Story of Glory: Part II - Gratitude Gives Glory
December 16, 2007
Contact the Web Team for an audio recording of this sermon.
Text: Luke 17:11-19
Growing up – manners – ingratitude - not true gratitude - Mark Twain wrote, “If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a human being.”
You - Have you noticed ingratitude? The Simpsons: one episode the family was sitting down for a meal and the dad asked Bart to give thanks before the meal. Bart said, “Dear God, we paid for all this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing.” It has been said that gratitude may be the purest measure of one’s character and spiritual condition.
God - deserves gratitude - the state of being grateful, appreciative of benefits received –relevance – family, work, church, etc - Why is this a hard state or condition to exist in? How can we be people who give God glory through our gratitude?
Gratitude gives glory to God. How can you write gratitude into your story of glory?
1) See
Jesus is the healer and the High Priest! ”Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.”
Have you seen the healing in your life? Seen who the healer is? His great love and compassion!
Count your blessings! ”He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
2) Seek
He made a turnaround! As he was looking for Jesus, he was “glorifying God”.
I wonder if Jesus heard him coming? Loud voice! I must see Jesus! Eternal gratitude!
Once he was on the fringes, now he is at the feet! Gratitude will seek Jesus! I must thank my healer!! Gratitude makes it personal!
3) Serve
Jesus used him as an example and teaching point! This extreme outsider has made an extreme makeover! How we can serve this power of God! An extreme sinner to a servant of Jesus! Destined for death but now made well!
Imagine the life of the leper afterwards? Do you think he cooled off? NO! The level of desperation often equals the level of appreciation - My story
Conclusion
God doesn’t want forced praise. He doesn’t want flippant gratitude. He wants you!
Give your life to Him - cast your cares - claim life - you will write gratitude into your story! You will begin to give God the best gift you can give - Glory to God in the highest!