Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day

27 November 2014

Luke 17:1-19

Give Thanks in all Things

In the celebration of Thanksgiving we recall the story of the Pilgrims…after a harsh winter they returned thanks for the blessings they had received. They had survived. For that gift – the gift of life - they were thankful.  They remembered both the gifts they received and the Giver. True gratitude always does. The story of ten lepers cleansed draws this lesson home in a tangible way.

A GREATFUL HEART

1         Counts his blessings

A.      What a blessing to be cured of leprosy.

1.       Release from a death sentence; leprosy was at the time incurable.

2.       Chance to return to society, to family and friends.

3.       No wonder the one came back to give thanks. Jesus had given him his life back. He was restored.

B.      But only one came back; ingratitude is quick to forget.

1.       The nine, they moved on with their lives - forgetting the one who had healed them. Their ingratitude was evident.

2.       Too many today forget; they spend their time complaining or getting if not heart attacks possibly ulcers trying to get more. Remember, {from the Old Testament}

a.       King Ahab; who wanted the vineyard of Naboth for a vegetable garden. He would stop at nothing to get it - even if it meant shedding innocent blood.

b.      The children of Israel in the wilderness; they grumbled even when the Lord provided for them. They complained about the manna, even though for 40 years not even their clothing wore out!

c.       The man who complained that he had no shoes until he saw a cripple who had no feet.

Application: Count your blessings; both material and spiritual. What an incentive to live with a grateful heart.

2. Remember the Giver.

A.      This one did. How could he forget!

1.       There is no physician like Jesus.

2.       He was a man of faith. A Samaritan at that!

B.      Nine forgot.

1.       They were quick to pray and quick to forget.

2.       People are like that even today.

3.       There are no atheists in foxholes; but men still forgets God as soon as the crisis is over and doom is averted.

4.       Even on the human level it is easy to forget our most cherished blessings - children and parents, husbands and wives.

5.       Much more…we think we have a dog in this fight.

a.       The Protestant ethic; hard work brings results. Just try harder.

b.      The American ideal; the self made man – summed up in the song “I did it my way!”

c.       And still God is forgotten.

C.      But faith remembers that God is the Giver God.

1.       He supplies our physical needs.

2.       Behind the loaf is the field of grain; behind the field is God.

3.       Shakespeare: “If we have any ill escaped or good attained, still Heaven chalked the course that brought us thither.”  In short, God alone supplies all our needs – He is the one who orders our days.

D.      God supplies our spiritual needs.

1.       God loves us, the unlovely – when we were considered dead in our trespasses and sins.

2.       God gave His Son as a sacrifice on the cruel cross of Calvary.

3.       Christ gave Himself an offering for sin and sinners – that great exchange – our sin for His righteousness.

4.       For Jesus’ sake God gives life and salvation – freely as a gift.

5.       How rich God has made us all – we are a blessed people in ways we cannot count.

 Remember the Giver. Give thanks at meals, at the end of the day, in success and failure, too. And show how grateful you are by giving cups of water in His name. 

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day

28 November 2013

Luke 17:11-17

Only one returns to give thanks.  Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Where there none found  that returned to give glory to God except this stranger? Jesus concludes by speaking to this foreigner, "Go your way, your faith has made you whole".

 They were all from the same village. Thus, they knew each other. They had a collective sense of community among themselves. Not based on faith. Nine were Jewish, one a Samaritan. The Samaritans, they believed in the Bible, at least some of it. They believed that Moses wrote the first five books of the Old Testament. They observed and followed the Law. Specifically they were strict adherents to the 10 commandments. They believed that Messiah would come. They were more "practical" when it came to living out the faith.

They stood at a distance. This terminal disease, leprosy, had not only brought them together. From it they had formed a common bond. They each knew the outcome. Theirs was a terminal disease. And without divine intervention, their common bond would be their common end. They didn't have Facebook back then. There weren't any inspirational posts for them to share as in, "I might have cancer but cancers doesn't have me!" At least, they had each other.

To be diagnosed with leprosy was more of a social pronouncement rather then medical. Folks with Leprosy were suspect. Almost like AIDS victims a quarter-century ago. Folks kept their distance, on a number of levels. A reason wasn't necessary. everyone knew...they were dirty!

 They pleaded for help. "Jesus, Master, Have mercy on me!" That prayer Has been prayed across the centuries. "Lord, I believe,help Thou my unbelief!" "lord, I am not worthy for You to enter my house, yet say the word, and my servant shall be healed..." "Yes, Lord, it is not right to take the children's food and toss it to the dogs, yet even the dogs, eat the crumbs which fall from the Master's table." "Lord, help me!" "Lord, remember me when You enter Your kingdom." " O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world, have mercy upon me, and grant me Your peace."   Kyrie Elision...Lord have mercy!

They each  went to the priest. They did this at Jesus' command. Which must have sounded quite strange. You only went to the priest as an affirmation that you were in remission. Only the priest could verify that a cure had come. Only the priest could pronounce you "good to go" Jesus commanded they go to the priest for He knew, in advance of the miracle what would happen next.

Jesus, the author of life planned out every circumstance for these men. Likewise, He orders your day, He directs your path - regardless. Regardless of outward circumstances, regardless of obstacles 'in your road', regardless of past experiences and present details The Lord remains faithful.  Each was cleansed along the way. No sooner had they arrived at the Tempe they receive a clean bill of health. Restored, redeemed, forgiven. And forever free.

Ten were cleansed.  Only  one returns. All ten were cleansed. Jesus treated them all the same. He healed every single one of them . There were no exceptions. The Hebrew son and the Samaritan rebel were treated all the same. God is no respecter of persons. There is no preferential treatment in God's economy. How so? We are all equal. What  joins us together as one is our sin. "All have sinned", the Bible teaches us. We're under the same condemnation and the same curse.

Yet one did return to give thanks. Someone you might not expect. Yes, the Samaritan.  Jesus reminds us of his status, one again, "and he was a foreigner!" A man,  deeply hated by God's own people, is commended. He is welcomed into God's family. He shares the same status as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; sons of God, heirs to eternal life.

Finally, the savior says two things that are  rather remarkable. First, He says,"Rise and  go your way." That man hadn't done that in years. Go where he wants to, do what he wants to, interact with those he wants to.  That's the definition of freedom! this man is free as he can move without restriction.

Jesus also says, "Your faith has made you clean/whole!"  Even one such as this foreigner can possess saving faith. Such a one as this is included at the Father's table. Who is the Samaritan among you this thanksgiving?  How you answer this last question  says a lot of your perception of God and those who are in the kingdom. 

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day
Luke 17:11-19
Who bothers to thank God?

Ten men, afflicted with a disease that excluded them from normal society (Leviticus 13:45-59) and inevitably brought about death, sought help from the Savior. All ten were told to show themselves to the priest as was required (Leviticus 14:2-20). All ten were healed. All ten were given a full bill of health. All ten were given a new lease on life. All ten were good to go. Yet only one returns to give thanks. The Savior asks the obvious question – “What happened to the nine?” Our text begs the question who bothers to thank God?

1. Certainly not those whose only concern is to enjoy what has been given them.

A. Ten meet Jesus. Ten called Him “Master”. Ten were healed and undoubtedly rejoiced. Only one looked beyond the healing to the Healer. Giving thanks has greater priority for him than being certified as clean.

B. Like the nine, people can often display a selfishness that is enamored by the things that benefit us and that cares not at all for the God who supplies our every need. This is covetousness and idolatry at its core. How many today find themselves deeply in debt, chasing after the latest fashion statement, driving cars they can not afford, trying to impress people for whom they do not care? That is the temptation of this world – that the allure of possessions will bring happiness. It will be witnessed tomorrow- black Friday- the first official sale day of the Christmas holiday season - when malls will be filled with shoppers attempting to bring cheer to their lives with things they can not afford.

C. Beware! Such selfish myopia stifles thanksgiving. It sees no cause for gratitude unless we receive what we things is best, at the time we prefer, in the way we desire. When this attitude prevails, who bothers to thank God?

Transition: Who bothers to thank God? Certainly not those whose only concern is to enjoy what has been given them. Nor does it come from those who become all wrapped up in themselves.

2. Not those who believe that God’s good treatment is something they have earned for themselves.

A. The story strongly emphasizes that the only man who returned to give thanks to Jesus was both a Samaritan and a foreigner - a man with no rights. He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, a symbolic act of complete subjection. He realized that his healing was an act of pure mercy, not a payment that he deserved.

B. How much his views differed from those of the majority of people, both at Christ’s time and still today. How easy it is, even for us, to pin our hope for God’s favor on what we are or think or say or do. We desire and sometimes demand that God be kind to us and help us as a reward for our good church attendance or our righteous living or our delightful personalities. How many today think that God should stand up and take notice! - Because of your awesomeness? Really?

C. Beware! Such self-righteous pride will not fall at Jesus feet. It will not thank Him. It gives no glory to God for His marvelous works of mercy. It sees God only as a paymaster, who distributes benefits to those who have earned them. When this attitude prevails, who bothers to thanks God?

Transition: Who bothers to thank God? Not those whose only concern is to enjoy what has been given them. Not those who think God owes them? It comes from those who have received mercy.

3. Only those whom God has rescued from the dominion of sin and Satan by giving them faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

A. The event reported in the Gospel happened while Jesus was on the way to the city of Jerusalem. He was traveling to that city to lay down His life as the sacrifice for the sins of the world. The guilt of our selfishness and pride rested on His shoulders. The hands that in the others cases healed with a touch were soon to be nailed to the cross as payment for our ingratitude and love-less-ness. The voice that told the lepers to show themselves to the priest would soon cry out in pain and agony, “I thirst!” and “My God, my God, why have Your forsaken me? Jesus endured the full punishment of body and soul that we all deserve. But that same voice would sound forth again after His resurrection, announcing that forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to Jews and Samaritans and all the nations of the earth – to all who would listen both believer and pagan alike.

B. Only the power of the resurrected Christ, received by us through faith, can purge our hearts of the spiritual maladies of selfishness and pride and ingratitude and sin. Only in the strength that he supplies are we able to overcome our natural inclination toward evil and truly give thanks and glory to God.

Through faith in Christ, the Samaritan leper received healing in his body. Motivated by that faith, he returned to give thanks. For such as that leper, it is not at all a bother to thank God. The expression of heartfelt thanks to God with our lips and our lives is a joyous privilege that God provides for us here in time and hereafter in eternity.

Face of Christ
http://spiritlessons.com/Documnets/Jesus_Pictures/Jesus_Christ_Pictures.htm

For what are you thankful?

What are you thankful for this year? I asked the people of our parish to send me notes and they were sent to me via two facebook posts, an e-mail, a sealed note in an envelope and one written on a 3x5 card after Catechism.

Following are the notes I received as they came to me...

Hey Pastor, I am thankful for my mom, dad, and sister so technically my whole family I am thankful for.

God’s blessings are really too numerous to mention but here are some I’m thankful for this year…

Jesus my Savior and Brother
The Bible
Missionaries
Our congregation
Our freedoms – of religion, from fear, to worship as we please
Our president and our country
Good weather crops, rain and sunshine, snow
Loving and caring family and friends
Good health and happiness
Wyneken School, good teachers
Good neighbors
A new home

I am very thankful for God, and all His creation.

I am thankful that I live in the U. S. A. and not another country that has a lot of poverty and a low literacy rate.

I am thankful that I have family and friends that love and support me in everything I do.

I am thankful for my dad taking me hunting

I’m thankful for my health.

I BELEIVE I AM THANKFUL FOR "LIFE", FAMILY, AND CHOICE OF RELIGION

My husband of 30 years. Knowing now more than before what a blessing I had for parents, the parents I now have because of marriage, my children, my children’s spouses, my grandson, my health, an awesome family who all come together when needed in good times and bad. A job, and last but not least an awesome church family of Friedheim.

I like this list!

Thanksgiving Day

Have you ever helped someone who showed no appreciation? That’s probably where the phrase “no good deed goes unpunished” comes from, or, at least is derived from. When that happened to you, you were of course disappointed. Jesus had a similar experience. Ten men were miraculously healed. But only one returned to give thanks. Jesus question reveals His disappointment – what happened to the nine?

1. This question points to the common failure to give thanks.
A. The nine who did not return to give thanks had faith enough to ask but not to thank.
1. They looked to Jesus for help. “…they called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” (Vs.13)
2. They obeyed Jesus’ word without question. When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.” (Vs.14)
3. They were glad to be healed but felt little gratitude to the healer.
B. Are we inclined to ask more often than to thank?
1. When we were delivered from a calamity we perhaps cried out, “Thank God!” but did we continue to live each day in conscious gratitude to God for fulfilling His gracious purpose in our lives?
2. If things have gone well for us, have we remembered to thank God for those pleasant and successful days?
3. If things have gone badly for us, have we been able to thank God for the good that can come to us even through trials?

Where are the nine? What happened to them? Then and now this question points to the common failure to give thanks. We so easily begin to take God’s’ blessings for granted. In our lives there is more petitioning than praising.

2. This question reminds us that there is reason to give thanks.
A. Jesus healed all 10 from an incurable disease. (Vs.14)
1. The Samaritan understood better than the others the meaning of the healing.
2. He looked beyond the healing to the healer (Vv. 15-16)
3. He grasped the greatness of Jesus (V.19)
B. Jesus has not healed us from leprosy, but for all of us He has done something greater.
1. As the Christ of God He died for us to deliver us from Satan, sin, and hell and then rose form the dead to prove His deliverance.
2. He creates and sustains our faith in Him by means of the Word and Sacraments.
C. Jesus gives us man other things that we request, as well as things for which we may not be asking.
1. He gives us health or strength to endure illness.
2. He gives us worldly possessions, if we have little in the way of worldly goods we must nevertheless acknowledge that He supplies our daily needs.
3. He gives us a family in which we give and receive love, friends who support us, and work that fulfills us.
4. He has given us a country in which we enjoy political freedom and also the freedom to worship Him in the way our conscience directs.

Where are the nine? What happened to them? This question reminds us that there is reason to give thanks. What we are and have as redeemed people and as citizens of this country we owe to God. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.