Where are the other Nine?

“Were not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:17)

Why are so few people returning to give thanks?

Luke 17: 11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy h met him. They stood at a distance

 

13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever

He did not claim that God “does” good but that he “is” good. His “steadfast love” translating the Hebrew hesed, meaning “unconditional and unchanging kindness” “endures forever,” meaning that it will eternally be what it is right now.

1 John 4:8 “God is love” and God does not change

Malachi 3:6 I the Lord do not change.

Romans 8:31“God is for us”

Not may be, not has been, not was, but God is! He is for you.

“A good that is forever giving”

Psalm 50:14, offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving

Psalm 136:1 — “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good…”

to Psalm 69:30 “magnify him with thanksgiving”

Ephesians 5:20 to give thanks “always and for (in) everything to God”

 

James 1:17 “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change”

 

• Where are the NINE?

What can we learn?

• GRATITUDE IS A CHOICE.

Gratitude isn’t automatic.
Gratitude isn’t natural.
Gratitude is intentional.

We pray desperately for what we want…then often forget who gave it once we receive it.

• You must institute and attitude of Gratitude!
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Psalm 103:2 — “Bless the Lord… and forget not all His benefits.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 — “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God…”

• Harry Ironside “We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.”

(SCIENCE CONFIRMS SCRIPTURE)

• GRATITUDE CHANGES YOUR BRAIN AND YOUR BODY
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Secular research overwhelmingly confirms the power of gratitude:

• Gratitude rewires your brain.
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Gratitude literally reshapes your brain toward positivity.

• Gratitude reduces your stress and anxiety.
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• Lower cortisol levels
• Better sleep
• Less anxiety
• Improved resilience

A grateful heart is a peaceful heart.

Gratitude boosts your overall health.

Harvard Medical School reports that gratitude is linked to:

• Lower blood pressure
• Stronger immune system
• Increased energy
• Improved mood
• Longer life expectancy

• Gratitude improves your relationships.
• Communicate better
• Forgive more
• Stay together longer

Proverbs 17:22 — “A cheerful heart is good medicine…”

• GRATITUDE MUST BE EXPRESSED, NOT JUST FELT
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Luke 17:15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

• Came back (effort)
• Praising God loudly (public)
• Fell at Jesus’ feet (posture)
• Gave thanks (words)
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Jesus was not looking for polite appreciation—He was looking for connection (worship).

IPsalm 100:4 —  Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

Hebrews 13:15 — “Offer the sacrifice of praise… the fruit of our lips…”

19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

“Your faith has made you well.”

(“Sozo” — complete wholeness)

GRATITUDE IS THE PATHWAY BACK TO JESUS

What is your response to Gods Goodness.

1. Return daily.
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2. Remember what He’s done.
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3. Redirect your focus.
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4. Release entitlement.
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5. Respond in worship.
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Gratitude always leads to action:

• Serving
• Giving
• Praising
• Testifying
• Obeying

Gratitude is love expressed.

Psalm 118:24 — “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice…”

• Psalm 34:1 — “I will bless the Lord at all times…”
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BE THE ONE
May He find you at His feet…with gratitude in your heart…
and worship on your lips.

Acts 3:19 19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

So be the one who returns.

• Psalm 136:1 — “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good…”