Choosing Gratitude: A Transformative Lifestyle for Believers
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of gratitude, emphasizing its significance in our lives as believers. Gratitude is not merely a seasonal sentiment but a lifestyle that reflects our appreciation for God's acts in our lives. We are called to be people of gratitude, allowing thankfulness to permeate every aspect of our being. This is not an easy task, as our natural inclination often leans towards complaining and focusing on what we lack. However, as followers of Christ, we are invited to rise above these tendencies and cultivate a heart of gratitude.
Gratitude is a fight, a conscious decision to refocus our attention from our circumstances to the One who holds all power and mercy. It requires us to actively redirect our minds and hearts towards God, acknowledging His faithfulness and provision. This shift in focus is not about ignoring our problems but about recognizing the problem solver. As we engage in this fight for gratitude, we are reminded of the peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that grumbling and complaining can never produce.
Our relationship with God plays a crucial role in our ability to maintain gratitude. Constant communication with Him through prayer helps us stay grounded in thankfulness. When we are in close fellowship with God, it becomes easier to see His hand at work in our lives, even amidst challenges. Gratitude is not just an inward posture but an outward expression. It is about living a life that reflects our thankfulness to God, allowing our actions to align with our words.
As we navigate life's battles, we must choose gratitude over grumbling. This choice is not always easy, but it is essential for experiencing the fullness of God's peace and joy. Gratitude shifts our perspective, reminding us of God's love and faithfulness. It is a powerful tool that transforms our hearts and minds, enabling us to live a life that honors God and impacts those around us.
Key Takeaways:
- Gratitude is a lifestyle, not just a seasonal sentiment. It requires a conscious decision to focus on God's acts in our lives, allowing thankfulness to permeate everything we do. This shift in focus helps us rise above our natural inclination to complain and grumble. [46:22]
- Our relationship with God is crucial in maintaining gratitude. Constant communication through prayer keeps us grounded in thankfulness, making it easier to see God's hand at work in our lives. When we are in close fellowship with God, gratitude becomes a natural response. [55:56]
- Gratitude is both an inward posture and an outward expression. It is about living a life that reflects our thankfulness to God, allowing our actions to align with our words. True gratitude is seen in how we live our lives, not just in what we say. [52:00]
- Choosing gratitude over grumbling is essential for experiencing God's peace and joy. Gratitude shifts our perspective, reminding us of God's love and faithfulness. It transforms our hearts and minds, enabling us to live a life that honors God and impacts those around us. [01:09:18]
- Gratitude produces results in our lives that grumbling never could. It brings peace, reassurance, and a deeper understanding of God's character. By choosing gratitude, we align ourselves with God's will and open ourselves to His blessings. [01:08:28]
YouTube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:29] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[16:29] - Power of Prayer and Testimony
[35:47] - Limitless Lunch and Membership
[37:35] - Baptism Announcement
[40:11] - Introduction to Gratitude Series
[43:49] - The Fight for Gratitude
[46:22] - Walking by the Spirit
[49:24] - Be Thankful and Give Thanks
[52:00] - True Gratitude in Action
[55:56] - Relationship and Gratitude
[57:09] - Anxiety and Refocusing
[01:09:18] - Gratitude and Peace
[01:12:08] - Choosing Gratitude
[01:20:52] - Closing Prayer and Offering
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Gratitude as a Lifestyle
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
2. Philippians 4:6-7
3. Galatians 5:16
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, what are the three actions Paul instructs believers to take in every situation? How do these actions relate to gratitude? [47:39]
2. In Philippians 4:6-7, what is the result of presenting our requests to God with thanksgiving? How does this relate to the peace mentioned in the sermon? [01:08:28]
3. How does Galatians 5:16 describe the relationship between walking by the Spirit and the desires of the flesh? How does this relate to the sermon’s message on gratitude? [46:22]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the struggle between gratitude and grumbling? How do these examples help us understand the importance of choosing gratitude? [01:09:18]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that gratitude can transform our perspective on life's challenges? What role does the Holy Spirit play in this transformation? [01:04:07]
2. The sermon mentions that gratitude is both an inward posture and an outward expression. How can believers ensure that their gratitude is reflected in their actions and not just their words? [52:00]
3. What does the sermon imply about the connection between gratitude and trust in God? How might a lack of trust lead to grumbling and complaining? [01:05:11]
4. How does the sermon describe the impact of gratitude on our relationship with God and others? What practical steps can believers take to cultivate a lifestyle of gratitude? [55:56]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you found it difficult to be grateful. How might shifting your focus from the problem to the problem solver, as suggested in the sermon, change your perspective? [46:22]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of constant communication with God through prayer. How can you incorporate more consistent prayer into your daily routine to maintain a heart of gratitude? [55:56]
3. Think of a time when you expressed gratitude in words but not in actions. How can you align your actions with your words of gratitude in the future? [52:00]
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you tend to grumble or complain. What practical steps can you take to choose gratitude in that area this week? [01:09:18]
5. The sermon suggests that gratitude can lead to peace that surpasses understanding. How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness and love when faced with anxiety or fear? [01:08:28]
6. Consider the role of gratitude in your relationships with others. How can you express gratitude to someone in your life this week in a way that strengthens your relationship? [53:13]
7. The sermon challenges us to live a life that is a thank you note to God. What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate your gratitude to God in your daily life? [53:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Gratitude as a Lifestyle
Gratitude is not just a fleeting feeling or a seasonal sentiment; it is a lifestyle that believers are called to embrace. This lifestyle involves a conscious decision to focus on God's acts in our lives, allowing thankfulness to permeate everything we do. It requires us to rise above our natural inclination to complain and grumble, choosing instead to see the blessings and provisions that God has bestowed upon us. By adopting this mindset, we align ourselves with a life that reflects God's goodness and mercy. [46:22]
Psalm 100:4-5 (ESV): "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to express gratitude? How can you intentionally shift your focus to recognize God's blessings in that area today?
Day 2: The Role of Prayer in Gratitude
Our relationship with God is crucial in maintaining a heart of gratitude. Constant communication with Him through prayer keeps us grounded in thankfulness, making it easier to see His hand at work in our lives. When we are in close fellowship with God, gratitude becomes a natural response, even amidst challenges. This connection with God helps us to refocus our attention from our circumstances to the One who holds all power and mercy. [55:56]
Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to cultivate a heart of gratitude? Consider setting aside specific times for prayer and thanksgiving today.
Day 3: Gratitude as an Outward Expression
Gratitude is both an inward posture and an outward expression. It is about living a life that reflects our thankfulness to God, allowing our actions to align with our words. True gratitude is seen in how we live our lives, not just in what we say. This outward expression of gratitude impacts those around us, demonstrating the love and faithfulness of God through our actions. [52:00]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can express gratitude through your actions today. How can you show thankfulness to God by serving or blessing someone else?
Day 4: Choosing Gratitude Over Grumbling
Choosing gratitude over grumbling is essential for experiencing God's peace and joy. Gratitude shifts our perspective, reminding us of God's love and faithfulness. It transforms our hearts and minds, enabling us to live a life that honors God and impacts those around us. This choice is not always easy, but it is crucial for aligning ourselves with God's will and opening ourselves to His blessings. [01:09:18]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: Identify a situation where you tend to grumble or complain. How can you consciously choose gratitude in that situation today, and what steps can you take to maintain this perspective?
Day 5: The Transformative Power of Gratitude
Gratitude produces results in our lives that grumbling never could. It brings peace, reassurance, and a deeper understanding of God's character. By choosing gratitude, we align ourselves with God's will and open ourselves to His blessings. This transformative power of gratitude enables us to experience the fullness of God's peace and joy, impacting our hearts and minds in profound ways. [01:08:28]
Hebrews 12:28 (ESV): "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience where you felt God's peace through gratitude. How can you cultivate this transformative power of gratitude in your daily life moving forward?
Quotes
When we're walking by the Spirit, there's a refocus that's taking place. We are not ignoring the problem because someone would say, oh, those Christians or those believers, that's all they do. They're trying to ignore the problem. No, we're not ignoring the problem, but we're refocusing our attention away from the problem to the problem solver. That is the difference. That is the difference. [00:46:32] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Gratitude produces results in our life that grumbling never could. Grumbling does not produce beneficial results. Because it does produce some results. My wife was telling me last night, reminded me. High blood pressure. Anxiety. Depression. Aneurysms. Depression. What else, baby? Depression. Ulcers. Migraines. So if you want to keep, that's on you. Because it's producing results. [01:06:41] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
We are reminded and reassured of the character of God and gratitude. We are reminded of the scoreboard. What you mean? Sometimes we think we lost or we're, or even that we're losing. Or we're like, we like, oh no, God, I don't know how you're going to do it. God, God, you're just, I'm just coming to you now, Jesus. I'm just, look at the score. I know your head is down and you're trying to plow through life, but take a second to look at the score. [01:11:06] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Each day we have a decision and we have to make a choice for how we are going to move. Are we going to stay the same and grumble and complain and murmur? Or are we going to choose to be grateful? My family will tell you, I say, how are you doing? They say, I'm doing fine. And I say, everything good? They say, yeah, everything good. I'm not going to complain. I say, it won't do you no good, no way. [01:19:10] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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