Thanksgiving and Hope Often Go Hand in Hand
Part 2
Hope is the feeling we have
that the feeling we have is not forever.
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.”
-1 Chronicles 16:8
“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.”
- Psalm 69:30
“GIVE [not just “Have”. Give = express] thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
-1 Thessalonians 5:18
76 times in bible it says GIVE THANKS
10 Lepers
Every action that Jesus took
pointed to something greater than itself.
“Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.”
-Luke 17:11
Lepers were ceremonially defiled, unclean, and forced to live outside the village limits.
“They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’… he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.”
Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed?
Where are the other nine?”
REASONABLE OPTIONS:
Procrastination?
Just following orders?
Adrenaline rush = forgetting manners?
Selfish entitlement?
Pride and/or Prejudice?
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
-James 4:10
Don’t let prejudice get in the way of your relationship with Jesus.
Sign at entry to the J’Lem Temple:
“Any foreigner who goes beyond this wall will have only himself to blame for his ensuing death.”
“Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner? Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’”
(v.18,19)
Jesus used 3 diff. words…
(v. 14) “As they went and they were ‘cleansed.’”
* "katharizo"
(v. 15) “Were not all 10 ‘healed?’”
* "iaomai" instantaneously
(v. 19)“Your faith has made you well.’”
* (Gk) = "sozo" = "saved"
Main Reason to be Thankful
Free gift of Heaven/No fear of hell.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.”
-1 John 4:18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances...”
-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“… the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus… causing thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”
–2 Corinthians 4:14,15
“Rejoice in the Lord always… Do not be anxious about anything… by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 4:4,6,7
Thankfulness & Gratitude leads to fullness of life.
It can turn “what we have” into “enough”.
“Give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
-1 Thessalonians 5:18