Title: Give Thanks - Luke 17.11-19 - 081123AM@TBC

Introduction

History of Thanksgiving

1621: The Pilgrims’ first winter in the New World is hard and their number of 102 is reduced to 56. The Pilgrims hold a three-day feast to celebrate their first bountiful harvest. They include 91 Indians in the festivities to thank them for helping them with the harvest.

1789: George Washington declares that a national day of thanksgiving will be held on November 26th.

1863: In the midst of the Civil War, at the urging of Sarah Hale, President Lincoln proclaims a national Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday in November.

1924: The first annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is held in New York City.

1939: President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declares the second-to-last Thursday in November to be Thanksgiving Day to benefit retailers by extending the Christmas shopping season by one week.                                    Copyright © 2005-2006 Twoop.com

The Bear and the Atheist

An atheist was walking through the woods, admiring all the "accidents" that evolution had created. "What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!" he said to himself.

As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. Turning to look, he saw a 7-foot grizzly bear charge towards him. He ran away as fast as he could up the path.

He looked over his shoulder and saw the grizzly was closing. Somehow he ran even faster, so scared that tears came to his eyes. He looked again, and the bear was even closer. His heart was pounding, and he tried to run faster. He tripped and fell to the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up, but the bear was right over him, reaching for him with its left paw and raising its right paw to strike him.

At that instant the atheist cried, "Oh my G-d!"

Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. Even the river stopped moving.

As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky, "You deny my existence for all these years, teach others that I don't exist, and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"

The atheist looked directly into the light and said, "I would feel like a hypocrite to become a Christian after all these years, but perhaps you could make the bear a Christian?"

"Very well," said the voice.

The light went out. The river ran. The sounds of the forest resumed. Then the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws together, bowed its head, and spoke: "Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful."

—Source unknown; submitted by David Holdaway, Stonehaven, Kincardinshire, Scotland

· To express gratitude to (anyone) for a favor; to make acknowledgments to (anyone) for kindness bestowed   

—An Old Edtion of Webster’s Dictionary

· Learning to recognize the benefits which God and others have provided.                                             —IBYC Character Booklet 3

· Thankfulness: Being grateful and saying so. —MVCS character trait

Overview

· Big Idea  An attitude of thankfulness should be intentional and pervasive in our thinking.

· Sermon outline

1.  Bible Examples of Thanks.

2.  Bible words  for Thanks

3.  Bible mandate for Thanks.

I. Bible Examples of thanks.

A. In the gospels

Read text and pray

Luke 17

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.

13 And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy¹ on us!"

¹⁴ So when He saw them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests."

And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.² 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed,³ returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks.⁴ And he was a Samaritan.

17 So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? ² But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" 19 And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well." ⁵

¹ ejleevw el-eh-eh'-o to have mercy on; to help one afflicted or seeking aid kjv, nasb, esv, nkjv, nlt— “mercy on us”  niv— “pity on us”  Wuest— “be sympathetic and do something to help us”  

ylt— deal kindly with us”  All good choices.

² kaqarivzw kath-ar-id'-zo 

³ ijavomai ee-ah'-om-ahee  used in Luke to refer to heal of “brokenheartedness”(4.18), demonization (6.18), and physical maladies (22.51).

⁴ eujcaristevw yoo-khar-is-teh'-o 

⁵ sw/vzw sode'-zo  ylt— “saved”

A key element here is that he came back and said so.  I am sure they all “felt” grateful. 

We have two kinds of context in the gospels.  

One is the historical context of the other events or sayings that happened before and after a story or sermon.

The second is the textual context or the arrangement of the events and sayings that the Holy Spirit prompted each writer to choose to include and arrange in his gospel.

The illustration in Luke and precedes the story of the ten lepers helps to set the tone for this event.

Luke 17

⁷ And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? ⁸ But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? ⁹ Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.

¹⁰ So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' "

· What did the servant have the right to expect?  nothing special

· Humility is a key ingredient to thankfulness.

· “You can tell if you are a servant by how you act when you are treated like one.”                              —John Barnett

· Lu 18:11   This attitude is contrasted in the next chapter by the proud Pharisee who stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  

B. In Paul’s letters

· Most of  Paul’s 13-14 letters begin with an encouraging word of thanks and commendation.

· Take your Bibles and follow with me as we review them.

&  Rom. 1:8   Note Paul’s standard greeting in verse 7, then...

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,

& 1 Cor. 1.4   Note the formula greeting in verse 3. then

 ¹ Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,² To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: ³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, ⁵ that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,

& 2 Cor. 1.11  Paul expresses appreciation for their prayers.  Because of their prayers many would give thanks for Paul’s ministry

⁸ For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. ⁹ Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, ¹⁰ who delivered us from so great a death, and does] deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,

11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

& Eph. 1.15-16 Note the formulaic greeting in verse 3, followed by a twelve verse praise for the triune God, then Paul’s turns his attention to the Ephesians

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

& Phil’p. 1.3-6 Note the standard formulaic greeting in verse 2

¹ Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, ⁵ for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

& Col. 1.3-5  Note the standard greeting in verses 1-2, then

 ¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,² To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, ⁴ since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; ⁵ because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

& 1 Thess. 1.2-4  Note the standard greeting in verse 1, then

¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, ³ remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.

& 2 Thess. 1.3

¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:  ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

⁴ so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,

& Philemon 1.4-7  Note the standard greeting in 1-2, then

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, 2 to the beloved] Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

What about the other epistles? 

· There is not a standard rule for thankfulness based on whether the letter is to a church or individual. 

· This points to the honest, sincere nature of Paul’s gratitude based on the circumstances of his letters.

· What do you have to do before you can say that you thank God for someone?  :o)

· We can use the letters that he did not mention thanks as an excuse to not edify and encourage others with thanks

or    

We can respond to Paul’s frequent and generous example of thankfulness by allowing God to develop in us a grateful spirit toward our brothers and sisters.

· Criticism, gossip, and condemnation will get spread around just fine without my help, but encouraging thanksgiving will need all the help it can get.

II. Bible words for Thanks

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II. Bible words for Thanks

A. Old Testament—

847  יָדָה   yādâ   confess, praise, give thanks, thank.

The primary meaning of this root is “to acknowledge or confess sin, God’s character and works, or man’s character.”

Used in three basic ways.

First, the acknowledgement or confession of sin, individually or nationally Dan 9.4-5 ⁴And I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God… ⁵we have sinned and committed iniquity ...

Second, public proclamation or declaration (confession) of God’s attributes and his words.  1 Chron. 29.13 Now therefore, our God, We thank You and Praise Your glorious name.

Third, to convey man’s praise of man, the confession of some truth about a man.   Psalm 49.18 

Though while he lives he blesses himself

For men will praise you when you do well for yourself.

 —Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament

“...while yādâ emphasizes “recognition” and “declaration” of a fact, whether good or bad. The LXX normally renders yādâ with exomologeō.”    —Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament

B. New Testament—

St # 2127  eujlogevw  yoo-log-eh'-o      

Definition:  Verb

· to praise, celebrate with praises

· to invoke blessings

· pronounce a consecratory blessing on of God

Word Usage - Total: 44

KJV bless 43, praise 1

· It is usually translated “bless.”

· This word is also sometime used interchangeably with the primary Greek word used for thanks.

St # 2168   eujcaristevw  from (2170)  yoo-khar-is-teh'-o     

Definition: Verb 

· to be grateful, feel thankful;

· give thanks

Word Usage - Total: 39

KJV give thanks 26, thank 12, be thankful 1

· The root word for eujcaristevw is “grace.”

· This word is used in the LXX to translate Proverbs 11.16

“A gracious woman retains honor,

But ruthless men retain riches.”   —nkjv

· It is used of Christ “saying grace” or giving thanks for food.  Food should be blessed before it is eaten.  There is a strong testimonies in the Bible to the importance of blessing or giving thanks for food.

· It is used of Christ blessing or giving thanks for the bread and cup when he instituted the Lord’s supper at His last Passover.   Gospel points —- 

Precious blood and Eternal Savoir

· In church history it came to refer to the Lord’s supper.

III. The Bible mandate for thanks.

A. An attitude of thankfulness helps keep our speech clean

& Ephesians 5:4  

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

B. Thankfulness is a characteristic of spiritual Christians

& Ephesians 5.20    result of being filled with the Spirit

¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Colossians 3.17     commanded

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 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.

C. Thankfulness should be an important part of our prayers

& Colossians 2.2      Intentionally

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

³ meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, ⁴ that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

1 Thessalonians 5:18      in every situation 

16 Rejoice always,

17 pray without ceasing,

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Test all things; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

1 Timothy 2:1-8     Thanking God for all men.

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Hebrews 13.15           primarily to God for His blessings

¹³ Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. ¹⁴ For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 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. ¹⁶ But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. ¹⁷ Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Conclusion

Review

Big Idea:  An attitude of thankfulness should be intentional and pervasive in our thinking.

1. Bible Examples of Thanks.

Christ honored thankfulness and Paul’s letters were characterized by thankfulness

2. Bible words  for Thanks

The O.T. word for thankfulness emphasized confession of God’s attributes

The main N.T. word emphasizes a gracious attitude.

3. Bible mandate for Thanks.

Thankfulness is a year around characteristic of the spiritual Christian.

P.A.U.    Luke 17

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. ¹² Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.

13 And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

¹⁴ So when He saw them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests."

And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. ¹⁵ And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

17 So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed?² But where are the nine? ¹⁸ Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" ¹⁹ And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."

1. Nine Jews and one Samaritan:“The common disease put them all on one level, and they were only too conscious of their need. The great leveler [sic] of all is sin, of which leprosy, as we have seen, is in Scripture an expressive type.”

 —All the Miracles of the Bible by Herbert Lockyr

2. stood at a distance: a picture of how sin separates us from God Eph 2:17 “you who were afar off”

3. “Your faith has made you well”: Since he had already been “cleansed” (v.9), this refers to spiritual salvation and forgiveness of sin. The KJV translation “whole” captures this idea.  We are not really “whole” or “well” until our sins have been  dealt with.   Are you well in body and spirit?

4. “Physical healing is a great blessing, but it ends at death; while the blessing of eternal life lasts forever.” 

—Warren Wiersbe

5. Are you ready to call out for mercy? Today is a great day to experience God’s compassion and salvation.

P.A.S.

· The spiritual Christian is intentional and purposeful in the giving of thanks.

· Take a minute to look at the people sitting around you. Many of you will see someone that you

· Explain the Encouragement Cards.  Chuck to sing “Make Me a Blessing” as people fill out cards.

Closing announcements

· Come tonight and support James Tindle as he shares

· Remember our visitor’s reception.

Benediction:

¹⁶ This morning we join with

the twenty-four elders, in Revelation chapter eleven,

who sat before God on their thrones

fell on their faces and worshiped God, ¹⁷ saying:

"We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,

The One who is and who was and who is to come,

Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.”

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

be with you all. Amen.     Phil’p 4.23; 1Th 5.28; 2Th 3.18; Rev 22.21

Oct. 3, 1863: In the midst of the Civil War, President Lincoln proclaims a national Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday in November. The proclamation reads, in part:

"I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union."