Thanksgiving Because of God’s Mercies

Bible Passage: Luke 17:11-19

I. Introduction

1. Faith in Jesus is expressed through thanksgiving and praise
2. In this incident, we see one person out of ten cleansed lepers returning to glorify God and give thanks at the feet of Jesus. This man receives a blessing from Christ.

II. What motivated thanksgiving in the one cleansed leper?

1. He and his companions asked Christ for mercy and received it (vv. 11-14)

(a) Note their miserable condition
(b) Recognize the greatness and the mercy of Jesus

2. His eyes were opened, i.e. his spiritual condition was changed (vv. 15-16)

(a) “He saw” in v. 15 is an analysis of his spiritual condition
(b) “He turned back” shows his determination to give thanks to Jesus
(c) “Glorifying God” involves praising God publicly for his deliverance
(d) “He fell on his face” is a posture of submission at the feet of Jesus

3. He was thus commended for his faith, though he was a foreigner (vv. 17-19)

(a) Jesus is displeased at the other nine
(b) The outcast was received by Jesus
(c) “Your faith has saved you” (literal translation) – Jesus Christ’s purpose statement in Luke’s gospel (19:10)

Take Away

Count your blessings and cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:15-17)