The Overflow of Thanksgiving: Living with a Grateful Heart

Today is a day to rejoice and be glad, for God has been so good and so faithful to us. In this season of Thanksgiving, it’s important to pause and truly reflect on all that God has done—not just in the big, miraculous moments, but in the daily mercies, the strength to endure, and the grace that sustains us. We are reminded that gratitude is not just a reaction to blessings, but a posture and a lifestyle before God. It’s easy to cry out to God when we need something, but how often do we return to say, “Thank you”?

Looking at the story in Luke 17, we see ten lepers who cried out for mercy and were healed by Jesus, but only one returned to give thanks. This one, a Samaritan, received not just healing, but wholeness—a deeper blessing that came from his gratitude. The question Jesus asked, “Where are the other nine?” still echoes today. Many receive blessings, but few return with grateful hearts. Gratitude requires memory, humility, and the recognition that we cannot bless ourselves.

Gratitude does more than acknowledge what God has done; it draws us closer to Him. The nine lepers experienced a miracle at a distance, but the one who returned found himself at the feet of Jesus, in intimate relationship. Thanksgiving is the key that opens the door for more. When we return to God with a grateful heart, we position ourselves for overflow—not just of material things, but of peace, joy, strength, and favor. Overflow is not about possessions, but about posture. It’s living in a continual outpouring of God’s grace, where even in lack, we see abundance because God keeps pouring into us as we keep returning to Him with thanksgiving.

Gratitude turns moments of blessing into a lifestyle of abundance. It transforms our perspective, allowing us to see God’s hand in every situation, to celebrate when others complain, and to turn little into much. When we come back to say thank you, God keeps pouring—He fills us, sustains us, and moves us forward. No matter what you’re facing, don’t let your current circumstance define your expectation. God has something greater for you, and it begins with a grateful heart. Let’s be the ones who return, who live in the overflow of thanksgiving, and who never stop saying, “Thank you, Lord.”

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Gratitude requires memory and humility Gratitude is not automatic; it demands that we remember what God has done and humble ourselves to acknowledge that we could not have done it on our own. Forgetfulness and pride rob us of the joy and intimacy that come from a thankful heart. When we intentionally recall God’s faithfulness, we cultivate a spirit that is quick to return and say, “Thank you.” [29:24]
• 2. Thanksgiving draws us closer to God While many experience God’s blessings, only the grateful draw near to His presence. The nine lepers were healed, but only the one who returned with thanksgiving found himself at Jesus’ feet. True gratitude leads us beyond the gift to the Giver, deepening our relationship and opening us to greater intimacy with Christ. [32:42]
• 3. Thanksgiving unlocks the more of God There is a difference between being blessed and living in overflow. The grateful leper was not only healed but made whole—he received more because he returned with thanksgiving. When we cultivate a grateful heart, we position ourselves for God’s abundance, experiencing blessings that go beyond our initial requests. [36:08]
• 4. Overflow is a posture, not possessions Living in overflow is not about having more things, but about having a heart that continually receives from God. Grateful people see blessings others miss, turn little into much, and experience God’s presence in every circumstance. As we keep returning to God with thanksgiving, He keeps pouring out His grace, peace, and strength—this is the true overflow. [39:33]
• 5. Returning to say thank you moves us forward When we take time to return to God and give thanks, we find that He not only fills us but also propels us into new seasons of blessing and wholeness. Gratitude is the bridge between what God has done and what He is about to do. Don’t be content to walk away with just the blessing—come back, say thank you, and watch God move you into overflow. [42:52]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:58] - Opening Thanksgiving and Prayer
• [03:50] - Declaring Victory and Praise
• [09:52] - Family and Friends Day Welcome
• [22:34] - God’s Presence in Our Trials
• [25:53] - Scripture Reading: Luke 17
• [29:24] - Many Receive, Few Return with Gratitude
• [32:42] - Gratitude Brings Us Closer to Jesus
• [36:08] - Thanksgiving Opens the Door for More
• [39:33] - Grateful Hearts Live in the Overflow
• [42:52] - The Power of Returning to Say Thank You
• [51:27] - Breaking the Cycle of Thirst
• [54:42] - Prayer of Thanksgiving and Remembrance
• [57:29] - Invitation to Live in Overflow
• [60:15] - Final Blessing and Closing

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Living in the Overflow of Thanksgiving

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### Bible Reading

Luke 17:11-19 (ESV)
11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance
13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.
15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;
16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?
18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

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### Observation Questions

1. In the story from Luke 17, what did the ten lepers ask Jesus for, and what did he tell them to do?
2. What was different about the one leper who returned to Jesus compared to the other nine?
3. According to the sermon, what does Jesus’ question “Where are the other nine?” reveal about people’s response to God’s blessings? [29:24]
4. What did Jesus say to the one who returned, and how was his blessing different from the others? [36:08]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that gratitude requires memory and humility. Why might it be hard for people to remember and return to say thank you to God? [29:24]
2. The nine lepers were healed but only one drew near to Jesus. What does this suggest about the difference between receiving a blessing and having a relationship with God? [32:42]
3. The pastor said, “Thanksgiving unlocks the more of God.” What does it mean to live in “overflow” rather than just being blessed? [36:08]
4. How does returning to say thank you to God move us forward into new seasons of blessing and wholeness? [42:52]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “Gratitude is not just a reaction to blessings, but a posture and a lifestyle before God.” What are some practical ways you can make gratitude a daily habit, not just something you do when something big happens? [29:24]
2. Think about a recent time when God answered a prayer or provided for you. Did you take time to return and say thank you, or did you move on quickly? How can you be more intentional about returning to God with thanks? [29:24]
3. The pastor shared that “overflow is not about possessions, but about posture.” In what areas of your life do you tend to focus on what you don’t have, instead of seeing God’s ongoing grace and provision? How can you shift your perspective this week? [39:33]
4. The one leper who returned received not just healing, but wholeness. Is there an area in your life where you need more than just a “fix”—where you need God’s wholeness? How might gratitude open the door for God to work more deeply in that area? [36:08]
5. The sermon mentioned that “forgetfulness and pride rob us of the joy and intimacy that come from a thankful heart.” Are there specific blessings or answered prayers you’ve forgotten to thank God for? How can you remember and give thanks for them now? [29:24]
6. The pastor told a story about someone who stepped away from a celebration to thank God first. Are there moments in your life when you celebrate with others but forget to thank God? What would it look like to put God first in your gratitude? [42:52]
7. The message ended with a challenge: “Don’t let your current circumstance define your expectation. God has something greater for you, and it begins with a grateful heart.” What is one area where you need to raise your expectation and trust God for more, starting with thanksgiving? [57:29]

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