Embracing Gratitude: The Power of Thankfulness

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explore the profound power of gratitude and its expression through the simple yet impactful act of writing a gratitude letter. As I shared, the beauty of God's creation, exemplified by the deer I encountered, serves as a reminder of the countless blessings we often overlook. This world, filled with such wonders, calls us to cultivate a heart of gratitude. Inspired by the story of the ten lepers in the Gospel of Luke, we see how gratitude is not just a feeling but an action. Jesus healed ten lepers, yet only one returned to express his gratitude, demonstrating that true thankfulness requires acknowledgment and expression.

Gratitude is not merely an internal sentiment but a gift meant to be shared. When we express gratitude, we give a gift that enriches both the giver and the receiver. This is exemplified in the lives of individuals like Betty Bergstrom and Max, whose stories I shared. Betty, with her radiant joy and humor, and Max, with his wisdom and mentorship, left indelible marks on those around them. Writing a gratitude letter to someone who has impacted your life is a powerful way to honor their influence and express your appreciation.

The challenge today is to take time to write a gratitude letter to someone who has made a difference in your life. This act of writing allows us to reflect deeply on the blessings we have received and to articulate our thankfulness in a meaningful way. Whether or not you choose to send the letter, the process itself is transformative, fostering a spirit of gratitude that can profoundly impact your life and the lives of others.

Key Takeaways:

- Gratitude as a Gift: Gratitude is not just a feeling but a gift that must be expressed. Like the leper who returned to thank Jesus, we are called to actively express our gratitude, turning our internal appreciation into an external blessing for others. [01:40]

- The Power of a Gratitude Letter: Writing a gratitude letter is a powerful way to express thankfulness. It allows us to reflect on the impact others have had on our lives and to articulate our appreciation in a tangible form. This practice can deepen relationships and bring joy to both the writer and the recipient. [09:11]

- Gratitude in Unexpected Moments: Opportunities for gratitude often arise in unexpected moments, as seen in Jesus' encounter with the lepers. Being open to these moments can lead to profound experiences of thankfulness and connection with God and others. [02:14]

- The Transformative Nature of Gratitude: Expressing gratitude can transform our perspective, helping us to see the beauty and blessings in our lives. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, fostering a spirit of contentment and joy. [05:06]

- Gratitude as a Spiritual Practice: Cultivating gratitude is a spiritual discipline that draws us closer to God and others. By regularly expressing thankfulness, we align our hearts with God's goodness and open ourselves to His grace and love. [11:43]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:31] - Encounter with Deer
- [00:56] - Gratitude Channel Idea
- [01:25] - Francis of Assisi and Creation
- [01:56] - Expressing Gratitude
- [02:14] - Story of the Ten Lepers
- [03:10] - Jesus' Healing and Cleansing
- [03:41] - The Grateful Leper
- [04:31] - Jesus' Response to Gratitude
- [05:06] - The Gratitude Challenge
- [05:21] - Story of Betty Bergstrom
- [07:38] - Story of Max
- [09:11] - Writing a Gratitude Letter
- [10:28] - Instructions for the Gratitude Letter
- [11:43] - The Gift of Words

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Power of Gratitude

Bible Reading:
- Luke 17:11-19 (The story of the ten lepers)

Observation Questions:
1. In the story of the ten lepers, what was the initial reaction of the lepers when they saw Jesus? How did they express their need? [02:53]
2. What specific actions did the one leper take to express his gratitude after being healed? [04:00]
3. How did Jesus respond to the leper who returned to give thanks, and what does this reveal about the importance of expressing gratitude? [04:31]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why do you think only one leper returned to thank Jesus, and what might this suggest about human nature and gratitude? [04:31]
2. How does the act of writing a gratitude letter, as discussed in the sermon, compare to the leper's expression of gratitude? What are the similarities and differences? [09:11]
3. The sermon mentioned that gratitude is a gift meant to be shared. How does this idea align with the actions of the grateful leper in the biblical story? [01:40]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt grateful but did not express it. What held you back, and how might you overcome this barrier in the future? [01:40]
2. The sermon challenges us to write a gratitude letter. Who in your life has made a significant impact that you have not yet thanked? What specific things would you include in your letter to them? [10:28]
3. Consider the unexpected moments in your life where you have experienced gratitude. How can you be more open to recognizing and expressing gratitude in these moments? [02:14]
4. How can expressing gratitude transform your perspective on your current circumstances, especially in areas where you feel lacking? [05:06]
5. The sermon suggests that gratitude is a spiritual practice. What are some practical ways you can incorporate gratitude into your daily spiritual routine? [11:43]
6. Think of someone who has shown you kindness or support recently. How can you express your gratitude to them this week in a meaningful way? [09:11]
7. How does the story of the ten lepers challenge you to think about the way you express gratitude to God and others in your life? [04:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude as an Expressed Gift
Gratitude is not merely a feeling that resides within us; it is a gift that must be expressed to truly fulfill its purpose. The story of the ten lepers in the Gospel of Luke illustrates this beautifully. Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to express his gratitude. This act of returning to thank Jesus shows that true thankfulness requires acknowledgment and expression. When we express gratitude, we transform an internal sentiment into an external blessing, enriching both the giver and the receiver. This expression of gratitude is a powerful way to honor the influence of others in our lives and to share the joy that comes from recognizing our blessings. [01:40]

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble." (Psalm 107:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life deserves a heartfelt expression of gratitude today? How can you actively express your thankfulness to them in a meaningful way?


Day 2: The Power of a Gratitude Letter
Writing a gratitude letter is a profound way to express thankfulness. This practice allows us to reflect deeply on the impact others have had on our lives and to articulate our appreciation in a tangible form. By taking the time to write a gratitude letter, we engage in a process that can deepen relationships and bring joy to both the writer and the recipient. Whether or not the letter is sent, the act of writing it fosters a spirit of gratitude that can transform our perspective and enrich our lives. This simple yet impactful act is a testament to the power of words and the importance of acknowledging the blessings we have received. [09:11]

"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: Who has made a significant impact on your life? Take time today to write them a gratitude letter, reflecting on how they have blessed you.


Day 3: Gratitude in Unexpected Moments
Opportunities for gratitude often arise in unexpected moments, as seen in Jesus' encounter with the lepers. Being open to these moments can lead to profound experiences of thankfulness and connection with God and others. The beauty of God's creation, like the deer encountered in the reflection, serves as a reminder of the countless blessings we often overlook. By cultivating a heart of gratitude, we become more attuned to these unexpected moments and the ways in which God is present in our lives. This openness to gratitude can transform ordinary experiences into extraordinary encounters with God's grace and love. [02:14]

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)

Reflection: What unexpected moment today can you find gratitude in? How can you remain open to recognizing these moments in your daily life?


Day 4: The Transformative Nature of Gratitude
Expressing gratitude can transform our perspective, helping us to see the beauty and blessings in our lives. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, fostering a spirit of contentment and joy. By regularly practicing gratitude, we cultivate a mindset that is more attuned to the positive aspects of our lives and the ways in which God is working in and through us. This transformation is not just about changing our outlook but also about deepening our relationship with God and others, as we become more aware of the abundance of His blessings. [05:06]

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to see blessings? How can you shift your focus to recognize the abundance in that area today?


Day 5: Gratitude as a Spiritual Practice
Cultivating gratitude is a spiritual discipline that draws us closer to God and others. By regularly expressing thankfulness, we align our hearts with God's goodness and open ourselves to His grace and love. This practice of gratitude is not just about acknowledging the blessings we have received but also about fostering a deeper connection with God and the people around us. As we cultivate a heart of gratitude, we become more attuned to the ways in which God is present in our lives and the ways in which we can share His love with others. [11:43]

"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!" (Psalm 95:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate gratitude as a daily spiritual practice? What specific steps can you take to cultivate a heart of thankfulness in your relationship with God and others?

Quotes


to experience gratitude and not express it would be like wrapping up a gift and then never actually giving it to somebody. So today we're giving the gift today I want to talk to you about a form of expressing gratitude that involves writing a gratitude letter. [00:01:37]

how often are opportunities to experience gratitude in the goodness of God happen when we're on our way this was not a scheduled appointment this was not on his to-do list at the beginning of the day he was just on his way and somebody needed something. [00:02:14]

one of them when he saw he was healed came back now notice his elaborate preparations to give thanks came back praising not just praising praising God not just praising God praising God with his voice not just that praising God in a loud voice actually in the text it says in a very loud voice. [00:03:41]

the idea today on the Gratitude challenge is not just to feel experience see gratitude it's to express it to another person and the way to do this is to write down words to express your gratitude. [00:05:06]

he used to say the first task of a leader is to Define reality the last task of a leader is to say thank you and in between to become a debtor and a servant. [00:08:16]

towards the end of Max's life when he was ill I read this idea about writing a gratitude letter and so I thought I'd like to do that for Max and I spent a couple of weeks writing it and rewriting it and rewriting it and he was quite ill at this time and was probably close to 90. [00:09:11]

for various reasons Robert Emmon Wright we often don't Express gratitude to those who deserve our thanks we assume they know how much we appreciate them we felt they were only doing their job not realizing that this does not alleviate us of the need to let them know. [00:10:28]

in the letter described specifically why you are grateful to this person how he or she affected your life how often you reflect on his or her efforts what did he or she do and how does that still affect your life this should be someone whom you have never properly taken the time to thank. [00:11:43]

spend at least 10 or 15 minutes on this your letter should be somewhere around 250 words whether or not you actually send it imagine how reading the letter will make the recipient feel very good thing give thanks and what a gift words are that we can express Thanksgiving which we are learning to do. [00:12:48]

we have so much to be grateful for and we're working on the Gratitude channel congratitude channel that was that would actually not be a bad you know I'd set up for that channel I think lots of other channels doing much less worthy things I think I'd I think we ought to make a gratitude Channel. [00:00:52]

Jesus asked we're not all ten cleansed where are the other nine has no one returned to give praise to God except this Foreigner then he said to him rise and go your faith has made you well and the verb he uses theirs um one of those ambiguous verbs so so it can mean to heal cleanse make physically well it can also mean that you have been saved. [00:04:31]

and at her service just to get to reflect on her life and to think of words of gratitude to be able to express was a great gift the person I want to tell you about is a man named Max and Max became a mentor and uh I knew him first when I was a student at Fuller Seminary he was on the board there he was a remarkably wise person. [00:07:38]

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