You know that old saying – you can’t judge a book by its cover…generally that’s true. … you cannot judge the quality or character of someone or something just by looking at them.
But sometimes it is true:
· 20 degrees and dude is biking on the Monon, Clearly he’s committed to fitness or he’s a nutcase.
· Then there’s the 10 year old child. Every time you see her she is curled up in a chair reading a book. It’s safe to say that child is a learner and probably has a good imagination.
· And then there’s your who friend invites you over to his apartment which when you enter looks like magazine photo shoot, everything neat, tidy and dust free (as opposed to your place)… undoubtedly your friend has a perfectionist streak deep within him.
Yes, sometimes you can judge a book by its cover. One more illustration...
You’ve got an acquaintance who is insatiably grateful? …Always hopeful in the middle of pain. They sing with passion, and always lead their prayers with deep expressions of thankfulness for the person of God and His work in their life.
· Something is going on within your friend.
· Their open gratitude is a barometer of something much deeper. And something actually more important than even their thankfulness.
I wonder if you have this deeper thing within you. If you are not by nature a spontaneously grateful person it may be because you are deficient. If the cover of your book is not that of gratitude…what’s missing inside?
Let s find out...
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 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 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." Luke 17:11-19
Jesus on his way to Jerusalem is about to enter a small town and as he does he passes by some men who had severe skin diseases.
· Leprosy – a disorder that left the person with scaly skin lesions and other debilitating symptoms was a socially horrific illness that consigned it’s sufferers to the outside of society. Probably because it was perceived as a divine curse.
Vs. 13 They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"
· clearly they had some knowledge of him and his power to call him Master
· May have been asking for money but more likely healing because of what happens next.
14 When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.
· He heals all ten of them as they get up and go to show their priests. (not sure if it was immediately after they got up or down the road)
· Note: they had to get clearance from the priests to be able to reenter society.
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.
· Famously one returns to offer thanks to Jesus…perhaps before he even gets to the priests.
· As a Samaritan he would be least likely to express any kind of faith since he was considered a religious outcast as well. (Vs. 18 – foreigner…not a jew)
o This story partly here to remind readers of the inclusive nature of the kingdom of god.
So we have this uber grateful, worshipping former leper falling at Jesus feet and Jesus response:
17 Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." Luke 17:11-19
So, here’s the operative question: Why did this one come back and not the others? What was different in this one that separated in from the other nine?
The simple answer was that he was more grateful than the nine. Clearly he was. But we can judge this book by its cover. Something deeper was going on here.
What was it? Let’s take note of his actions:
· he spontaneously comes right back to Jesus
· on his way back worships God out loud
· throws himself at Jesus feet
· offers deep thanks.
These actions and words all say to me that this trusted in God and had surrendered to Jesus Christ. That’s what separated him from the other 9.
Ø His unmistakable gratitude was evidence of a vibrant faith. His gratefulness the confirmation of a deep level of surrender.
And there’s one more clue that points to a significant level of trust in God within this man:
Ø Note the words in Vs 14 - “cleansed”
Ø but in Vs. 19 “made well” = “saved” – picture of comprehensive health
The moral of this story: If you see a truly grateful person you can bet that what lies below the surface is a significant level of faith, trust and surrender.
True gratitude is a barometer of trust in God. Gratefulness is inseparably linked with surrender to Jesus.
So…here’s the uncomfortable point – if you as a person are not normally grateful. If offering praise, worship and thanks to God does not come naturally to you there is good reason to question the depth of your faith.
If on the other hand, praise, worship and thankfulness come easily to you…if in your private prayers and your public expressions you give evidence of gratitude then it stands to reason that you are a person of great trust in God.
Spiritually you CAN trust a book by this cover.
True gratitude is a barometer of trust in God. Gratefulness is inseparably linked with surrender to Jesus.
Let me illustrate with a little math (pre-algebra). Let’s graph these 10 guys.
Y = faith/trust/surrender
X = gratitude or thankfulness
· The nine: I’ll give them a 2 on faith and trust and a 2 on gratitude
· The one: Clearly a 7 or 8 on faith and trust and conversely a 7 or 8 on gratitude.
There is a direct correlation between gratitude and trust in God.
It is not possible to have high faith/trust/surrender and low gratitude.
It is not possible to have high gratitude and low faith.
· you might say…wait…I hear a lot of people who appear very grateful. They say they are blessed. But what they really mean is – wow, I’m lucky.
· I would maintain that real gratitude always indicates surrender to the divine.
True gratitude is a barometer of trust in God. Gratefulness is inseparably linked with surrender to Jesus.
Let me give you two other examples where thankfulness is paired with trust and gratitude linked with faith.
Jesus giving thanks for feeding the 5000
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. Luke 9:16
· His thankfulness was not just for the meager pieces of food but an expression of trust for what he was about to happen.
· Trust that God, his father, would show up and do something huge.
Thanksgiving always precedes the miracle. Ann Voskamp One Thousand Gifts
· Expressing Gratitude is like opening the door to the wonders of God.
Jesus during the last supper
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Luke 22:17-18
· Not simply gratitude for a glass of wine but an expression of surrender to the will of God for his life.
· Not just obligatory Passover prayer. Deep statement of trust.
True gratitude is a barometer of trust in God. Gratefulness is inseparably linked with surrender to Jesus.
So…my point again is this…show me your gratitude and praise…the cover of your book…and I will fairly accurately tell you what lies within you. I will describe the level of your trust in God.
An anemic pattern of gratitude is a sure sign of an anemic faith.
Lackluster thankfulness indicates lackluster trust.
Puny gratefulness is an indication of puny surrender to Jesus.
Are you more like the nine or more like the one? And if you are more like the nine
and want that to change…what should you do?
· Increase your gratitude and worship…Or work on your faith? Probably both.(Practicing gratitude does have an effect on trust) But where you need to focus your attention mostly is on the “y” axis – your faith…and the thankfullness and praise will follow.
Here’s a fascinating little prelude to this story… The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" Luke 17:5
· It’s almost as if Jesus answers their question with this healing. Live like the one not the nine.
So, let’s get personal. Let’s say you’ve “graphed” yourself and realize you are more like the nine. You demonstrate small amounts of gratitude and realize it’s because you have an anemic level of trust.
What should you do?
Step one – surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Fall at Jesus feet.
Ø this is an act of your mind (accept as true), heart (confession) and will (decision)
Ø Do this immediately. As in right now.
Step two – be baptized
Ø this is what ordinary followers of Jesus do as a powerful outward sign of trust
Ø next one is…
(many of you are thinking…done that…I still wonder about my level of trust)
Step three – find someone to disciple you
Ø someone who you know is further along than you – someone who can help you follow Jesus
Step four – Prioritize the pursuit of God
Ø in communion with him, prayer, worship, service
What I am talking about is the Y axis of your life – grow it!
As your faith grows your gratitude will follow.