Luke 17:11-19
The absence of etiquette in our world stems from a deeper
problem than mere poor manners. Some go
through life thinking everyone owes them.
As soon as they make a demand, they feel it should be met immediately
and without question. The story of the
ten lepers is revealing of the condition of our world and the loss of respect
for others.
The absence of manners
is a social problem. The absence
of gratitude is a spiritual problem.
Ingratitude is the mishandling of grace.
I. Respect says, “Please” Matthew
7:7
We say “Please” because we recognize the right of a person not to do
or give what we ask for.
Anything someone does for us that we
cannot claim as a right is a grace gift.
An
unrealistic, unmerited or inappropriate expectation of favor from the hands of
others is a false sense of entitlement.
God wants us to NEED Him and turn
to Him; He wants to be our God. Philippians
4:6
II. Respect says, “Thank You” Luke 17:11-19
The heart of Christian worship is
called the Eucharist.
Gratitude is fundamental to
happiness.
The essence of appreciation is humility
that respects others, what they possess, their time and
their rights and says, “Thank you.”
Practical Atheism begins with
ingratitude. It ends in idolatry and destruction.
Real gratitude also displays contentment. For if God has blessed, He has blessed sufficiently.
III. Respect says, “You’re
Welcome”
Instead of “You’re Welcome” we get “No
Problem!”
Instead of
“You’re Welcome” we get
“Don’t worry about it!”
IV. Respect says, “I’m
Sorry” II Corinthians 7:10
Real sorrow
feels the pain we have caused another and cleanses our spirit as
well as theirs through repentance.
Until we
confess, we cannot receive and walk in restoration and forgiveness.
