For giving is living," the angel said.
"And must I be giving again and again?"
My peevish, petulant answer ran.
"Oh, no," said the angel, piercing me through,
"just give till the Master stops giving to you."
--James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 460.
LET IT SHOW:
THROUGH YOUR WORSHIP
THROUGH YOUR WITNESS
THROUGH YOUR WORKS
THROUGH YOUR WAGES
Luke 17:11-19 etc. - Page 11
THROUGH YOUR WALK - 1Peter 1:15-16
1 Peter 1:15-16
- But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.Christian, God called you.
He called you to forgiveness.
He called you to eternal life.
He called you to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
He called you to spiritual blessings.
He called you to be His child.
He called you to receive answers to your prayers.
Out of gratitude for God's call on your life, I challenge you to live as your Lord lives. I challenge you to live a holy life.
God, who has called you is holy.
He wants you to be holy in your practice of life.
How can you do this?
Galatians 2:20
- I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.Christian, are you grateful for what God has done?
Let it show!
LET IT SHOW:
THROUGH YOUR WORSHIP
THROUGH YOUR WITNESS
THROUGH YOUR WORKS
THROUGH YOUR WAGES
THROUGH YOUR WALK
Ezra 7:10
AOL INSTANT MESSENGING SCREEN NAME - JackPeters47
MSN MESSENGER SCREEN NAME - johnwpeters@hotmail.com
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