Embracing a Lifestyle of Gratitude and Thanksgiving

 

Summary

In preparation for Thanksgiving, I explored the profound significance of gratitude as depicted in the Bible. With over 400 references to gratitude and thanksgiving, two key insights emerged. First, God desires gratitude to be the primary motivation behind all our actions, words, and thoughts. Second, God rewards a grateful heart with numerous blessings and benefits. Gratitude is not merely an occasional "thank you" but a constant mindset and lifestyle that God wants us to adopt.

Deuteronomy 28:1-8 emphasizes the blessings that come from obedience, highlighting that God promises to bless everything we do if we follow His instructions. Gratitude, as a constant mindset, is more than just a verbal expression; it is a lifestyle that God desires for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs us to always be thankful in all circumstances, as this is God's will for us. This attitude of gratitude is linked to numerous benefits, including improved mental and physical health, happiness, better sleep, and stronger relationships.

Gratitude is also a mark of spiritual maturity, as Colossians 2:9 suggests. It pleases God and brings His blessings. Despite the busyness of Thanksgiving Day, we often spend little time actually giving thanks to God. To counter this, I encourage you to engage in a meaningful exercise this Thanksgiving: read and discuss Bible verses that highlight reasons to be thankful, such as God's gift of life, salvation, goodness, answered prayers, guidance, forgiveness, and unfailing love.

God's three favorite ways for us to express gratitude are through singing, giving, and communion. Singing back to God is a powerful expression of gratitude, as God Himself is a singing God who rejoices over us with singing. Giving back to God, particularly through offerings, is another way to show gratitude. The principle of tithing, giving the first part of our income, is an act of faith and gratitude that God promises to bless. Lastly, communion, or the Eucharist, is a profound act of thanksgiving, reminding us of Jesus' sacrifice and the salvation it brings.

Key Takeaways:

- Gratitude as a Lifestyle: Gratitude is more than a sporadic "thank you"; it is a constant mindset that God desires for us. This attitude of gratitude should permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing our actions, words, and thoughts. [03:16]

- Blessings of Obedience: Deuteronomy 28:1-8 highlights the blessings that come from obedience. When we follow God's instructions, He promises to bless everything we do, underscoring the importance of aligning our lives with His will. [02:32]

- Gratitude and Spiritual Maturity: Gratitude is a mark of spiritual maturity. As we grow in our faith, our gratitude should overflow, reflecting our deep appreciation for God's goodness and blessings in our lives. [07:26]

- Expressing Gratitude through Giving: Giving back to God, particularly through tithing, is an act of faith and gratitude. God promises to bless those who honor Him with their offerings, demonstrating the importance of generosity in our spiritual journey. [24:41]

- Communion as Thanksgiving: Communion, or the Eucharist, is a profound act of thanksgiving. It serves as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and the salvation it brings, inviting us to express our gratitude for His unfathomable love and grace. [36:29]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Thanksgiving
- [00:24] - Insights from Bible Study on Gratitude
- [01:06] - How God Blesses Grateful Hearts
- [01:51] - Blessings of Obedience
- [03:16] - Gratitude as a Constant Mindset
- [04:03] - God's Will for Gratitude
- [05:26] - Benefits of Gratitude
- [07:11] - Gratitude and Spiritual Maturity
- [09:04] - Reasons to Be Thankful
- [11:12] - God's Favorite Ways to Express Gratitude
- [12:40] - Singing Back to God
- [18:26] - Giving Back to God
- [33:35] - Communion with God
- [39:12] - The Eucharist: Cup of Thanksgiving

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Significance of Gratitude

Bible Reading:
1. Deuteronomy 28:1-8
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
3. Colossians 2:9

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to Deuteronomy 28:1-8, what are the conditions for receiving God's blessings, and what are some examples of these blessings? [01:51]

2. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, what does Paul instruct believers to do in all circumstances, and why is this significant? [04:03]

3. How does Colossians 2:9 describe the relationship between gratitude and spiritual maturity? [07:26]

4. What are the three favorite ways God desires us to express gratitude, as mentioned in the sermon? [11:12]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the blessings described in Deuteronomy 28:1-8 be understood in the context of a modern believer's life? [02:32]

2. What does it mean to "always be thankful in all circumstances," and how can this be practically applied in challenging situations? [04:03]

3. In what ways does gratitude serve as a mark of spiritual maturity, according to Colossians 2:9 and the sermon? [07:26]

4. How do the three expressions of gratitude (singing, giving, communion) reflect different aspects of our relationship with God? [11:12]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you struggled to be thankful. How might adopting a mindset of gratitude have changed your perspective or actions? [04:03]

2. Consider the blessings listed in Deuteronomy 28:1-8. Which of these blessings do you feel most resonates with your current life situation, and why? [02:32]

3. Identify one area in your life where you can practice gratitude more consistently. What specific steps can you take to cultivate this habit? [03:16]

4. How can you incorporate singing as a form of gratitude in your daily routine, even if you don't consider yourself a singer? [12:40]

5. Reflect on your current giving practices. How can you align them more closely with the principle of tithing as an act of gratitude and faith? [24:41]

6. How can participating in communion become a more meaningful expression of gratitude in your spiritual life? [36:29]

7. Think of a person or situation in your life that you are grateful for. How can you express this gratitude in a tangible way this week? [06:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude as a Transformative Lifestyle
Gratitude is not just a fleeting emotion or a simple "thank you" but a transformative lifestyle that God desires for us. It is a mindset that should permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing our actions, words, and thoughts. By adopting this constant attitude of gratitude, we align ourselves with God's will and open our hearts to His blessings. This lifestyle of gratitude is a reflection of our deep appreciation for God's goodness and His continuous presence in our lives. [03:16]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can intentionally practice gratitude today, and how might this change your perspective or actions?


Day 2: The Blessings of Obedience
Deuteronomy 28:1-8 highlights the blessings that come from obedience, emphasizing that God promises to bless everything we do if we follow His instructions. This passage underscores the importance of aligning our lives with God's will, as obedience is closely linked to gratitude. When we live in obedience, we demonstrate our trust in God's plan and open ourselves to the abundance of His blessings. Gratitude, as a constant mindset, is a natural response to the blessings that flow from a life of obedience. [02:32]

"And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth." (Deuteronomy 28:1, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you align your actions with God's instructions today, and how might this lead to experiencing His blessings?


Day 3: Gratitude and Spiritual Maturity
Gratitude is a mark of spiritual maturity, reflecting our deep appreciation for God's goodness and blessings in our lives. As we grow in our faith, our gratitude should overflow, becoming a natural expression of our relationship with God. This spiritual maturity is not just about personal growth but also about influencing others through our example of gratitude. By cultivating a grateful heart, we please God and invite His blessings into our lives, demonstrating our commitment to living according to His will. [07:26]

"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." (Hebrews 12:28, ESV)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate spiritual maturity through gratitude in your interactions with others today?


Day 4: Expressing Gratitude through Giving
Giving back to God, particularly through tithing, is an act of faith and gratitude. It is a tangible expression of our trust in God's provision and our acknowledgment of His blessings. God promises to bless those who honor Him with their offerings, highlighting the importance of generosity in our spiritual journey. By giving, we not only express our gratitude but also participate in God's work, supporting His mission and extending His love to others. [24:41]

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can practice generosity today as an expression of gratitude, and how might this impact your relationship with God?


Day 5: Communion as Thanksgiving
Communion, or the Eucharist, is a profound act of thanksgiving, reminding us of Jesus' sacrifice and the salvation it brings. It invites us to express our gratitude for His unfathomable love and grace, as we remember the depth of His sacrifice for us. This sacred act is not just a ritual but a heartfelt expression of our gratitude for the new life we have in Christ. By participating in communion, we reaffirm our commitment to live in gratitude and reflect on the transformative power of Jesus' love in our lives. [36:29]

"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" (Luke 22:19, ESV)

Reflection: As you prepare to participate in communion, how can you deepen your sense of gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice and let it influence your daily life?

Quotes

God wants gratitude to be the primary motivation behind everything we do or say or think. Let me say that again: God wants gratitude to be the primary motive, the primary motivation behind everything that we do or say or think. He wants us to do everything out of thanksgiving and out of gratitude. [00:33:12]

Deuteronomy 28:1-8 talks about the importance of obedience and the blessing that God gives when we obey His commands. It says this: Deuteronomy 28:1-8, "If you fully obey the Lord your God, and if you carefully follow all His commands, all of these blessings will be yours." [01:48:00]

Gratitude is a constant mindset of thankfulness. It's more than just saying thank you every once in a while to God or to people. It's an attitude of gratitude that you make as your lifestyle. God wants us to respond to everything that happens in our lives with an attitude of gratitude. [03:24:40]

Always be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you. Now, if you obey that, God says, "I'm going to bless you in every area of your life." And notice that He says, "This is God's will for you." God's will for your life is that you are always grateful. [04:07:20]

Gratitude improves your brain and your physical health. Did you know that? I don't have time to go into all of these and talk about them, but doctors say that gratitude is the healthiest human emotion. It improves your brain; it improves your physical health. [05:33:36]

Gratitude, the Bible says, is the evidence of spiritual maturity. You want to know if your spirits are mature? How grateful are you? How much do you live with the attitude of gratitude? Colossians 2:9 says this: "Plant your roots in Christ and let Him be the foundation for your life." [07:04:08]

God's three favorite ways for us to express gratitude to Him. This last week, in my study of every passage in the Bible that references gratefulness or thanksgiving, I found at least a dozen different ways that God tells us to express our gratitude. [11:08:48]

The first habit of expressing gratitude is this: write it down—singing back to God. Singing back to God. Now, you may not know this; nobody has ever told this to you, but God is a singing God. Did you know that? The Bible tells us that God sings. [12:40:16]

Giving back to God. Write that down: giving back to God. At Thanksgiving or any other time, we give thanks by giving back to God. We give thanks by giving. We give back the first part of what He has given to us. Let's look at some scripture on this. [18:26:16]

The third habit of gratitude is this: write it down—communion with God. First Corinthians chapter 11, verses 23 to 27, look up here on the screen. It's not on your outline. It says this: "On the night that He was betrayed, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it." [33:59:20]

Communion is to help us remember what's remembering for, so we can be grateful. Whatever you remember, you can be grateful for. He says, "I've given you this memory tool, communion, the bread and the wine of the juice and the wafer. I've given you this communion tool to remember." [34:56:00]

Colossians 3:17 sums up everything I've been trying to teach you this weekend. It says this: "So now, everything you do"—circle the word everything—"everything you do or say should be done in the name of our Lord Jesus with thanksgiving." Circle that: with thanksgiving to God the Father. [43:37:20]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Nov 23, 2021. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?