The Gospel Perspective & Pain | November 2, 2025

As we enter this season leading up to Thanksgiving, I want to invite you into a journey of intentional gratitude—25 days of cultivating a thankful heart. Gratitude is not something that comes naturally to us; it’s a spiritual discipline, a choice we make daily, especially when life is hard. Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians remind us to “be thankful in all circumstances,” not for all circumstances, but in them. This is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. Over these next weeks, let’s memorize this truth together, practice daily thanksgiving, and share our gratitude with others, both in our homes and as a church family.

But gratitude is not just a seasonal exercise; it’s a way of living that transforms how we walk through suffering. We live in a world that is groaning—creation itself is frustrated, our bodies break down, and pain is a reality for all of us. Paul, writing to the suffering believers in Rome, uses the metaphor of childbirth: pain and groaning are real, but they point to a coming joy. The gospel doesn’t promise a pain-free life; in fact, following Jesus often brings its own cost. Yet, the gospel gives us a new perspective on pain. We are not just waiting for heaven as disembodied spirits; we are promised a future of resurrection, new bodies, and a restored creation. This hope is not just for someday, but it shapes how we endure today.

In the meantime, we are not left alone. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, intercedes for us when we don’t have words, and walks with us through every groan and sigh. God is at work, even in the mess, redeeming and orchestrating all things for our good—not just for our comfort, but to conform us to the image of Jesus. We have a choice in our suffering: to become bitter or to be transformed into grateful, hope-filled people. Communion is our reminder that even Jesus, facing betrayal and suffering, gave thanks. So, whatever you’re facing, choose gratitude. Trust that God is with you, that your pain is not wasted, and that a day is coming when all things will be made new.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Gratitude is a Spiritual Discipline, Not a Feeling Gratitude doesn’t just happen; it’s a choice and a discipline we cultivate, especially in difficult seasons. Paul’s command to “be thankful in all circumstances” is not about denying pain, but about anchoring our hearts in God’s goodness regardless of what we face. Memorizing and meditating on God’s Word is a powerful way to train our hearts toward thankfulness. [01:57]
• 2. Pain and Suffering Are Part of the Christian Journey—But Not the End Being a beloved child of God does not exempt us from suffering. In fact, following Jesus may bring more hardship, not less. Yet, our suffering is not meaningless; it is the context in which God’s promises and presence become most real, and where our hope in the gospel shines brightest. [21:45]
• 3. The Gospel Promises Future Restoration—New Bodies, New Creation Our hope is not just for spiritual salvation, but for the full redemption of our bodies and the world itself. The groaning we experience now points to a coming day when all things will be made new—no more sickness, no more brokenness, no more death. This future hope gives us patience and confidence to endure present trials. [42:21]
• 4. The Holy Spirit Is Our Present Help in Weakness We are not left to navigate suffering alone. The Holy Spirit actively helps us, intercedes for us when we don’t know how to pray, and partners with us in our weakness. God does not promise to remove every hardship now, but He promises His presence and help in the midst of it. [52:11]
• 5. God Redeems Our Pain for His Good Purposes—Transformation, Not Just Comfort God is at work in all things, not causing all things, but redeeming them for our good. The “good” He promises is not always our comfort, but our transformation into the likeness of Jesus. We have a choice: to let suffering make us bitter, or to let God use it to make us grateful and more like Christ. [56:20]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:57] - The Call to Gratitude: 1 Thessalonians
• [03:56] - Memorizing Scripture Together
• [05:25] - Practicing Intentional Gratitude
• [07:29] - Sharing Gratitude with Others
• [09:05] - The Gospel and Transformation
• [10:11] - Childbirth as a Metaphor for Suffering
• [14:45] - Suffering in the Early Church
• [19:18] - The Gospel’s Impact on Everyday Life
• [21:45] - Heirs with Christ: Suffering and Glory
• [24:18] - Wrestling with Pain as God’s Children
• [37:08] - Creation’s Groaning and Future Hope
• [42:21] - The Promise of New Bodies
• [52:11] - The Holy Spirit’s Help in Weakness
• [56:20] - God’s Good Purposes in Our Pain
• [59:01] - Communion: Giving Thanks in Suffering
• [62:52] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Discussion Guide: 25 Days of Intentional Gratitude

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Bible Reading

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

Romans 8:17-28 (ESV)
> 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
> 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
> 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
> 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope
> 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
> 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
> 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
> 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
> 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
> 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
> 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
> 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

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Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:18, what is God’s will for those who belong to Christ Jesus?

*(see [01:57])*

1. In Romans 8, what metaphor does Paul use to describe the suffering and longing of creation and believers?

*(see [14:00] and [40:54])*

1. What does Paul say is the role of the Holy Spirit when we are weak or don’t know how to pray?

*(see [52:11] and [53:54])*

1. According to Romans 8:28, what is God doing with the pain and brokenness in our lives?

*(see [55:17])*

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Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul commands us to “give thanks in all circumstances” rather than “for all circumstances”? What’s the difference, and why does it matter?

*(see [01:57])*

1. The sermon says that gratitude is a spiritual discipline, not just a feeling. How does this change the way someone might approach hard times?

*(see [03:56] and [05:25])*

1. Paul says that suffering is part of being a child of God and a co-heir with Christ. How might this perspective help someone who is struggling with pain or disappointment?

*(see [21:45] and [24:18])*

1. The sermon talks about the “already but not yet” of our salvation—having hope now, but waiting for full restoration. How does this tension affect the way we live and endure suffering today?

*(see [44:39] and [43:34])*

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Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to practice intentional gratitude by naming three things we’re thankful for each day. What are three things—big or small—you can thank God for from yesterday or today? How might this habit change your outlook over time?

*(see [05:25] and [07:01])*

1. The pastor encouraged memorizing 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 as a way to anchor our hearts in gratitude. What practical steps could you take to memorize and meditate on this verse over the next 25 days?

*(see [03:56] and [04:51])*

1. The sermon says that gratitude is a choice, especially in hard seasons. Think of a current struggle or disappointment in your life. What would it look like to choose gratitude in the middle of that situation?

*(see [01:57] and [08:30])*

1. The message talked about sharing gratitude with others—sending a text, writing a note, or telling someone face-to-face. Who is one person you could encourage this week by expressing your thankfulness for them?

*(see [07:29])*

1. The pastor said that suffering can either make us bitter or transform us to be more like Jesus. Looking back, can you think of a time when pain made you bitter? What might it look like to let God use your current or past pain for transformation instead?

*(see [56:20] and [57:39])*

1. The sermon reminded us that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and even prays for us when we don’t have words. Is there an area of your life where you feel weak or don’t know how to pray? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you this week?

*(see [52:11] and [53:54])*

1. Communion was described as a time when Jesus gave thanks even as He faced suffering. How does this example challenge or encourage you to give thanks in your own hard times?

*(see [59:01] and [01:00:33])*

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Optional Group Challenge:
As a group, commit to the 25 Days of Gratitude. Each week, share one thing you’re thankful for and one way you’ve seen God at work, even in hard circumstances. Consider memorizing 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 together and reciting it at each meeting.