Embracing Gratitude: A Christian's Call to Thankfulness
Summary
Growing in love with God and each other is at the heart of our community at Victory Fellowship. Today, we explored the often-overlooked virtue of thankfulness, a quality that should be a defining mark of a Christian's life. While love, forgiveness, and kindness are commonly associated with Christian behavior, gratitude is equally vital, as emphasized throughout Scripture. We are reminded to give thanks to the Lord for His enduring goodness and love, as seen in passages like 1 Chronicles 16:34 and Psalm 100:4. The Apostle Paul frequently began his letters with expressions of gratitude, underscoring its importance.
The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17 illustrates the significance of thankfulness. Only one returned to thank Jesus after being healed, highlighting how gratitude is not just a nice quality but a matter of obedience. Our current series, "Thanking Through It," encourages us to cultivate gratitude in all circumstances, whether good or bad. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul instructs us to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus.
Rejoicing always does not mean ignoring life's difficulties. Instead, it is about finding joy in God's unchanging character and the salvation we have through Jesus. Our circumstances may change, but God's presence and work in our lives remain constant. Prayer is not merely about presenting requests to God but about aligning our will with His. By praying continually, we maintain a relationship with God, allowing His desires to become ours.
Giving thanks in all circumstances can be challenging, especially when gratitude is not our natural response. Yet, we are called to be intentional in our thankfulness, recognizing God's presence and work in every situation. Romans 8:28 assures us that God works for the good of those who love Him, even when we cannot see it. Our gratitude reflects God's character to the world, demonstrating His goodness, peace, and comfort through our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The Importance of Thankfulness: Gratitude is a defining mark of a Christian's life, as emphasized throughout Scripture. It is not just a nice quality but a matter of obedience to God. [19:43]
- Rejoicing in All Circumstances: True joy is rooted in God's unchanging character and our salvation through Jesus. Even in difficult times, we can rejoice because of who God is and what He has done. [28:52]
- Praying Continually: Prayer is about aligning our will with God's, not just presenting requests. By maintaining constant communication with God, we allow His desires to become ours. [35:25]
- Giving Thanks in All Situations: Gratitude is not always our natural response, but we are called to be intentional in our thankfulness, recognizing God's presence and work in every situation. [39:17]
- Reflecting God's Character: Our gratitude reflects God's character to the world, demonstrating His goodness, peace, and comfort through our lives. This is God's will for us in Christ Jesus. [43:50]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[12:36] - Discussion Question
[15:11] - Announcements
[17:27] - Thanksgiving Overlooked
[18:42] - The Importance of Gratitude
[19:43] - Biblical Examples of Thankfulness
[22:46] - The Story of the Ten Lepers
[24:20] - Thanking Through It Series
[28:52] - Rejoicing Always
[30:09] - Personal Story of Joy
[31:50] - Praying Continually
[32:53] - The Essence of Prayer
[35:25] - Prayer Beyond Requests
[38:05] - Giving Thanks in All Circumstances
[39:17] - God's Work in Our Lives
[43:50] - Reflecting God's Character
[47:13] - Encouragement to Give Thanks
[50:02] - Closing Prayer
[59:44] - Farewell and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Cultivating Thankfulness
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
2. Luke 17:11-19
3. Romans 8:28
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Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, what three actions does Paul instruct believers to practice continually?
2. How does the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17 highlight the importance of thankfulness? What was Jesus' reaction to the one leper who returned to give thanks? [22:46]
3. According to Romans 8:28, what assurance do believers have about God's work in their lives, even in difficult circumstances?
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between prayer and aligning our will with God's will? [35:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might gratitude be considered a matter of obedience rather than just a positive trait, according to the sermon? [22:46]
2. How does the concept of "rejoicing always" differ from simply being happy, based on the sermon and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18? [28:52]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that continual prayer can transform our desires to align with God's? [35:25]
4. How does the sermon explain the role of gratitude in reflecting God's character to the world? [43:50]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenging situation. How did you respond, and how might you intentionally cultivate gratitude in similar situations in the future? [39:17]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of rejoicing in God's unchanging character. What specific aspect of God's character can you focus on to find joy this week, regardless of your circumstances? [28:52]
3. Consider your current prayer life. How often do you include gratitude in your prayers, and what steps can you take to ensure thankfulness is a regular part of your communication with God? [32:53]
4. Identify a situation where you struggled to see God's work. How can Romans 8:28 encourage you to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness in that situation? [39:17]
5. Think of a person in your life who might benefit from seeing God's character through your actions. What specific act of gratitude or kindness can you show them this week? [43:50]
6. The sermon suggests that gratitude can be a powerful witness to others. How can you share a testimony of thankfulness with someone who may not know Christ? [43:50]
7. Reflect on the story of the ten lepers. Is there an area in your life where you have received blessings but have not expressed gratitude? How can you change that this week? [22:46]
Devotional
Day 1: Gratitude as a Christian's Obedience
Gratitude is not merely a pleasant trait but a fundamental aspect of Christian obedience. Throughout Scripture, thankfulness is highlighted as a defining characteristic of a believer's life. It is not just about feeling grateful but actively expressing it as a response to God's enduring goodness and love. The Apostle Paul often began his letters with gratitude, emphasizing its importance in the Christian walk. The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17 serves as a poignant reminder of this virtue. Only one leper returned to thank Jesus after being healed, illustrating that gratitude is not optional but a matter of obedience to God. As Christians, we are called to cultivate a heart of thankfulness, recognizing it as a reflection of our relationship with God. [19:43]
"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: Think of a recent blessing or answered prayer in your life. How can you express your gratitude to God today in a tangible way?
Day 2: Joy Rooted in God's Unchanging Character
True joy is not dependent on our circumstances but is deeply rooted in the unchanging character of God and the salvation we have through Jesus. While life may present challenges and difficulties, Christians are called to rejoice always, as instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. This joy is not about ignoring hardships but finding solace in who God is and what He has done for us. Our circumstances may fluctuate, but God's presence and work in our lives remain constant. By focusing on His unchanging nature, we can experience a joy that transcends our immediate situations. [28:52]
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a current challenge you are facing. How can you find joy in God's character and promises despite this difficulty?
Day 3: Aligning Our Will with God's Through Prayer
Prayer is more than presenting requests to God; it is about aligning our will with His. By praying continually, we maintain a relationship with God, allowing His desires to become ours. This ongoing communication with God helps us to understand His will and purpose for our lives. It is through prayer that we can experience a transformation of our hearts and minds, aligning our thoughts and actions with God's. As we pray, we invite God to shape our desires and guide our decisions, leading us to live in accordance with His will. [35:25]
"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." (1 John 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you struggle to align with God's will. How can you use prayer to seek His guidance and align your desires with His today?
Day 4: Intentional Thankfulness in Every Situation
Giving thanks in all circumstances can be challenging, especially when gratitude is not our natural response. Yet, Christians are called to be intentional in their thankfulness, recognizing God's presence and work in every situation. Even when we cannot see the good, we trust that God is working for our benefit. This intentional gratitude reflects God's character to the world, demonstrating His goodness, peace, and comfort through our lives. By choosing to be thankful, we acknowledge God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even in the midst of trials. [39:17]
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:4-6, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a difficult situation you are currently facing. How can you intentionally express gratitude to God for His presence and work in this situation?
Day 5: Reflecting God's Character Through Gratitude
Our gratitude reflects God's character to the world, demonstrating His goodness, peace, and comfort through our lives. As Christians, we are called to be a light in the world, and our thankfulness is a powerful testimony of God's work in us. By expressing gratitude, we show others the transformative power of God's love and grace. This is God's will for us in Christ Jesus, to live lives that reflect His character and bring glory to His name. Our gratitude not only impacts our relationship with God but also influences those around us, drawing them closer to Him. [43:50]
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can your gratitude today serve as a testimony of God's goodness to those around you? What specific actions can you take to reflect His character through thankfulness?
Quotes
"Thankfulness is clearly important to God, right? We see it through the scripture. He doesn't overlook it. It's clearly something that's very important to God, and if it's important to God, hopefully it's important to us, right? God desires us to be grateful." [00:23:35] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"First Thessalonians, chapter 5, verse 16, says this, be joyful always. This is actually the shortest verse in the Bible, right? You think Jesus wept? In the English, it's Jesus wept. In the Greek, it's this one. Rejoice always. Be joyful always. Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." [00:24:47] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Paul is saying, always, continually, in all circumstances, so not just when things are good, not just when you need something, not just when you're getting what you want in life. Paul is saying at all times continually all circumstances right that is what the Christian life should look like." [00:25:39] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Romans 8 .28 tells us that God is sovereign, right? And he is at work in every situation. All things. It says in all things, God works for the good. Not just a few things. Not just some things. All things. Nothing happens by chance or fate, right? It's God at work." [00:39:42] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God's will is that we are living in constant joy, prayer, and gratitude at all times in every situation because of how it represents him to the world, right? The way we live represents God to the world. And again, it's easy to be joyful when things are good." [00:45:51] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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