CULTIVATING A GRATEFUL HEART

LUKE 17:11-19

INTRODUCTION

          Celeste Sibley, columnist for the Atlanta Constitution, took her three children into a small restaurant for breakfast one morning so they would not be late for school and she for her work. The place was crowded. They had to take separate seats at the counter. Little eight-year-old Mary sat at the end of the line, when she was served, she paused and called her mother, “Mommy don’t people ask the blessing in this place?” Silence followed. The mother was embarrassed. Before she could hush the child, the counter man replied, “Yes, we do, sister! You give thanks!” Mary bowed her head. All heads were lowered in reverence and silence while Mary prayed: “God is great and God is good, let us thank Him for our food! Amen!”

         

Today I would like to share with you on the subject: “Cultivating a Grateful Heart.”

          If there is anything that is lacking in lives and hearts it is the attitude of gratitude. We live in a world where people are always on the receiving end from God but refuse to thank Him. Are we to thank God only when something good happens to us? The Bible enjoins us to give thanks to God always in all things, for this is God’s will for us (1 Thess. 5:18). If you are a parent and have children who are ungrateful to you, how do you feel? Do you feel used? Do you feel you are not appreciated? Do you feel you are taken for granted? God feels the same sense of neglect, ungratefulness, and cheated when you refuse to thank Him. As we observe the Thanksgiving holiday next week, I want us to visit a familiar passage of Scripture and glean some insight concerning the importance of cultivating a grateful heart.[1]

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            [1]For extensive study on Thanksgiving, get a copy of my book, Cultivating and Maintaining a Grateful Heart at www.volumesdirect.com.

I.   THE PASSING OF THE MESSIAH
      VV. 11-12

          The text tells us that Jesus was passing through Samaria and Galilee on His way to Jerusalem, and as He entered a village, ten lepers who were standing at a distance met Him. The lepers met Jesus afar off. The reason is because, according to the Jewish Law, lepers were to keep their distance, because they were considered unclean. It was also believed that leprosy was a contagious disease. Besides, leprosy was regarded as contaminating so the lepers were not allowed to mingle with able people. And if a leper were passing, he/she had to shout “unclean, unclean” so that people would avoid him/her. Lepers were ostracized from the society. In those days leprosy did not have any cure. The disease would literally eat the body of the victims until they die. Lepers could not go back to their family and live with them. If the leper had a wife or husband, the leper was not allowed to enter his/her house. The leprosy affects the hands, fingers, and feet and also the face, the lips, and sometimes the eye sockets. The leprosy affected the nerves of its victims that they lost any sense of feeling in the affected parts of the body. You could imagine the anguish, the suffering, and the loneliness that these victims had to endure. Nobody would engage in a conversation with these lepers. Nobody, including family members would pay them visit.  They were outcast in their own nation. Nobody had interest of lepers at heart, but thanks to God that Jesus cares. No matter who you are and what you are going through, I would like to submit to you that Jesus cares.

II.   THE PLEA FOR MERCY V. 13

          As Jesus was passing through, the lepers raised their voices and shouted, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” This presupposes that the lepers knew who Jesus was and were confident that Jesus could help them. In spite of their deadly disease and the label society has placed on them, they recognized the uniqueness of Jesus. In my sanctified imagination, I could see that some of the people were telling the lepers to shout up and keep their distance, but Jesus heard their voice. When you have a need that you know only Jesus can meet, do not pay attention to your critics. The lepers’ request was simple; they asked for mercy. This is a cry for compassion, and it is a request that comes frequently to Jesus (Matt. 9:27; 15:22; 17:15; Luke 16:24). The lepers were tired of been outcasts; they were tired of being ostracized and alienated. They wanted to be healed so that they could have a normal life. Up to this time Jesus has experienced all kinds of hostility and opposition from the religious leaders. Therefore can grace be manifested in the midst of such tension?

          In the cry of the lepers for mercy, they were acknowledging their sins before Jesus. They were casting themselves before the mercy of Jesus Christ. This should be the plea of anyone who comes to Jesus. But some of you would say, “I am not a leper, I am healthy why should I ask Jesus for mercy.” Ladies and gentlemen you have an inherent disease that is more debilitating and more deadly than leprosy. That disease is sin. The Word of God says emphatically, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). We are all sinners by nature, by choice, and by practice. The only one who can cure your sin sickness is Jesus Christ. That is why the Bible says, “The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). The sin sickness is not a matter of denial but acceptance and doing something about it. The lepers did not deny the fact that they were lepers. They rather, admitted their need for mercy. What need do you have today? Some people deny their need. Some hide their need. Some try to explain away or rationalize their need. When Jesus is around, you do not have to hide your need. All that you need to do is to bring your need to Him and see what He will do for you.

III.           THE PROPOSITION OF THE MESSIAH VV. 14-15

          Jesus removes any doubt about His desire to show compassion. Those who come to Jesus receive relief, even those who cry to Him from a distance. When Jesus saw the lepers He commanded them to go and show themselves to the priests. Why didn’t Jesus heal them instantaneously? Why didn’t Jesus do to them what He had done to so many sick people? Jesus was putting the faith of the ten lepers to the test as though they had been cured of their leprosy. Furthermore, this shows that Jesus did not use one method in His healing ministry. This should come as shock to some people who have kept God in a straight jacket. Jesus is showing that He is the Great Physician and if these lepers would act on His command they would be healed. Probably some people around felt that what Jesus commanded the lepers to do did not make any sense. Everybody knows that these people are lepers and Jesus is telling them to go and show themselves to the priests. Why the priests? The priests in those days served as health inspectors. It was something that God has instituted in the Law (Lev. 13 & 14).

          The miracle of the healing took place when the lepers acted on the word of Jesus. Many people are expecting a miracle from the Lord today but they are not obedient to Him. If the lepers had stood there to argue with Jesus their leprosy would have remained. However, they obeyed the command of Jesus and as they were going, they received their cleansing. If it were you who are so civilized, educated, sophisticated, and intelligent you would have rationalized. You would even have doubted whether Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ or the Anointed One. The simplicity of what Jesus asked them to do would have thrown you off. You would have concluded this does not make any sense. You would have reasoned and complained like Naaman, the Syrian army commander, who came to see Elisha. Many Christians do not see the power of God in their lives because they are people without faith. You always want to see something before you believe. But these lepers had faith in Jesus so they did exactly what Jesus commanded them to do. What is your reaction when God tells you something from the Bible? What is your response when God speaks to you through a preacher or a mature believer? Do you brush it aside, or do you act on what God is saying to you?

IV.           THE POSTURE OF THE GRATEFUL MAN V. 16

          Here lies the gist of the narrative. Ten lepers were healed but only one came to give thanks to Jesus Christ. And he was even a stranger, a Samaritan. There was a prolonged hostility and enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans, but the Samaritan removed the social barrier and came to thank the Lord. When he came, he fell prostrate before Jesus Christ. This was an expression of an attitude of gratitude coming from an undeserved sinner. Full of praise, the Samaritan falls at Jesus’ feet and offers thanksgiving for his cleansing. The Samaritans were considered as people, who were insensitive to God, but not this one. This also shows why we are not to share the gospel to only people from our culture, country, or tribe. We are to share the gospel with anyone that the Lord will bring our way, because you do not know who will receive Christ and follow Him.

          By the way, any time you and I come to thank the Lord, we must prostrate ourselves before Him. The Samaritan in his prostration was demonstrating to the Lord that he did not deserve what the Lord has done for him. It was an act of reverence and gratitude. The Samaritan also recognized that Jesus was not an ordinary man. He was worshiping Jesus. Jesus alone is worthy of your worship. Jesus did not ask the man not to fall down at His feet. This shows that Jesus acknowledges the man’s worship, which implies that Jesus is God clothed in human flesh.

V.   THE PARDON FROM THE MESSIAH VV. 17-19

          Jesus was shocked by the ungratefulness of the nine lepers. Why did the other nine refuse to come to thank the Lord? Perhaps like many people today, they said to themselves: “we have gotten all that we wanted.” They were ungrateful people with limited vision. Their whole focus in life was limited to the physical. The Samaritan had a heart of gratitude. He was grateful to the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus asks, “Where are the other nine?” Jesus commends the example of attitude of gratitude in the Samaritan. Why did these nine lepers not return to give thanks to Jesus? This is not strange, because many of us do the same thing to the Lord today. Many people when they are sick, when they lose their job, when their marriage is breaking apart, when their finances are in shambles, and when their children are rebellious, or using illegal drugs, when they are in dire need, they come to church to be prayed for. They pretend to be faithful to the Lord and His church. They do not miss a single service, but when God solves their problem for them that would be the last time you see them in the house of the Lord. Some would even hide from you when you see them in a grocery store or somewhere. You see how many Christians are like the nine lepers!

          In honoring the memory of their son who was killed in World War II, the parents gave a sizable check to their church. When the presentation was made, a mother whispered to her husband, “Let’s give the same amount for our boy!” “What are you talking about?” asked the husband, “our boy didn’t lose his life!” “Ah,” said the wife, “that is just the point! Let’s give it as an expression of our gratitude to God for sparing His life!” If you can’t be thankful for what you have, be thankful for what you have escaped.

          George Herbert prayed: “Our Father, Thou hast given us so much. Do please give us one more thing—a grateful heart!”

          In this episode, Jesus issued a final encouraging commendation to the Samaritan who returned to give thanks to Him. He tells the man that his “faith has made him well.” Jesus is saying though ten men received their healing only this Samaritan has faith and has returned to establish ties with Jesus that indicate the presence of salvation. The deliverance that Jesus affirms here is greater than the physical healing the man has experienced. Why is it important to cultivate and maintain a grateful heart? It is because an attitude of gratitude has a powerful impact in every area of our lives. An attitude of gratitude keeps you aware of the presence of God in your life. It helps you to submit to God’s will for your life. It reminds you of your dependence upon the Lord. An attitude of gratitude focuses your attention upon God rather than your circumstances. Thanking God energizes the inner man, and something begins to show on the outside. Thanking God transforms your anxiety and ushers in peace in your heart (Phil. 4:6-7). However, if you choose release and escape you make a mistake. When you make a quick way out like the ten lepers who refused to return to thank the Lord, you become a loser and you cheat yourself and others for the blessings God is going to give them through you. An attitude of gratitude develops a stronger trust in Jesus Christ. Cultivating a grateful heart enables you to approach God with new boldness and new assurance. Plain and simple, those who do not have a thankful heart are showing to God that they are not humble; for gratitude is a mark of humility. When the Lord blesses you go ahead and thank Him. When others bless you, display an attitude of gratitude. It is also imperative to help your children cultivate a grateful heart, because human nature is selfish and self-centered. Today, I can guarantee you that the Lord has done so many things for you that you cannot even count your blessings. Therefore, learn to maintain a grateful heart.

          Don’t be like the painter who fell from a scaffold when he was painting a three- story building. On his way down he began to pray, Lord help me, else I am going to die and he caught the branches of a nearby tree. When he landed, he said to himself, “I guess I was lucky.” He refused to thank God for saving his life.

*If the messages from this blog have been a blessing to you and you want to give to support this ministry, you can write your check to:
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THE UNIVERSAL REIGN OF THE LORD

PSALM 99:1-9

INTRODUCTION

          Mary broke her vase. Broke it? How shocking. How controversial. Was everybody doing it? Was it a vase-breaking party? No, she did it all by herself. What happened then? The obvious: all the contents were forever released. She could never hug her precious nard to herself again.

          The need for Christians everywhere (nobody is exempt) is to be broken. The vase has to be smashed! Christians have to let the life out! It will fill the room with sweetness. And the congregation will all be broken shards, mingling together for the first time. If you know one another as broken people, you are ready to get on with a church service.

I.      THE UNIVERSAL PRESENCE OF THE LORD VV. 1-5

          This is the last of the enthronement Psalms that portray the universal reign of God (Psalm 47, 93, 96-99). These Psalms are called the “eschatological songs of Yahweh’s enthronement.” Therefore, the Psalmist opens with the proclamation “The Lord reigns.” The Lord is highly exalted in heaven, as He “sits enthroned between the cherubim.” The universal reign should cause the nations to tremble before Him. However, not all the nations of the world tremble before Yahweh, the covenant keeping God. There are some nations in our world today that do not acknowledge Yahweh as their King, but a time will come when they will be compelled to acknowledge Him as Lord of lords and King of kings. Some nations in the world today punish and kill Christians because they ascribe worship to the Lord. A time is coming when all the wrongs that have been done to the people of God will be made right and believers vindicated. The unfortunate thing is that some believers today come before the presence of the Lord as if He is their friend. We must always come before the presence of the Lord with reverence and worship.

          When the prophet Isaiah saw a glimpse of the glory of the Lord, I believe he prostrated himself and said, “Woe is me! I am undone, for I am a man of unclean lips.” You cannot catch a glimpse of the glory of the Lord and still stand tall. You will have to bow or fall prostrate before Him, because He is awesome. He is the majestic Lord, who presides over the entire universe. We worship this Lord. This Lord has revealed Himself in the person of Jesus Christ. This Lord invites us to come into His presence with thanksgiving and adoration. Some worship idols but we worship the true and living God. Everyone in the world has to decide whether he/she will worship the Lord or not. That was the mandate Joshua the servant of the Lord, gave to the children of Israel when he reached the end of his earthly life. He drew a line in the sand and concluded, “Choose you this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

          The cherubim are the mysterious creatures who circle the throne of the Lord in heaven. If you and I were to see one of them today, we would have to bow down and cover our faces for fear of such a sight. However, we are not to worship the cherubim, for they are creatures like us. Worship is reserved exclusively for the Lord. He alone should be our object of worship.

          The imagery of the cherubim derives from the Ark of the Covenant whose lid was a gold slab on which two cherubs with spread wings stood. The Ark of the Covenant signified the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth and as such became known as His footstool. By extension, the “footstool” also referred to the Temple (Isaiah 60:13) and Jerusalem (cf. Lam. 2:1). The whole earth is the footstool of the Almighty God. His throne in heaven is likened to the “footstool” on earth, as His “enthronement” is likened to being surrounded by the cherubim. This imagery reveals the truth that the Lord is the Divine Warrior (Psalm 80:1). The cherubim protect the glory of God (cf. Gen. 3:24). That is why nobody can usurp the glory of the Lord, because the Lord does not share His glory with anybody, no creature. Those who have attempted to usurp the glory of the Lord all died in humiliation. Lucifer the leader of the angelic choir in heaven, when he attempted to usurp the glory of the Lord, God kicked Him out of heaven and he has become Satan, the devil, or the adversary. He is now the archenemy of God. The cherubim are the emissaries of God. They are the agents or the messengers of God sent on God’s mission.

          The sovereign and glorious rule of the Lord should inspire all inhabitants of the world to “tremble” and shake before Him. Do you respond with awe before the holy presence of the Lord? The word, “LORD” used in this context is the Hebrew word “Yahweh.” That is God’s covenant name. That is the name He gave Moses to declare to the Israelites, if they questioned who sent him to them. It is the name that the children of Israel did not want to mention because of fear and reverence. In those days, when a rabbi was transcribing the Scriptures and he came across the covenant name “Yahweh,” he had to use a new pen to write it. The name was so holy and special to them that they could not use old pen and ink to write it, but today some people use this same name in vain. I like what Brueggermann comments, “God’s enthronement makes holy presence accessible and makes righteous will more urgent.” The nations of the world must praise the name with which the acts of redemptive history are associated. If the nations do not respond, they are still responsible to the Lord. If there were people that should worship the Lord with undivided attention and devotion, it should be New Testament Christians, because we enjoy a better covenant than the saints of the Old Testament times did. Today, we can walk into the presence of the Lord without any human mediator because of what Jesus Christ did for us more than two thousand years ago.

          In verse three, the Psalmist uses some powerful words to describe the Lord. He says that the Lord’s name is “great, awesome, and holy.” Yes, the world has produced many great men and women, but all their greatness when put together pale in comparison with the greatness of the Lord. Besides, it is the Lord, who makes people great. Today, the young people use the term, “awesome” at random. However, there is nobody or anything that is awesome. God alone is awesome. The term awesome describes the reverential fear of the Lord. Holiness has to do with the purity of God, His character, nature, and every aspect of His being. The term “holy” describes not only God’s inspiring might, but also His moral majesty. God is holy; therefore, we must be holy. Everything, whether it is God’s revelation or His acts of creation and redemption, reveals His greatness, awesomeness, and holiness!

          As I said earlier, the name “Yahweh” was particularly revealed to Israel to be proclaimed and remembered through festivals, songs, and the stories of redemption. Therefore, it is appropriate for us to read and study from this Psalm of enthronement as we celebrate thanksgiving next week

          The nature of the King’s rule is no different from His character. He is holy, He is mighty, and He loves justice. The Lord is holy in His perfections and awe-inspiring in His glorious presence. The very revelation of His otherness (“holy”) is the glory of the Great King. God is holy as opposed to us His creation. Nevertheless, when we received Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal Savior, God imputed His righteousness on us. Therefore, any holiness that we have is derived from the Lord. The Lord’s acts further reveal His majestic power. He is mighty in judgment and deliverance. He is also just in His judgment and deliverance. God’s power is not used despotically, but it serves the functioning of true justice and righteousness. Because of His nature, the Lord has established equity and done what is just and right for the sake of Jacob. God’s reign is distinguished by absolute justice and equity or fairness. Jacob is a reference to the people of God. God entered into a covenant with Jacob, but today He has entered into a better covenant with the believing community through His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. God has brought about and has sustained a just social order through His covenant law. The same characteristics ought to mark His earthly leaders.

          Because the Lord is exalted over all the nations and holy in His awe-inspiring presence, we who are the people of God today must lead the nations in exalting the Lord. The object of the exaltation and worship at His footstool is to submit ourselves to His sovereignty and to respond properly in His presence. Have you been to the presence of a King when he has put on his royal robe and seated on his throne? This is because the Lord is the high and lofty one (Isaiah 57:5). Therefore, it is fitting to extol Him (to praise Him) and recognize Him as the supreme Lord of the universe. What is “worship”? Worship means, “To fall prostrate in humility before the divine King.” Therefore, whatever you worship becomes your King or Lord. As Christians, we must worship nothing but the Lord. He alone is worthy of our worship. Our Creator God is the true God; all others are idols.

II.   THE UNVEILING OF THE LORD TO

     THE REDEEMED VV. 6-9

          The reminders of what God has “established” and “done” in and for His people (v. 4) occasion an elaboration of the acts of the Lord and of His revelation to Israel in the history of redemption through His servants Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. Moses, Aaron, and Samuel interceded on Israel’s behalf. They called on His name in intercessory prayer, and the Lord responded to their prayers (Moses in Exodus 14:15; 17:11ff. 32:11ff. Numbers 12:13; 14:13ff; Aaron in Numbers 16:44-48; Samuel in 1 Samuel 7:8ff; 12:16ff.). The Lord granted the request of His saints as they interceded for the nation of Israel. Not only did God speak to Moses, Aaron, and Samuel; He also spoke to the people of Israel. The Lord performed mighty wonders on behalf of His people and revealed Himself as “He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud.” The “pillar of cloud” was a symbol of the divine presence. God is depicted as speaking to Moses in the pillar of cloud in Exodus 33:9, and to Aaron in Numbers 12:5. However, there is no such account concerning Samuel. Moses, Aaron, and Samuel represent the priest and prophetic roles in the Old Testament. The task of the prophets and priests was not only to hear the voice of God but also to preserve and transmit the terms of the covenant. Today, God has spoken to us through His own Son, Jesus Christ (Heb.1:1). In the Incarnation, God revealed Himself and spoke to us through His Son and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus continues to speak to us from the biblical revelation and from the teaching and preaching of His Word. Even as Moses, Aaron, and Samuel interceded for the nation of Israel, so are we to intercede for the nations today. We are the royal priesthood that has unhindered access to the throne room of the Almighty Father. We have gained this access not because of merit, but the mercy and grace of God through the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

          In verse 8, the Psalmist restates that the Lord has been good to Israel, as “He answered them” (v. 6). Has the Lord been good to you this year? The Lord responded to Moses, Aaron, Samuel, and the nation of Israel with forgiveness but He also held them accountable for their wrongdoings. The juxtaposition of the Lord, who forgives and punishes has baffled the minds of many people who do not understand the nature of God. However, that is not a contradiction of who God is (Exod. 34:6-7). In the New Testament, the same forgiving God also disciplines us when we go astray (Heb. 12:5-7). God’s covenant with the nation of Israel and with New Testament Christians is not a one-sided affair. The covenant brings blessings upon those who keep it and curses upon those who trample over it. Today many people who do not have any respect or regard for the Lord think that they have gotten away with it. However, a day is coming when God’s judgment will fall on them. The judgment of God is His act of vengeance on the wicked, who have no respect for His holy presence. That is why I always encourage you not to pray for the death or destruction of your enemies, because at one time all of us were God’s enemies. Therefore, leave all vengeance in the hand of God, because His judgment is just and fair.

          In verse 9, because of the Lord’s greatness, holiness, and justice, as demonstrated in His acts of mercy, forgiveness, and vengeance, the people of God must submit themselves to His Lordship by exalting Him (v. 5). Who is the Lord of your life? Who rules your life? To whom do you bow? Who is the number one in your life? Is it self? Is it money? Is it pleasure? Is it your job? Is it your children, or spouse? Is it the Lord? If it is not Jesus Christ, make Him the Lord of your life today. Do you worship the Lord when you are at home? Do you worship Him at your place of work or business? Do you worship the Lord when you come into His sanctuary? Worship is an act of submission to the Lord’s kingship and it is a proper response to His awe-inspiring presence. Therefore, it is appropriate to offer our lives and our money to the Lord. Because by so doing, we are saying, all that we are and have are gifts from the Lord to us. Therefore, “Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His holy hill, for He is the Lord our God.”