WE ARE GRATEFUL

Preparing Souls To Serve The Lord Volume XXVII February 2007 Number 7 We Are Grateful One of the moral attributes of humanity is the capacity to express gratitude. The unbelieving world is characterized with a calloused disregard for blessings received. Paul expresses it in the following words: “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, NOR WERE THANKFUL, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man–and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things” (Rom. 1:21-23 NKJV, emphasis added).

However, as we shall show, this is not merely a defect in the unbelieving world. It too often characterizes those in the body of Christ. In fact, the Apostle Paul states that God would have us to include thanksgiving with our prayers, supplications and intercessions (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

One in Ten

In the earthly ministry of the Christ is the account of His healing ten lepers. It is helpful to observe the reaction of those who were helped, and the observation of Jesus to their actions. “Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ So when He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’” (Luke 17:12-18).

Observations

Let us consider some observations relative to these passages. (1) The God we serve is a benevolent God. He showers blessings upon the disobedient as well as the obedient (Matt. 5:44-48). (2) We must understand that the benevolent God expects, has a right to expect, gratitude from His subjects. (3) Do we stop to consider how selfish and devoid of proper human conduct it is to be ungrateful to those who have helped us? (4) It is significant that at times those that we have a right to expect appreciation from do not provide it. I have in mind children. Children can be ungrateful for the sacrificial generosity of parents. We can show disrespect and a lack of appreciation to those in society that place their lives in jeopardy for our well being (police officers, fire fighters, health providers, et al). (5) Do not employee and employers owe a debt of gratitude to one another? (7) If we recognize the duty to express gratitude to our fellow human beings for their services, how much more the God of heaven who makes all things possible!

Congregational Benevolence

I once preached a sermon on the healing of the ten lepers and received an interesting comment from a deacon in the congregation who was given the responsibility of evaluating the requests from strangers for assistance from the congregation. The deacon said things were no different today. Those assisted by the congregation were woefully negligent in expressions of appreciation for the help given.

Graduates

My wife and I visited the campus of Harvard University on a tour. It was pointed out that the cost of attending the University was extremely expensive. However, it was also pointed out that there are millions of dollars in endowment funds available to those passing entrance requirements. These endowment funds were contributed by those who had been blessed by this large secular university. I could not help but reflect upon a comparison. Here people of the world feel obligated to help a school that has helped them, and many of those who have attended the Florida School of Preaching feel no dept of gratitude toward those who have sacrificed to help them. Like the grateful leper (a Samaritan, outsider as far as the Jews were concerned) who returned to give thanks to Christ, many who make possible the ongoing of the school never attended the school.

If those who have been blessed to attend the school, and received assistance from others that made it possible would help support the school, we have funds sufficient to operate. But, where are the nine?

From a Brother Afar

☜ In the box at the left is a letter from a brother who has received materials that we have prepared. I do not know how, or through whom the materials were obtained. I print the letter that contains the broken English expressions of one who is grateful and one who has taken the time to express it.

This letter prompted me to reflect upon our need to express appreciation. Some might excuse themselves by asserting, “I am not good at writing.” Do you think the broken English by the appreciative brother makes us any less appreciative of his efforts?

Does his expression of appreciation make you ashamed of a lack of appreciation? If you are negligent in this manner, I hope it does.

We Are Grateful

To those who make regular, systematic contributions to the school, we are grateful. We make an effort to acknowledge this each year at the booster banquet where faculty, Board members, and students can serve you and thank you for your concern. Without your support of us in our work (edifying souls and encouraging preaching the gospel) could not be possible.

There are those who have provided the school with special contributions (some remembering us in their wills) that enable the school to exist. We, at the present time do not have sufficient funds coming in on a regular basis to meet the daily expenses of the school. Were it not for the special contributions that are made we could not function.

If you are able to join those making special contributions, we would deeply appreciate it. If you can see the work we are doing and believe in what we are doing, leave the school in your will that even though you have gone to receive your eternal reward, you may be able to continue to do good by remembering our needs and helping us meet them.

Please note that when you assist us in such matters, you are helping others far and beyond our immediate presence. As the brother in India writes expressing his appreciation, many in Ghana and other countries can do the same. The materials students are receiving here are also being provided many in the Philippine congregations.

Each year when we have our ANNUAL LECTURESHIP program; the materials are printed in book form for a wider circulation. The same material is broadcast live on the internet for immediate edification for around the world. The material is recorded on DVD and CD formats that make possible even wider and more practical application. Some of the DVD and CD items are expansions upon the written materials in both book and CD formats. We want you to know that your support of our work is far broader that the South Florida Avenue facilities.

There are satellite classes that edify souls throughout the state of Florida and with the printed materials and CD productions people from afar are helped as well.

In this year’s lectureship week, the LARGEST CONTRIBUTION IN THE HISTORY OF THE LECTURESHIP TOWARD THE LECTURESHIP COSTS was contributed. We did not pass a collection plate nor did we try to unduly pressure you to make a contribution. We simply showed you our work, asked you to help and you did so in a marvelous fashion. In fact your generosity in this manner is part of the motivation behind this entire article.

The Future

Some have requested that some of our classes be recorded so distant learning can be realized. With the internet connection individuals at any point in the world could have access to class room instruction from our program. Brother Jody Apple, one of the speakers on this year’s lectureship is working to do the following: “Help congregations establish cluster classes and school using online materials available at The Bible.net. Help develop evangelistic tools for non-Christians’ independent study, and for Christians’ evangelistic use ... Establish cooperative relationships with brick-and-mortar schools of preaching.”

With classes presented online, it would enable stable brethren to combat the continued false teaching that some schools and movements are providing.

However, this means that the school will need funds to accomplish this task. It means that funds are needed to support brother Apple and his work.

The support will not come from those who do not value the program we have developed and maintained since 1969. The support will only come from those of you whom we are expressing appreciation, and from those who ought to be appreciative for what they have received. Where are the nine? [Jackie M. Stearsman] Ω