Gratitude in Action: Living Thanksgiving Through Service

Devotional

Day 1: Transformational Gratitude Moves Us to Action

Gratitude in Scripture is never just a feeling or a holiday tradition; it is a force that moves us to act, to serve, and to love others in tangible ways. When we allow our thankfulness to overflow into generosity, hospitality, and justice, we become agents of change in our communities. True gratitude compels us to look beyond ourselves, to see the needs around us, and to respond with compassion and open hands. This week, let your gratitude become visible in the ways you show up for others, letting your thanksgiving become action that shines the light of Christ in your world. [49:43]

Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV)
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 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. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can let your gratitude move you to serve or bless someone else today?

Day 2: Jesus Is Found in Places of Human Need

Jesus teaches that when we care for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, and the marginalized, we are caring for Him. Our faith is not a checklist but a way of life that sees Christ in every person, especially those in need. When we open our eyes to the suffering around us and respond with love, we participate in the kingdom work Jesus calls us to. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, is an act of worship and a way of meeting Jesus in the world. [46:12]

Matthew 25:35-40 (ESV)
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Reflection: Who is someone in your community or neighborhood who might feel unseen or in need? How can you reach out to them as if you were reaching out to Jesus Himself?

Day 3: Justice and Compassion Are the Fruits of True Gratitude

Scripture calls us to break the chains of injustice, to free the oppressed, and to care for the poor and vulnerable. Real gratitude is not passive; it becomes justice, compassion, and advocacy for those who are hurting. When we let our thankfulness lead us to seek justice and mercy, our light breaks forth like the dawn, bringing hope and healing to a weary world. God invites us to be repairers of the breach and restorers of the streets, living out our thanksgiving in ways that transform lives. [47:24]

Isaiah 58:6-8 (ESV)
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”

Reflection: What is one injustice or need in your city that stirs your heart? How might you take a first step toward addressing it this week?

Day 4: Every Person Bears the Image of God

We are called to see every person as bearing the image of God—Imago Dei—and to treat them with dignity, love, and respect. This conviction shapes our discipleship, calling us to be agents of healing, liberation, and hope. When we welcome the stranger, celebrate the presence of children, and create spaces of belonging, we reflect God’s heart for all people. Our community becomes a place where everyone is valued and included, just as God intends. [45:45]

Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Reflection: Who in your life or community do you find it hardest to see as made in God’s image? What is one way you can honor their dignity today?

Day 5: Giving Is a Spiritual Practice That Forms Us

Giving—whether of time, resources, or compassion—is not just about meeting needs or fundraising; it is a spiritual practice that shapes our hearts and forms us into Christlike people. When we give out of gratitude, we participate in God’s work of feeding the hungry, supporting the vulnerable, and building a justice-oriented community. Our generosity becomes a visible sign of our faith and a way for God’s love to flow through us to others. [58:05]

2 Corinthians 9:10-12 (ESV)
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

Reflection: In what area of your life is God inviting you to practice generosity today—whether with your time, your resources, or your encouragement? How can you take a concrete step to give?

Sermon Summary

This week, as we gather in the midst of Thanksgiving season, we are invited to reflect on gratitude—not as a fleeting feeling or a social media challenge, but as a way of life that transforms us and the world around us. Gratitude is not just about listing blessings or circling a day on the calendar; it is about letting thankfulness move our feet, shape our actions, and deepen our relationships with God and one another.

We see this in the life of our church community. Whether it’s the joy of children running through our sanctuary, the birth of new babies, or the laughter and chaos that comes with a growing youth group, these are all signs of God’s abundance among us. Instead of worrying about perfection or order, we celebrate the presence of life and the energy that comes with it. Jesus himself said that unless we become like children, we cannot enter the kingdom—or, as I prefer, the “kin-dom”—of God, which is all about relationship and connection.

But gratitude is not just about what we feel; it’s about what we do. Scripture calls us to a gratitude that becomes action. In Matthew 25, Jesus reminds us that when we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, and care for the vulnerable, we are serving him directly. Isaiah 58 echoes this call, urging us to break the chains of injustice, share our food, and shelter the homeless. These are not easy tasks, but they are the heart of what it means to be the church.

At Crossroads, we are striving to live this out. Our food pantry may have started on a wing and a prayer, but already it has made a difference for families in need. Every act of generosity—whether it’s volunteering, giving, or simply watching the door to welcome someone in—is a tangible expression of gratitude. We are not called to gather and stay comfortable; we are called to be sent out, to let our thanksgiving become visible in the world.

As we approach Advent and the new church year, may our gratitude not stop at words or feelings. Let it become generosity, hospitality, and justice. May our prayers of thanks lead us into lives of mercy, and may we become repairers of the breach, restorers of the streets, and people whose thanksgiving is lived, not just spoken.

Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude Must Move Us to Action True gratitude in the biblical sense is never passive. It compels us to respond to God’s goodness by serving others, especially those in need. When we allow our thankfulness to become generosity, hospitality, and justice, we embody Christ’s love in tangible ways. This is not always easy, but it is the path to a transformed life and community. [49:43]
2. The Church Exists to Be Sent Out Our gathering is not the end goal; it is the launching pad. We come together to be filled, encouraged, and equipped, but the real work happens when we go out to meet the needs of the world. The church is most faithful when it is outward-facing, seeking to make a difference one person at a time, even if it feels small. [50:45]
3. Every Act of Generosity Matters No gift or act of service is too small in God’s economy. Whether it’s feeding ten families or welcoming a single stranger, each act of kindness ripples outward. We may not solve every problem, but for the one who receives, it can mean everything. Our willingness to show up, give, and serve is how gratitude becomes a force for good. [53:04]
4. Community Is Built Through Radical Welcome Creating a space where everyone—children, newcomers, the hungry—feels seen and valued is a powerful witness. Hospitality is not just about coffee and name tags; it’s about making room for others in our hearts and lives. When we practice this kind of welcome, we reflect the inclusive love of Christ and build a community that is relentless for life, dignity, and peace. [54:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Announcements and Connection Opportunities
[06:50] - Food Pantry and Community Outreach
[09:24] - Preparing for Advent and Hanging of the Greens
[21:23] - Sharing Gratitude and Prayer Requests
[24:26] - Prayers for Our Community and World
[28:39] - Offering and Generosity
[36:43] - Entering a Space of Prayer
[37:43] - Reflections on Gratitude and Thanksgiving
[41:09] - The Gift of Children and Community
[43:05] - Transformational Gratitude
[45:45] - Social Principles and Living Our Faith
[49:43] - Gratitude That Becomes Action
[53:04] - Making a Difference, One Family at a Time
[56:38] - Building a Welcoming Community
[59:11] - Letting Thanksgiving Become Action
[62:09] - Confession and Assurance
[63:29] - The Great Thanksgiving and Communion
[70:20] - Closing Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV) — > Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Isaiah 58:6-8 (ESV) — > “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 25, what specific actions does Jesus say are done for him when they are done for “the least of these”?
According to Isaiah 58, what are some of the ways God calls his people to respond to injustice and need?
The sermon described gratitude as something that “moves your feet” and becomes action, not just a feeling. What are some examples from the sermon of how gratitude was lived out at Crossroads? [[49:43]]
What does the pastor say about the presence of children and newcomers in the church, and how does this relate to the idea of “kin-dom” or community? [[41:09]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus identifies himself so closely with those who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, or in need? What does this say about how we should view and treat others?
The sermon says, “Gratitude in Scripture always moves your feet. It never stops at the level of feeling. It becomes action.” Why is it important that gratitude leads to action, and not just words or feelings? [[49:43]]
The pastor mentions that the church is not just a place to gather and be comfortable, but a place to be “sent out.” What does it mean for a church to be outward-facing rather than inward-focused? [[50:45]]
The sermon talks about “radical welcome” and making room for others in our hearts and lives. Why is hospitality such a powerful witness to Christ’s love? [[54:47]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to let our gratitude become generosity, hospitality, and justice. What is one specific way you could let your thankfulness move your feet this week? [[49:43]]
Think about a time when you received or witnessed a small act of kindness or generosity. How did it impact you or someone else? How might you offer a similar act to someone in need? [[53:04]]
The food pantry at Crossroads started “on a wing and a prayer,” yet it made a difference for ten families. Is there something you feel called to start or join, even if it feels small or uncertain? What’s holding you back? [[53:04]]
The pastor said, “We are not called to gather and stay comfortable; we are called to be sent out.” What is one way you can step outside your comfort zone to serve or welcome others this month? [[50:45]]
The sermon highlights the importance of community built through radical welcome. Is there someone in your life or in our church who might need to feel more included or valued? What could you do to reach out to them? [[54:47]]
The message from Isaiah 58 is to “break the chains of injustice” and “share your food with the hungry.” What is one injustice or need in our community that you feel passionate about? How could you take a first step toward addressing it? [[47:24]]
As we approach Advent, the pastor invites us to let our prayers of thanks lead us into lives of mercy. What is one prayer of gratitude you can turn into a concrete action this week? [[59:11]]

Sermon Clips

I am grateful to be at this church and I've only been here, I've not been here six months yet, y'all. I have not yet been here six months. I have been here for at least one month. But not yet six. And we've had four babies born in this church in that time. I'm telling you, I go to all these pastor's meetings and what do I hear? How do we get kids in the church? I'm like, maybe you don't chastise them if they run around. Maybe you don't get upset if a baby cries. Maybe you just celebrate the fact that children are here. [00:40:16] (41 seconds)

Maybe you work on your youth program and you do fun things and you do things that they're going to want to do and you're going to make them want to come to church. Maybe these are things that we need to be thankful for because we have that here at Crossroads. I give thanks for it all the time because I think there's importance in the joy of children. Jesus said, unless, I'm so off my script, y'all. Jesus said, unless we become like children, we can't make it into the kingdom. [00:40:57] (32 seconds)

Discipleship calls us to be agents of healing and liberation and agents of hope. Matthew 25 paints this picture for us when Jesus says, I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me drink and I was a stranger and you welcomed me in. And yet we get confused. Lord, when did I ever see you hungry or thirsty or as a stranger? And Jesus said, when you did this to anyone else, you did it to me. [00:46:05] (35 seconds) #ServeTheHungry

Jesus isn't giving us a checklist. Jesus is giving us a way of life. A way that we are called to act in the world. Isaiah 58 echoes it loudly. Break the chains of injustice. Get rid of exploitation. Free the oppressed. Cancel debts. Share your food with the hungry. Shelter the homeless. And the poor. Put clothes on the shivering and ill-clad and be available to your own families. It ain't easy. As a matter of fact, I would submit to you that it's hard. This is a hard thing to do. [00:47:14] (43 seconds) #LiveJusticeDaily

``During this Thanksgiving week, y'all, I want us to name something honestly. Gratitude in Scripture always moves your feet. It never stops at the level of feeling. It becomes action. It becomes generosity. It becomes hospitality. It becomes justice. It becomes compassion. That is gratitude. Gratitude moves you to do something. Real gratitude says, God, thank you for the bread on my table. Now show those who have an empty table to come and be filled. [00:49:28] (40 seconds) #GratitudeInMotion

Real gratitude says, thank you, community. But show me who's lonely and needs to find this community so that I can show them what it's like not to be lonely, not to be forgotten. Real gratitude says, thank you for blessing. Now show me how to take that and give it to others. I would submit to you that church exists not to gather people into a sanctuary and leave them there. But church exists to send people out. [00:50:22] (38 seconds) #HandsAndFeetOfJesus

He picked up another starfish and he threw it in and he said, it made a difference to that one. It made a difference to that one. And you know what? We made a difference for ten families. It's amazing. It's wonderful. It's fantastic. It's incredible, y'all. This is God at work calling us to do the work of feeding people. We don't know how and we still don't know. I mean, let's just be honest, y'all. We're a church that has no money. So? So what? We just keep showing up. [00:53:04] (45 seconds) #GratitudeTransforms

You see giving isn't just about fundraising. As a matter of fact I would say that giving is less about fundraising than anything else. Giving is about formation. It's a tangible way that we practice gratitude that transforms us and gratitude that transforms us transforms the world. One way of saying God I'm thankful is to say I'm thankful and I want to make my gratitude make a difference. I want my gratitude to do something. [00:57:31] (38 seconds)

It's about the people who talk about this throughout the week and not only talk about it but are making plans and doing things about it because what we do is important. So as we prepare for Thanksgiving I want to invite you into this simple spiritual practice. Let your gratitude become generosity. Let your thanksgiving become action. Let your faith become visible in the ways you show up for others. Because Matthew 25 reminds us Jesus is found in the places of human need. [00:58:47] (45 seconds)

Jesus is found in the hungry and in the stranger. Jesus is found wherever compassion becomes flesh. Isaiah reminds us when we live this way when gratitude becomes justice our light breaks forth like the dawn. You know I'm not a morning person but I do love a sunrise. And on those rare occasions when I can drag myself out of the bed and get up to watch that sun come up there's nothing like it. There's nothing else in the world that is like the sun rising. [00:59:32] (44 seconds)

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