Sapaan Harian GKJ Manahan Surakarta [March 01, 2024] - "Bersyukur Dan Memuliakan Allah"

Summary

In this inspirational sermon, the speaker reflects on the importance of gratitude and honoring God, using the story of the ten lepers from the Gospel of Luke. While nine lepers fail to return and give thanks after being healed by Jesus, one, a Samaritan, does return to express his gratitude and worship. This action is highlighted as a model of faith, demonstrating that true faith involves not just obedience, but also thanksgiving and glorifying God. The message emphasizes the need to recognize God's blessings, especially as we enter the Lenten season, and to cultivate a heart of gratitude and worship.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gratitude is both easy and difficult: It is easy to express but often overlooked or forgotten.
• 😀 The story of the ten lepers teaches us the importance of thanking and glorifying God for His blessings.
• 😀 Leprosy was seen as a curse and those afflicted were often isolated, suffering both physically and socially.
• 😀 Jesus healed ten lepers, instructing them to show themselves to the priests, demonstrating faith and obedience.
• 😀 All ten lepers were healed, but only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank Jesus and glorify God.
• 😀 The Samaritan’s return showed true faith, placing importance on the relationship with Jesus rather than just the physical healing.
• 😀 Jesus used the example of the Samaritan to correct the behavior of the Jewish people, emphasizing gratitude and worship.
• 😀 The Samaritan received not only physical healing but also salvation, highlighted by Jesus saying, 'Your faith has saved you.'
• 😀 The question 'Where are the other nine?' serves as a reminder for us to acknowledge and be thankful for God's blessings.
• 😀 The message urges us to remember and give thanks to God, especially during the Lenten season, as an expression of our faith and gratitude.

Q & A

What is the central message of the scripture in the transcript?

The central message of the scripture focuses on gratitude and honoring God. It highlights the importance of not only receiving God's blessings but also expressing thanks and praise, as demonstrated by the Samaritan leper in the Bible story.

What is the significance of the story of the 10 lepers in Luke 17:11-19?

The story illustrates the power of Jesus' healing and the importance of gratitude. While all 10 lepers were healed, only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank and praise Jesus, demonstrating true faith and recognition of God's grace.

Why were lepers considered outcasts in biblical times?

Lepers were seen as ceremonially unclean and were often excluded from society due to the contagious nature of their disease. This made them outcasts and caused both physical and emotional suffering.

How does the Samaritan leper demonstrate faith and gratitude?

The Samaritan leper not only obeyed Jesus' command to show himself to the priest, but he also returned to thank and glorify God, showing deep appreciation for the miracle. His actions reflect true faith, which goes beyond mere obedience.

What was the reaction of the other nine lepers who were healed?

The other nine lepers, though healed, did not return to thank Jesus. Their lack of gratitude highlights a common tendency to take blessings for granted, which serves as a lesson about the importance of acknowledging God's role in our lives.

What lesson does the story of the 10 lepers teach about gratitude?

The story teaches that gratitude should be expressed not only when we receive blessings but also in recognition of the source of those blessings, God. It reminds us not to take God's goodness for granted.

Why does Jesus specifically praise the Samaritan leper?

Jesus praises the Samaritan leper because he returned to give thanks and glorify God, demonstrating humility and faith. His response stands in contrast to the other lepers, highlighting the importance of recognizing God's grace.

What role does the concept of 'salvation' play in the healing of the Samaritan leper?

The Samaritan leper not only received physical healing but also spiritual salvation. Jesus tells him, 'Your faith has saved you,' indicating that his grateful response led to a deeper spiritual restoration beyond mere physical healing.

How does the scripture relate to the Lenten season?

The scripture relates to the Lenten season by reminding believers of the importance of recognizing God's blessings and showing gratitude. It encourages reflection on God's gifts and calls for a deeper relationship with Him, particularly during a time of spiritual renewal like Lent.

What does the sermon suggest about our tendency to forget to thank God?

The sermon suggests that, like the nine lepers, we often forget to thank God despite receiving countless blessings and help. It urges believers to be mindful of expressing gratitude to God for His ongoing grace and goodness.