Embracing Gratitude: Unlocking God's Presence and Wholeness

Summary

Gratitude is a powerful force that invites God’s presence into every season of life. When we gather together, it’s easy to fall into routine, but approaching each moment with the eager expectation of a child on Christmas morning opens our hearts to what God wants to do. Even in seasons of challenge or change, like walking daughters down the aisle or facing personal shortcomings, gratitude shifts our perspective from what we lack to what God has done and is doing. It’s not about ignoring pain or pretending everything is perfect, but about recognizing that God is always at work, weaving His goodness into our stories, even when circumstances are difficult.

The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17 illustrates the transformative power of gratitude. All ten were healed as they obeyed Jesus’ instruction, but only one returned to express thanks. That act of gratitude didn’t just bring physical healing—it brought wholeness, restoring what had been lost emotionally and spiritually. Gratitude is more than a feeling or a thought; it’s an action that must be expressed. When we show gratitude, it overflows from our hearts and shapes our words and actions, impacting our relationships with God and others.

It’s easy to let gratitude slip into consumption, focusing on what we can get rather than what we’ve received. But true gratitude keeps us anchored in God’s presence, even when life is hard. We may not be thankful for every circumstance, but we can be thankful in every circumstance, trusting that God is working for our good. Our deficits and weaknesses become opportunities for God to show up and demonstrate His strength. When we cultivate a posture of gratitude, we invite God’s presence, sustain joy, and open ourselves to deeper blessing and wholeness.

Key Takeaways

- Expectation unlocks encounter. Approaching God with the eager anticipation of a child positions us to receive from Him in fresh ways. Routine can dull our senses, but expectation stirs faith and makes room for God to move in ways we might not anticipate. [01:12]

- Expressed gratitude leads to wholeness. The leper who returned to thank Jesus received more than physical healing; he was made whole—restored emotionally and spiritually. Gratitude, when expressed, has the power to complete what God has started in us, bringing healing to places that mere blessing cannot reach. [12:13]

- Gratitude is an action, not just a feeling. It’s not enough to feel thankful; gratitude must be shown and spoken. Unexpressed gratitude is a missed opportunity to honor God and bless others, and it’s in the expression that gratitude’s power is released. [13:32]

- Gratitude transforms adversity. We may not be thankful for every hardship, but we can be thankful in every situation, trusting that God is present and working for our good. Over time, what once felt like a deficit becomes a testimony of God’s faithfulness and strength in our weakness. [17:46]

- Gratitude sustains joy and blessing. Many receive from God but lose the joy and blessing because they fail to remain thankful. Gratitude keeps our hearts soft, our perspective clear, and our lives open to ongoing blessing, ensuring that what God gives is not lost through neglect or ingratitude. [26:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:38] - God’s Presence and Expectation
[02:41] - Family Stories and Seasons of Change
[03:49] - Emotions and Gratitude at Life’s Milestones
[06:03] - God’s Intervention in Our Stories
[06:53] - Choosing a Year of Gratitude
[07:18] - The Power of Gratitude in the Bible
[08:14] - The Leper’s Story: Context and Culture
[09:19] - Jesus’ Unusual Command
[10:11] - Healing Through Obedience
[11:09] - The One Who Returned: Expressing Thanks
[12:13] - Wholeness Through Gratitude
[13:32] - Gratitude as Action
[15:12] - From Gratitude to Consumption
[16:41] - Thankful In, Not For, All Things
[18:27] - Gratitude Invites God’s Presence
[21:17] - Observations on Gratitude
[22:19] - Expressing Gratitude to God and Others
[24:34] - Overflowing Praise and Practical Gratitude
[25:30] - Unexpressed Gratitude: A Lost Opportunity
[26:24] - Gratitude Sustains Joy and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Transformative Power of Gratitude

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### Bible Reading

- Luke 17:11-19 (The story of the ten lepers and the one who returned to give thanks)
- Psalm 107:1 (“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever.”)
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”)

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### Observation Questions

1. In the story of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19), what did Jesus tell the lepers to do, and what happened as they obeyed?
2. According to the sermon, what was unique about the one leper who returned to Jesus, and what did Jesus say to him? [11:27]
3. What does Psalm 107:1 say about why we should give thanks to God?
4. How does 1 Thessalonians 5:18 describe the kind of thankfulness God desires from us?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think only one of the ten lepers returned to thank Jesus, even though all were healed? What does this say about the difference between receiving a blessing and expressing gratitude? [11:27]
2. The sermon says that gratitude is more than a feeling—it’s an action that must be expressed. Why is it important to show or speak our gratitude, rather than just feel it inside? [13:32]
3. The pastor shared that gratitude can transform adversity and that we can be thankful “in” all things, not necessarily “for” all things. What does it look like to be thankful in a hard season? [16:41]
4. The sermon mentions that gratitude sustains joy and blessing. How might a lack of gratitude cause us to lose the joy of what God has done for us? [26:24]

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### Application Questions

1. The pastor encouraged us to approach God with the eager expectation of a child on Christmas morning. What would it look like for you to come to church or your quiet time with that kind of anticipation? Is there a routine you need to shake up to make room for fresh expectation? [01:12]
2. Think of a recent blessing or answer to prayer in your life. Did you take time to express your gratitude to God or to others involved? If not, what’s one way you can do that this week? [13:32]
3. The sermon shared a story about turning a year of life milestones into a “year of gratitude.” Is there someone in your life you need to thank or appreciate more intentionally? How could you do that in a practical way this week? [06:53]
4. When facing a difficult situation, do you tend to focus on what’s missing or on what God is doing? Share about a current challenge and one thing you can thank God for in the midst of it. [16:41]
5. The pastor said, “Unexpressed gratitude is a lost opportunity to give God praise.” Are there areas in your life where you’ve taken God’s goodness for granted? What’s one step you can take to express gratitude more openly? [25:30]
6. The story of the leper shows that gratitude leads to wholeness, not just healing. Is there an area in your life where you need God’s wholeness? How might expressing gratitude be part of that process? [12:13]
7. The sermon warned about letting gratitude slip into consumption—focusing on what we can get instead of what we’ve received. Are there ways you’ve noticed this in your own life? How can you shift your focus back to gratitude this week? [15:12]

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Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude unlocks God’s presence and wholeness in every season.
Gratitude is not just a feeling but a powerful action that invites God’s presence into every circumstance, no matter how difficult. When we choose to express thankfulness, even in the midst of pain or uncertainty, we open ourselves to God’s healing and restoration—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. Like the one leper who returned to thank Jesus, our gratitude can lead to a deeper sense of wholeness and connection with God, transforming our outlook and our lives. [12:29]

Luke 17:15-19 (ESV)
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to intentionally express gratitude to God today, even if it feels difficult or incomplete?


Day 2: Give thanks in all things, not necessarily for all things.
Life brings challenges and pain, and we are not required to be thankful for every hardship. Yet, God calls us to be thankful in every situation, trusting that He is present and working for our good. This posture of gratitude, even in adversity, allows us to see God’s faithfulness and to recognize how He brings growth, strength, and purpose out of our struggles. [16:41]

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Reflection: Think of a current challenge or disappointment—how can you practice gratitude in the midst of it today, trusting God’s presence and purpose?


Day 3: Expressed gratitude is powerful—gratitude is not complete until it is shown.
Gratitude is more than a private thought or feeling; it is meant to be expressed outwardly. When we speak and show our thankfulness to God and to others, we not only honor them but also allow gratitude to shape our hearts and relationships. Unexpressed gratitude is a missed opportunity to give God praise and to encourage those around us. [13:32]

Luke 6:45 (ESV)
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally thank today—either in person, with a note, or a message—for the way God has used them in your life?


Day 4: Gratitude sustains joy and blessing in our lives.
When we remain grateful, we hold onto the joy and blessings God has given us, rather than letting them fade into the background of routine or entitlement. Gratitude keeps our hearts soft, our spirits joyful, and our eyes open to the ongoing goodness of God, even as we face new challenges or seasons. [26:37]

Psalm 107:1 (ESV)
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Reflection: Recall a blessing or answered prayer that you may have taken for granted—how can you celebrate and give thanks for it again today?


Day 5: Gratitude shifts us from a posture of consumption to a posture of worship.
It is easy to slip into an attitude of “what can I get?”—even in our faith. But true gratitude redirects our focus from ourselves to God, reminding us that His love, grace, and presence are more than enough. When we live with a grateful heart, we move from consuming to worshipping, from entitlement to awe, and from self-focus to God-focus. [15:25]

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been more focused on what you lack or want, rather than on what God has already provided? How can you shift your heart to worship and gratitude today?

Quotes