GIVING THANKS TO GOD
TEXT- LUKE 17:11-19

INTRODUCTION

ON NOVEMBER 24TH OUR NATION IS GOING TO OBSERVE THANKSGIVING.

IN THE YEAR 1623, 365 YEARS AGO, WILLIAM BRADFORD, GOVENOR OF PLYMOUTH COLONY ISSUED A PROCLAIMATION THAT HAS BEEN PRESERVED FROM THE ANNALS OF OUR RICH HERITAGE. IT SAYS:

"INASMUCH AS THE GREAT FATHER HAS GIVEN US THIS YEAR AN ABUNDANT HARVEST OF INDIAN CORN, WHEAT, BEANS, SQUASHES, AND GARDEN VEGETABLES, AND HAS MADE THE FORESTS TO ABOUND WITH GAME AND THE SEA WITH FISH AND CLAMS, AND INASMUCH AS HE HAS PROTECTED US FROM THE RAVAGES OF THE SAVAGES, HAS SPARED US FROM PESTILENCE AND DISEASE, HAS GRANTED US FREEDOM TO WORSHIP GOD ACCORDING TO THE DICTATES OF OUR OWN CONSCIENCE; NOW, I, YOUR MAGISTRATE, DO PROCLAIM THAT ALL YE PILGRIMS, WITH YOUR WIVES AND LITTLE ONES, DO GATHER AT YE MEETING HOUSE, ON YE HILL, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9 AND 12 IN THE DAYTIME, ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER YE 29TH OF THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THREE, AND THE THIRD YEAR SINCE YE PILGRIMS LANDED ON YE PILGRIM ROCK, THERE TO LISTEN TO YE PASTOR, AND RENDER THANKSGIVING TO YE ALMIGHTY GOD FOR ALL HIS BLESSINGS."

THE FIRST TIME THAT AMERICA CELEBRATED THANKSGIVING AS AN OFFICIAL NATIONAL HOLIDAY WAS IN 1789 WHEN PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON ISSUED THE FIRST THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION.

THIS PAST WEDNESDAY DURING OUR MIDWEEK SERVICE I ASKED THOSE WHO WERE PRESENT TO WRITE DOWN FOR ME SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR THIS THANKSGIVING.

IT IS WHAT I HAVE CALLED THE FAMILY OF GRACE THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION. THIS IS WHAT SOME OF THEM SAY:

I THANK GOD FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS HE GIVES ME EVERYDAY. FOR BEING ABLE TO GO TO CHURCH AND WORSHIP. FOR HAVING A CARING AND LOVING FAMILY. FOR MY SALVATION, HUSBAND, CHILDREN, AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST. FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE WE CAN WORSHIP OPENLY. MY GOOD HEALTH. FOR GRACE CHURCH. FOR JESUS, THE FELLOWSHIP I HAVE WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, MY FAMILY AND MY HEALTH. FOR LETTING ME OPEN MY EYES EVERY MORNING TO ENJOY THIS DAY AND ALL THE DAYS BEFORE. FOR HAVING A NICE THANKSGIVING DINNER WHEN OTHER PEOPLE DON'T. FOR THE FEAST ON THANKSGIVING. FOR THE WORD AND THE BEST PASTOR AND CHURCH. FOR FORGIVING ME AND WATCHING OVER ME. FOR A PRAYING MOTHER, FOR BEING PATIENT WITH ME. FOR MY MOMMY HAVING A BABY. I HOPE YOU WILL HELP THE DOCTOR HAVE THE BABY OUT IN TIME."

THIS MORNING THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, "GIVING THANKS TO GOD" AND OUR TEXT IS TAKEN FROM LUKE 17:11-19.

HERE IN OUR TEXT WE FIND JESUS CLEANSING TEN LEPERS.

AS WE LOOK AT THIS PASSAGE I WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER FIVE ACTS OF GRATITUDE WE CAN ALL EXPRESS.