Title: How Can We Say “Thanks?”
Text: Luke 17:11-19
Date: November 19, 2023

Introduction: Unfortunately, gratitude is a grace that too many possess too little of. We don’t say, “thank you” enough, and that absence of appreciation is sad, and according to the Word of God, it is wrong as well. First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” To not be thankful and to fail to show appreciation is to disobey the will of God for our lives.

In Luke 17, we find a story that deals with the absence of appreciation. On Jesus’ way to Jerusalem, He encountered a gang of ten men, all suffering from the disease of leprosy. Let’s remember the normal procedures for those having this dreadful disease.
— Individuals infected were to keep their distance from non-lepers (Luke 17:12; Leviticus 13:45-46; Numbers 5:2).
— They formed their own colonies (2 Kings 7:3).
— They positioned themselves near traffic ways to make appeals for charity.
— Should healing occur, they had to show themselves to a priest for his certification of their healing before they could return to a normal society (Leviticus 14:2-32).

So, in response to their cries for help, Jesus miraculously cleanses them of their sickness. This wonderful story of restoration and healing ends on a sad note. However, we do see the action of appreciation, as only one of the ten returns to offer his thanks to Jesus. When the Lord sees the lone man returning, He asks this question, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:17) As we study this story, our focus is not on the absence of gratitude of nine, but the action of gratitude of the one man. The Samaritan came back to Jesus and said, “Thank you.” What can we learn from this man on how we can say “Thanks?”

I. We can say thanks through

II. We can say thanks through

Larry Gipson
First Baptist Church Oneonta