To 160th Ave Church of Christ

Luke 17:11-19

• A troubling passage– A troubling disease (Lev. 13:45-46)• Cell degeneration• Incurable (till 1940s)• Contagious• Cast out/Must remain in leper colony’s

Luke 17:11-19

• A troubling passage– An even more troubling response• One out of 9 return• A frustrating response• No reason is given as to why

– An adequate illustration of society today• A common courtesy (being thankful) that is uncommon

today• As Christians we can often act worse than

Problems from Ingratitude: • A destructive problem for Israel while

wandering:– Instead of trusting and being thankful they

complained and grumbled.– They forgot what God had done for them.– They remembered falsely their time in Egypt– We get frustrated with them, and rightly so.– But do we follow in their footsteps?

• From ingratitude stems all kinds of ungodliness (Rom. 1:23, 28-32)– A “common courtesy” that means so much

Problems from Ingratitude: • Is the cause of much trouble in homes and in

the work place.– A major reason for workers quitting their jobs– A major reason for marriages breaking up.

• This does not mean we must eliminate all wants and desires and concerns, but that we express them in the right way and to the right person. – Moses (Numbers 11:10-15)– Gives his complaints to God

Thankfulness:

• All the time, Not just on holidays.– 1 Thess. 5:16-18– Eph. 5:19-20– Col. 3:17

• Giving thanks in difficult times– Easy to be thankful on holidays– Daniel (Dan. 6:10)– There is always something to be thankful for!

• God expresses appreciation to those who serve him. – We are but unprofitable servants (Luke 17:10)– “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21, 23).

Good that comes from Gratitude:

• Gratitude leads to all sorts of godliness– Much like love (Matthew 22:36-40)– True gratitude gives great motivation to serve/follow/obey

• Gratitude leads to contentment: (1 Thess. 5:16-18)– There is no “rejoice always”, without “giving thanks in

everything”• Gratitude provides incredible encouragement to others.

– In contrast to tearing down relationships (marriage) this will help build them.

– Who doesn’t like being told thank you. – Who doesn’t like feeling appreciated. – Creates positive reinforcement

Good that comes from Gratitude:

• Receiving Gratitude and appreciation allows one to be receptive when being corrected/urged to do something. – Consider the example of Paul:

• Example with an individual: – Philemon 1:4-9– 2 Tim. 1:3

• Example with a congregation: – Romans. 1:8– Ephesians 1:16– Philippians 1:3– Colossians 1:3– 1 Thess. 1:2; 2 Thess. 1:3– 1 Corinthians 1:4

Tips to show Gratitude:

• Show Gratitude immediately– Daniel (Dan. 2:19)– Moses (Exod. 15- song of praise)

• Show Gratitude with your words– We take away an incredible opportunity to

encourage when we just think it• Show Gratitude with your actions– Ex. Tuition– Ex. Sorrow (2 Cor. 7:9-10)

The Ten Lepers

• The 9 who were not thankful– We get frustrated by them and rightly so– We can not only become like them but become

worse than them. • We have been given life when we were condemned• Often instead of being thankful we complain about how

hard it is to be a Christian.• The nine are rebuke because of unthankfulness, we

might be condemned for complaining about being a Christian.