The Response of a Grateful Heart

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19 (NLT)

As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.  One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.  Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

Three characters in our story:

1. Jesus
2. The lepers who left
3. The grateful leper

Four Life Lessons

1. Giving thanks changes your perspective in life.

   *2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary,

but what is unseen is eternal.

2. Giving thanks changes your attitude.
*1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

3. Giving thanks changes your prayer life.

*John 11:41 (NLT)

“So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, ‘“Father, thank you for hearing me.”

*Mark 6:41 (ICB)

“Jesus took the five loaves and two fish and, looking up to heaven, he thanked God for the food. He divided the bread and gave it to his followers

for them to give to the people. Then he divided the two fish among them all.“

4. Giving thanks changes your faith.

*Luke 17:19 (NLT)

“Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”