Bible Text: Luke 17:11-19 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship | — Pastor Lou’s Notes —
Intro: Many parents try to instill into their children the necessity of being polite and grateful to others. So, it is not uncommon to hear a parent say to his/her child, say please and thank you. Isn’t it true that when we think we are entitled to something or someone is in some way obligated to do something for us, we have a problem saying please and thank you?

Let me give you an illustration. One of the games we play with little children is to put candy or money in out hand and close it. We tell the child that they can have what is in out hand if they can get it opened. Once we let them open our hand and take the item, more often than not, they will push away the hand. The big question this morning is do we tend to treat Jesus in the same way? We want the gift, but forget about the giver.

Dr. Luke gives us some valuable insights about this issue. These insights provide a window into our sinful human heart,

1.
They Asked for Mercy e.g a Gift

1.
In this case, it was for healing of what was a terrible disease; leprosy
2.
These were probably Jews and Samaritans together in a colony
3.
For them, there was no other hope of healing and wholeness
4.
We have a disease called sin

1.
The wages of sin is eternal separation for God in a place of torment the Bible calls hell.
2.
For us, we have no hope of healing, wholeness, and forgiveness apart from repentance and faith in Jesus
2.
Jesus Granted Their Request

1.
He healed and cleansed all ten
2.
He told them to go themselves to the priests
3.
They graciously received what they requested
3.
Only One Expressed Thanks

1.
He was a Samaritan…this is remarkable
2.
He actively showed his thanks and true gratitude to the giver of the gift; he praised loudly
3.
He bowed in reverent worship before the giver of the gift
4.
A heart of gratitude is necessary for sincere thankfulness
5.
True gratitude is both horizontal and vertical
6.
True gratitude engages the heart, mind, and will
4.
We Need to Proactively Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude and Thankfulness

1.
Remember

1.
Thankful for our undeserved salvation in Christ e.g. the great debit we owed that Jesus paid once and for all
2.
Count our many blessings
3.
Reading the Scriptures, prayer, and being still before God
2.
Worship

1.
Show gratitude and thanks in a tangible way
2.
Ascribe to God the Father, God the Son, and Holy Spirit what is due them: confession, repentance, honor, and loving obedience
3.
Show gratefulness for others around you
4.
The Fruit of the Spirit
3.
Thanksgiving vs. Ungratefulness

1.
Grumpy e.g. “Bah Humbug” attitude
2.
Critical and ungrateful spirit

Closing: As we enter into the holiday season, it is a time of thanksgiving and giving. I would suggest to you that every day should be a time of thanksgiving and giving. How are we doing at cultivating a heart of gratitude and thanks? Do we need to take time to slow down each day and be with Jesus, read Scripture, confess, and worship? How are we doing with actively saying thank you to God? To whom should we show gratitude: parents, teachers, physicians, surgeons, a police officer or first-responder, our men and women in the military? The list can and should go on.