GRATITUDE, Part 1: A Way of Life | 11/02/2025 | Grace Church Fremont

Gratitude is not just a fleeting feeling or a polite response to kindness; it is a way of life that God calls us into. From the moment we wake up to the time we lay our heads down, God’s faithfulness and goodness surround us. Even in the darkest nights and the most challenging circumstances, God remains close—like a loving Father and a faithful friend. This nearness is not dependent on our situation but is rooted in His unchanging character. Our response, then, is to sing of His goodness and to let gratitude shape our hearts and lives.

Modern research affirms what Scripture has long taught: gratitude transforms us. It improves our mental health, reduces anxiety, and brings peace. But biblical gratitude goes deeper than simply noticing the good things or saying “thank you” when life is pleasant. Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18—“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances”—invite us to a posture of gratitude that transcends our circumstances. This is not a checklist item or a fleeting emotion, but a core part of our identity as followers of Jesus.

Gratitude, as Paul describes, is a choice and a discipline. It is cultivated through habits—morning and evening prayers, pausing before meals, family prayer times, and spontaneous moments of thankfulness. These practices train our hearts to recognize God’s goodness, even when life is hard. True gratitude costs us our pride, anger, and bitterness; it cannot coexist with self-righteousness or entitlement. Instead, it humbles us and opens our eyes to the gifts we have received.

At the heart of Christian gratitude is the gospel—the indescribable gift of Jesus Christ. In Christ, we are forgiven, adopted, and loved beyond measure. Our gratitude flows not from our circumstances, but from what God has done for us in Christ. Communion becomes a powerful act of remembrance, where grace and gratitude meet. As we intentionally focus on the gospel, we become more fully who God created us to be: people marked by deep, abiding gratitude.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Gratitude is a way of being, not just a feeling or a polite response. It is a choice to recognize God’s goodness in every circumstance, even when life is difficult. This kind of gratitude is commanded by God and shapes our character as followers of Jesus. [28:20]
• 2. True gratitude cannot coexist with pride, anger, or bitterness. To become people of gratitude, we must be willing to lay down our self-righteousness and entitlement, allowing God to humble us and open our hearts to His gifts. This transformation is costly but essential for spiritual growth. [32:45]
• 3. Habits of gratitude—such as daily prayers, pausing before meals, and family thankfulness—are vital for cultivating a grateful heart. These small, intentional practices help us notice God’s goodness and train us to respond with thankfulness, even when we don’t feel like it. [36:01]
• 4. The foundation of Christian gratitude is the gospel: the indescribable gift of Jesus Christ. Our thankfulness is rooted not in our changing circumstances, but in the unchanging reality of what God has done for us through Christ’s death and resurrection. This perspective sustains us through every season. [39:19]
• 5. If we do not intentionally remember God’s grace, we will unintentionally forget it amid the busyness of life. Regularly reflecting on the gospel and practicing gratitude keeps our hearts anchored in God’s love and helps us become the people He created us to be. [43:44]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [16:17] - Singing of God’s Faithfulness
• [17:01] - God as Father and Friend
• [17:46] - Surrendering to God’s Goodness
• [18:32] - Thanksgiving and Prayer
• [20:05] - God’s Promises and Presence
• [21:20] - Introducing the Series on Gratitude
• [21:57] - The Science of Gratitude
• [23:12] - Biblical Foundations of Gratitude
• [24:31] - Rejoicing, Praying, and Giving Thanks
• [25:45] - The Meaning of Rejoicing and Prayer
• [28:20] - Gratitude as Identity, Not a Task
• [30:08] - Giving Thanks in All Circumstances
• [32:45] - The Cost of Gratitude
• [36:01] - Habits That Cultivate Gratitude
• [37:18] - Gratitude and God’s Will
• [39:19] - The Gospel: Our Indescribable Gift
• [41:16] - Focusing on the Gospel Amid Busyness
• [43:44] - Remembering Grace and Practicing Gratitude
• [45:14] - Communion: Grace and Gratitude Together
• [46:27] - Preparing Our Hearts for Communion

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.

Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV) — > Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV) — > Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Observation Questions

1. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, what three actions does Paul command believers to practice, and how often are they to be done? ([23:53])
2. According to Philippians 4:4-7, what is the result of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks in every situation? ([25:06])
3. The sermon mentions that gratitude is not just a feeling but a choice and a discipline. What are some of the habits or practices mentioned that help cultivate gratitude? ([34:04])
4. What does Paul call the gift of Jesus in 2 Corinthians 9:15, and why do you think he uses that description? ([39:19])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that gratitude is “not something we do, this is who we are.” What does it mean for gratitude to be part of our identity as followers of Jesus, rather than just an action we perform? ([28:20])
2. Why does the sermon emphasize that gratitude cannot coexist with pride, anger, or bitterness? How does gratitude challenge these attitudes in our hearts? ([32:45])
3. The pastor points out that Paul does not say “give thanks for all circumstances,” but “in all circumstances.” Why is this distinction important for understanding biblical gratitude? ([30:08])
4. How does focusing on the gospel—the “indescribable gift” of Jesus—change the way we experience and express gratitude, especially during difficult times? ([39:19])

Application Questions

1. The sermon suggests that gratitude is a choice and a discipline, not just a feeling. Think about your daily routine: What is one small habit you could add (like morning prayer, pausing before meals, or a gratitude journal) to help you notice God’s goodness more regularly? ([34:04])
2. The pastor says that true gratitude costs us our pride, anger, and bitterness. Is there an area in your life where pride or bitterness is making it hard for you to be grateful? What would it look like to lay that down this week? ([32:45])
3. Paul commands us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Can you share about a time when it was hard to be thankful? What helped you (or could have helped you) to find gratitude in that situation? ([30:08])
4. The sermon warns that if we do not intentionally remember God’s grace, we will unintentionally forget it. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of the gospel and God’s grace during a busy week? ([43:44])
5. Communion is described as a moment where grace and gratitude meet. How does participating in communion help you remember and respond to what Jesus has done for you? ([45:14])
6. The pastor shared about making a “gratitude top 10 list.” What are three things you are thankful for right now, and how can you express that gratitude to God or others this week? ([44:31])
7. The sermon says that gratitude is God’s will for us and helps us become who God created us to be. In what area of your life do you most want to grow in gratitude, and what is one step you can take this week to move in that direction? ([37:18])