This first sermon in our Walk the Way series addresses the importance of practicing gratitude and how it impacts our ability to receive God’s salvation. Greg Boyd looks at the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers, and how only one returned to express his gratitude to Jesus, and in doing so received something the other nine did not.
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The Way of Gratitude
• Greg Boyd
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This is the first sermon in a new series entitled Walk the Way, exploring specific ways that we can participate in the way of Jesus. It is based in the fact that the early church was often referred to as “the Way.” In fact, five times in Acts, believers were named as followers of “the Way.” Following the way is the path of seeing and being in the world that reflects God’s humble, loving character and leads to eternal life. This series focuses on walking in the way that leads to life and seeks to answer how it contrasts to the way(s) of living that are predominant in our culture.
In the focus scripture, Greg walks us through the story of Jesus healing ten lepers. Those inflicted with this disease had to live in isolated colonies. If one felt like they were healed, they had to present themselves before the priest to receive certification and reenter normal life. While the ten lepers were walking to present themselves to the priest after meeting Jesus, their leprous symptoms disappeared. Nine continued on to see the priest, but one returned to Jesus to express his gratitude. He threw himself at the feet of Jesus, which meant he was breaking the law because he had not yet been certified as clean. In addition, he was a Samaritan, one viewed with great prejudice by those who were “pure” Jews. Only this foreigner and outcast chose the way of gratitude.
Because he prioritized gratitude, postponing his own reentry into society, he received something the other nine didn’t. He was not only cleansed, he was saved. His expression of gratitude brought him into a fullness of life.
It’s easy to assume every blessing you have is just random good luck or your own efforts. However, in John 3:27, we read, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.” Whatever positive thing you have received in life, it is a blessing from God. Our only appropriate response is gratitude. James 1:16-17 reiterates this when it says that every good and perfect give is from above. Any good gift ultimately comes from God.
Hide Extended SummaryTopics: Gratitude, Healing, Salvation
Sermon Series: Walk the Way
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The Eldest Dilemma, spoken word by Pierre Fulford
The MuseCast: June 17
Focus Scripture:
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Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with a skin disease approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’s feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? So where are the other nine? Did none of them return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
