Embracing Gratitude: Faith, Forgiveness, and Miracles

 

Summary

In a sermon centered on the theme of gratitude, the speaker begins by encouraging the congregation to respond to God's call with a heart of thankfulness. The message of Christ, as referenced in Colossians, is to dwell among believers as they sing to God with gratitude, regardless of their circumstances. The speaker underscores the importance of thanking God in advance for His works, suggesting that gratitude is an essential aspect of worship for followers of Jesus.

The power of faith over reason is highlighted through the story of Lazarus, illustrating that faith can transcend the limitations of human understanding. Jesus' act of instructing the men to roll away the stone from Lazarus' tomb, despite the skepticism of those around Him, is presented as a testament to the importance of belief in witnessing God's glory. The speaker also touches on the readiness of the heart to receive God's blessings, emphasizing that Jesus' gratitude extended to ordinary people and was evident even before His suffering, as seen during the Last Supper.

Preparation for both physical and spiritual aspects of life is discussed, with a particular focus on forgiveness. The speaker urges the congregation to release any unforgiveness they may harbor, emphasizing the role of the church community in embodying forgiveness. The importance of praising and thanking God in all circumstances is further emphasized through biblical examples, including King David and the Apostle Paul, as well as through personal stories, such as the engagement of Darren and Kristen.

The speaker shares a personal experience of undergoing medical tests and choosing to thank God in advance while in the CAT scan machine. This act of faith is mirrored in the stories of Jesus giving thanks before performing miracles, such as the feeding of the 5,000 and raising Lazarus from the dead. The speaker encourages the audience to remove the "grave clothes" of doubt and fear and to express gratitude in advance for their own miracles.

The sermon concludes with a call to prayer and trust in God's timing, assuring that Jesus is never late. The congregation is invited to pray for various needs and to thank God in advance for His works. The story of Leah from the Old Testament is shared, highlighting her shift from seeking her husband's love to praising God, which leads to the birth of Judah. The speaker's own experience with a positive medical report serves as a testament to the power of prayer and gratitude.

Key Takeaways:

- Faith surpasses the boundaries of human reason, as demonstrated by the story of Lazarus. When Jesus commanded the stone to be rolled away, He showed that belief in God's power is essential to experiencing His glory. This act of faith is a powerful reminder that our trust in God should not be limited by what seems reasonable or possible. [01:05:23]

- Gratitude is not contingent on our circumstances but is a posture of the heart that followers of Jesus must maintain. Jesus exemplified this by giving thanks before His miracles and even before His suffering. This teaches us that our thankfulness to God should be constant, regardless of the trials we face, as it reflects our trust in His sovereign plan. [55:02]

- Forgiveness is a crucial aspect of spiritual preparation, just as we prepare for significant events like Thanksgiving. Holding onto unforgiveness can hinder our spiritual growth and community harmony. The speaker's call to forgive is a reminder that releasing others from the debts they owe us can lead to a more profound experience of God's grace and forgiveness in our own lives. [41:05]

- Praising God in advance is an act of faith that can lead to miraculous outcomes. By thanking God before the manifestation of His blessings, as Jesus did, we align our hearts with His will and demonstrate our confidence in His faithfulness. This anticipatory praise is a powerful tool in the believer's life, fostering an atmosphere where miracles can occur. [58:49]

- Personal testimonies of God's faithfulness, such as the speaker's medical report and the story of Leah, encourage believers to maintain a heart of thankfulness. These stories remind us that God is at work in our lives, often in ways we do not expect, and that our response should be one of gratitude, which opens the door for further blessings. [50:08]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Colossians 3:16-17 (NIV)
> "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

2. John 11:40-44 (NIV)
> "Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?' So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.' When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.'"

3. Psalm 146:1-2 (NIV)
> "Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Colossians 3:16-17 say about how we should let the message of Christ dwell among us? How should we express our gratitude according to these verses?
2. In John 11:40-44, what did Jesus do before performing the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead? Why is this significant?
3. According to Psalm 146:1-2, how long does the psalmist commit to praising the Lord? What does this tell us about the nature of gratitude and worship?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of thanking God in advance, as Jesus did in John 11:41, demonstrate faith? What does this teach us about the relationship between gratitude and belief? [01:08:28]
2. The sermon mentioned that gratitude should not be contingent on our circumstances. How does this align with the examples of Jesus giving thanks before His miracles and suffering? [55:02]
3. The speaker emphasized the importance of forgiveness as part of spiritual preparation. How does holding onto unforgiveness affect our ability to experience gratitude and spiritual growth? [41:05]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a challenging situation. How did you respond in terms of gratitude? What can you learn from Jesus' example of thanking God in advance? [01:08:28]
2. The sermon highlighted the importance of praising God in all circumstances. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude in your daily life, even during difficult times? [55:02]
3. Think about someone you need to forgive. How might releasing unforgiveness open your heart to greater gratitude and spiritual blessings? [41:05]
4. The speaker shared a personal story about thanking God in advance during a medical test. Is there a situation in your life where you can start thanking God in advance? How might this change your perspective? [01:02:20]
5. Leah's story in the Old Testament shows a shift from seeking human approval to praising God. Are there areas in your life where you seek approval from others instead of focusing on God's praise? How can you shift your focus? [50:08]
6. The sermon mentioned that gratitude is a form of worship. How can you incorporate more expressions of gratitude into your worship practices, both personally and within your church community? [44:10]
7. Jesus thanked God before performing miracles, such as feeding the 5,000. How can you practice anticipatory praise in your own life? What specific steps can you take to thank God for future blessings? [58:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Belief Beyond Reason
Faith calls for trust beyond the limits of human logic, as exemplified in the story of Lazarus. When faced with situations that seem impossible, faith invites believers to trust in God's power and to expect His glory to be revealed, even when it defies our understanding. [01:05:23]

Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you need to exercise faith over reason? How can you actively trust God in this situation?

Day 2: Constant Heart of Gratitude
Gratitude is a choice that transcends our circumstances, reflecting a heart aligned with God's will. Jesus modeled this by giving thanks in all situations, teaching that our gratitude should not waver in the face of trials but should be an unwavering expression of our trust in Him. [55:02]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What are some difficult circumstances you are currently facing? How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in the midst of these challenges?

Day 3: The Freedom of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a vital step in spiritual readiness, freeing us from the chains of unforgiveness that can hinder our relationship with God and others. It is a transformative act that allows us to experience God's grace more fully and to live in harmony within our communities. [41:05]

Matthew 18:21-22 - "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive? How can you take steps towards forgiveness today, trusting in God's grace to heal and restore?

Day 4: Anticipatory Praise as Faith
Praising God in advance for His blessings is an act of faith that sets the stage for miracles. It is a declaration of trust in God's faithfulness and a spiritual posture that aligns our expectations with His promises, inviting His power into our lives. [58:49]

Psalm 42:5 - "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
Reflection: What blessings are you waiting for in your life? How can you begin to praise God for them now, even before you see them come to fruition?

Day 5: Gratitude Opens Doors to Blessing
Personal testimonies of God's faithfulness remind us that He is actively working in our lives, often in unexpected ways. Embracing gratitude, especially during times of waiting, can lead to a deeper awareness of God's presence and open the door for further blessings. [50:08]

Genesis 29:35 - "She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, 'This time I will praise the LORD.' So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness after a period of waiting. How did gratitude impact your experience, and how can you apply this lesson to your current season of life?

Quotes

"A Spirit of thankfulness is one of the most distinctive marks of a Christian whose heart is attuned to God." [54:27]

"Faith is a sounder guide than reason. Reason can only go so far, but faith has no limits." [01:05:23]

"Jesus gives thanks before three miracles on three different occasions in scripture, he gives thanks before the miracle." [57:30]

"Thanks to God is not contingent on what anyone else does good or bad, it's not contingent upon your circumstance or your fears of the future." [56:52]

"Jesus said don't didn't I tell you that if you believe you'll see the glory of God." [01:07:49]

"When we choose thankful prayer over wallowing in anxiety and worry, we are demonstrating our unwavering trust in God." [01:04:43]

"Jesus models listen it's time for you to thank God in advance for what he's about to do." [01:08:28]

"Finally Leah had this changed moment she says I'm going to change and my own heart I'm going to praise God no matter what... this time I will praise the Lord." [49:34]

"The Bible says in everything give him thanks, not for everything but Jesus modeled that he thanked the father before a miracle." [01:00:03]

"Tell God what you need and thank him for all that he has done." [46:15]

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