Pastor Akin Gbenro - God Deserves All The Thanks Luke 17:11-19 KJV [11] And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. [12] And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: [13] And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. [14] And when he saw them , he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. [15] And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, [16] And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. [17] And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? [18] There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. [19] And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. Psalm 34:1 - David talks about praising God! Psalm 34:1 KJV [1] I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. David is our example - From being a poor shepherd boy to becoming a king. What was special about David? He was a worshipper, always had something to thank God for! He knew how to praise God! Acts 13:22 KJV [22] And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Psalm 89 - Devoted to Gods promises v 37 - Because of David! John 4:23 - God is seeking worshippers! Psalm 22:3 God is enthroned in the praises of His people! Most of Jesus miracle (woman with the issue of blood - Mark 5:25, 33 )were preceded by praise Mark 10:46-52 Blind Bartimaeus - v47 Mark 10:46-52 KJV [46] And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. [47] And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. [48] And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. [49] And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. [50] And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. [51] And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. [52] And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. As they went , they were cleansed - Get up and Go, your faith has saved you and healed you! It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Taking a good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” Then he said to him, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.” (Luke 17:11-19 MSG) - He was cleansed and his deformity was removed. He realized the gravity of his miracle and came back and gave thanks! Regardless of the circumstances, we will find a reason to thank God! 1. Preparation When God wants to bless you, It Often requires an effort on your behalf - Matthew 17:27 Jesus command to Peter He answered, “His subjects.” Jesus said, “Then the children get off free, right? But so we don’t upset them needlessly, go down to the lake, cast a hook, and pull in the first fish that bites. Open its mouth and you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to the tax men. It will be enough for both of us.” (Matthew 17:26, 27 MSG) John 2: 7 - At the marriage of Cana, Jesus instructed the servants, to fill the pots, draw it and the miracle happened. A little effort is demanded before the miracle happens. Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus ordered the servants, “Fill the pots with water.” And they filled them to the brim. “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,” Jesus said, and they did. When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn’t know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now!” (John 2:6-10 MSG) John 9:7 - The Leper - He was healed after he carried out the instructions 2 Kings 5:8-10 - The Healing of Naaman - Required some effort on his part. He had to follow a certain set of instructions. 2. Obedience to His instructions: If the lepers did not obey the instructions, They would not have been healed! They went, and while still on their way, became clean. The Marriage at Cana - She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.” (John 2:5 MSG) Naaman almost missed his miracle - 2 Kings 5:11-12 (if he was disobedient) Naaman lost his temper. He turned on his heel saying, “I thought he’d personally come out and meet me, call on the name of God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and get rid of the disease. The Damascus rivers, Abana and Pharpar, are cleaner by far than any of the rivers in Israel. Why not bathe in them? I’d at least get clean.” He stomped off, mad as a hornet. (2 Kings 5:11, 12 MSG) Deuteronomy 28:1-14 God works by principle, so that we can know that He is a God. Also in Malachi 3:8-10 - He gives specific instructions so that we can easily access His Blessings! We are different - 1 Peter 2:7-8 We just cannot behave anyhow! 3. Faith - The lepers faith in the one who sent them was honored by Jesus Hebrews 11:6 John 4:50 Luke 5:5 Deuteronomy 5:33 What was special about the Leper that came back and gave thanks after He was healed? - He got a double portion - He was restored completely and then received salvation. If you have tried everything else, your most powerful weapon is thanksgiving - Praise! 2 Chronicles 20:22 Learn to say Thank You! You are likely to receive more from men! How much more, God!
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 18:23:27 +0000