Pastor J.T. Kalejaiye - A Grateful Heart

TOPIC: A GRATEFUL HEART

TEXT: LUKE 17:12-19

PREACHER: PASTOR J.T. KALEJAIYE

William Arthur Ward said “Feeling grateful and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it out.”

George Herbert said “Thou hast given so much to me, but I need one thing more – A grateful Heart.

According to the passage, ten men had a common problem;

They had an incurable disease (Leprosy)

They were regarded as unclean and untouchable.

In those days, leprosy was considered highly contagious therefore lepers were not permitted to associate with other people.

They suffered limitations and stagnation.

Fortunately, the ten lepers encountered Jesus. They cried out for mercy and they were cleansed. They lifted up their voices.

The Passage reveals;

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       Two categories of people

The Grateful and the Ungrateful. The grateful are people who show appreciation to God – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says we should give thanks to God always. The ungrateful are the unthankful or the ingrates; they always complain, grumble and murmur. A complaining tongue reveals an ungrateful heart. The grateful dog has more worth than any ungrateful man (It is an Arab Proverb).

-          The ten lepers cried out for help

        After they received their miracles, only one of them cried out with a loud voice in order to offer thanks; the remaining nine were silent. Many people cry out loud when they desire something from God but after getting their miracles, they keep quiet. They neither show appreciation nor testify.

-          Jesus commended the grateful

If God is not commending you, then He has something against you. Please make amends. Showing appreciation is a divine expectation. God desires your appreciation/gratitude and He deserves to be appreciatrd.

-          Being grateful opens door for other blessings

The grateful leper got additional blessings. He was made whole while the ungrateful only received healing.  Giving thanks will make your thank full.

PRAYER POINTS

1.       Thank God for what He did for you in 2017.

2.       Thank God for what He is yet to do.

3.       Appreciate Him for year 2018.

God bless you and may your payers be answered in Jesus’ name. You can drop your prayer requests in the comment box below. See you next week. SHALOM