October 7, 2022

Dear Road Church Friends,

Once when Jesus cured a band of ten lepers and only one returned to thank him, he was disappointed and asked, “Are you the only one who thought to thank and praise God for your cure?” Ingratitude hurts. Shakespeare wrote, “Sharper than a serpent’s tooth is to have a thankless child.” Ingratitude is also dangerous because it is mankind’s first step away from God, and it puts a chink in the armor of a civil society. Paul said, “although they knew of God they ceased to honor him or give him thanks.” Gratitude toward God and each other is the foundation of true religion and civil society. Gratitude is not only the greatest virtue, but is the parent of all the other virtues. Furthermore, gratitude is the source of a nation’s strength. The Proverb says, “Righteousness makes a nation great, but sin brings disgrace.” The deterrent to a slow slide of a society into sin and despotism is always on the tip of our tongue. As children we learned the magic words that have the power to build our respect for one another and make our nation great. Those words are “Please and Thank You.”  More about this on Sunday.

SCRIPTURE:  Luke 17:11-19     SERMON:  Gratitude is Vital to Virtue

As Jesus made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. When he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, please 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, their leprosy was cured. 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. He couldn’t thank him enough. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said, “Where are the others? Are you the only one to come back to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Your faith has healed and saved you.”

POEM:  A Heart to Praise The by George Herbert

Thou hast given so much to me, give one thing more, a grateful heart.

Not thankful when it pleaseth me, as if thy blessings had spare days.

But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy Praise. 

PRAYER

     God our Creator, our Father and Friend, we thank you for our good life, for those who are dear to us, and for all who have have helped and influenced us. We thank you for the measure of freedom we have to follow our dreams, and shape our lives by pursuing the things that make us happy. Most of all we thank you for the gift of faith that lives within us, that makes us aware of you, and that gives us a hope that is an anchor to our soul. We pray that you will keep us thankful, hopeful and useful until our lives shall end. Amen.

Blessings to all,

Pastor Norm

Our worship on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JzR5nzx4yK4