THE MINISTRY OF GRATITUDE

LUKE 4:3

A. "AND IMMEDIATELY SHE AROSE AND MINISTERED UNTO THEM"
  1. When we read the context of Luke 4:38, 39, we learn that Simon's mother-in-law had been sick with a great fever:
    1. Our Lord entered the house of Simon.
    2. He rebuked the fever, and it left her.
  2. Immediately she arose and ministered unto them:
B. THIS EXPERIENCE IN THE HOUSE OF SIMON SHOWS THE MINISTRY OF GRATITUDE
  1. The fact that this restored woman began at once to minister to Christ and His disciples proves:
    1. The certainty of her cure; and it is the highest expression of her gratitude to God for being healed!
    2. It is a positive sign of the cure wrought by Christ. OTHER EXAMPLES -
      1. Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast out seven devils ministered unto Him - Matt. 26:7; Luke 8:2
      2. Zacchaeus, the tax collector, too, expressed humble gratitude to God for what had happened unto him - Luke 19:8
  2. Such an attitude is a sure sign of true conversion:
    1. There can be no better way to prove that we have been born again, that we have been healed from sin, than to dedicate our lives to the service of God.
    2. It is indicative of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:38
  3. It is to be noted that the ministry was of the humble kind:
    1. So was the ministry of Mary when she washed the feet of the Lord - John 11:1, 2
    2. Thus it can be seen that we may serve the Lord in the common everyday duties of life.
    3. Our Lord recognizes such services more than any other efforts on our part - Matt. 25:34-45
  4. Her act in ministering to Christ and the disciples was:
    1. An expression of her personal appreciation of our Lord's ministry to her physical needs.
    2. Salvation is personal, and gratitude to God is personal - EXAMPLES -
      1. Christ cleansed ten lepers, but only one returned gratitude to Him - Luke 17:11-17
      2. Simon Peter showed his appreciation of having found the Saviour when he brought his brother to Christ - John 1:40, 41
C. THIS WOMAN'S MINISTRY TO CHRIST REVEALS THE CONDESCENSION OF THE GREAT PHYSICIAN
  1. He, who healed her of the fever, did not need her to minister unto Him:
    1. He, who had power to free her from the fever, surely had the power to care for Himself.
    2. If Christ could heal the sick, raise the dead, turn water into wine, He most certainly was able to care for His own needs.
  2. Yet, and this is so important, He accepted the humble service of gratitude:
    1. Thus he honored the sincere expression of gratitude - EXAMPLES -
      1. A cup of cold water given in the interest of heaven is appreciated - Matt. 10:42; Mark 9:41
      2. A visit to the sick room is appreciated - Matt. 25:35, 36
  3. I am thinking this morning of the ministry of our sisters, doing the work of Dorcas. They may feel that their needlework is not appreciated but it is, and it will be rewarded in the kingdom.
  4. Yes, God accepts the ministry of gratitude; the Bible is full of vivid illustrations of God's acceptance of such acceptance:
    1. He accepted the ministry of a widow to Elias and blessed her for it - 1 Ki. 17:10-24
    2. He made the memory of Mary Magdalene immortal by calling attention to her ministry of love for his burial.
    3. He did the same for another widow who gave all her living to God - Mark 12:41-44


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