THANKSGIVING // HSM // November 23, 2025

What if true gratitude was more than just a feeling, but rather our soul's authentic response to experiencing God's transformative grace? In a powerful message on the story of the ten lepers from Luke 17, Pastor Aaron unpacks how genuine thanksgiving flows from recognizing our deep need for mercy. Through the compelling account of these outcasts who cried out to Jesus from a distance, we see how only one - a Samaritan considered a foreigner - returned to worship at Jesus' feet after being healed. This profound act of gratitude didn't just result in physical healing, but in complete restoration (sozo) of body and soul. Pastor Aaron emphasizes that thanksgiving isn't about polite acknowledgment, but about running back to the Giver rather than just celebrating the gift. He challenges us to examine whether others would see us as people who consistently return to Jesus in grateful worship, reminding us that true gratitude grows in the soil of humility. Through practical steps of remembering God's work, returning quickly when we stray, showing gratitude loudly, and falling daily at His feet, we can cultivate hearts that overflow with authentic thanksgiving.